Travel Tool Chest & Workbench Build Process

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I haven't had much time near a computer to carry on with the design work, but I did have a nice trip out to Wentwood Timber yesterday. I'd never been there before so wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked it a lot. I'd also been to Bristol Wood Recycling Project the day before (another first), but I'm less tempted to go back there unless I want construction timber (and can face the god-awful Bristol traffic again!). They sold hardwood, but Wentwood was much better value. I did come away from BWRP with some bits of birch plywood and a couple of lengths of unknownium though, including one that looks like maple to me.

Wentwood hardly had any poplar (one short piece, which I bought just to experiment with since it was only £7). They had loads of sweet chestnut though and, despite not having finished designing the box, I couldn't resist coming away with quite a lot of that. I've now got four long planks stored in the garage so I expect that I'll make the chest out of that.

I'm going away on holiday relatively soon and I'm going to have a go at making something or other (possibly just practice joinery) while I'm away. I obviously don't have a tool chest yet so I'll take my portable workbench. It also occurred to me that I have one of these in the shed:

I got this as a result of someone on another forum offering it free to a good home. I don't have a mitre saw any more as I sold it a year or two ago, but I kept hold of the stand just in case it came in handy.

It isn't especially robust, but the mounts for the mitre saw are a good size for holding my portable workbench and it fits behind the front seats in the car so won't be a problem to transport. I'll take it away with the workbench and see how I get on with that combination and it might help guide me in my design of the chest (and possibly a collapsible bench to go with it!) I wouldn't be surprised if I end up finding the mitre saw stand too flimsy as soon as I start chopping dovetails, but it won't hurt to have it with me.

I am a hobbyist metalworker and woodworker. I work as an electronic design engineer and spend most of my working days in front of a computer so I enjoy having the opportunity to use my hands and make things in my spare time. I particularly enjoy making tools as I can then use them on other projects. This website showcases some of the things I've made.

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