Craft Caddy Build

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Nice job, Paul. My wife spotted this and is now making noises about how this would be great for her art supplies. I guess my next project is now official. Thanks, I guess.

I'm curious about a couple things: First, why did you dilute your varnish with a long oil? Did you consider just thinning the Epifanes slightly for wiping? Second, is your shop in an attic, or is there some other explanation for the skylights and sloped ceiling? It never occurred to me to buy room for a bigger shop by raising my roof.

One point of concern... From my experience with box joints, I'm thinking you might want to reinforce the handle joints somehow. Shrinkage and a host of other factors may loosen those corners, possibly with an unhappy outcome. I think I might have used thicker stock for the handle part and pegged the joint for good measure. 

Ellis

How much does that thing weigh?

Nice work by the way.

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Paul......that's pretty doggone slick......well done.......box joints look great......happy wife, happy you......and your shop space looks very interesting as well......maybe you could give a little shop tour if you're OK with that.......

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Thanks for the feedback, Ellis.  To address your several questions/comments:

1.  I saw a video on Fine Working by Christian Becksvoort where he demonstrates finishing a Cherry table using Epifanes Oil Rubbing Varnish and Tried and True Varnish Oil in a 50/50 mix.  I erred in my original post by referring to linseed oil.  I should have been more specific.  I used the Becksvoort formula.  The primary ingredient of the Tried and True product is linseed oil. 

2.  When I had my garage built 25 years ago I had a room built as a second floor.  The room turned out to be 14’ x 18’.  I had a LAM beam run down the length of the garage to provide sufficient load bearing capacity to support my workshop equipment.  It’s worked out well.  Six skylights provide the natural light I yearned for after so many years working in an office.  The only inconvenience, and it’s not a big one, is moving materials up the steps and finished products down.  I consider this when selecting projects.  No 12’ tables or massive desks.

3.  Your comment regarding the handle is welcome.  In hindsight, a beefier handle would be desirable.  And, regarding the possibility of the box joints failing in the handle, I will consider pinning each joint with two slim steel rods.  Perhaps 4 penny finishing nails for example.

I know your wife would enjoy having a nice convenient storage container for painting supplies.  Glad to help out.  I did not mention it in the original post, but, the Woodsmith plans also include a stand for the caddy that raises it up to a convenient height when you’re sitting in a chair.

Paul in Hunt Valley, MD

Re: How much does that thing weigh?

7.6 lbs empty.  It was constructed from one Cherry 5/4” board 6 1/2” x 9’.   Resawn and planned into two 3/8” boards.  The handle was made from 1” thick scrap and band sawed to shape before assembly with box joints.  

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Thank you for the comments, Roger.  Here are a few snapshots proceeding around the shop.  As I mentioned in a previous post on this thread, it’s on the second floor of my garage in a 14’ x 18’ room purpose built as a workshop. It’s heated and cooled with a ton and a half heat pump behind the door on the wall.  I love the natural light from the 6 skylights.  

The box under the lath holds scraps.  Of course it rolls out of the way to use the lath.  I’ve tried to take advantage of every space saving opportunity I could find.  The 14 x 18 footprint stimulates innovation in space utilization.

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Thank you, Paul......a great space......I'm down in a basement with one small window.......so, I envy all that natural light.......and Eliot is going to envy all that storage you have under your bench......that Windsor has to be one of your chairs.......that's an attractive chair alright......

This ought to be the quote of the month

“ The 14 x 18 footprint stimulates innovation in space utilization.”. 

It’s a challenge for a lot of us.  Nice shop, and very good use of your space.  Thanks for posting!

Re: Craft Caddy Build

I second our fearless leader's comment on thinning.  Several years ago I applied a wiping varnish on a red oak table that had been darkened with an oil based stain.  Came back a week later after the owner wiped the top with a damp paper towel and some of the color came off.  A nationally known finishing expert said even a good quality alkyd varnish, which I was using, would yield a very soft finish if thinned 50-50 with linseed oil.  I wiped on a couple more coats of the varnish thinned only 90-10 with linseed oil and the problem went away.  Not saying you will have the same result, just sharing my experience.

You think you've got space issues?

I moved from a two-story bank barn with over 30 machines, three full size benches, a big vintage veneer press, an office, storage for loads of bf of lumber and plywood, to a 12' x 22' one-car garage. I rationalized that I wouldn't live forever, that I wanted to retire, and that I could always find a way to make just about anything. So far, I've been right about making stuff, although I often yearn for all that old iron. At this point, it's hard to commit to a bigger space or more machines, but seeing Paul's nifty treatment is an inspiration. Now, if I could just be in one place long enough to get into shop improvements...

Ellis

Memories!

My mother had a similar sewing box, minus the handle (I think), but with legs.  No idea if she still has it, but your post gave me a twinge of nostalgia.  Thanks for sharing!

Jason

Re: Memories!

Me too, Jason.  My grandmother had one, covered with fabric, no handle.

Re: You think you've got space issues?

Wow, Ellis!  That is a king size downsize!

Re: Memories!

It also reminds me of my dad's toolbox.......

Re: Craft Caddy Build

That is a cool project. Nice work.

Thanks, maybe...?

Short of dumpster diving my wife lives for thrift stores. She came home with one about a year ago and loved it. Like all of her other dumpster endearments it needed help to stay together and work. I wasn't sure but felt it had gone through a previous Lazarus event. Those wood hinges had fallen apart on several occasions. 

It was reassuring to see that the previous owners cared enough to keep hers in decent repair.

Her caddy also had folding legs which needed careful redesign--pretty spindly. Ultimate weight can be managed by sizing the box dimensions. Sewing is a lot lighter than jugs of paint. 

Re: Craft Caddy Build

Don:

No stain was applied to the caddy.  Christian Beckvoort’s instructions in the Fine Woodworking video for application of the 50-50 Epifane Rubbing Varnish Oil and the Tried and True linseed oil mix required, immediately after applying the mixture, to wipe the surface with a clean lint free rag until it was dry to the touch.  Then, rub thoroughly with four 0 steel wool.  This process left no film on the surface which was dry and smooth to the touch.  Apparently any remaining finish had penetrated the wood.  

Paul in Hunt Valley, MD