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  1. 4th March 2007, 04:06 PM #1
    roverdisc1
    roverdisc1 is offline New Member
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    Default Help with Tool Chest

    I've been looking into building a chest (portable) to house my ever increasing collection of hand tools.

    The main intent of the chest would be to carry my tools to the job site for a variety of woodworking/carpentry tasks. And when not on the job to help keep them distinguished for general shop tools (I use my dads shop and he tends to grab the closest tool to him for whatever the task may be. It's fine to use a $3 Ace chisel to pry a nail, but not my vintage Buck Bros. or Stanley Everlasts)

    That being said, I definitely want to build my own (no self-respecting woodworker can carry a sheet metal tool box to the job site). Design and materials is what I am struggling with right now.

    Although I like the Gerstner styled chests, they appear to be more a bench type box and don't have the versatility that I am looking for. I do like Studley/Peerless chest but it seems to be too specific to his piano making.

    Has anyone built a tool chest, do you have any suggestions?

    Also, if building what I will call a "suitcase" style chest like the Studley, would IPE be a decent consideration for wood. I like it because you can get a heck of a lot of strength out of a relatively thin board. I could probably get away with 1/4" thick or less and have less weight and more strength than other woods.

    Any thoughts?
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  2. 4th March 2007 04:06 PM # ADS
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  3. 4th March 2007, 07:49 PM #2
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    RufflyRustic
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    Hmm, I'd be inclined to lay out everything that you want to include in the toolchest, and work out what to put where, ie, same length, width, thickness; whether you want drawers, or lift-out shelving, inserts inside the lid etc etc etc.

    Maybe that will give you an idea on what size the chest will be and whether IPE ( sorry not familiar with IPE) will be suitable or not.


    I, do, however, totally agree that a metal toolchest may not give the same impression as a wooden one.

    cheers
    Wendy
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  4. 4th March 2007, 08:04 PM #3
    bsrlee
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    Get thee to a library.

    Have a look for (or ask them to get on interlibrary loan) 'The Toolbox Book' by Tolpin (Taunton) and "Building the Perfect Tool Chest" by Stack (Popular Woodworking Books). If you buy your own set, you'll end up like me, just re-reading them instead of actually making a toolbox.

    Read them cover to cover, photocopy/scan what seems useful (take plenty of change ).
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  5. 5th March 2007, 12:01 AM #4
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    Poppa
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    I have a copy of 'The Toolbox Book' by Jim Tolpin, and I agree totally with bsrlee - it is an excellent (and beautiful) book. I plan on designing my own toolboxes (I'm going to build at least 3 eventually) and this book is a goldmine of useful information. Hours of fun.
    Bob C.

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  6. 5th March 2007, 12:30 AM #5
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    http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ght=tool+chest

    Harry makes a no-nonsense tool box that gets carted about a fair amount.
    Perhaps his design should go in the mix?
    Cheers,
    Clinton

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  7. 5th March 2007, 09:49 AM #6
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    Good call Clinton. Harry is a master - a treasure in his own right.
    Bob C.

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