Put the hardware on the totes this morning.  One each for two of my grandsons and one for me.  Roughly based on Frank Klausz's article in PopWood a few years ago, with lots of thing to be decided by the builder (only went from rough dimensions, and a note that if he made another, he'd make it smaller). and a picture or two. https://cdn.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/YourFirstToolkit.pdf

 

 

Around the edges are spots for screwdrivers, awls, chisels, nail sets, pencils, etc.  Inside is a removable till for whatever and can be centered, or pushed to front or back.  Realized too late what those little telephone pole thingies on the side were for -- I think it was to lock the drawers in place, but I'm not really sure.   I normally make a box a one piece, then cut off the lid.  I didn't on this one (but maybe should have) so it took some extra care to make sure the lid was the same size and shape as the base.

 

I guess you can consider this "trash art" because everything except the hardware came from my leftovers and recycled wood stash.   When I first started woodworking when I made something from pine I'd always say, "For all the effort I put into this, I should have sprung for a better wood."   But I think the pine is traditional, makes the whole thing a bit lighter, and will show the "wear and tear" of a functional life well lived.

 

The bottom has box joints that were made from the router jig that I showed a few weeks ago.   The top dimensions didn't work out too well with that spacing, so they are hand-cut dovetails.

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 20205 yr by kmealy

Those turned out fantastic! Many years of service ahead.

Beautiful

Very nice Keith! 

I may need to borrow your "Trash Art" description. 

Most everything I have/do is recycled from somebodies trash. 

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Very nice Keith! 

I may need to borrow your "Trash Art" description. 

Most everything I have/do is recycled from somebodies trash. 

I learned that term doing a crossword puzzle last week.

Those are very nice, well done! I agree with the choice of pine, it will marvelous after some use. Nice!

I used to tell people if they got pine furniture to buy it with physical distressing.  One more dent in a distressed piece will blend in better than one in a perfectly flat piece.

Way...to...go, Keith! 

Ditto to all of the above.

Great job on some family heirlooms

 

Those turned out great Keith.  What are the dimensions of your boxes?

And thanks for the link

I just came up from the shop, they're about 22 wide x 14 deep x 12 high outside dimensions.

 

I just loaded it with my stuff and there were a few things that were too long to stand up, namely a nail puller (The Extractor), a pair of Channelock type pliers, a long shank screwdriver, magnetic pickup, QuickGrip clamp and a couple of beater chisels.  They all fit fine laying down in the center.  Some of the less frequently used stuff like putty knife, allen wrenches, squares, ViseGrip go in a drawer.  I was dubious about the drawers, but it does keep everything from just a pile in the middle and unlike the standard ATC till, doesn't have 50% wasted space.

 

Everything fit, but I weeded out some stuff I don't use as often now (like upholstery tools).  I added some storage on the inside of the lid for some of the aforementioned long stuff -- used a HF magnetic tool strip that holds some of lighter stuff just fine.  heavier items didn't survive a lid slam

 

I'm glad I made the till -- it does a nice job with the little stuff and separating front from back of the main area.   I did like my old nylon tote because with all the inside and outside pockets (which was a mandatory feature when I bought it) it was easy to see and retrieve a large number of tools.  And everything had its place, so I did not spend a lot of time digging and looking.

 

Here is the probable artwork that my daughter will do on her Cricut.  (Tobias (AKA Tobin) and Zachary (AKA Zac))

 

You got a lot of stuff packed in there! These are going to be appreciated for sure!

 Version 2.1 - took all the stuff off the magnetic strip and put the wrenches up there.   Neater looking and stay up better.

Great job and great tools and boxes.  

Wow all that fit in that small box? I am impressed. You could try two of those magnetic strips, would hold better.

 

Now to fill the others is the plan to buy a couple tools every special event? Best make a list

Family!