I don’t always build a chest alongside with my Anarchist’s Tool Chest classes – after all, I already have two full-size tool chests (one at the Lost Art Press shop and one at home), and there are only so many I can sell. But during my early December class, I decided to make one…partially at least. I always end up having to cede my bench and/or tools to students. Plus once the skirts are on, I spend a lot more time walking around than cutting my own joints. I’m terrified someone is going to send a flesh-cut flush-cut saw into a hand as they trim off protruding pins on the angled bits of the skirts. (The joints are cut before the bevel, so once the skirts are glued on, the “ears” get cut off.) I’ve cut into my own thenar eminence (that fleshy mound at the base of the thumb) more than once during this very operation. (I don’t mind my own blood, but I certainly don’t want to see student blood!)
So, I have sitting on my bench right now a glued-up carcase with the rest of the bits stacked on top. Once I finish the chest exterior (hopefully this week), we’re going to film kitting out the interior with what we consider the standard tills and racks:
• three dovetailed tills and their runners
• hole-y rack for thin pointy tools (chisels, screwdrivers and the like) – both with and without a rack behind it for hanging backsaws
• saw till on the floor for panel saws and longer handsaws
• moulding plane cubby
We might also show installing the hardware…if time allows and if I can stomach being on screen for that much longer.
I expect we’ll have the video available sometime in February.
Also, I’ll have a full-sized ATC for sale soon-ish – shoot me an email if you’re interested. (I’m thinking of painting it blue.)
– Fitz
That stock looks like buttah.
Cuts like it, too.
And what is that wood exactly? Butter for sure.
https://blog.lostartpress.com/2022/12/10/no-pine-no-problem-linden-is-the-solution/
I am confused about why cutting the “ear” off leads to frequent injuries. Can you explain what happens?
Because one’s off hand often wants to hold the flexible sawplate flush to the work on the exit side of the blade.
A video would be great! I is very helpful to see and hear how you build and organize your racks. Looking forward to it!
I was concerned for you about the number of corks lying about your till, plus the paint can bottle opener, but then I realized your adherence to heart health as well as safety for edge and limb, and the bottle opener and kitty treats are just wisdom:) Good thoughts for Bean kitty.
Thanks. Any chance we could get a close up of the interior drawer and contents inside your ATC? Just curious.
I believe a flush-cut saw may be the only tool in my workshop I have not cut myself with. But I’m sure 2023 will bring new opportunities.
Fitz, if you haven’t already posted photos somewhere that I have missed, I would really like to see three more photos of your ATC showing each till with its contents and the floor (bottom) with all its contents. I feel that a big advantage of the ATC, or any tool chest, is organization. When I have a place for everything, it’s much easier to locate what I need and to replace the tool in its home. I eagerly anticipate your video on the ATC build. Thanks.
I must confess that they’re a mess right now. The top till is the stuff I use most (layout tools, cat treats and block planes); the middle is the less-used stuff (spokeshaves, bevel gauge, hammers, rasps, extra chisels), and the bottom one is taller things that won’t fit in the top two. And now I’m cleaning them…see what you did!?
We’ll do full-blown posts soon on chest content.
Dental floss, a claw clip, kitty treats, and a beautifully engraved No. 5 as well as a nice shade of blue on the outside identify this chest as yours alone. Did you treat your engraved plane with bluing or is that natural patina?
That’s just natural patina. (But doesn’t everyone have dental floss and cat treats in their chests?!)
Hi Megan , I am glad to hear about the upcoming video on the ATC as I have found the videos on Stick chairs very helpful . Is there a chance you will do a video on the Dutch Tool Chest to accompany your upcoming DTC Book ? thanks Peter
Hi Megan/fitz, just one of the many waiting patiently, silently, for the dutch tool chest book. How is that going by the way? Do we have a publishing date yet? Will it be a happy new year? ;>)
No date yet – but def done soon!
Possibly!