The Anarchist’s Tool Chest

Aside from a workbench, a sturdy tool chest is one of the most important things to have in your shop. It organizes and protects your tools from damage, rust and loss. While many woodworkers have attempted to improve upon the traditional chest design that emerged 300 years ago, the old form has remained the absolute best way to keep the most tools in the smallest space.   

The finished size is 25-3/4” tall, 24” front to back, 40-1/4” long (we’ve easily gotten them into most SUVs and crossover SUVs…and even stuffed one into the back seat of an Accord one time, though that necessitated removing a door).

In this five-day class you will build the shell of your own traditional tool chest using hand tools and techniques. This is an excellent first project for a new hand-tool woodworker as well as experienced makers wanting to hone their skills – especially if you want to get good at dovetails…with which you’ll get lots of practice!
Skills you will learn in this class include:

• Traditional through-dovetail joinery, and strategies for getting them well-fit.
• Cutting basic mouldings by hand
• Fitting mouldings to casework
• Loose-tenon joinery
• Using traditional square-shanked nails for the bottom boards
• And more!

By the end of class you will have built the case of the tool chest, and be armed with all the skills you need to complete the interior of the chest at your workshop at home.  Whether you want to dovetail the tills or simply rabbet and nail them (another traditional and solid approach you can use for future projects), the choices are yours.  

The price includes all materials, prepared stock and a hardware package containing 3 PB-409 butt hinges from Horton Brasses and square-shanked nails. Each class also includes a light breakfast and lunch every day.  

For information on Covington, including where to stay and where to eat, click here.