Popular Woodworking Magazine: Christopher Schwarz and Jameel Abraham are working together on a tool chest article for the August and October issues of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Chris built the box; Jameel created a carved marquetry panel for the lid. Yes – a carved marquetry panel.
4 comments:
This article is a refreshing change of pace from the seemingly endless stream of “The new tool bag from Makita or Ryobi” articles that are pretty close to useless, talking about the comparative pros and cons of different tool bags. I must say, that while I really like the durableness and flexibility of pelican cases, I think I would prefer to have this chest around than a drawer case or bin full of tools. While they didn’t show the inside of the marquetry panel in the lid, I looked up some marquetry furniture, and it is simply amazing. I would be constantly too scared to actually put any tools into the box, for fear of scratching the art work. Thinking about this, its kind of funny, how many of the things we consider to be important ancient relics and art works today were just everyday items when they were made. Things that have become important to us as a culture were not made to important to us, they were made because they were needed, or because someone had the spark of inspiration to make something new, and it changed out culture. But who knows, maybe someday this box will be sitting in an alien museum and the mid 21st century humans will be praised for their dedication to fine woodworking.
I looked at the picture, realized that it was a picture, and then read the caption: “No, it’s not a video; it’s screen capture of a video…that you’ll just have to wait to see.” It was until after reading that that I tried to click it. It’s like at a restraint when someone tells me a plate it hot; I have to test it out to be sure. Anyways, this seems like a really cool tool chest, and I hope it gets posted on the green page when it’s finished because I want to see the final product. I kind of don’t get the purpose of this teaser article, because it sounds like they’re pretty close to finishing but they don’t want to show a lot of process detail shots. This seems like a really cool tool chest for a furniture maker, and I like that the furniture tools are being kept in what’s basically a piece of very fine furniture, but I’d be really worried having this in a shop. As cool as it is to have something like this, I think one of the most important factors that a tool chest should have is the ability to not have to worry about it. Also, it says traveling. I feel like that implies something that you could take on a plane with you, but I’d be wary of checking anything short of a pelican case type of tool chest.
It’s pretty awesome that they modeled this tool box after vintage ones because people back then knew what they were doing despite them having older technology. So often I feel like the normal “look at this cool new tool” is just falling over itself to show you what new thing technology can make rather than showing you something that is actually useful. This tool box looks absolutely amazing. The article didn't say how long they have been working on it, but one guy made a carved panel and the other hand forged the hinges, and they would have had to take a while to do the research to learn how best to make it. So I’m interested to see if they are going to be selling these and how many they might make. I know the article said in the magazine issues they would teach you how to make it yourself, but the intricacy, from what I got, is incredible and I wonder really how easy it is to make. He did say that it was easier to make than a full-sized English tool set so I guess we are just going to have to wait and see.
I love this! It appears so cleverly made and I am truly surprised by the small size for the amount of tools the article says it will be able to hold. The artistry of the build itself is nothing to laugh at, but the beautiful picture at the end of the article was stunning. I would love to know how they create the patterns and inlay—something I will have to research more in the future. Why did they decide to make the box? Just something pretty to store tools in, something to challenge themselves with? I wish the article could give more information on the tools, and on the process that went in to making it. Also, are the tools inside held in specific places, or just loose in the box? I really wish we could have seen how they organized it so that it would hold all of the tools necessary. I look forward to seeing it complete!
Post a Comment