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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,096

    Default Antique old/collectable tool boxes for carpentry and joinery

    Hey all, its been a long time since I was an active member. So, G'day to you all.

    I've decided that I want and need to house my tools in appropriate storage for antique tools.

    I started buying old tools for my personal timber work needs, and over 20+ years I kept buying as I appreciated the antique, historical and quality aspects of them. Also, if it's a bargain, I'll buy it as I can always trade, sell or add it to a tool box for my kids. I would now say I have a fair collection. I move house frequently, sometimes with a garage, sometimes not.

    I usually store my tools in 2 cupboards. One is an antique mens, double door, clothes cupboard, in which I fitted shelves in the clothes hanging side. The other is a double door timber cupboard fitted with shelves. It's time to move on.

    I'm thinking of a glass topped sideboard with drawers on each end as a display and piece of furniture. Perhaps the drawers will be toolboxes. Incorporated into that will be vertical posts which will support and raise two toolboxes, in these will be a set of carpentry/joinery tools.

    If I decide to hinge the boxes (like a suitcase) the tools will be on display (with a glass front fitted), or I'll incorporate a removable front and when on display fit it with a piece of glass. This will allow me to remove the glass, lift down the tool boxes, close them and I have a travelling set of tools to take to the workshop or a site.

    I'm happy enough to design the sideboard to antique joinery.

    I'd like to get help with information (and pics please) on the design, layout and interior fancy work of antique toolboxes, from those of you that are in the know.

    I'm in the design phase, and due to time restraints this will be a slow build, so bear with me. Also I'll be doing this with my young children as a teaching exercise, so further time restraints.

    As always, thank you for your time and consideration and many thanks.
    Cheers,
    Clinton

    "Use your third eye" - Watson

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinton_findlay/

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sth Gippsland Vic
    Posts
    4,355

    Default

    Hi Clinton .
    I went through a stage of buying toolboxes to house tools . From Basic to fitted out traditionally 19th C ones . Their all stored away atm but the book to get showing a very good traditional one is the Benjamin Seaton toolchest book
    It'l be shown in this list of pics of it.

    the tool chest of Benjamin seaton - Google Search


    When I needed to move workshop I needed more of such boxes . So I went about building 3 more on top of the 7 roughly I already had. . Same size as old ones but it was just 19mm Radiata Pine boards jointed together and no internal fitting out. Carefully skew nailed and glued together. Bottoms nailed and glued on and lids just screwed down . Basic wooden handles fitted on each end for lifting a box full of tools . Best way to move tools around securely.

    I had a friend bring over a load of Blacksmithing gear once from South Australia on a train . Nothing in boxes , just open topped tea chests . The collectable axe heads never made it to the other end . Nabbed by some dishonest Railway worker.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,096

    Default

    Thanks Rob

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

    Default

    Hi Clinton,
    Sounds like the beginning of an interesting project.
    I have Jim Tolpin's book, and it is full of useful considerations, modern and traditional techniques.
    'The Toolbox Book; a craftsman's guide to tool chests, cabinets and s....' by Jim Tolpin, 1998.
    Access to this page has been denied.

    I see your location as Sydney. The TTTG, based at Old Earlwood Town Hall, has a few 'traditional' boxes and chests, if you want to see examples.
    Sometimes some for sale, also.
    The Traditional Tools Group (Inc.)

    regs,
    A.
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Millmerran,QLD
    Age
    73
    Posts
    11,095

    Default

    Clinton

    The second edition of The Tool Chest of Benjamin Seaton contains the build of a replica toolbox as well as detailed drawings and dimensions of the original box for anybody wishing to replicate the original. I think the original compliment was around 230 tools of which a little over two hundred remain.

    The Tool Chest of Benjamin Seaton

    The worldwide price of GBP34 includes shipping so pretty good I think. Recommended for anybody interested in tools from 1797.



    There have been several replicas. Some are featured in this link:

    The toolchest Of Benjamin Seaton by Kaare loftheim - Google Search

    This is the lift out section of Kaare Loftheim's toolchest as featured in the book:

    Kaare Loftheim BSTC replica.jpg

    Regards
    Paul
    Bushmiller;

    "Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,096

    Default

    Andrew and Paul, thank you very much.
    Yes, I really should get active in the TTTG. I used to go to the annual sale for the Melbourne mob, and have gone to the Sydney mob sale once. Thanks for the reminder Andrew.
    Cheers,
    Clinton

    "Use your third eye" - Watson

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/clinton_findlay/

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