The “Anarchists” Saw Bench Box Part 2

Open, and getting a saw out of the back

One of the key elements of this box that drove me to use the word “Anarchist” as an homage to Chris’s book was this sliding drawer/tool trays.  I was intrigued with how they worked, and how they really added to the tool holding awesomeness of the “Anarchists Tool Chest” that he builds in the book. Part two of the box build tonight was adding one of those tool trays to my saw bench box.

It’s built from Pine with an Oak bottom for durability, and increased wear.  There are two strips of oak nailed to the inside of the box that act as rails for the tray to slide back and forth.  It also introduced me to one of the really nice benefits of using cut nails in your work.  I put the first nail in and it projected a tiny bit through the other side of the wood.  I thought it would clear, but I was wrong.  So I pounded that one back, and used some nippers to cut the rest of the nails a little shorter.  The iron on traditional cut nails is not hardened like most modern day nails, so this is an easy step.  Plus, you’re already pre-drilling the holes for the nails, so the fact that the tip is slightly less pointy (and still square) doesn’t make a bit of difference.

Drawer parts all ready to go and ready to be nailed

The tray itself is simply a box.  I had started out with a simple rabbet on the ends of the sides, but when I mocked it up, it was off a bit in size by being too deep, and too narrow.  So I changed course and set up my Stanley #45 to cut a long rabbet along the bottom of hold the tray bottom. I nailed it together with some cut nails, and trimmed up the edges to fit smoothly in the chest.

One thing that was nice about tonight’s work was how confident I felt about what I was doing.  I’ve been banging around the shop for a while now, but tonight it didn’t feel like I was flounder, I almost felt like I had some of this stuff down.  I have a LOT to learn for sure, but it was nice not to feel so lost every time I picked up a tool.

Box closed in it's usual spot

It’s now in it’s home up against the MDF workbench the came with the house.  I don’t use that bench for much now that I’ve gone all hand tool and stuff, mainly because it’s way to high for proper use of the planes.  It can be shoved under if it’s in the way, but it’s mostly going live there so I can easily get my saws out as needed.  It also makes a comfortable seat to sit on while contemplating my next move, something I’ve tried to do more of as I build my skill set.  Rather than launching into the next step, planning and thinking it out so I can be sure to do it right the first time.

Open, and drawer slid back to get to front part of the bottom of the chest

Plus when my three year old son comes down to hang out with Daddy, he can sit on it while watching.  Which usually last about maybe 60 seconds before he’s up and touching things.

Badger

One thing that was nice about tonight’s work was how confident I felt about what I was doing.  I’ve been banging around the shop for a while now, but tonight it didn’t feel like I was flounder, I almost felt like I had some of this stuff down.  I have a LOT to learn for sure, but it was nice not to feel so lost every time I picked up a tool.I nailed the box together