As regular blog readers know, I have too many tools with no home – so I’ve been building an “Anarchist’s Tool Chest” – a traditional English chest – a la Christopher Schwarz’s book on the subject. And as regular readers know, I’ve been building it since…oh…since many months ago (I’m almost done – really! Just … Read more
I’m putting the finishing exterior touches on my “Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” though I’m still deciding whether or not to add a lock. But I knew I wanted chest lifts (also known as handles) – even though this chest is going to live in my home shop and not get moved about; the thing just wouldn’t … Read more
I’m working on the interior of my “Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” and I’ve decided to slightly rearrange the storage from what’s shown in Christopher Schwarz’s book. Instead of a saw till all along the front wall at the bottom of the chest as Chris suggests, I’m attaching my two panel saws (crosscut and rip) to the … Read more
As I was finishing up the exterior of my “Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” I ran into a little problem while fitting the three hinges (which are 1-1/2″ x 2″ solid brass butt hinges from Horton Brasses, with a brushed nickel finish – love ‘em). Obviously, the lid and dust seal (the upper skirt) had to be … Read more
While I think a tool chest is the best place to store your tools, the chest can also become a rusty tomb if you aren’t careful. Woodworking shops can be nasty places. I’ve worked in unheated garages, damp basements, former warehouses and sheds with dirt floors. And when I inspect old tool chests, it’s common … Read more
Furniture & Cabinetmaking magazine has in its winter 2012 issue honored Ron Hock’s “The Perfect Edge” (Popular Woodworking) and Christopher Schwarz’s “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” (Lost Art Press), as well as Robert Wearing’s “The Essential Woodworker” (Lost Art Press), for which Chris is the editor and publisher, with inclusion on its “Essential Reading List.” Also … Read more
While I have a blister on my right hand from wielding a saw and mallet (alternately, of course) for five hours, I’m delighted to report that I now have the shell for my “Anarchist’s Tool Chest” dovetailed and in clamps. Yes, five hours of dovetailing for one 38″ x 21-7/8″ shell. And while Christopher Schwarz … Read more
