Tool Cabinet (pics)

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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I thought you might like to see a project from the reclaimed white oak barn beams mentioned in the recent past. Resawing 100 year old wood was a neat experience as it revealed some nice flecks and rays in addition to character created by old worm and nail holes. I quatersawed as much as possible with the balance being riff and plain. Working with tight grain quartersawn wood is a real treat since it is very stable and pleasing to the eye. Once machined on the jointer and planer it just doesn't move staying nice and straight. The cabinet helps keep tools well within reach while reducing the volume of storage which is important when you're shop is constrained to just one side of a two-car garage (I do roll machines out on Michelle's side when working). The cabinet is 5" deep, 48" wide, and 30" tall. There is no plywood, has raised panel doors and a ship-lap back. I think this will end up being used in my next shop.

Well enough of these shop projects for now. I've stayed very busy out there since the end of last season and now I'm chomping at the bit for this duck season to start. For the past few years my leisure time has been spent working in the shop and making home improvements. I've committed to building Michelle some built-ins for the laundry room but after that I'm going to push hard to build another boat. As Bear Bryant said, "dance with the one who brought you." I don't think I'll ever lose the urge to mess with boats.


ToolCabinet.jpg


ToolCabinetLeft.jpg


ToolCabinetRight.jpg

 
Nice Work, Eric. Now my shop REALLY looks bad! Just out of curiosity, and please excuse my ignorance, but what it the green contraption in the bottom picture. Looks like some type of press?
 
Paul

That odd looking thing is a mortising attachement for my drill press. It's for drilling square holes. You can see the mortising chisel/bits on the door to the far right near the bottom. I'd rather have a mortising machine but space is at a premium. For now it will have to do.
 
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OK, makes sense now. does it work well? I had actually thought of getting one at one point for making turkey calls.
 
Don't know. Haven't used it yet. From what I hear they work but nowhere as well as a dedicated mortiser which has a much larger lever that a drill press handle. What part of a turkey call (Pot call?) would use one?
 
I've been making some box calls. I's still use a regular forstner bit for the ends, but the mortise would be nice for going down the sides. So far I've made some with a jarra skeleton, poplar sides, and jarra lid. The seemed to work well for a few buddies I made them for, but of course I got busy at work bout the time turkey season opened. Next one I make I'll post a pic.
 
Wow Eric,

You really can tell it's old wood. The cabinets look like old cabinets, not because of the style, but because of the wood. I'm hooked on old Barn beams and plan to collect as much of the stuff as I can afford and store. It's all getting expensive, but there are still deals to be found, kinda like the old Corvettes you hear about someone finding in a barn...well now it's the wood from the barn itself that's the great find.

Hitch
 
Eric,

Yup, I can hear all those well care for tools screaming to get out and build another boat!

The cabinetry looks great!


Take care,

Bill
 
Eric,
Sweet. That is outstanding. I love to see great cabinetry in the shop. Quarter Sawn Oak is my favorite wood/cut. I'm drooling.
Ever since I saw Norm Abram with a dedicated mortiser..........I've wanted one. Very cool.
Later partner,
Lou
 
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