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Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Posts

Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#1

Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

This time last year I completed a chest of drawers for my bench and posted photos of the build, as well as the content of some of the drawers. The incentive at the time was to begin the process of rationalising my hand tools as I slowly begin the countdown to retirement and downsizing. I have been selling or giving away the excess tools.

Now this might at first sound as though I have pared my hand tools to just a few, but that is a relative statement :) I still have too many tools, but the chest holds memories as well and, frankly, these were accumulated over the course of 30 years. So what we have here are my jewels, and I offer pictures of them to share, for discussion if you wish, but mostly to get some activity on this Hand Tool Forum!

The chest under the bench ...


Ten drawers in all. Just the top row for now ...


Drawer #1 (top left) ...



Mortice chisels. Two Fujikawa on the left in 6mm and 9mm; Four Veritas in 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". The Veritas were courtesy of pre-production testing, which began with comparing A2 and PM-V11 steels and different size handles. These are not production chisels, which is why some of the hoops are missing. I liked these chisel much better than the Ray Iles chisels (sold) and a set of vintage Ward English Bolstered chisels. The Fulikawa represent my love for Japanese chisels. I prefer the shorter chisels when looking for more finesse.

Drawer #2 (middle) ...


Three Starrett squares: 300mm combination; 150mm double square; and a 4" double square. Good for matching to the size of the work piece.

All these tools are French-fitted into panels.

Slide back the panel, and below is another compartment holding a mix of Colen Clenton mitre squares infilled in Sheoak, a pair of Chris Vesper 4" and 7" squares infilled in Tasmanian Blackwood, and a 2x2" Bridge City saddle square ...


One of the Clentons was a trade with Colen for marking knives I made, which was a blast for me since he is one of the top toolmakers in the world, and the other was a prize in a tool-making competition. The Vesper squares are special as Chris is a good friend, and we have shared a booth at Woodshows many a time. I would consider Chris the absolute top toolmaker around.

Drawer #3 (top right) ...



Wheel cutting gauges: Two Tite-mark and two Veritas. Tite-Mark are the best adjustable types, which does come in handy (but not essential). The non-adjustable Veritas were offered about 10 years ago as their Anniversary model, in stainless steel. An absolute bargain at the time. They are now only available in brass. At the front is a wheel gauge I made.

Hope this has been of interest.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#2

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Scott

Thanks Derek-interesting to me and I would enjoy seeing the rest!

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#3

would love to compare/comtrast bench


Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#4

tool storage with you as I have eight


Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#5

drawers storing tools in a Shaker style


Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#6

bench.....but, this is the best I can do


Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#7

until Ellis fixes "the problem"......


Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#8

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Bruce McCrory

Hi Derek-

You overcame the the posting challenge! I am sure many would like to know the secret? But, to the Under-Bench Cabinet.

I enjoyed your postings through the construction and design of the cabinet. It took me a while to find your article and the dimensions. And, the question is rather simple. Constraints were 26 x~16 x~16 cabinet maximum. The drawers are 8 x 2.75 inches at the small width and 12 wide at the largest. That's the background.

So, have you any reservations or observations you can share about the project so far?

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#9

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Sgian Dubh

Far neater, dust free, organised and precise than I could ever live with or imagine in my tool boxes, Derek, ha, ha. Slainte.

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#10

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Don Stephan

Silly me, I thought you wrote you were downsizing and giving away tools because retirement approaching. We all know you will be making so much more excellent pieces and of course acquiring so many more tools and gizmos!

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#11

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#12

Reply - I cannot post to Bruce

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#13

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

p.s. I could not post earlier.

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#14

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

p.s. I could not post earlier.

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#15

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

So, have you any reservations or observations you can share about the project so far?

Hi Bruce

I attempted to post earlier, but could not.

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#16

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#17

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Hi Bruce

The only reservation is that I need more drawers! :)

The drawers could have been wider or higher ... but then there might not have been a challenge or process of making choices.

I recognise that I prefer some tools on the wall and, if they are there, they get grabbed first, regardless of what they are or how sharp.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#18

I can respond for now......

roger lance

I have a Shaker style bench with eight drawers that house tools conveniently right at the bench which is a feature of this bench type that I really like......



Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#19

Looking forward to discussing this with you

roger lance

when all is well on the site.

Re: Bench drawers: 1, 2 and 3

#20

Re: Looking forward to discussing this with you

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Roger, I posted a reply of envy on the other side.

I am in the process of completing the 10th and final drawer of my infamous underbench chest, and hopefully will post this sometime soon.

Regards from Perth

Derek

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