Be a tidy Kiwi and make your own toolbox to carry with you on those all-important projects, at home and elsewhere. Justin Newcombe shows us how it's done.
I love working in a workshop. Everything is at hand when I want it.
Unfortunately, when I'm not in my workshop I'm often traversing from my workshop to my work area, looking for a little this and that.
It can get to the stage where I'm spending more time traversing the garden than I am working on my project.
I have a lot of my smaller tools in an old timber wine box and when I'm working on a job away from home the box comes with me.
The main problem with my wine box is that it's a bit cumbersome to lug around.
A handle would be nice and would be easy enough to attach, while a narrower deeper box would be less cumbersome as well.
No need to re-invent the wheel this time around, the most basic old-fashioned toolbox is all that is required. The size depends on what's being packed into the box. I want to pack a basic carpentry kit including my small skilsaw, handsaw and apron as well as the other assorted paraphernalia I might need.
With larger objects it's important to make sure they can clear the gap between the handle and the box and for smaller objects you may want to consider a smaller box altogether.
A smaller box can always be placed inside a larger box, which helps keep things in order.
Personally, just having everything I need in one place is about as close to orderly as I'm going to get. With a big box at least I know it's there somewhere.
Step 1
Measure and cut the shape of the box out of ply or any other spare timber you have. Remember to design the sides of the box (the triangle part) so the handle is high enough for you to get everything in and out of. Things can get a bit tight if the handle is too close to the box.
Step 2
Drill two holes to slot the dowelling handle into the top of the two triangle sides. Cut, shape and fit the handle and sides together. Gluing this is optional. Not gluing the handle allows the box to swing slightly, which can make handling more comfortable.
Step 3
Glue and screw the side panels and bottom on to the handle section. Once the glue has dried, sand any protruding or unsightly edges.
Step 4
Paint the inside of the box, then the outside. Two coats should do it.
