Lost Art Press

The Driving Dutchman

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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When measuring my car and drawing up the plans for my first Dutch chest, I forgot two things: the handles and the caster assembly.

Which means, as you probably can guess, that the chest does not fit in my car.

After considering all the options – remake the handles, saw the chest in two like a lady at a magic show, going to Home Depot and buying tool bags – I concluded it would be faster (and more fun) to build a smaller Dutch chest.

This one is a mix between the first chest, some other historical examples and one that Roy Underhill owns that I examined last year (read about that chest here).

I also took the opportunity to try some different things in this chest.

1. The top has clamps (breadboard ends). I did this – instead of battens – to make a sawtill that was lower in profile.

2. The removable front panel has battens that extend beyond the bottom edge of the panel. These allow me to use a simpler locking mechanism (more on this later).

3. I used wrought nails from blacksmith Peter Ross. My one-word review: Dang.

Anyway, I’m going to paint this sucker today and will talk more about it in a bit.

— Christopher Schwarz

P.S. Also, I’m going to build a lower unit for this chest – a la campaign furniture – after a suggestion from a reader.

45 thoughts on “The Driving Dutchman”

  2. LOVE the battens on the removable panel – going to incorporate into mine – great idea! What will go into the lower chest? knock down saw horse(s)?

    1. At least a collection of toolboxes takes less space. I really like the two part idea for both the portability and the putting it on a table to organize it.

  5. I absolutely LOVE it that there is someone besides me who does not want to waste ANY space and therefore makes things to just fit EXACTLY and then finds that it just exactly does NOT fit ’cause it’s just a teeny, tiney, itty bit TOO #@%%^^^!!! big (rats). I have a few examples of that. Yeah, I get to make them over, too. The 2nd one is always just a little nicer than the 1st one. Has to be. Karma, I guess.

  8. I am sure the breadboard ends are the way to go. They give great stability and weigh less. Did you divide the tenon or leave it entire? Have you tried taking off the castors and handles then packing the chest with the greatest quantity of tools and then tried it in your car? Is it a two man job or can you get it onto the back seat alone? Did a test drive reveal how much restraint is needed. I always need restraint in the back seat but thats another story.

    I think your next project, I hesitate to call it obsession because it feels more like thorough, will be wall mountable and de-mountable tool cabinets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Regards, Bernard Naish

    1. I believe Mr. Schwarz may have built a wall mounted tool cabinet for a PW article years ago. He would have to confirm it as my memory isn’t all that great.

  9. Yay! The campaign toolchest! I can’t wait to see it. Please post rough dimensions when done. I’m just getting started in this hand-tool business, and I’m taking on these tool-related projects as part of my formal apprenticeship. I don’t have a complete grasp on what the minimum space required for a useful tool chest (space is a premium for me). FWIW I’m reading the Anarchists Toolchest right now.

    The toolmakers I worked with ages ago used the tools they built during their training every day. That makes sense on about a half-dozen levels. I think my next project is a wooden mallet (starting small)!.

    So – I guess that is another suggestion for you. Do a blog (or a book) outlining the type and order of workshop related projects someone new should do to get started. You have tons of content already with the articles on making Try Squares, Winding Sticks, and Straight Edge. Your tool chest book and your bench book. Some guide stringing these together would help!

    Oops. Maybe I just described The Joiner and Cabinet Maker . . . . 😛

  10. Interesting as usual. Perhaps a modular system of boxes or tills that could be easily attached to a wheeled frame system, ( simple french cleats, dovetail keys, box latch, etc.) This allows easy transport to a location followed by easy assemblage for use at the site.
    Is this a search for function or tradition?
    Either way traveling with tools is just no fun.

  11. Elegant revised locking solution for the front panel Chris. The pegged breadboard ends to the lid are a nice touch too. This chest also has some good bureau desk-like qualities in terms of proportion.

  12. Suggestion for Duch chest iteration #3 (you know deep down that this isn’t the end): A three section chest is even more portable and easier on the back. (An old guy’s point of view. I’ve been thinking about this since I saw the pic from Grandpa’s Workshop.)

  13. For me a tool chest would take months of “thinking about it” a few more months of working a little here and a little there between my real job, home construction and running the blacksmith shop. I am really jealous of any one who can just take a couple of days for a do over. Looks great, which one (or matbe both) will be featured in your article?

      2. Chris, you just need to build a bigger car. Or, like Procrustes cut pieces off your tool chest to fit your car.

  14. Oh, I very much like the three section chest idea. I too have an old back.
    Think Campaign Furniture Chris. Three interlocking chests that can be strapped to a camel (probably to two camels) and follow the gentleman carpenter/Major Mustard to the next posting. Yes, very definitely two camels – you can balance the 3rd section on one side of the 2nd camel with a couple of Rourkhee (not THAT’S not spelled right) chairs and a parasol. Brilliant! (another beer, please).

  15. Get an Expedition EL. Then you can accomidate your largest tool box and work bench. Plus you can drive a few tree huggers nuts 🙂

  16. So, Chris,,,Buddy ‘ol Pal…what are you doing with the first chest? May i suggest a contest? Could it go to the maker of the most unique six board chest or something else simplish that you could use feed back for Funiture of Necessity or other works you’ve got in process? Just a though and I am sure the winner would have no problem paying any shipping costs.

    By the way that email you shot me on how to groove endgrain worked well. I will shoot you some pics in a more formal thank you email.

    Cheers

    1. Alan,

      I’m afraid the big chest is already spoken for. Right now, my house has seven tool chests in it (or as my wife says, SEVEN). So it’s going to a new home in Chicago.

      1. Well here’s to a good home then. I appriciate your work and look forward to your current and future projects. Safe travels!

  17. You could buy a new car.

    By the way, I’ve been mulling over some combination of a campaign chest and tool chest after finally figuring out how the gallery fits into the “top box”. In addition, there is an illustration in Brawer’s book of an upper box with the same kind of slanted lid that you have in this Dutch chest. It seems to me that an amalgam of the slanted lid and “top box with gallery” would be excellent, along with french-fitted spaces on the inside of the slanted lid in which various and sundry squares and other measuring tools could be readily accessible.

    Keep re-inventing these oldies – they’re goodies.

  18. Not quite sure I understand your “dang” re: the nails. Could you add a little explanation as I’m seriously thinking of a nailed tool chest.

  19. Chris: What about using a locking dovetail key to secure the two tool chest sections together once you get to your destination? There is a picture of this on page 100 of Jim Tolpin’s Tool Box book. I’ve always thought this would make an interesting way to secure a modular chest or the sections of the Jefferson bookcase.

  20. Would have like to have been there when Chris discovered that the thing did not fit. Like most newspapermen, Chris has a command of the English language; I bet that the chest, car and everything in the vicinity was well blessed.

      1. I’ve never been impressed by the Amish when it comes to woodworking. They’re only “as capable” as any decent craftsman/shop.

  22. So, with the addition of a lower unit, will the lid of the chest serve as a kind of desk top? When I saw your first one and others commented about hanging it with a french cleat this was my first thought. With the angle of the lid it seemed like a nice place to keep and tweak plans and drawings while you’re working. I guess it would be a little annoying if you’re constantly taking things out of the chest though.

  23. With the chest sitting on a lower unit will it put the top at a height that would work as a “drafting table”? That was my first thought when others were suggesting hanging it with a french cleat, it might get annoying if you’re constantly having to move drawings to get into the chest though.

  24. Yeah, you need noah dearborn’s pickup truck (with tool boxes). At least until you get to the big city.

      1. Let me see,,,,

        Definition of expert (n)

        bing.com · Bing Dictionary
        ex·pert

        somebody skilled or knowledgeable: somebody with a great deal of knowledge about, or skill, training, or experience in, a particular field or activity

        I don’t think you can duck the moniker any longer,,,,
        And given the influence you wield in the “woodworking community”, the term “Master” may well be headed your way soon!

        😛

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