Building an Engineers / Machinists Toolbox

Plans available to purchase here: mallarddesign....
Another video of me building something cool. This time watch as I make this Engineers / Machinists Tool Box from recycled maple hardwood flooring (I have a ton of this stuff so more of these projects to follow). Based on the design of a chest I already have in the workshop, but with an extra two smaller drawers and a larger bottom drawer.
Deliberately stained to look like it has been kicking around the workshop for quite some time. Perfect addition to my workshop workbench.
Videography (as always) by my great friend James over at prowlingtigerm...
PS Spot the deliberate mistake during main case assembly. I did spot it in time (before the glue set) so was able to resolve easily. Left it in just to show that nobody is perfect.

[@seanbiddiss7581]

Truly a craftsman at work, excellent video and an amazing tool chest. Thank you for sharing.

[@TraditionalTimes]

@seanbiddiss7581 Thanks for the kind words. :)

[@onemancrewtrade5151]

I enjoy videos like this one, the process speaks for itself. No "Yap Yaping!!".. Thank You..

[@TraditionalTimes]

Than you. I've tried lots of different formats, but am coming to the realisation that videos without talking are the best medium for me. So more like this to follow...

[@Der_Alias_ist_schon_vergeben.]

The craftmanship and the camera work is awesome. But the neverending music is annoying. The sound of woodworking is everything it needs.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks and appreciate the music may not be to everyone's taste... :)

[@harvey947]

Imagine a beautiful job and I didn’t see the first woodpecker Festool or SawStop ect all in all refreshing. Whoever did videoing great job and also appreciated the music without endless talking..

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Am busy moving house and packing up the workshop, but format is something very much on my mind. The evidence is certainly there that this type of format is much more popular than others, so watch this space... :)

[@miguelsoto7405]

Beautiful job, lots of details. Nice use of brads, like old days. Keep posting more art. God bless you.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hey, thanks for the kind comment. 😀

[@dannywilsher4165]

I have a huge stack of flooring that I plan on making a machinist tool box with. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Go for it. I am moving more and more towards using reclaimed timber simply because of the cost. So much is just burned or dumped that still has life in it.

[@dannywilsher4165]

@@TraditionalTimes For sure!!!!!

[@billybike57]

Outstanding craftsmanship……thank you for sharing!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thankyou 😁

[@MasteringTheModel]

You gave this a nice rustic look that makes it beautiful. Nice job!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hey thanks. That was my intention for sure. I don't like things in the workshop looking too new!!! 😁

[@GizmosGameLounge]

What a beautiful story being told through your craftsmanship.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thankyou

[@IanintheShed]

Stunning work! A brilliant use of recycling wood which most would just discard!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks... the nice thing is I still have lots left... :)

[@IanintheShed]

@Mallard Design looking forward seeing what you do with it!

[@johnnewton2066]

Dude, very nice build. I love your tool set and skill. I am in the process of building something very similar for my niece. The wood you rescued is beautiful (after all your work on it). I was wondering why you choose to stain it. It looked so gorgeous in its natural beauty. I also wondered why you choose to not inset the drawer bottoms. I was fortunate to see and original "Gershner" machinist tool box my grandfather used. They are truly special. Thanks for the help. I learned a few things. Cheers John In lovely North Jersey, USA

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hey John. Thanks for the effusive comment. Always love to read when people think I might have done something right!!!

[@TraditionalTimes]

In answer to your questions: I stained the box as I did, simply because I like old wooden toolboxes that kind of colour (see latest video). It was entirely a personal choice and I do agree that the old maple flooring came up a treat.

[@TraditionalTimes]

As to the draw bottoms, they are of plywood so super stable, and from a design point of view I simply copied the design of a toolbox my father had for years. No reason for not using a floating base. Just again another design decision I made to keep things simple for me. The 64 Draw Small Parts Cabinet uses floating draws for sure.

[@WoodworkingTop535]

great videos, thanks for sharing

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thaks. Appreciate the kind comment. 🙂

[@TheUnknownGodAce]

Absolutely love the toolbox plan to make one myself one day beautiful way to use recycled materials and great video aswell. Ill definitely be keeping an eye out for you videos from now on❤

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hey there. Thanks for the compliment. Definitely more videos on the way. Should be a new video available mid-end next week... :)

[@durtywurkBuilds]

Awesome work sir!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you... It's been almost a year now and it sits happily on the workbench with all the measuring tools in... :)

[@genem2768]

Awesome video, but you're going to have to turn the goats over to milk them.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Well observed... :-)

[@Vormulac1]

Glorious.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you... :)

[@dannywilsher4165]

Awesome job. I love it!!!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Appreciate the comment. :)

[@mattdodds2954]

Just stumbled across your chanel. Great work and attention to detail. Your workshop is amazing. Cheers Matt, Cumbria uk

[@TraditionalTimes]

Matt, Thanks for that. We have literally (in the last 10 mins) just got home from our honeymoon in... Cumbria... stayed just outside Cartmel for 9 nights and had a fantastic time... Lovely place to live... :)

[@mattdodds2954]

@@TraditionalTimes oh wow congratulations. I'm in north cumbria a place called Wigton. True, it is a beautiful part of the country. I work as a service engineer and love when I get jobs in the lake district. Look forward to more videos.

[@TraditionalTimes]

@@mattdodds2954 Thanks ...and am back in the workshop this morning... should be three new videos this month... :)

[@RomanceInFlowers]

Feel So Good !!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks

[@Carpenters_Canvas]

good job !!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks 😁

[@josearistidessouzasantos9313]

Parabéns

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you... 😁

[@freemanmanfree5719]

What was that tool that he was using the knock in those tiny brads/pins? Is that what they used to use in the olden days? A hammer?... Kidding. It's so refreshing to see a someone NOT using a nail gun. Stay crafty. It's also nice to see someone working at a pace thats dictated by his desire for accuracy without all the hoopla and need for jigs or apparatuses to facilitate repeatability More time is wasted in my shop trying to develop a repeatable product or process, when it's likely that I'll only do something once. It's the engineer in me obstructing the craftsman that I desire to become.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Couldn't agree more. Nailers are good for quick assemblies using plywood, but if you are crafting a cabinet or toolbox, pins and a small pin hammer are more accurate, more reliable and better in general for the soul. Craftsmanship over mass production is always the best way. I do use jigs but only for the purposes of accuracy. Jigs are great for mass production but as soon as you start to mass produce, then you lose the beauty inherent in a one off piece. Mass production is in and of itself a soulless thing.

[@PetterPJ3W]

I guess, strictly speaking, he should be using a Warrington hammer not a ball peen hammer

[@TraditionalTimes]

@@PetterPJ3W Oh Dear! Now you've gone and done it. I use whatever tools I have in the workshop at the time. Now you've identified a tool I don't have, a tool (I presume) designed for a specific purpose. Now I am going to have to go and acquire one. Best not let Mrs H know. :) :) ;)

[@DominikV235]

Lovely!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Appreciated.

[@DominikV235]

@@TraditionalTimes It is so cool to see someone with that much experience making stuff. I wish it was a trend

[@John-Smith-m6b]

Great vid...well...except for the horrible 'music'. Rather just hear the shop sounds.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks... 😀

[@louiswhitney1761]

Love the wood working detail… such nice work… may I ask what finish you used?

[@TraditionalTimes]

Hi there. Thanks for the compliment. It's Briwax Walnut natural wax polish. You can apply it dry, but for projects where I want to make the piece look aged I warm the tin through in a container of hot water (to melt the wax), then splodge it on and while the wax cools wipe of the excess. Then it leaves a nice mottled aged look as if the toolbox has been kicking around the workshop for years!!! 😁

[@СергейГорбунов-х9е]

За то что клей размазывает пальцем ставлю плюс, иногда и я так делаю!😅

[@TraditionalTimes]

Translation: "For the fact that the glue smears with a finger, I put a plus, sometimes I do it too!😅" - By far the easiest way... :)

[@yossiyaari3760]

Great video. Quick question: why do you have your miter saw setup so you have to lean over so much? looks uncomfortable. is it a safety issue?

[@TraditionalTimes]

It's nothing more than I have parts from another project getting in the way slightly... when using the mitre saw I always stand to one side or the other because things have come back at me in the past, but I was leaning because of the parts in the cabinet underneath... and don't worry... they're not there now...

[@anthonyseiver7000]

What were the two stains you used for finishing and why did you have to heat the second stain? Was it wax based?

[@TraditionalTimes]

The two stains were one and the same thing, Briwax Walnut.I actually warmed the finish through both times. I warm through because it gives me slightly blotchy, well used look to the finished item. Like it's been kicking around the workshop for a while. Just personal preference really.

[@PizzaTreeYT]

Lovely project, and great video editing as well. Got a like and subscribe from me sir!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you for the kind words and the subscription... Lots more to come... :)

[@randyhansen2760]

Do you live next door to Jason? (Epic Upcycling).

[@TraditionalTimes]

Not that I'm aware of... 😁

[@SergeiPetrov]

Will the glued bottom of the cabinet drawers cause problems later?

[@TraditionalTimes]

It's 6mm plywood, which by it's nature is very stable. Design was based on my fathers cabinet which also has glued plywood bottoms and is over 30 years old. However, floating bottoms (as per the drawers in the 64 drawer workshop organiser) are also an option). :)

[@PetterPJ3W]

I have some reclaimed maple flooring from Old Windsor Village Hall so I was very interested in this project.I also have some oak that I rescued from a skip that will be perfect for the drawers

[@TraditionalTimes]

Brilliant! I am just in the process of moving house & workshop so that the workshop will be 'On-Site'. AS soon as the new workshop is built I will definitely be buy more of this recycled flooring. So many projects it would be good for,

[@bigal6789]

Only just found your channel.... Wow. I'm going to look through your back catalogue. Was the deliberate mistake the middle drawer runner guide put in upside down. Great workmanship.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Yep... that was it... all because I was talking to James and NOT paying attention to what I was meant to be doing. I would like to say that was the only time this has ever happened, but it's not. Only last weekend I managed to glue all four sides of a pocket on my latest project and caused myself all sorts of problems... :)

[@олегярушев]

Очень просторная мастерская, приятно работать в ней, красивые вещи делаете, мне нравится, приятно посмотреть, на вашу работу.

[@TraditionalTimes]

Had to translate: "Very spacious workshop, it's nice to work in it, you do beautiful things, I like it, it's nice to see your work" - Thanks... hope you enjoyed the video :)

[@essentialhandyman]

You're a very talented man. How many hours did the build take in total?

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thankyou. About 8 man hours but spread over three days (because of all the glue ups)... :)

[@essentialhandyman]

@@TraditionalTimes that’s pretty quick. I’m impressed. Nice to see other UK accounts on here.

[@dannywilsher4165]

Two minutes into the video and I subbed!!!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Appreciated... :)

[@ivandalisay7609]

I subbed @13:27 😂

[@michaellindsay8934]

Absolute perfection what a craftsman you are it was a real pleasure. Thank you for sharing

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thankyou for the kind words. Much appreciated. :)

[@dennismarjamaa6805]

Simply amazing work!

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Appreciate the comment.

[@andreweastwood862]

Smashing

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks :)

[@_BigLife_]

Beautiful

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thank you

[@DamienMearns]

Brilliant !

[@TraditionalTimes]

Thanks. Appreciated.

[@DamienMearns]

@@TraditionalTimes That's a top notch workshop you've got there (I'm signed in under my other account) Damien

[@TraditionalTimes]

Taken over 2 years to get everything set up... and good to hear from you...