Monday, October 21, 2013

Tool chest for the sea part 4

I decided to keep the lid arrangement very simple, so instead of adding stiffeners that would allow a set of hinges, I made a rather inelegant (ugly) solution by using a piece of elastic cord together with a piece of suede strap. I had to remind myself that the goal wasn't to make a beautiful chest, but to make something to carry and protect some tools to be used on a ship.
Due to the interior dust seal, the chest is remarkably sturdy despite its thin sides and lightweight construction.

The shooting board on the lid turned out pretty well. It is not massive but consists merely of a few strips placed an equal distance apart.

Since I don't plan on building any large pieces of furniture, the size is OK.

I haven't had the time to make a nice tool roll for the chisels and the plane irons, but again the idea was to get some tools to the sea, I can always make the tool roll later.

Regarding the dilemma of whether to bring a rabbet plane or a plow plane, I settled for a grooving plane which fitted just perfect in the chest. It is a Stanley No 248 that Brian Eve gave to me. I haven't tried it, but I am sure it will be perfect for the sea chest.

I will have to find some wood on board for making a project. A pallet wood build is always a nice start.

The tool list has ended as follows:
Mallet
Plane
Scrub iron
Smoothing iron
3 chisels
Grooving plane
Pencil
Small brush for glue.
A small jar of glue (not in the picture)
Sanding cork
Sandpaper
Dozuki saw
Marking gauge
Oil stone for honing
Shooting board

Hardware stock:
Small brass screws
Small headless brads
Small brass nails
Brass hinges (small)

The low tech closing mechanism.

Tools neatly stored in the chest.

The shooting board and one of the Roubo dye test pieces.

6 comments:

  1. Chest looks like it'll do it's intended job. Do you plan to use the plane in the box as a scrub, shooter, and smoother?
    How is the red dye experiment coming?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ralph.
      The plane in the box will be all three things you mentioned. I have an iron ground for a scrub plane, and an iron ground for a smoothing plane. I was pure old fashioned lazy, which is why I took another similar plane for the demonstration of the shooting arrangement. The two planes are alike save some color difference.
      I plan on making a blog entry on the red dye today, but I wouldn't go out buying any horses if I were you..
      Brgds
      Jonas

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  2. I posted on my blog a photo of a book I am reading with a similar tote, though this one had a handle. In your case, a handle is probably not feasible. But I really like the design, and the idea behind it. I've noticed that you didn't include a combination square, which is probably one tool that I could not woodwork without, or at least it would be much more difficult for me. Whenever I start a project, that is the first tool I put in the apron. But, we all do things a little differently. All in all, the chest looks great!
    Bill

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  3. Hi Bill, I saw the picture. It looks like a really nice tote. I need to put my box/chest in a suitcase, so I have to have a lid.
    The reason why I didn't include a combination square is: I haven't got one. I have a small square though that I use though. There is usually some squares on board, so that is one of the things I have counted on using from the engine workshop. The same goes with a normal hammer by the way.
    Thanks
    Jonas

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  4. I hadn't thought of that. I'm almost under the assumption that you would be floating on a raft, and not on a vessel with a machine shop of some kind! Here I imagined you as Robinson Crusoe!

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  5. It is a bit more civilized than a raft :-)
    The ship is MV Troms Artemis, We have a diesel electric propulsion system, 4 engines each coupled to a generator generating 690 V AC, distributed via SWBD's to two azimuth propellers aft and two tunnel thrusters and a retractable azimuth thruster forward.
    So I am sorry for depriving you of an illusion like HMS Bounty or Master & Commander.

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