On Saturday, I sprayed two coats of lacquer on a small Dutch tool chest and its lower chest, then reinstalled the hardware. With that, I am done with the building and picture-taking thereof…I think.
I have a table of contents with chapters that cover the order of operations, and image folders tagged to each of those chapters. The images within each folder serve as a visual outline of what I need to cover in the text, and many of my pictures are simply visual notes – reminders of what I want to write – that won’t make it into the book.
By the end, I’ll have taught readers how to build two sizes of Dutch tools chest (with a choice of three lids), plus a lower chest on which to rest the small one (or the large one, if you’re tall), to make it easy to access the tools (as well as hold more). I’m offering several approaches to each operation when practical, so that no matter what the tool kit or skill set, readers should be able to find a method that appeals.
I’ve outfitted the interiors of both chests to hold chisels, marking knives and other pointy tools on the back wall. One has a saw till on the chest floor, the other has it behind the hanging rack. Both chests have cubbies for a jointer, jack and smooth plane (and suggestions for ways to tuck a block plane on the wall).
But as I wrote months ago, I’ve seen many clever modifications, drawers, racks, lift-out tills and more in similar chests over the years. And because I can’t possibly construct every possibility myself, I plan to feature some of those in a gallery (with credit, of course!) in the book. Many of you who’ve already built Dutch tool chests responded to my initial request for pictures, and I’ll be in touch with you soon (and thanks again!).
But I’d love to have more photos for the book. I’m looking for clever solutions to storing tools – digital images that are at least 300 dpi at 5×7. (Chris has a helpful post on photography here.) In short, I need in-focus pictures that show the relevant features without clutter or visual distractions. I realize not everyone can shoot these kinds of photos, so if quick phone snaps* are the best you can do, I’ll feature some of those in blog posts when the book comes out, which I hope is before the winter holidays. The deadline for photos is June 30, to fitz@lostartpress.com.
I’ll have this book written, designed and to my editor (that would be Chris) by July 30. So I’m signing off now to start writing far too many words, then excising as many adverbs and gerunds as possible.
— Fitz
* Note: If you have a late-model phone, it might be able to take pictures of a quality suitable for print.
Very exciting. I got this notice just after my “Out for delivery” notice for the hardware from Horton.
I have a full size ATC, a 3/4 size in my machine room, and a 2/3 size for carving tools. I love the design. Except I use the flat tops too often, especially as finishing stations. It’s the only horizontal space available. And it makes accessing tools annoying at times.
I’m hoping the sloped lid on the DTC will solve that problem. I could have built it already from Chris’s article, but held off when I learned of your book. The shell is very straightforward, but I’m especially looking forward to the interior arrangement. Having a section on contributions from others is a great idea.
For people who have already sent you pictures, are you going to give us a heads up if the pictures are good enough? I’m happy to try taking the photos again if they are not.
Yes I will! And soon.
Thank you for the update I am excited for the book. Any thoughts on pre-sales?
I’m afraid we’re not offering pre-sales anymore. https://blog.lostartpress.com/2021/02/19/the-end-of-pre-ordering-is-nigh/
I’m looking forward to getting this book, but I must know the subconscious clues in this photo. Is there a special meaning by having a Buddha holding down the left corner of seamless and a Scotch tape dispenser holding down the right corner, and Chris mimicking Buddha in the background??? Is this the new method for producing good book sales karma?
LAP, will there be chapter on lumber prep, selection. How many boards to buy from the big box store. lumber info for the novice (me).
Stay safe Ralph
Absolutely!
I have actually been trying to track down a copy of Chris’ article from Oct 2013, but the chuckle heads over at PW can’t seem to figure that out (among other things). I look forward to pre-ordering the book as soon as it’s available 👍
Pro-Mode on the last few iterations of the Samsung Note and Galaxy will give really high quality results from a phone. You can adjust all the input options like on DSLR with occasionally great results. Manual focus giving you the most bang for your buck.
I’d love to see a good way to store a brace, bits and an eggbeater drill. And maybe a sharpening station in a removable box!
Fitz, when laying out the dovetails on the DTC the 2 sides should be heart side out, what side should face out on the base of the chest? Heart correct?!
Heart side out always (unless it looks crappy)