[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I've seen those 2 pics for at least 10 years. The hardware hoarder must have had something in mind that we all face when we save or stock lots of goodies. I have too many different funky bin/drawer organizers that it looks pretty helter skelter.

Funny, Studly built the ultimate portable chest but it was not for moving around. It may have been so he knew he put away everything and didn't leave a tool in a piano, like aircraft mechanics do, or maybe he felt that his tools were more secure when he went home. I hope he didn't work in a place where that would be a problem.

I'll never know, but he likely built it because he could. It is reported that the chest was under continuous construction and refinement for 30 years. I know when I built one not even close to something like that I fitted it with vintage and antique tools because they don't get changed and replaced. So it's a display completely gratuitous in nature. Closed up it looks like an old laundry room cupboard. All the wood is over 90 years old. Adding patina to fresh cuts was a bit of a PITA, but it looks like it's been hanging there since before WWII. Just as it was supposed to be.

I ought to roll that sucker on the job with all the packer stuff. They'd probably think I apprenticed with Colonial cabinet and furniture makers in Boston circa 1700. In reality the tools are 19th and early 20th Century.

I wonder if Roy Underhill is a closet cordless drill owner.

It's an amazing toolbox/cabinet. I have to think he was a true craftsman. I suspect if he was into cars, he'd be one of those concourse dry with a diaper kind of folks (not that there's anything wrong with that). It's certainly beautiful.