DIY Tool Maker's Chest

[Brian Rupnow]

The chest looks good Gus.---Brian

 

[gus]

The chest looks good Gus.---Brian

Thanks.

This coming Monday 21st,the Hitting & Missing gets going.Work bench housekeeping done. Fastener storage bin done. A cluttered workbench/ruined fishy tackle box/tool box kind of stressed me to burnt-out.

Hopefully before I leave on 23rd April for Thailand,H&M done. Your engine enthralls me.

Took the boat to nearby Indonesian Island of Batam for seafood and pick some goos eating fish. Sea was mirror flat though not so flat o n the way back.

Trust all is fine at your end.

 

[Brian Rupnow]

All is well here Gus. Most of the snow is gone. About 3 more sunny warm days should get rid of the remaining snow. I had a first today. I seen a possum in my yard. A possum is an animal that is not native to Canada, but they are gradually working there way north from central United States. They are a marsupial, about the size of a house cat. My wife had seen it earlier in the winter, and I was hoping I would get to see it. I have seen all of the other Canadian wild animals in their natural habitat except for a Lynx, which is a small nocturnal wildcat, a mountain lion, and a Polar bear.

 

[Swifty]

Hi Brian, we have 2 common types of possums over here, the larger bushy tailed, and the smaller ring tailed. The larger ones are a real pest, the smaller ones sure look cute but can be a pest as well. For people living in a treed area, the possums will get into any small opening in your roof space and make themselves at home, they sound like they wear hob nailed boots when they are in the ceiling. I've been in people's houses where you will swear that there is someone out side the window breathing heavily, but it's only the bushy tailed possums. They have a habit of destroying trees, so often the local councils encircle the trunk with stiff plastic so the possums can't climb them, I often see the smaller ones walking along the overhead power lines.

We actually exported the larger possums to New Zealand where they have become the number one pest, they settled right into the beech forests over there and are a real problem to the vegetation. Some people over there work as possum hunters using small traps, the fur is used for scarves, or spun into yarn to make clothes.

Paul.

 

[AnvilJack]

I hate wood: too dirty, flimsy, shifts and changes after the job is done, dusty stuff ...

Much prefer the nice clean smoke and melt and grind experience,the brown chips, and the "it'll never split" of steel.

How did the drawers finish up, Gus?

 

[gus]

I hate wood: too dirty, flimsy, shifts and changes after the job is done, dusty stuff ...

Much prefer the nice clean smoke and melt and grind experience,the brown chips, and the "it'll never split" of steel.

How did the drawers finish up, Gus?

Hi AnvilJack.
Took a bit more work to trim,sand and shim the false fronts so as to align same. Took some shots at night. Lesson. Never buy furniture at night as some some flaws can be undetected.See fotos take at night.

 

[Philjoe5]

Excellent work Gus. You seem to do all right with "the brown stuff". Very professional

Cheers,
Phil

 

[gus]

Excellent work Gus. You seem to do all right with "the brown stuff". Very professional

Cheers,
Phil

Bought 4 Aerosol Cans of American Walnut Lacquer.The results turned out darker than the color chart on can. Gus certainly not world best lacquer painter.
Made a big mess of tear drops/runs etc. Had to sand down and respray.
This is my very first attempt of spray a large area.
Plan to make a Tool Cabinet in the short future. Carpentry jobs are quite forgiving. This time will use "formica." but i can get very messy with Glue.:rant::wall:

 

[DanP]

I've done my share of wood work, my biggest problem is I apply wood work fits to my metal work projects. If you can find some scrap DIBOND/E-panel it would work great for dividers, drawer bottoms and the like, strong, easy to work with and light weight. Total 3mm thick, .012 aluminum over polypropylene then .012 aluminum. A sign shop would be a good place to find scrap. http://graphicdisplayusa.com/en/products/dibond/dibond/

 

[gus]

I've done my share of wood work, my biggest problem is I apply wood work fits to my metal work projects. If you can find some scrap DIBOND/E-panel it would work great for dividers, drawer bottoms and the like, strong, easy to work with and light weight. Total 3mm thick, .012 aluminum over polypropylene then .012 aluminum. A sign shop would be a good place to find scrap. http://graphicdisplayusa.com/en/products/dibond/dibond/

Good idea will look around for this product. My friend's fishing tackle shop was done up with same. The ''Dibond" DIY Tool Cabinet will look great to contrast with the ToolMaker's Chest.

 

[nel2lar]

Gus
I love what you did with a little wood. I was wondering to start with and I figured I would continue to watch. You have done a very good job on the box and take pride in it because you did not need bondo to make it look good. Some say that wood has no place in there working, but I tell you all that wood just like metal can be very satisfying. Carpenters work within a quarter of an inch, Cabinet makers work within a thirtsecondth, and a Machinist works with in thousandth.
The nicest thing about a wood box is it can get cold and humid and you will not find RUST. Gus, very nice.
Nelson Collar

 

[Moontan]

I saw a similar toolbox at a local engineering tool supply company just last week, it was stunning, made of English Oak with hand cut dovetailed joints, even the bases of the drawers were ply wood, made of oak, solid brass furniture and not a nail, tack, staple or brad in it anywhere.

Drawer runners were wrapped in annealed copper plate to minimise wear!

Drawers inserts could be tailored and shape moulded for your own precision measuring and marking out tools and lined with oiled kid skin.

This was a real work of art made by skilled trades men.

And the price reflected it, $2500AU, and that was without the moulded inserts option but still oil skin lined.

Il try and grab a picky of one.

I really like yours though.

 

[goldstar31]

Congratulations, Gus. One tip about spraying especially from spray cans is heat. We live in a fairly cold climate where the winter snows that came in mid November are still ringing the headwalls of hills and mountains. My neighbour at 75 is still getting a geriatric run or two in.
We've given up now- but I digress. I always put the spray gun or the aerosol into a bucket of fairly hot water at - each rest.

I spent a bit of time messing about with resins and plastics and paints in my youth( ????) and we used to do tests for paint/plastic viscosities with things like Ford cups and PRS viscometers which are really test tubes with oils that allowed a bubble to rise in a given time at a controlled temperature in a water bath- at a controlled temperature. Frankly, you'd be amazed at how little temperature change to affect the flow of a liquid- and the work.

So I'm watching carefully the temperature before I repair a scratched front wing/fender on the Audi A4 Avant. Silver then clear over base.

Enjoy the fishing, eh?

Norman

 

[AnvilJack]

Yeah, nice cabinet. Even with night time photos. Well done.

 

[gus]

Congratulations, Gus. One tip about spraying especially from spray cans is heat. We live in a fairly cold climate where the winter snows that came in mid November are still ringing the headwalls of hills and mountains. My neighbour at 75 is still getting a geriatric run or two in.
We've given up now- but I digress. I always put the spray gun or the aerosol into a bucket of fairly hot water at - each rest.

I spent a bit of time messing about with resins and plastics and paints in my youth( ????) and we used to do tests for paint/plastic viscosities with things like Ford cups and PRS viscometers which are really test tubes with oils that allowed a bubble to rise in a given time at a controlled temperature in a water bath- at a controlled temperature. Frankly, you'd be amazed at how little temperature change to affect the flow of a liquid- and the work.

So I'm watching carefully the temperature before I repair a scratched front wing/fender on the Audi A4 Avant. Silver then clear over base.

Enjoy the fishing, eh?

Norman

Hi Norman,

The inland sea water went brownish due to wee bitty rain water when mixed with sea water and three days of hot sun turned on red tide. Despite this we caught the minimum by trying more spots. Looking forward to the forecasted dry spell which means pristine sea water and fish plenty. For now my fridge is packed full and darling boss is happy eating fresh fish.

Lacquering.
The hot weather here helps but high humidty can kill a lacquer job. No worry.
Can always fine sand paper sand down and wait for a hot afternoon to respray. Thought of hand rubbing the old fashion way but then why have so super a coat for a humble tool box.

Spring is on now at your end. Have a good time.Take care.

Did not realise I got so much attention and support. Thanks for the support.

 

[gus]

Gus
I love what you did with a little wood. I was wondering to start with and I figured I would continue to watch. You have done a very good job on the box and take pride in it because you did not need bondo to make it look good. Some say that wood has no place in there working, but I tell you all that wood just like metal can be very satisfying. Carpenters work within a quarter of an inch, Cabinet makers work within a thirtsecondth, and a Machinist works with in thousandth.
The nicest thing about a wood box is it can get cold and humid and you will not find RUST. Gus, very nice.
Nelson Collar

Hi Nelson,

Thanks for the kind appreciation.
As I said,carpentry nowadays calls for plywood cut to size from supplier, cordless drill,cordless screw driver,carpenter's square,sandpaper and minimum skill to put together and the will power to finishing job to your own satisfaction.
Plan to move ToolMaker's chest in the short future on to a DIY Tool Cabinet to unclutter work bench. Sketches done with a wee bitty industrial spying at Snap-On tool cabinets. The finished tool cabinet will not look like ''Snap-On''.
Would love to buy a Snap-On or Proto but my budget forbids.

Plan to improve staining and Lacquering.Now in Southern Thailand.

 

[barnesrickw]

I've built a lot if woodworking projects with hand tools and traditional joinery. I'm thinking the Kreg Jig will be good enough for my own stuff now.


Sent from my iPad using Model Engines

 

[gus]

Other than the $$$$$$ saved ,making your very own DIY ToolMaker's Chest and Tool Cabinet,we enjoy every minute opening and closing same when retrieving/returning tools. The efforts put in for the super duper lacquer finish make us treasure and protect same from scratches.

Drafting sketches to make DIY Multi-drawer tool cabinet shortly from now. My work ares is a bit cluttered and Tool Cabinet will enhance housekeeping.

 

[Swifty]

Hi Gus, I made my own toolbox in 1970 when I was a first year apprentice. I used it all my working life and it still sits on my bench at home.

It's a bit knocked about now but has served me well. Enjoy using yours.

Paul.

 

[gus]

Hi Gus, I made my own toolbox in 1970 when I was a first year apprentice. I used it all my working life and it still sits on my bench at home.

It's a bit knocked about now but has served me well. Enjoy using yours.

Paul.

Its incredible and it survived 45 years. As I said, one would treat/handle/use his ToolMaker's Chest with great care. The Lacquering looks good.
Somehow Paul&Gus shares common interest. Now waiting for the next windfall and "OZZ'' here I come to visit Paul.Been overspending and now putting on extreme budgetting.