After viewing a bunch of tool chests here and on other forums, I decided to build one for my hand tools. Its about 70% done - I need to add lifting handles and the sawholders on the lid, rope or chain lid stays, some sliding tills inside and a mobile base...OK its maybe 50% done.
It was made with 90% power tools in the interest of time...my wife is waiting for a new mud room while I spend time on a tool chest! Don't even ask what she thinks of my efforts.
I built it entirely from scraps - stair stringer plywood cut-offs, pine and poplar laying around the shop. Even the paint is from old projects. I wanted to paint it Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport green with a cream interior, but the blue has been sitting in my garage for years, so waste not, want not. Also, I did not distress it in any way because it will happen soon enough getting bumped into in my shop, and look better then if I were to do it intentionally.
The black screen door hinges I had left over, as well as the 12" x 12" cork tiles for the bottom. The only things I had to buy on the entire project were the hasp and the Tremont wrought-head nails.
Do you think I should put black iron chest handles on it like the ones from Lee Valley, or make a wood handle like Roy's chest, or a rope handle?
For scale, the wood jointer in the chest is 28" long, and the Keystone Air Master saw leaning against the lid is a 26" plate. The chest is 24" x 34" clear inside, and is made from 1" ply boards beveled and splined together to make larger side panels to look like solid wood boards, with cut nails that are mainly for decorative effect - even though they are truly nailed - as I rabbeted, glued, screwed and plugged the carcass together.
I'll add more pics as it nears completion.
-Pete
p.s. - even though it's made of plywood, I constructed it as though it was solid wood...the front, back, and ends are each panels made up of two 9-1/4" x 36" or 24" 'boards' splined together - thats because they are stair stringers about a foot wide.
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Originally Posted by george wilson
