Tool Cabinet – or How to not build a guitar for a year.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:13 pm

After 10 years of digging through boxes for hours to find where the heck I put a tool, I happened to see a couple articles for building tool cabinets, and decided that was the solution.
I’ve a good friend who is a retired home builder who did all his own cabinetry etc. that has taken me under his wing on this project. Only problem is he thinks things like the dovetails should be hand cut. I gave up after a day of trying and used a jig.
First built a mock up with ½ inch Styrofoam sheet and duct tape. Then built a box, and cut the front off for doors.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:15 pm

Then started sticking stuff on to get storage space.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:16 pm

Decided I needed drawers on the bottom.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:18 pm

And one year later, it’s dawning on me I’ll never be finished with this thing, so I figured if I didn’t post it now I never would. I will be sticking stuff on this thing for ever I think.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:19 pm

The drawers have dividers to allow different sized spaces. They turned out a little skewed, but by shimming ½ inch aluminum angle iron for holding the drawers I was able to make the fronts line up straight .

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:20 pm

The drawer pulls are old Brazilian rosewood violin tuning pegs. So it won’t be able to leave the country, but at 140 lbs empty, it’s not going anywhere anyway.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 9:21 pm

Oh, Chuck… French polished, not sprayed.

Jason Rodgers · Post by **Jason Rodgers** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 10:51 pm

Hey, that's some fine work, Randy, and a satisfactory excuse for not building guitars! I really geek-out over fine tool chests and cabinets, but it'll probably be a good long while till I make one.

Post by **Mark Swanson** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:30 pm

Hot damn! That thing is nicer than my entire workshop.

Chuck Tweedy · Post by **Chuck Tweedy** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:33 pm

Sorry, been busy: http://surfsunstix.net/

Good Gawd Man!
Those first few shots are just mockups? You have time to do mockups!?!
You have time to do real FP!?!?!

Sorry, just being a jerk. Because I'm jealous and I don't have the patience to actually build anything as amazingly elegant as that.
Great work - as always.

Clay Schaeffer · Post by **Clay Schaeffer** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 8:23 am

Hi Randy,
It looks like you are well on your way to making a tool chest to rival H. O. Studley's. It will be something you will probably add to and modify forever!
Several years ago I built a small chest modeled after the Gerstner chests, but with fewer drawers more suitable for wood working tools. I made it out of bubinga . A pretty box, but after my shop was broken into several times I decided it was safer sitting on my dresser. Oh well!
Making fine tools and chests to keep them in can be very rewarding for the craftsman. Although most of our work leaves us, our tools we keep close at hand.

Matthew Lau · Post by **Matthew Lau** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:20 am

NICE!

I need to do that one of these days...

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sat May 16, 2015 7:27 am

doors finally finished and got the whole thing hung on the wall with French cleats.

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sat May 16, 2015 7:29 am

Of course any wooden surface should have a little inlay for good measure...

Randy Roberts · Post by **Randy Roberts** » Sat May 16, 2015 7:36 am

Now to start searching boxes for tools I haven't seen in a year or more and start loading her up.

Jason Rodgers · Post by **Jason Rodgers** » Sat May 16, 2015 11:58 pm

That's just one of those things you're going to look at every day and feel good about. Outstanding, Randy!

Chuck Tweedy · Post by **Chuck Tweedy** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:09 pm

Wow - Beautiful Randy.
I would like to improve Jason's comment "That's just one of those things you're going to _USE_ every day and feel good about."
The utility and elegance of the design is only enhanced by the stunning good looks of the execution (and inlay)

MIMF

Tool Cabinet – or How to not build a guitar for a year.

Tool Cabinet – or How to not build a guitar for a year.

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Re: Tool Cabinet – or How to not build a guitar for a year.

Re: Tool Cabinet – or How to not build a guitar for a year.