What would you consider to be an ideal tool cabinet?

How many tools would you like it to hold?
Would you want to keep stones or other equpment in it?
How would you like the tools supported?
Would you want it wall mounted or free standing?
Would you like it to be lockable?
Would you consider this cabinet to be a showcase of your tools or just a place to store them?

I ask these questions because along with being a carver I am also a furnituremaker contemporary/studio style and I am in the process of designing a cabinet for my self. I was thinking that if there is enough interest I would submit plans and photos to the magazine(S) so others may build one. Let me hear your ideas.

Thanks
Dale

[icarve2003]

Good Dale,

I actually just whipped together something to hold my tools and I'm not real happy with it.

I was wanting something with drawers. I thought of having a drawer for my burrs and dremel accesories. One or two drawers for chisels and knives, and another drawer for burning pens, calipers, rulers, pencils, etc..

My plan was to have a cabinet on castors that I could wheel around and that would basically have everything in one spot. I thought that a bigger area in the bottom could hold my dremel, apron, and the carving I was working on.

I would like it to be a display of my tools as well as just storage. I personally would put a lock on it because I have two small children and I would like to lock it if it wasn't in my shop.

These are just a few ideas I had. I would love to see some of your plans for a cabinet. I looked around at buying one but all I could really find were the mechanics chests and I don't really want one of those for my carving tools.

Thanks,
Chris

[Callynne]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with too Dale. My main carving room is what I used to call my sewing room, it's quickly turning into my STUDIO....I love the sound of that! It's just off our livingroom and is open so whatever I come up with has to 'look nice' too! And like Chris I have children around so it has to be safe also. Hmmmm, attractive, practical, safe, yes that about describes what I want! Callynne

[AlArchie]

Dale, I don't want to throw a damper on your plans, but the thought of an 'ideal' tool cabinet is a bit vague. We spend a lot of time on the road with a 'camper trailer', and I would relate your quest, to finding an 'ideal' travel unit. Depends on the use at the time.

It depends on exactly what you want to do with it.......will your carving and burning all be done in one place?........will you want to carry some tools to outdoor sites?...........will you want to carry large, or small tools?.......................do you want power access in the cabinet?......................will you want easy access from one carving bench, or location, or do you move around your shop/studio?

In order to accomodate all these 'wants' you'd need a large cabinet, that is easilly moved around the shop, yet be able to lock in place, so you're not chasing it around. Kinda like one of these big mechanic's roll-around tool boxes. The chisle and gouge sections should be indexed by size, and removable from the main cabinet to allow taking them to remote sites, and yet be able to combine them into one convienient carrying case.

How about sharpening and honing equipment? Do you want these sections to be removable too, so you can pack them when you leave the shop?

Would you include a carving bench, and if so, how would that fit into the overall configuration.

If you include power carving, do you want a power source on the cabinet, and perhaps a small shelf workspace for doing pyrography.

Now that I've added to the confusion, here's what I think I'd like.

A large cabinet (oak preferably) for two reasons....it looks good and is tough as nails. Placed on lock-wheel rollers to move easilly around the shop.

Removable tool drawers that can combine into a portable suitcase style box that I could bring with me on the road. These drawers would store the tools in a horizontal position, but when pulled out in the shop, would swing down to hold them vertically for easy access when working with them. Barrister cabinet style slides might work for this.

I'd also want an attached light and an overhead hanger for power carving equipment.

Oh, ya, did I mention dust collecting capability? Maybe a small unit built into the lower unit. If a small portable dc was used, it could be removable and carried along as another case.

Power carving equipment could be stored in compartments in the lower part, and there should be power outlets on the side.
A slide out work space between the base and cabinet would allow for a place to do small carvings and pyro.

Boy, better stop before I get too carried away, but you asked for what we'd like in such a cabinet, and this in my 'pie-in-the-sky' wish list.

Al

Al

Actually I built one similar to what you describe awhile back for a carver that does Redwood signs at home shows and fairs. It was a monster but everthing was in one unit all he had to do was plug into a power source.

This does bring up the fact that I should have mentioned this would be for home or studio use. However I could incorporate a travel case for a selection of gouges and stones.

The cabinet I have in mind would be seperate from the carvers bench. But I would be interest in working up an idea for a carving bench with storage at some time.

For example my bench not only funtions flat but the center section raises to verticle so I can carve wall mounted carvings in the way they will be viewed. It is also hardwired for power carving and has a sharpening center of on one end. The bench is L shaped and can be used standing or with a tall stool. This bench does not have storage just a recessed area for pencils and misc items.

Keep the ideas coming everyone.

Thanks Al

Well Al...there goes your retirement money! lol

Actually, I bought a machinist oak tool chest at Costco and it works very well! The problem is, they came out with a matching base, but at the time, I thought was too expensive (made in China, drawers hard to open etc) so I passed it up, now, I have my tool box in the den and it would look a whole lot better sitting up on the base, besides having more storage and being easier on the back! Those machinist boxes are still on ebay..if you want to see one, Costco doesn't have any of the tool boxes I think, and I know they only ordered the bases on a 'one time basis' : :-/

[icarve2003]

Hey Dale,

Could you post a photo of your bench that you just described? That sounds like something I'd like for my shop.

Thanks,
Chris

Sure, Let me see if I have one to scan. If not I will see if my wife can bring the digital camera home from her work. If none of the above work I will take some photos and post them with in two weeks. If anyone in the Milwaukee, Wi area is reading this and you have a digital camera you are welcome to come by and take photos.

Dale

I found two photos that will give you an idea of what the bench is like. Neither shows the center in the upright position but you can see how it sits in the bench. I will see what I can do to take some more photos in the upright position.
I will have my wife scan and post photos tonight about 8 pm central time. She is the one with the scanner and knows how to do such a thing. So I have to wait till she get's home.
I am opening a new studio next month and sometime in late August or September I will be building another bench like this at that location. This time I am going to include heavy vice's. I will photo the whole assembly of that bench to have on file.

Dale

I carve mostly in my den,where we watch tv.I bought a jewelry cabinet.It is great 6-7 drawers.Open the side doors and hang stuff there. All drawers are padded inside.They had a great sale on them at Service Merchandise.It 's a great piece of furniture.