No more cigar boxes for me...

Anthony Filetti · #1 07-15-2007, 07:08 PM

After seeing so many nice toolboxes and having a feeling of disorganization I spent some time designing a toolbox for myself that would allow me to be more easily portable and at the same time find the tool I am looking for at a glance. I would like to thank those of you prior to this that have posted pictures of your toolboxes as the examples made the design process for me much easier. I would also like to thank Mark A. and Lynn for their advice on the finish of the box.

The box is made of 3/4" "Curly Cherry" and is held together with glue and walnut pegging. I used this opportunity to really use my Dado stack set and it came in handy. The bottom and innards are 1/4" birch ply.

Picture #1 is of the innards and the criss-cross crating I made to ensure separation of tools.

Picture #2 is of the box with cover in place. Foam in the lid is too ensure tools stay in place in transport.

Picture #3 Is the loaded box, the rear section is 3" x 14 3/4" to the full depth of the box and surprisingly can hold a lot of stuff.

Pictures #4-5 are of the exterior of the box

Jim OH · #2 07-15-2007, 08:08 PM

Tony,
Nice job on the box. It appears this one might have taken a while to construct and it was worth it, looks great ! I find a little organization helps me a lot in finding the right tool and portability is a must. Well done!
Jim OH

Joy · #3 07-15-2007, 08:17 PM

Beautiful box! How much does it weigh with tools?

snickerbocker · #4 07-15-2007, 08:27 PM

Very nice Tony.

Tom H · #5 07-15-2007, 08:30 PM

Tony, Great lookin tool box. I really like the way you did the inside. Does it mean that you can only purchase 6 more tools, before you have to build another???Great job! Tom H

wood-whittler · #6 07-15-2007, 09:40 PM

tony,

very nice box, what are the overall dimensions of the box?.turned out real nice you will like it alot better than having to dig for stuff.

bart

chuckt · #7 07-15-2007, 11:43 PM

Gorgeous box Tony! Nicely executed. Love the pegs.

ChuckT

aulddiy · #8 07-16-2007, 06:45 AM

A fine looking bit of work.

I've tried for years not to be disorganised but failed. Now in old age absent mindedness puts that out of the question.
What was I saying?

squbrigg · #9 07-16-2007, 07:38 AM

Great tool box, well built and organized. Love the Cherry!

Bob

Anthony Filetti · #10 07-16-2007, 07:48 AM

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. Bart and Jim hopefully I will now be able to keep up with you guys!!

Jim building the box really did not take that long (I was surprised, it was the design which took the longest) Other than glue up and finishing the rest of the process went reasonably quick. The box is finished with 4 coats of tung oil, waiting 24 hours between coats. Overall build time, about 7 days (for a full time working stiff like ourselves...).

Joy, the weight is formidable, the box empty weighs about 12 lbs. Fully loaded about 18 lbs. This was not too much of a consideration as I don't plan on carrying it too far, my main goal was organization. After watching Viki's ease of carving with her and Phils organized boxes it made me strive for a more organized existance. It even stores my diamond stones and a healthy supply of bad-aids!

Bart the box is about 11 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.

Tom, yup about 6 more...if I had any more than that I think I would end up back in a state of confusion. I know I will be buying another Helvie so one of those spots will be gone.

The only thing I would change with this is the use of brass screws, when they come under too much torque they snap...

Overall cost of the box was about $150. The Cherry and birch plywood representing about $100 of the total. 2 1/4" walnut dowels $6, Brass hinges, latches, and handle about $15. New drill bit for the supposed 1/4" dowels (really 13/32) about $6, tung oil and steel wool about $12. Add the enormous NY state sales tax and you come up in the ballpark of $150.

Thanks again guys for all the nice comments.