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Brian Holcombe
02-15-2016, 11:43 PM
Evening Gents!


I've started on a new build, in this build I'm working my way through Chris Hall's Japanese Tool Box. I do hope you will check it out and look forward to your input.






http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/37A07BA4-CFCE-4FAE-B797-28FFA86CC25A_zpsgxjutfd3.jpg




http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/D8B521C7-A240-4EB6-82D9-9999BDA20C78_zpspm7jympu.jpg


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/EBF0A2B0-315B-4788-9E3C-2AC62DABD30C_zpsnuvnfuuz.jpg

Jebediah Eckert
02-15-2016, 11:50 PM
Can't wait. What kind of wood, I haven't gone to the blog yet?.....but I sure will

Brian Holcombe
02-16-2016, 12:13 AM
Sounds good. Building this in white cypress.

I bought a decent bit of it recently, so I've been working my way through it. I don't have enough material for the top, so I'll build that in a complimentary wood.

steven c newman
02-16-2016, 12:20 AM
Nice build, makes my Stanley #888 wanabe look downright simple to do...

Phil Mueller
02-16-2016, 7:39 AM
As always, thanks for the build details. Already picked up a number of tips. Look forward to following the rest of the build.
I'm sure your son will cherish it for a lifetime.

Brian Holcombe
02-16-2016, 8:44 AM
Thanks fellows!

Chris Hachet
02-16-2016, 9:18 AM
This is highly inspiring! I need a new tool chest...hmm.....

Andrew Hughes
02-16-2016, 9:48 AM
Oh I like Cypress,I'll try to follow.Sometime I wish everyone would hold their applause until your done singing your song.
Its unrealistic of me I know.:p

Chris Hachet
02-16-2016, 10:30 AM
Oh I like Cypress,I'll try to follow.Sometime I wish everyone would hold their applause until your done singing your song.
Its unrealistic of me I know.:p

I have never used it....seems like it might be an interesting wood to work...

Prashun Patel
02-16-2016, 10:34 AM
Right on, Andrew, Right on!!!

Brian Holcombe
02-16-2016, 2:56 PM
Hah! Sometimes it is a very long song. :D

Thanks gents!

Chris, cypress is really wonderful stuff, if anything I think I've convinced myself to do architectural projects in mostly softwoods from now on. I will likely start using some Western Red Cedar and Alaskan cedar soon on some upcoming projects (the two I have in mind are pretty far on down the road).

This project will also include a bit of walnut as well, so far I'm eyeing it for the top.

Cheers
Brian

Mark Almeidus
02-16-2016, 4:37 PM
Always a joy to follow your projects Brian.

Tom Vanzant
02-16-2016, 7:58 PM
Brian, I have access to some cypress, don't know it's white cypress...is that a variety or just the color? I've been considering making a Japanese tool box or more, and now I know what wood to use. Thanks for the nudge.

Brian Holcombe
02-16-2016, 9:12 PM
Thanks fellas! Tom, white cypress covers a few similar species IIRC. I'm very happy with it, it's easy to work. One thing you'll find about softwoods, if you don't use them regularly you'll know immediately when your tools are dull.

I felt today, for instance, that two of my planes needed resharpening. Then moved into walnut for a moment, and both pulled gorgeous shavings with ease. Same with chisels, I keep those Konobu tsuki's insanely sharp for cutting this wood cleanly.

Robert Sampson
02-17-2016, 4:23 PM
Do you have a link to Chris' plans?

Brian Holcombe
02-17-2016, 5:14 PM
Howdy Robert,

The plans are roughed out in terms of height and joinery layout, overall length/width is determined by what goes in the box.

Here is a link to the plans.

http://www.thecarpentryway.com/CraftsmanshipinWood/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=108&start=10

Steve Voigt
02-17-2016, 6:37 PM
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/D8B521C7-A240-4EB6-82D9-9999BDA20C78_zpspm7jympu.jpg




At long last, a sartorial choice I can relate to...;)

Brian Holcombe
02-17-2016, 9:48 PM
I was wondering when my flannels would get some attention. :D

Ron Bontz
02-17-2016, 11:48 PM
Always a pleasure watching craftsman build something useful. Keep posting, please. :)

Evan Patton
02-17-2016, 11:53 PM
I was wondering when my flannels would get some attention. :D

I'm fine with your flannels--shirts or robes, whatever. Sorry I can't get past having a carpeted shop.:eek:

:cool:

Brian Holcombe
02-18-2016, 10:22 AM
Thanks Ron!

Hah, thanks Evan....lol...there is a certain genius to the carpet....but actually my wife insists I wear it out before replacing it with something more appropriate. Sorry to say the stuff wears like steel plate.

Brian Holcombe
02-18-2016, 11:49 PM
Evening fellas. I've got part II ready to go. I seem to be attempting to see how much material I can resaw.

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-carpentry-way-japanese-tool-box-part-ii/

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/5F6B1ABF-F2DE-412A-B5EE-DD799B4016DC_zpshzov7erz.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/1DAAEC57-014D-4E81-BF75-A86947609732_zps7yqliuvh.jpg

Mike Holbrook
02-19-2016, 12:09 AM
Interesting wood choice. I am about to embark on a search for some in Metro Atl. I need to make outdoor shutters for the house. Cypress works very well for bee boxes too.

I was immediately interested in your choice of plaids, but I would never presume to question your choice of wardrobe, especially after Stanley set me right about your expertise regarding robe and slipper choices.

Brian Holcombe
02-19-2016, 8:25 AM
It's a great wood to work, I think that you will enjoy making those shutters. If you can find really old tight growth that is best, I sorted through a bit of stock before finding material with tight growth rings.

Hah, Stanley is certainly leading the charge on behalf of the planing robe and slippers :D

Barry Dima
02-19-2016, 9:40 AM
Those beautiful walnut remind me: The handles are hands-down my favorite feature of this style toolbox. The sliding lid gets all the attention, but the handles are the first time the line between form and function really clicked for me when building something. They're just so dang clean and simple but work like a charm.

Oh, and if a desire to dress the handles in plaid seeds and grows during the build, don't fight it. Feed it.

(Digging the blog, too.)

Brian Holcombe
02-20-2016, 1:59 PM
Thanks Barry!

I have more work to do on the handles and I'll certainly detail that work specifically.

Plaid seeds, eh? Hehe.

Brian Holcombe
02-23-2016, 8:27 PM
Cruising along with part III. Got the top panel finished and ready for battens, along with quite a bit of the mortising.

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/the-carpentry-way-japanese-toolbox-part-iii/


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/694C2A33-CC13-4486-8906-B790C3219B7C_zpsfh4pe2ru.jpg

Stanley Covington
02-23-2016, 10:26 PM
Brian:

I am enjoying the thread very much. Your carpeted workshop makes me envious. And while the sartorial splendour I anticipated has yet to be revealed, mine is the impatience of a child on Christmas eve.

However, (and I write this without any satire intended) the beautiful wood and advanced joinery techniques you are employing are discordant with my experience in Japan, and even a bit grating.

I am writing this during my lunch break at my construction jobsite in Yokohama. There are lots of toolboxes close at hand even now, but none of those, nor any I have seen here in Japan in the past, resemble the one you are currently making.

All are very utilitarian, workman-like boxes, badly scratched and dinged. Most are made of inexpensive pine or Akita Sugi cedar. Infrequently, I have see Hinoki used. But never anything at the level of walnut. Construction-grade plywood is very frequently employed, especially for lids. Most boxes are nailed with ordinary plain wire nails (sans fancy heads or coloration). Some are screwed. Some are doweled. If fancy joinery is used, I have never seen it go beyond the not-especially-attractive pinned big-finger joint (not sure of correct terminology in English) used in traditional Japanese casework since forever. I am talking about the toolboxes of craftsmen that do high-quality woodworking for their employers everyday but Sunday, not hacks or tobis.

Some guys give their boxes a coat of spray paint from a can, or whatever the painter is squirting at the jobsite on a particular day, but never a fancy finish. Any decoration is limited to the Owner's name, and maybe the name of company he works for if he takes advantage of the company truck to convey his toolbox to the jobsite.

As a matter of fact, many are replacing their wooden toolboxes with high-impact plastic ones because the little green fellas are tougher and keep one's tools much drier than a wooden box could ever hope to do.

Different continent, different culture, I suppose. Don't get me wrong, I am not scoffing at your toolbox, Brian, nor am suggesting that it is not worthy of admiration. I am only saying that it is as Japanese as a California Roll.

And to those reading this who dunna no how to reed good, or don't bother to comprehend before jumping to mistaken conclusions and flaming (too many of those at SC), I say hire a tutor and get some remedial training before commenting. After that, have someone translate my signature below, and get some for yourself.

Stan

Jim Belair
02-23-2016, 11:07 PM
Stan, is at least the style of the "japanese toolboxes" commonly made here true to form?

Tony Wilkins
02-23-2016, 11:19 PM
I've always heard the boxes were such as Stan represents. I think T. date says as much as well. However, many of the ones I've seen in America look much like Brian's - including the recent one in FWw or PopWoid (can't remember which).

Brian Holcombe
02-23-2016, 11:46 PM
Howdy Stan, glad that you are enjoying and thanks for commenting. Indeed that is accurate to my understanding as well that this is not a historic example, but an original design having taken inspiration from those toolboxes.

It's important to understand that this was originally designed by Chris Hall as a joinery study for his study group students, that is why it is so involved. I decided to pursue it, not because I needed a tool box, but because I wanted a try my hand at one of Chris' designs (and do so with his blessing). This also helps to push my skills to the next level as I work out things such as the hell tenons. I continue to push myself and stepping out of my own design, for the moment, has been incredibly helpful in pushing personal boundaries.

I work mainly in hardwoods so my junk pile is going to look a little differently from others, so I pulled some gnarly walnut out of it, not really fit for fine furniture and put it to use here. The walnut for the caps is excellent stuff, but an off cut that also happened to work out.

Stanley Covington
02-23-2016, 11:54 PM
Howdy Stan, glad that you are enjoying and thanks for commenting. Indeed that is accurate to my understanding as well that this is not a historic example, but an original design having taken inspiration from those toolboxes.

It's important to understand that this was originally designed by Chris Hall as a joinery study for his study group students, that is why it is so involved. I decided to pursue it, not because I needed a tool box, but because I wanted a try my hand at one of Chris' designs (and do so with his blessing). This also helps to push my skills to the next level as I work out things such as the hell tenons. I continue to push myself and stepping out of my own design, for the moment, has been incredibly helpful in pushing personal boundaries.

I work mainly in hardwoods so my junk pile is going to look a little differently from others, so I pulled some gnarly walnut out of it, not really fit for fine furniture and put it to use here. The walnut for the caps is excellent stuff, but an off cut that also happened to work out.

Brian:

Excellent. I look forward to reading about the continuing adventure.

Stan

Frederick Skelly
02-24-2016, 8:11 PM
Always a joy to follow your projects Brian.

+1. It sure is!

Chris Hachet
02-25-2016, 10:06 AM
Cruising along with part III. Got the top panel finished and ready for battens, along with quite a bit of the mortising.

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/the-carpentry-way-japanese-toolbox-part-iii/


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/694C2A33-CC13-4486-8906-B790C3219B7C_zpsfh4pe2ru.jpg

Fantastic, love the book match on the grain...

Brian Holcombe
02-25-2016, 10:23 AM
Thanks gents!

Prashun Patel
02-25-2016, 11:13 AM
How does it look with the sap in the center instead of on the edges? I think that coloration is even more appealing than the cathedrals

Doug Bowman
02-25-2016, 12:45 PM
Fantastic thread Brian - not realizing that Chris Hall had one this years ago - I wanted to challenge myself to build a Japanese tool box without any nails. Your work will give me that push to get started.

Brian Holcombe
02-25-2016, 1:33 PM
Thank you! Doug that is awesome, glad to be an inspiration! Check out the original plans on Chris' forum, I think if you build one, working off of the original template is a good idea. He also planned out trays for tools and kinda walks through planning around the tools that you have to fit into the box.

Prashun, I agree, it always seems that the area where the two combine is always very interesting. The caps are basically that spot. I have posted this photo up yet but just got finished with this yesterday.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/23C586A4-C7C4-4877-9234-A5E13FEF22F9_zpspwosygri.jpg

All sort of interesting stuff going on there and that tiny spalt at the edge is really cool.

Stanley Covington
02-25-2016, 5:59 PM
Stan, is at least the style of the "japanese toolboxes" commonly made here true to form?

Yes, I believe most of them are. The way the lid fits to the box, and general dimensions are the key points IMO. The ones made by non-Japanese however clearly ignore the primary goal of light weight.

If you took a fancy toolbox like Brian's to a jobsite, the guys would snigger at you behind you back.

Actually, the last few years, most guys that obviously work construction and carry their tools to the jobsite seem to be using purpose-built rolling suitcases. I have one by Makita that is very convenient. And as I said before, high-impact plastic 道具箱 toolboxes have become more common than the wooden ones.

But Brian's purpose is not to build a traditional toolbox, and he will not use it on jobsites here, and no one will make fun of him. I admire the beautiful work he is doing, and look forward eagerly to the next chapters in the story. I must get myself some black ninja pajamas with rhinestones to get into the mood...;)

Stan

Brian Holcombe
02-25-2016, 10:37 PM
Thanks Stan! I'll have another update going up soon.

My tools in general would probably be fine, aside from the rosewood and ebony handles which would probably be considered less than serious choices. Presumably there are style choices that differ greatly between carpenters and interior carpenters and shoji or furniture makers. Also good chance that most of them are on the conservative side.

My personal ideal is to set my workshop up similarly to a sashimono-shi but with some obvious westernization (workbench and western planes) Most of their tools are made immediately available, being hung on the wall.

Brian Holcombe
02-26-2016, 10:43 AM
Morning Gents. I've got part IV ready. Working through Jigoku Hozo in this part, along with capping the ends of the box.


https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/the-carpentry-way-japanese-toolbox-part-iv/


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/B8207365-797A-4ABE-A3EA-8EEFB6534F3C_zpshwydkzu3.jpg


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/2B5153C1-48A1-4175-992C-1404236CB451_zpsm1q6ho3n.jpg

Jeffrey Martel
02-26-2016, 12:39 PM
That's a cool hammer. Is that from Stu?

Tony Wilkins
02-26-2016, 12:54 PM
Very nice work as always Brian. So what are you going to grace us with next? Oops, guess you still have the lid to do so I'm jumping the gun.

Brian Holcombe
02-26-2016, 1:11 PM
Thanks fellas! Haha, Tony, jumping the gun a bit :D I have plenty of work coming up, some cabinetry and possibly some tables.....and some drywall work and painting, lol.

Jeffrey, that one is from So Yamashita (Japan-Tool). Tenryu brand, it's not laminated but differentially hardened (hard faces, soft center).

Brian Holcombe
03-02-2016, 8:20 PM
Good evening! I have part 5 ready, after many, many, many wedges.... :D




https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/03/the-carpentry-way-japanese-toolbox-part-v/


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/C26127EA-CE77-48D5-B04B-4822251E639A_zpsgdqdasak.jpg


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/B54A8CCB-C81B-49B2-A35C-DBFDB0DE48AA_zpsw902a2z5.jpg

Malcolm Schweizer
03-03-2016, 8:56 AM
Your work is inspiring- very clean, and I love your choices of woods. We would certainly hang out a lot if we lived closer. By the way, I also LOVE that hammer. Thanks for costing me more tool money when I had promised to stop spending so much on tools, but I may just have to get one of those.

Brian Holcombe
03-03-2016, 2:54 PM
Thanks Malcolm! Absolutely and any time you are in the area, look me up.

Haha, you know it is one of my unfortunate talents. Just leave the Ebony handled ones for me, I find them irresisble. I may actually purchase a mokume gennou from an old maker at some point this year. I decided if it still haunted my thoughts after 12 months I would get one. I have to pace myself....it's good for my physical well being.

Brian Holcombe
03-05-2016, 11:37 AM
And now complete! (mostly) Hope that you guys have enjoyed.

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/05/the-carpentry-way-japanese-toolbox-build-final/

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/D44FF3E6-4E72-4882-993E-A4C86AEBC0EA_zpsbe56ldha.jpg

Jim Belair
03-05-2016, 1:20 PM
Nice job. I particularly like the little detail of the multiple wedged tenons. I'm not 100% sure the contrasting lid vs. same as the sides is to my taste, but if it was my toybox it might grow on me. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the build-along.

Brian Holcombe
03-05-2016, 1:51 PM
Hah, thanks Jim! I'm on the fence with contrasting woods, in general. I like it for cabinetry often, not sure in this case. I like the woods individually and together but I'm not sure if I would have liked it better in one wood. I may build another for the workshop at some point.

Mike Cherry
03-21-2016, 8:05 PM
Sorry to dig up an old-ish thread but I wanted to make two comments:
1) Amazing work Brian, I like the way the sapwood sort of blends into the cypress.

2) Do you have like a monster that lives under your bench and eats all the shavings and chips before they ever hit the carpet?

Patrick Walsh
03-21-2016, 8:24 PM
That came out very very nice,

Watching you finish so amny things makes me wonder what my probelm is?

Brian Holcombe
03-21-2016, 8:47 PM
Hah, thanks gents. I tend to go one right into the next since I plan them pretty far in advance....or I should say a glut of planning happened while I did the cabinet build last year, lol.

Mike, close....a festool monster. I pick up the long shavings and anything crumbly gets sucked up.

Doing another project right now, it's a valet box, matching a set that I did some years ago with improvements made. Might not post it up through as its a rather boring project in photos. Veneering, edge banding, shooting, dimensioning and finish planing. Only really (hopefully) sexy part should be that I plan to French polish rather than having a friend shoot it with lacquer (he's not keen to do so since the last set of boxes took about 50 coats of nitro.

Mike Allen1010
03-21-2016, 10:27 PM
Evening fellas. I've got part II ready to go. I seem to be attempting to see how much material I can resaw.

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/19/the-carpentry-way-japanese-tool-box-part-ii/

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/5F6B1ABF-F2DE-412A-B5EE-DD799B4016DC_zpshzov7erz.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/SpeedyGoomba/1DAAEC57-014D-4E81-BF75-A86947609732_zps7yqliuvh.jpg


Brian, your build threads are among my favorites here on SMC. The finished surface on that piece of Cyprus in your bottom photo is awesome! I hate you because I'm pretty sure this means I'm going to have to learn how to tap out the hollows in the bottom Japanese plane blades, something that has so far resulted in disaster – cracked cutting edges etc. Dude, come on! Think about the rest of us (okay mostly me), who can barely make western plane blades with flat backs work – have a little empathy!

Seriously another great project. As always, I look forward to following the rest of your build. In particular, I love your Asian inspired joinery and your exquisite level of execution (OK, I maybe still envy you more than little for that).

BTW, flannels always a solid choice. When you have carpeting on the shop floor, anything you can do to relate to boneheads like me is always appreciated:). If that sounds petty, I sincerely apologize. I'm seriously a huge fan! Maybe I shouldn't look at SMC during cocktail hour.

Cheers, Mike

Brian Holcombe
03-21-2016, 11:35 PM
Haha, I am enjoying the spirited post :D, which spirits though, I wonder?

On the hollows, Odate's book is pretty good, Chris Hall 's blog is excellent, and of course I am happy to help out as well. I've tapped out with success on the Kunio plane in that photo, same with a Tsunesaburo, Kikuhiromaru also a Konobu chisel, it's pretty easy once you run through it once.

I'm setting up another plane in a few weeks or so (whenever it arrives) and as I set it up I'll post up the process. Only things you need are an anvil and a tiny hammer. I expect that you probably have both from your adventures with saws.

Thanks for the kind words!

Ps; How well do you feel those flannels might work with a sportscoat? Hehehe.

Someone commented on my barefeet in one photo on the blog, so you see, the satirical requirements of the workshop are certainly unique. :D