Thread: Hand plane storage box design

Hi Dengue, I'd think about a simple box with a sliding (lengthwise) lid, like this, but different proportions of course.
SQ2.JPG.JPG
On the bottom you could put an insert with a recess so the iron isn't sitting on it. In your climate, I'd suggest saving those little bags of silica gel that come with electronic gear to put in. You can take them out and rejuvenate them with a few minutes in a warm oven.

Thanks for this, Alex, good thinking. I made a similar thing for my dado blade set a couple of years ago, works well. The sliding lid is vertical, with a horizontal threaded rod covered with conduit built into the back of the box for the blades to sit on. Had forgotten all about that.

I can probably do the same thing for the plane storage / carry box, with the plane sitting on the bottom of the case supported on two small blocks at the heel and toe, held in position by some comma shaped wooden cams screwed to the vertical sides. I can then put a carry handle on the top surface of the box, and hold the sliding lid tightly in the closed position with rare earth magnets embedded in the timber.

So the box would measure something like 380W x 80D x 160H, with the front face sliding up and down. That should be stable enough, I think, esp with the weight of the big #5 equivalent plane sitting on the bottom

Just wondering too how to make it all airtight, if possible, like cigar humidors. Not too sure just how airtight the sliding lid will be. Any suggestions on improving that?

Those silica gel packs are a good idea, will have to source some.

Just found some suitable 50gm silica gel packs at silicagel.com.au

An alternative to the silica gel packs would be VCI paper, you can get them from japanesetools.com.au. Other places sell them too but you may have to buy a bulk pack. A sheet of the paper will work for years in a closed box.

Here's some ideas - while not all bench planes, you can adapt to suit
302986810619.jpg BCTW 2.jpg
box 1.jpg box 2.jpg

Holtey.jpg Never-used-Bridge-City-Tool-Works-CT-11-Plane.jpg
Record. 2.jpg Record.jpg

Some very nice workmanship there RossM. A lot of work put into all those. That one with the red lining, how did you cut the shape out so perfect and is it a foam product?

Paul

Agree with Paul. Very interested in how to do the shape of the plane too

Haha - thanks - but I can't take credit. Just some inspiration found on the Internet.

However I have done similar french fit cases for friends over the years.

The red lining has been carved out of some closed cell foam & looks like its been painted & covered with flocking. (It may have been red foam, but I suspect its been painted & flocked.)
See Timbecon as a good source for flocking powder:
https://www.timbecon.com.au/flocking-red They have a short tutorial as well.

Here is some forum advice: Glue to use for flocking

And a YouTube tutorial with a home made flocker: YouTube

I have usually painted in matching colour, then used coloured glue & flock. This helps eliminate any potential for odd background blemishes.

You can also carve a fitted insert from regular open cell foam, or even buy so called "Kaizen Foam" that makes the process easy. Timbecon again (I promise I don't work for them - its just they carry the stuff & have a good video on the same link):
https://www.timbecon.com.au/kaizen-c...foam-organizer

For simpler shapes I have carved timber cut-outs & lined the box with Baize. You can stretch this a bit to fit some gentle curves such as finger pull cut-outs. Carosl carry it:
CWS Store - Self Adhesive Baize Red 1metre

For really simple shapes you can use felt, good as it has mode padding, but as its thicker it won't conform as easily to shapes in your box.

These techniques are commonly used for gun collectors, but the ideas are easily adapted. Here are a few more for you:






https://www.instructables.com/id/Mak...d-case-insert/

For silica gel packs, visit a women's clothing retailer. They get sacks and sacks of them as part of the shipments.

They'll give you hundreds in a shopping bag.

Originally Posted by woodPixel

For silica gel packs, visit a women's clothing retailer. They get sacks and sacks of them as part of the shipments.

They'll give you hundreds in a shopping bag.

This is true, my wife manages a clothing store and I can get as many as I like


Rick

Not really relevant but an old trick to keep salt dry in a shaker is to add a pinch of rice grains to the container.

Yvan

Joe,

It's not quite a plane box, but my lathe tool drawer. I salvaged the white foam from Washing machine packaging, its layered so can pull out in strips, my point being you can use o get the shape of the plane t keep off sides etc.

I have a no.5 and excess foam, so can I can cut out if you would like? if you want it fanciful I have a lot of music case insert material aswell, crushed velvet!!

Fumbler, thats so fancy Id fear to use it!

Originally Posted by woodPixel

Fumbler, thats so fancy Id fear to use it!

Use the drawer? I tell you it's now a cinch to vacuum the drawer out!! and definitely stops the tools from rolling around and banging into each other.