My first box - a toolbox

**Spyro** · 10th August 2018, 02:46 PM

I had this half of a cheap "project panel" from Bunnings that I was using as support between 2 sawhorses, and it had all sorts of glue and paint on it. But the other side was ok, so instead of throwing it out I decided to make a toolbox for the shed.

I don't have a table saw and at the time I didn't have a router table either, so for the box joints I made and used this:

Basically I just clamped the boards together on the side of the bench, offset them by one thickness, and routed the edges from above.

For the top I took a merbau decking board, sliced it on the bandsaw, flattened and jointed it by hand.

For the handle I cut a rough shape on the bandsaw and then shaped it by hand, mostly with a spokeshave.

The insert was just cut on the mitre saw and added merbau splines by hand.

So it was all pretty rough stuff stuff generally, but I loved every minute of it.

Then I cut it open by hand as well.

A few days later those studs started coming off and I replaced them with screws.

Overall it was a lot of work but not as bad as I thought with most of the work done manually. I think I'll make a couple more though before I try my hand with real timber.

Thanks for looking!

**Spyro** · 10th August 2018, 02:52 PM

Now that I look at the photos again I realise there is a colour difference because I waxed the outside but not the insert. It's all the same "project panel".

**Handyjack** · 10th August 2018, 07:11 PM

For a toolbox with basic tools, that is a work of art.
My joins are either a rebate in a groove, or butt joins and screws.

Well done.

**bruceward51** · 11th August 2018, 10:10 AM

Nice work. I have been thinking about a non-plastic toolbox for working away from home so interested to see another approach. Not need to find a round tuit!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**AlexS** · 11th August 2018, 10:37 AM

That's a nice, strong looking box. A bit better than basic.

**Spyro** · 11th August 2018, 12:12 PM

Thank you all!

In hindsight it was a mistake to make a fixed handle, the box now takes a lot more space than it needs to. I guess I can always convert it to a collapsible one... I just need a round tuit

**Treecycle** · 11th August 2018, 02:43 PM

By your intro to this box I was expecting something that looked like it was made by a beginner starting out with only basic tools, but was greatly surprised when I started to see the photos as it has come up magnificently.
A nice array of good looking handtools you are housing in it already.

**Spyro** · 11th August 2018, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Treecycle

By your intro to this box I was expecting something that looked like it was made by a beginner starting out with only basic tools, but was greatly surprised when I started to see the photos as it has come up magnificently.
A nice array of good looking handtools you are housing in it already.

Thank you sir

That's what I am though, a beginner with basic tools. The box has imperfections, I filled some gaps in the joints with sawdust and epoxy.
I am not a woodworker, my interest is mainly in design, I started basic woodworking because it allows me to create the shapes that I want and to scratch the creativity itch.
I think a simple box like this can catch the eye with a good colour combination, simple rule of thirds in proportions and well placed hardware, even if the materials and craftsmanship are both pretty basic.
And I did use my background in photography to catch some flattering light in the photos

**Pauls321** · 12th August 2018, 10:08 AM

Very nice, very ingenius,...well done

Paul

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