From C.E.W., Kansas. City, Mo.— I inclose sketches of a tool box in reply to the correspondent recently making inquiry in regard to work of this kind. This box has, in my opinion, one advantage over all others, as a man can get any tool from it without moving any other. There is no waste room; the chest is light and strong and can, therefore, be readily moved about. The drawers can have faces made of hard wood and carved, if desired, as they are protected by the sliding panel in front. When the lid is raised the panel can be pulled up so that the drawers will open. A pin in the top of the panel flush with the top of the box securely locks the panel down when the box is closed. The box should be made of trunk stuff – that is, three pieces of wood glued together with the grain running different ways. Each piece should be 1/8 inch thick, thus making a total of 3/8 inch, which is sufficiently heavy. Slides for the drawers are glued to them on the inside, and the corners, of 1-1/8-inch oak, are plowed so as to let the front panel slide. The top cap is cut in 1/2 inch and glued.
Fig. 1 shows a general view of the box with the lid raised and the front panel partially broken away, showing the front of the drawers. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken through the middle of the box, while Fig. 3 is a top view of one of the front corners.
From D.F.M., Syracuse, Neb.—I am interested in tool chest construction just now, and send my plan, shown in Fig. 4. for the boys to comment on. It rests on casters and the bottom drawer is 9-1/2 inches deep inside. Under the lid at the front is a saw rack, while at the back is a similar space for plans, details, &c. In the center is a solid tray, with two of the same size beneath, which slide out at the ends each way and can be made full length or cut in two. The ends are made with rail and stile like a door. The drawers are held solid with flush bolts. A strap of iron or brass extends through to the outside and catches the bolt. The lid can be made deep enough for a drop leaf and makes a nice place for paper, T square, &c. The owner of a chest can put as much work on it as he desires.
— Carpentry and Building, March 1901. Thanks to Jeff Burks for digging up these two letters. Much more from this series on chests to come.