By now, Megan Fitzpatrick has taught more tool chest classes than I ever have (or ever will). And she is Covington’s Queen of Dovetails. So it makes perfect sense that Marc Spagnuolo would ask her to host a long-form video on building a Traveling Anarchist’s Tool Chest.
This is as close as you can get to taking a class with Megan. I was on set during the filming of the video, and Megan goes into the same granular and useful detail she does during a week-long class. The video is broken down into 16 lessons and includes detailed cutting lists and construction drawings.
The reason I’m telling you about this today is that the video is only $49 until April 15. After that, it’s $99.
If you don’t know Marc (surely there’s one person out there who doesn’t), he runs a great business. We have enormous respect for his integrity, high-quality product and the way he treats customers and the people around him. I think the $99 is a good deal (the $49 is a steal).
If you buy the video, you can stream it whenever you like, or you can download it for watching off-line.
I don’t get a cut, or affiliate money or anything for this blog post. I just think this is an excellent companion video to “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” for people who need more detail than is in the book.
You can view a free trailer here and place an order if you like.
Congrats to both Megan and the Wood Whisperer for pulling off a complex build and making it look easy.
— Christopher Schwarz
If I’m right in thinking that the only significant difference between this chest and the “standard” ATC is the size, given that I’m planning to build the latter sometime later in the year, this video looks like it’ll be the absolute feline’s nightwear for, as you say, Chris, “more detail than is in the book”.
And At $49 bucks – zowie! ’tis me for an order, first thing tomorrow!
Cheers,
Mattias
Yup. There is one more till in the full-size chest. That’s about the extent of the differences.
The video also captures a lot of the improved practices Megan and I have developed during the last 10 years and 50 (?) tool chests. In many ways, it makes the process easier.
I’m in the same boat (planning on building a full size soon) and it was an easy decision to order and just scale up (and account for the extra till). I’ve been in the ‘compulsive research’ phase of this build for a while and have pored over multiple blog posts RE updates/construction changes (and bookmarked them for good measure), so I’m very thankful to have a video reference with everything in one place 😄
Seeing as I haven’t been able to make it over for a while, I preordered this soon as I seen it. Be just like being there.
This seems like the perfect solution for those of us who can’t make to Kentucky for an in-person class. Kudos to Megan and Mark.
Done! Thanks for the heads up.
A whole day of Megan on video? Sign me up.
Do you have a sense of how much this chest weighs with tools compared to the full size chest? I’m asking because I work out of a regular anarchists tool chest at home but am a member of a group shop and would love an easy way to move tools back and forth. I’m not looking for an exact weight, I know this will vary. Just maybe a “regular use is unlikely to cause a hernia”.
Hi Hugh,
This might sound like I am talking out of both sides of my mouth, but here goes:
For portability, nothing beats the Dutch tool chest. It’s my first choice for moving tools regularly. When I teach a class, that’s the one I use.
The “traveling” anarchist’s tool chest is indeed easier to move than the full-size one. But it’s still best to have two people move it because of its length. Where I think this chest shines is if you want to own only one tool chest. This one will hold a whole kit (minus a ton of moulding planes). And it works well for the shop or moving.
Hope this makes sense. I have had only one cup of coffee.
C
I don’t suppose you would mind defining what you mean by “a ton of molding planes” would you? I’ve been agonizing way too much over what size of chest to build. I have a handful of molding planes (5 including a moving filister plane), and will probably add only one or two more some day. Is that well within this chest’s capacity? And yes, I know this question is filled with an impossible number of unwritten assumptions.
I have 27 moulders in my chest. That’s more than I need. I probably use five or six.
It does make sense, thank you.
For what it’s worth, I’ve made several Anarchist’s Tool Chests, in several sizes. None were cut-down in height, as this traveling chest is. The proportions of each are a percentage of the full size ATC. These are the weights, empty of tools.
Full size, @ 22x38x24, 7/8 white pine, 101 pounds.
72%, 18x27x17, 3/4 white pine, 53 pounds.
65%, 14.75×24.5×15.75, 3/4 white pine, 41 pounds
50%, 11x19x11.5, 1/2 white pine, 9.5 pounds
I use the 65 percent size for traveling. It has two sliding tills, and one removable till for deep storage, and to keep the sliding tills from sliding in transit. It can fit up to a # 7 in the bottom. I like this one because I can move it, loaded, by myself. It’s a squeeze getting it through doors. If I did it again, I would put handles on the front and back, not ends. It would get through doors easier.
If I had to guess, the traveling chest might be in the 72 percent of the height of a full size, making weight in the 55 pound range, empty.
If you click on my username, you can see the comparison of those sizes on my Instagram.
Thanks for the breakdown of weights, the image is fantastic. The 65 percent size seems ideal for travel, but I think I would have to start lifting more than beer bottles to train to move that regularly. Perhaps the next book in the series ought to be The Anarchists Workout.
I believe the Anarchist’s Workout consists of preparing all your wood using hand tools. Megan seemed to be getting quite a workout lesson 2 of the video series.
Nice but I want to see Megan’s book on the Dutch Tool chest
As do we all. She’s working on it!
Soon! (Because the psychological weight is crushing me)
Hey, no pressure . . .
Screaming’ deal.
Thanks so much for letting people know about this Chris. Working with Megan has been an absolute honor and I think folks are really going to enjoy this series. TONS of information!
WooHoo! So excited about this can’t wait for the build.
Thank you for making this possible for us that don’t live near
or it’s just too darn far away to play with you pro’s Happy dance 💃🏼 💃🏼
Hey Chris! I hope this will not come across in a negative way but when I got your email about Megan’s video I was ready to sign up and get in on the discount offer, but The Wood Whisperer website did not have a way to purchase as a Guest account. I have sooo many accounts and passwords now I can barely keep track of all of them. I get the feeling that you understand the need to simplify your life. Plus, groups like Whisperer need to understand that there are many of us that wish to only make a one time purchase because we may be dead next year (ha! ha!). I was really looking forward to attending one of Megan’s classes, by remote. I regret that this is not possible at this time. Look forward to the DVD release date! Sam
Start using a password manager like 1Password—your life will improve tremendously!
Great project. Also terrific to know that us Aussie’s can access Megan’s knowledge via this valuable video series.
I might be a bit late to the party – however I hope someone reads this 🙂
I am building my first tool chest after reading the ATC book. I DID pay attention while reading, however lumber availability is a real issue where I live. I have the option to resaw some old walnut kitchen countertops for making the carcass. They are currently 9/8 inches thick. I expect to get between 3/8 and 1/2 inch out of them after resawing. Is that a viable option or a recipe for disaster?
Your opinion(s) would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Julius