What Is In A Timber Framer's Tool Chest From The 1860s

[@jamesboak678]

Hey all, I just wanted to post that I'm the happy winner of the auction on the tool chest! I'm a home builder form BC, Canada and have enjoyed timber work, joinery, and wood working for the past 20 years, and I couldn't be more excited to put this collection to good use. No intention of ever splitting it up... Hopefully in another few generations it will find its way on to the next craftsperson. Many thanks to James and his KZbin channel for profiling the tool box and its contents, and for Walter and Dan from Colonial Homestead for the great phone conversation and for deciding to auction this collection. It looks like there are many gems to be had at their shop! Cheers from BC.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Sweet work. That is quite the find. You don't come across these very often. Congratulations.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Do you have or plan to find framer's squares to put back in the slots designed for them? Also, did you/do you plan to, grab any "new-old stock" files for sharpening the saws when you go to pick up the chest? On James' tour video I saw a great table of files at that store too. Oh, and congratulations. I'm glad it went to someone who will use these tools and not just display them as a collection. I am a firm believer that tools are meant to be used and not just seen. The only "tool" that I have that is just for looking at is an all wood model of a Stanley No. 4 hand plane. Even the iron and all of the screws are made of wood. It is an art piece, and not an actual tool, is why it is never used. I could never get the wooden iron sharp enough to cut anything harder than a soft cheese or butter. And even then, it chipped.

[@chippysteve4524]

Delighted to hear that they have gone to a good home. Congratulations

[@rexpopham3388]

Awesome chest. Great buy: useable history. Not gonna ask what you paid or what the shipping was from Ohio. I am in Victoria BC and do a little vintage tool buying, selling and using. Never seen a chest like that and don't expect to but you never know.

[@David-fv7zg]

Im curious how much this went for? In my mind its priceless.

[@timothymallon]

I have watched this video many times and I have to say, it's one of my favorite tool chest tour videos I have ever seen. I own a tool chest that I bought a few months ago, very similar to this one, but it came without tools. I have spent a couple years collecting tools to put in a chest and it has been quite a journey. Now that I have the chest, I have filled it a few different ways, realizing what I use regularly, vs what I only use occasionally and outfitted it accordingly. It's such a great journey that any woodworker should do.

[@tomst9417]

This tool chest has a lot of history in it. It would be fascinating to go back in time and see the original owner and the structures he helped build using these tools. I'm sure most of your viewers-me included- were fantasizing about owning it. You could create an entire museum exhibit around the tool box and it's contents.

[@CodyBrandt580]

Absolutely a beautiful look into someone's life and their love for the craft.

[@chrisbudesa]

Please update post with price realized.

[@iancraigen]

Love the way, all the drawers lift out, a scale version of the box would be a very cool skill project

[@paco_vazquez]

There’s a bunch of things to learn from this toolbox, it’s quite humbling to see the amount of skill one has to develop to be able to use the tools in here. Also, magnetic!!! Cannot stop watching and watching

[@orellinvvardengra6775]

Really wish I had the money for that. I'm drooling over it.

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

I’m gutted I couldn’t see the pictures but the description of all of it sounds amazing, like you say whoever made it and work with it was a true craftsman

[@justplanebob105]

That's so cool! When I discovered my Grandfather's tools all his auger bits were just like he had laid them in the box right after sharpening. There were two sets and the 3/4 was missing, probably broken, from both sets. I guess we know which one he used the most. haha. Thanks, James.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Maybe the 3/4 bits were in braces somewhere, or in another job bag or box that he carried with? That is a common size, after all, depending on his line of work, of course. I know electricians often use 3/4 augers running wiring in houses, across studs/joists. And plumbers running 1/2 pipe the same. They won't be an exact match, but it should be no problem finding replacements to out back into the sets, just so that size is there when/if needed.

[@jbtallullah7009]

When I started hand tool woodworking I watched Wood By Wright and was fortunate enough to know Dan at Colonial Homestead. When James was there I got to shake his hand and found a great gouge and a nice middle size spokeshave. You can get any antique tool you want from Dan. I've seen a lot of tools in there. James tell Rex Krueger to make the drive down. It's worth the trip.

[@ronmack1767]

Enjoyed the video James. What a great piece of history. Thank you for taking the time to produce the video so we could enjoy seeing this large tool set. Y'all take care and God bless.

[@markp6062]

What a beautiful piece of history!

[@samcopland5473]

Awesome video, I knew I had seen it before in another video by killinger about a year ago, great bit off history good to see it again

[@BillMSmith]

I actually have some blue chalk that's over 40 years old myself. Unfortunately I don't have most of the rest of the stuff in that box. Nice set of tools and I love the design of that chest.

[@theonecalledstein]

I'll be there next week for anniversary. The wife already said I can't bid on it.

[@andreipopescu983]

Really interesting. I actually had the chance to by a complete boat bilder chest tool in Danmark ( where I currently am) but I was not fast enough . Still regretting missing that one.

[@triune_blades]

We all have a fish or two that got away. I feel your pain.

[@kencarlile1212]

Wow, what an amazing collection!

[@andrepohle7485]

Wenn ich solches Werkzeug sehe habe ich immer das Gefühl das es aus einer andere besseren Wekt kommt 😅

[@cheryldawkins7486]

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed seeing this and imaging the history behind it. Thank you for the info about Colonial Homestead. I'm only a couple hours from there and will definitely pay them a visit.

[@triune_blades]

Wow! ❤️ Amazing piece of history. Well, now I know what the tool is called that I got in a haul of tools last summer. It's a pinch rod. I'm glad I learned something today. I want to go that place in the worst way. 😮

[@JakeRaytheRounder]

Always trips me out that someday when im gone somebody will be picking through my tools thinking about how much money they'll get by selling them not thinking about all the structures i've built around my area using them. Maybe we should start carving stories into our boxes

[@jerrytrueblue]

Hey James: maybe multiple episodes, of making the tool box? Thanks. Jerry

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have thought of doing a series on making a tool chest. But it does not interest me that much. But who knows what the future holds.

[@andregiroux5199]

This was amazing, although I wish the video was about an hour longer!

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Still waiting to see if you and Rex made anything together on your visit

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

No. We only met for lunch.

[@ricos1497]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo ooooohh, what did you have?

[@robertr2731]

I was there and saw that chest just before the bidder picked it up

[@jeffstiles7850]

Man this is cool, about everything you need to make an old time house.

[@tarbucktransom]

I really like the way the tills slide to give access to the ones below them without needing to remove anything but what you want. Very clever design. About how big are the steps they're sitting on? They look tiny.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

The steps on the sides are about a quarter inch each.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo gotta be some strong, stable wood to have lasted the time they have. The steps and the drawers, that is. Quality workmanship, for sure. Any signs of repair to the main chest or drawers?

[@vicvancini140]

Thanks, it’s really interesting and fascinating!

[@chrisbudesa]

Craftsman probably made the box himself. This is a museum grade collection.

[@BrianRust89]

Who made the all wooden Bailey style plane you talked about in the live video??

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Colonial Homestead. www.google.com/search?q=Colonial+homestead&rlz If you want to place a bid then call Dan at [phone]

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

I love this sort of content.

[@terrydougherty7078]

Chalk works as a great desiccant.

[@RGRGJKK]

Pura vida mi amigo do you could share some pictures and mesaures of that beautiful tool chest? Pura vida again

[@patallen4904]

You need to review Killinger January 2021...

[@benlaird7878]

I can't wait to see your build video on one 😉

[@thomasarussellsr]

Capitol Idea.

[@e2298sg]

How would the framing squares go into the notches? would the tongue go into the notch with the blade resting along the edge of the drawer?

[@Andrea-bw8xm]

This was fun to see! I'm wondering how the craftsman moved this around? It didn't just stay in a shop/barn? Thanks for this and the corresponding walk thru video in Ohio!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

This would have been lifted on and off a wagon by several men and lived at the construction site. It is the antique version of the contractor's trailer.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo yeah, a "JobBox" if you will. Back in the days when you could leave your tool chest on the job and not worry about someone stealing your tools. Now you have a giant steel box with multiple locks and either take it with you every night, drop a back-ho bucket on top of it, or raise it in the air suspended out of reach from a piece of machinery like a crane, back-ho, or on a sky-lift. (If it can't be secured in a locked building with security guards on site.) It's a shame what this world has come to. I hope the new owner doesn't defile this antique with hasps and padlocks, but I would completely understand if they did.

[@TheEphemeris]

Is this basically the precursor to a Job site box?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Basically

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I think this particular kit would be more closely associated with the contractors trailer.

[@TheEphemeris]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo okay that makes sense. I was wondering how the worker would have kept things secure overnight, or if crime was less of a problem in the past? But this essentially being a contractors trailer makes more sense as it's not just sitting out there in the open

[@ricos1497]

@@TheEphemeris they probably slept on top of it with a gun. Similar to what the next owner will likely have to do!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

There is a slot for a padlock and it weights around 400+ lb.

[@thomasarussellsr]

James, you need to do the measuring stick [pinch rod] as a project for a video for us. I'd sure love to see one made and have a reference to modify for various sizes as I have the need of them. I mean, the concept seems simple enough, but you have way more experience than I, and you probably will see issues that I might not think of, and lead me down a straighter path. Plus, you know, a Celtic carved one would be so cool.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I did one three or four weeks ago. But I have another one coming out this weekend with a slightly different design. And Thursday's video will be all about different types of pinch rods.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo wow, I must have missed that one somehow. I'll have to go back and find it.

[@NathanNostaw]

Ouch, that last pun was painful. :)

[@Ferndalien]

I'm very curious, was there an inventory made of all the tools? If it exists, could that be posted somewhere?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

What kind of inventory are you looking for? I go over everything in the box on this video. It is not complete as there are a few tools that have obvious places that aren't here. And it would be common for a few other tools to be in the chest that aren't.

[@mobot]

how did he move this around? wondering if there are any casters underneath. After looking at the tools I can tell he was a bit of a jack of all trades and not 100% focused on timber framing. I wonder how lucrative was timber framing in the 1800 around the time when the industrial revolution happen.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

This would have been used by someone we would now consider as a carpenter. They built the house all the way to the end. From framing the timbers all the way to the molding and trimming around doors and windows. It is not the way we would consider it to be separate jobs now as it would have been one person who would do it the whole way through. Therapy separate from a cabinet maker who made furniture to go in the house. You can kind of look at this the way a contractor now looks at a trailer. It would be delivered to the property and stay there for the duration of the build. Usually it would be lifted on and off of a cart by several men. That would provide the safety so that someone wouldn't take it away. It would also have a padlock on the front for when the worker left the site.

[@MCsCreations]

That's a truly fantastic find, James! Amazing the number of tools there! 😃 It's probably going to some collector... But who wouldn't love to put them to work? Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@thomasarussellsr]

Great news... a comment yesterday states that a framer won and plans to use the tools in his trade. He is out if BC,Canada.

[@MCsCreations]

@@thomasarussellsr Oh, fantastic! Thanks, Thomas!!! 😃

[@adamweigert9570]

Amazing, I've been looking for documentation of something like this. Would it more accurate to call it a Joiner's Tool Chest? Also what are the rough overall dimensions?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

A joiners tool chest would have a few more planes and would not have the larger chisels and slicks. Also a joiners box would have a better set of smaller chisels, and more smaller marking instruments. This particular box is about 4 ft long about 3 ft deep and about 3 ft tall. Most joiners tool chests were a good bit smaller.

[@adamweigert9570]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Awesome, good to know, thanks for the info!

[@SamDeSocio]

late to the party but have you looked at the anarchists tool chest?

[@werner134897]

How did the owner move this tool chest to the work site and back? I mean it must be quite heavy. Maybe just 2 people putting it in the back of a truck? Did they leave it locked on site till the job was finished?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

all different methods, but often it lived on the wagon.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

I have a feeling I have seen this chest before in a different video.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yes. There was another video done on this chest a year or two ago. And the owner is putting it back up for sale.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Oh, that's why.

[@frankda4]

Is joe Pera describing this tool box?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

lol this was Dan. he is the owner of the shop.

[@frankda4]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo well tell Dan he sounds like joe pera and that’s awesome.

[@christianpelchat2155]

Amazing tool chest and video. Do you know how much the chest weight?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I did not ask that but if I had to guess I'd say around 600 lb.

[@johnfreiler6017]

I don't want to put in a bid, but I'm curious as hell as to what it's going for...

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I'm interested to see what it goes for too. If I had to guess I'd probably say somewhere around the $8,000. Mark. Though if you get the right people, it might go considerably higher.

[@trolltaker]

Did you bid on it, Jim?

[@mantaship]

This is like going to the movies. I want popcorn and a Coke...

[@HandToolWoodGuy]

Smashing Like!

[@richp5321]

Hmm... there's ONE of everything. My tool chests and boxes have 4-6 of everything. I just realized how stupid I am.

[@izgood2bking702]

I'm watching this a year later, but the owners stamp is my initials. I should have bought it, lol.

[@choctawhatcheekid309]

I sure wish we had the backstory of the original owner?

[@geowhiz1]

Do you happen to know what that tool chest sold for?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I do not know. Sorry.

[@KL-yt8hz]

I am in love

[@yutubl]

Why don't showing this (refurbished) timber framers tool chest in a museum for history of craftmanship and technology with live demonstrations ?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

If there's a museum that wants it

[@gabehaines1350]

those are my initials !

[@thomasarussellsr]

Pay for it and claim it as your own, and you will have a stamp included that you can mark your creations with. 😉

[@c.a.g.1977]

Rex & James: "Maybe put in a bid?" Their wives: "No." Rex & James: "Awwwwww!" Their wives: "Ow, okay then, but stop your moaning!" REx & James: "YES!!"

[@Rocketninja200]

Didn't know horse drawn wagons had lift gates.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

They did. Although they didn't call them liftgates they called them teenage boys.

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo yup, at least likely four of them with poles under the side handles of the chest.

[@MisterRose90]

“He worked on his last job and closed up his chest” that hit pretty hard. Surprisingly poetic😢

[@edwardpinto7018]

That’s not a timber framers chest. Aside from the slick, the big corner chisel and the one big mortice chisel, none of those tools are for timber framing. That’s a builders chest, the guy that would have owned that built houses and commercial buildings, many of which had timber framed elements.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

that occupation was called timber framer. they would build the house from foundation to trim work. it is a modern thing to split it out into different professions.

[@rickschuman2926]

Just a hodge podge of whatever was lying around. Probably not a timber framing kit.