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My version of the Seaton Chest

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My version of the Seaton Chest

#1

My version of the Seaton Chest

Bjenk Ellefsen

>Well here it is. I based the dimensions for the chest on the Chris Schwartz plans. I built it with my hand tools in order to put to practice my studies in traditional woodworking. Adam and Dean J. were a great help. Thanks to Chris for providing free information on the Seaton chest! The dovetails went very well because I have been practising them for months now. Thanks to all here at woodcentral, I am reading you everyday and I keep learning!

I cheated only at the start of the project : I bought cheap knotty pine that was already planed.



This last picture is to show Adam why he has to continue writing his articles about his studies and discoveries in traditional woodworking : because we all learn from such an exchange.


Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#2

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

mikew

>Bjenk, that is great!

I downloaded the plans Chris has on PWW's web site and have been making a few changes for my use--thank you for the inspiration!

Take care, Mike

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#3

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

Dave Anderson Chester, NH

>Very nice looking Bjenk. Unfortunately what you've posted can only be considered a tease. How about a bunch more pix including some with the lid open showing the inside. It looks like a really fun project.

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#4

Re: More pictures

Bjenk Ellefsen

>




Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#6

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

dave caudill

>Where can the plans be downloaded from? I'd like to get a look at them and possibly give this a try. I like the color you chose, very nice.

Dave

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#8

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

Christopher Schwarz

>Nice job. And you didn't cheat. I doubt Master Seaton started with rough boards, either.

After nine years or so of use and abuse, my tool chest is just starting to break in. Of course, I'd change a bunch of stuff if I could build it again.

Now that's not an entirely bad idea.

Chris

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#9

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

mikew

>I see David got ya hooked up!

Take care, Mike

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#10

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

mikew

>"After nine years or so of use and abuse, my tool chest is just starting to break in. Of course, I'd change a bunch of stuff if I could build it again.

Now that's not an entirely bad idea. "

Could even make a good article update. And a new PDF .

Take care, Mike

knee deep in shellac and covered in Walnut dust...

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#11

Seaton Chest. Any unusual features?

Sgian Dubh

>Chris, I've seen many references to the Seaton chest over months, maybe years now, and always wondered what was unusual about it as it seems to have generated a huge amount of talk.

Now that I've seen a picture of what I can only guess is a reasonably accurate copy of one from Bjenk, I notice it's pretty much a standard Georgian/Victorian/Edwardian era journeyman tool box. If it's kitted out with two or three sliding trays at the top and left with a rather large open well at the bottom it will seem to me insignificantly different in practise to scores of others I've seen like it. Some were done in fancier woods with veneers and inlays. Also some examples I've come across over the years were better organised in that vast open well at the bottom into specific spaces for specific tools.

It was suggested to me back in the '70's that I should build a traditional toolbox like it by my employers, an idea I rejected in favour of something vertical on wheels with a pair of doors which I reckoned gave better access to the tools I had, and for that matter, still have.

So, what are the special or unusual features about the Seaton chest that has caused so much talk? Slainte.

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#12

Re: Seaton Chest. Any unusual features?

Joel

>I have two traditionally designed toolboxes (similar in concept to the SEaton Chest. The first is an antique and I don't use it in the shop. The second I built - it's a Knaack box on teh outside and inside I built the sliding tills etc. IT is smaller than the seaton chest but still holds a mostly complete kit of tools - everything I use pretty frequently.

The important feature that makes these chests so wonderful is EVERY tool is accessible, with one hand. I can be holding for example saw in one hand, use my other hand to slide tills out of the way and then pick up another tool, and either putin the crook of my arm and get another tool, or put the saw back or anything. IT's the easist and fastest method of organsization I know of. THe tools don't get covered with dust, and I don't have to worry about them dropping on the floor. or getting damaged rattling around in a drawer that gets opened and closed.

locked the tools are secure (and in my case a knaack box is heavy steel) and the tool box is way to heavy to easily steel. I could bolt it down it I was insequre. I got it when I was working in a shop and everything had to be secured at night. If you want modility you could stick it on a furniture dolly, but it's small enough to be close to the bench and not in the way.

So the special features are ease of use, and security.

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#13

Re: Seaton Chest. Any unusual features?

Christopher Schwarz

>Slainte,

The Seaton chest is actually quite typical.

What is unusual about it is that it is intact with the orginial set of tools from the maker, including the inventory made by Benjamin. The entire chest and tool set are a nice look at what one 18th century toolkit looked like.

I chose that chest to reproduce (many years ago) because it was simple and there was a good story that went with it. And nice measured drawings by the Tools and Trades Society.

Chris

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#14

Re: Seaton Chest. Any unusual features?

Sgian Dubh

>The fact that the Seaton box is intact and contains all the original tools does make it unusual, Chris. Thanks for the explanation. Slainte.

Re: My version of the Seaton Chest

#15

Re: Pictures with all my planes inside.

Bjenk Ellefsen

>Ok, I`m not a genius at spatial organisation but at least all the planes are inside the chest and within reach. You don`t see them but there is a number 7, 6, a wooden jointer and a 45 under the lowest (picture wise) planes. Now I have to build a saw holder and two trays to pack the rest of my tools in a hurry (moving friday).



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