Antique Tool Chest

[formariz 11,987]

Starting to visualize all the tools that I want to put in box. Decided to make a few additions to it  without altering the existing in order to fit and organize everything.  I will leave all repairs and new additions looking as they are without staining them so changes are obvious adding to the story of box for future generations. Still have a few boards of old growth long leaf pine which is actually what most of box is made off. They are totally clear with perfectly straight grain. They are a pleasure to work with, leaving their scent through out house.

[formariz 11,987]

New compartments for second lid made. Only now need to make some dividers for chisels and hold downs for braces . Most frequently used tools will be on this lid such as chisels screwdrivers , etc.  First lid will have a couple of most frequently used handsaws.

 

 

Edited June 3, 2022 by formariz

[formariz 11,987]

Most frequently used tools will be on lids. Still lots of little spaces for more.

 

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

Working my way into the chest body. Underside of second lid made useful also.

First lid

Second lid underside 

[formariz 11,987]

Chain to hold first lid was proving troublesome after new compartments addition since there was no longer much space for it with lid closed. Decided to resort to a simple tried and true method used in the late 1700s. Old methods never fail.

 

 

Edited June 13, 2022 by formariz

[formariz 11,987]

Chest has some substantial corner protectors on bottom pretty cleverly designed since they will keep bottom of chest off floor. I had noticed that they had some inscription on the very corners as oar of casting. They are somewhat worn specially towards the bottom from the obvious reason. However I was able to take a pretty good imprint  of the best one. What is in there is essentially the patent date for them.  It is Oct.15.1863. Along with other features this establishes a pretty accurate date for chest’s construction making it now around 159 years old.

 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

10 minutes ago, formariz said:

around 159 years old

 

Catching up to some of us !  

[formariz 11,987]

1 minute ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

Catching up to some of us !  

Yes we have to keep going.

[formariz 11,987]

New compartments? What new compartments? Decided to instead blend them in so as to keep chests dignity. A list of all changes or additions will be inside of it for future generations.
 

 

Edited June 15, 2022 by formariz

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

Beautiful work!!! 

[rjg854 11,361]

Gotta hand it to you, Caz, you do some beautiful work.  

[formariz 11,987]

One will essentially be able to work just out of second lid due to all of the tools now in it. However it did make the lid too heavy to lift and lower safely without any provisions for that. Empty it is already a bit difficult to grab properly. Had to introduce a small handle to help with it which works really well without being too obvious. Will oxidize it a little more to make it look more like it has always been there.

 

 

 

 

 At sometime in its life box body was stained quite a bit darker . Most were actually painted. I believe it may have been done after it came out of originals owners hands. Back is still dark but  strangely enough there are no signs of rest of box have been  stained and stripped. There are “rub off “ marks on back from fingers. Quite possibly also that someone started on back and did not like the looks and left it that way.  Box has always been used against a wall to hold lids since there are no signs of provisions for a chain or anything like it that would hold lids and aging on back substantiates how it placed during its life. 
 Blended in lid stop to match aging on back. 
 

[squonk 41,104]

How much is this gonna weigh loaded? 

[formariz 11,987]

3 minutes ago, squonk said:

How much is this gonna weigh loaded? 

Good question. I am not sure that I can answer that accurately. However let’s take in to consideration the following. Most chests found are much smaller than this one. Early in time there was a sort of a dimensional standard to make these chests so they would fit specific tools in it. Later on as less hand tools became necessary these chests shrunk in size considerably. This one is absolutely faithful to the standard dimensions having also the extra second lid which I have never seen before. Chest never had handles. I don’t think that is accidental since a handle for one hand on each side of chest with it full would be useless only managing to literally rip off your hand if one managed to lift it. 
 So having said all that I think that with it full two men can only really manage to slightly lift it enough to drag it a foot or two each time hence the reason for it to be on wheels now. That itself is already going to be improved on with larger and better wheels that will roll easier but more importantly will not get flat spots from sitting with all of the weight on them.

[rjg854 11,361]

I'm sure you can make up some long removable handles and make it kind of a wheel barrow style.

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

1 hour ago, rjg854 said:

I'm sure you can make up some long removable handles and make it kind of a wheel barrow style.

 

 

 Well I do need to devise something even though there is not going to be a need for it while I am living. It’s not going anywhere. 
 Up to the 1800s somewhere it was typical to make a large clear of wood bolted to the side with a large rope as a handle that could be grabbed with two hands. 
     I will most likely use a similar method but coming from the bottom of chest using also the dolly with wheels so as to not alter chest by drilling into sides. 

[formariz 11,987]

Still working on filling the two lids with tools as I think of which ones to use. Basic idea on the lids is to have all of the necessary tools to perform most tasks without having to go into the well of chest. Rather than just randomly  “throw “ tools into it, for the majority of them they are given dedicated secure places conveniently placed according to the frequency of use. Although I will be working out of this chest , in the very least it already has a destiny for the next two generations . At the completion of its furnishings , placed in it , there will be an inventory of every single tool present ,along with how they came to me since a lot of them were given to me by individuals who had a great influence in my work and life. 
 

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

Fitted better more appropriate  wheels. Started fitting chest’s well with tools . Next will build the remaining sliding saw and tool tills.

 

 

 

[953 nut 55,224]

                   Only thing I can say is "eat your heart out Roy Underhill"!

[formariz 11,987]

Trying to utilize all space available but not having to remove a tool in order to get to another. Added two additional shelves for planes. Not sure which planes will reside on top one yet. These are hinged so they can be lifted for cleaning or access any dropped item on bottom of chest.

 Not really needed but added “custom” latches for lids. 

 

 

 

 

 

[rjg854 11,361]

It's truly looking great, Caz, but you're going to need one of your 's to move that chest.  

[Handy Don 12,217]

Just now, rjg854 said:

It's truly looking great, Caz, but you're going to need one of your 's to move that chest.  

Nah, he'll figure out a way to have it be motorized with hidden technology!

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

21 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Nah, he'll figure out a way to have it be motorized with hidden technology!

 

With Cas' ingenuity he might figure out anti-gravity!

[formariz 11,987]

Thank you for the kind words. Hopefully it will not need to be moved besides wheeling it around shop. Lifting it it will be a problem. Interestingly enough this chest never had a handle. A handle on a chest this size full of tools is really useless. One will need two hands on each side to lift it just a bit without hurting one’s hands. I will using a method used in earlier ones from the late 1700s with a little bit of a twist to it.

[rjg854 11,361]

I'll be watching to see what you come up with.