From W. C. A., Detroit, Mich. — In the December number of Carpentry and Building, “C. C. B.” has Introduced the subject of tool chest construction, and In order to try and save it from the fate of former inquiries on that subject I will give the readers of Carpentry and Building my ideas of this phase of carpenter work. With the ordinary sliding tray or “Grandpa” chest only one side of the chest can be utilized; or, if both sides are used, then the tools must be dumped out on the floor every time one of the trays Is moved. The only solution of the problem is to put in drawers. In the September number for 1896 “D. T. C.” illustrates this, as well as “N.L.D.” in the August number for 1897. The latter correspondent has been requested to send drawings of his Improved large chest, but so far as I can discover he has not done so. In the May number for 1898 “Down South” says he has some original ideas on tool chest construction, and, although he has been asked, still, he has not sent his plans for publication. In behalf of about 75 percent of the wood butchers of the United States, all of whom are going to build the best chest in the world some time, I ask that both “N. H. D.” and “Down South” send in their plans.
I send a sketch, Fig. 1, of an idea that I am slowly developing as to what I consider a tool chest ought to be. It is to be noticed that there is one large drawer at the bottom and two smaller ones just above lt. The cover is made deep enough to hold the saws, squares and level. One tray and several partitions in the top should accommodate the planes and larger tools. A chest constructed on such a plan as this will have no waste room, and it will make a small, compact chest. I have planned this chest to be 18 x 30 Inches inside, with paneled ends and cover. The details of construction and partitions I leave for discussion. I hope the readers will take up the subject and not drop It until a perfect chest Is the result.
Note.—The suggestion of our correspondent is a good one and opens the way for a most excellent discussion of the subject of tool chest constructlon. We hope our practical readers will devote a part of the long winter evenings to preparing letters and sketches showing their ideas of what constitutes a satisfactory tool chest.
— Carpentry and Building, January 1901. Thanks to Jeff Burks for sending the letter. More from this series to come.