Travel Tool Chest & Workbench Build Process

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I had another hour free this evening so I decided to go and make and fit the drawer stops. I've no idea what these would normally look like, so I just made it up.

I started by getting a spare bit of drawer divider and chopping a bit out to make it roughly the same shape as the cut-outs that I'd made in the dividers. I then made an impromptu "sticking board" (I think that's what they're called anyway) and made a small rebate in one corner of a scrap bit of walnut with the #78:

I then used the folding Kataba (which is becoming one of my favourite tools) to chop it a bit thinner, before planing the sawn edge smooth:

I could then chop the strip into circa 20 mm slices and shoot each one individually to the right length to fit its slot:

All dry fitted:

What it looks like from behind:

To glue them in place, I decided to use the fish glue again, rather than the TB hide glue that I'd used on the drawers. Having tried both, I think I prefer the fish glue: it takes a long time to dry (and hence gives time to get stuff into place) like the hide glue, but also seems to spread quite a bit more easily than the hide glue.

Having said that, getting it onto the glue surfaces on the drawer dividers was a little awkward:

I'm not sure they really need clamps as they're all a very snug fit, but I figured it couldn't hurt:

I still need to figure out what to do in the way of a drawer stop for the bottom drawer, but I'm putting that decision off for now!

Once the glue is properly dry I guess I'll need to (gulp) try to plane the fronts of the drawers to be flush with the fronts of the dividers and the middle support. I might do that after the holiday as I feel like I might need to be very, very calm and relaxed before I start that job.

I haven't decided what the next job is. I'll probably get started on some sort of front (either the final shooting board or an interim thingamajig to tide me over until I have more time). I think it'd probably be a good idea to get some finish on the chest itself before travelling. I'm still very open to suggestions, but at the moment it'll probably be MMM just because it's easy and I've got the ingredients.

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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