Interesting web site and project

[John_C]

I've got a bunch of metal and plastic tool boxes.  The one thing they have in common is that I hate all of them.  They are ugly, have crappy hinges, have too many "cute" features that don't work well, and having top handles and/or rounded tops they don't stack well.

I came across this web site   http://www.daikudojo.org/index.html

"Daiku Dojo promotes Japanese woodworking projects. In a larger sense it means using hand tools, especially Japanese hand tools, more than is common in contemporary woodworking."

There are some really pretty projects there and one that caught my eye was the Japanese toolbox.  I found a set of plans and a material list here     http://www.peacocklumber.ca/Projects.asp?Source=JapaneseToolbox

It's not fancy like a cabinet makers box might be.  It's made of pine and a handful of nails.  It won't break my heart to take it on a muddy job site or to see it get the inevitable scratches.

It was very cheap to build, is pleasing to look at and will stack well if I build a few more.

Added:  I built mine almost exactly to those plans.  It's a not quite as high but it's otherwise the same.  My only complaint is that I can't put my 2' level inside.  I may build one 30" long.  That would allow a wide enough opening to carry the level.

[peternap]

Neat looking box John!

[glenn kangiser]

I've had the same problem.  Maybe I will build one too. Thanks, John.

[John_C]

I've been using it for about a week now and I'm very happy with it. One other change that I made was to make the handles a full 1" thick.  I beveled the inner 3/4" at about a 20˚ angle and rounded those edges before I attached them to the ends.  It makes a very comfortable and secure grip for carrying.

[glenn kangiser]

I was thinking something like that would be nice.  A bit better hook for the fingers.