+Jamie Phillips Hi Jamie. I really need to do a shop tour and show my sharpening setup. I use three granite surface plates....each with two grits of sandpaper. 600/1000, 1500/2000 and 1 micron/.3 micron lapping films. For really dull edges I have granite floor tiles with coarser grits of paper glued on. I use an MKII jig for most stuff, sometimes I free hand sharpen too. I know...a bit unconventional but it works for me and it's quick. Thanks for visiting!
+treebangham thank you. i tried to make a 3d model of the one in that book, but can not get the lid to work there is not i enough room to make it slide to get clear... how much of you lid is under the two piece there hold them..
I am going to make a bonsai tool box, been looking for a while and these seem perfect, but will make an adaption for a carry handle. The smaller ones will be great for the lovely tools. Thanks for a great tutorial!!
Yes, these boxes are easily adapted to suit our needs. So many variations and finishes. Let me know how your carry handle turns out. Thanks for the comments.
You two are having too much fun! LOL I`m retired and living at a Veterans home in northern Calif where we have a nice woodworking shop. I can`t seem to stop making boxes. Kind of like eating peanuts. So now I`m going to have to make a dozen or so of these tool/gift boxes. Will it ever end! Seriously watching your video really made my day. Thank you so much for posting.........think I`ll watch it again.
Hi I just found this channel and I am very interested in this kind of woodwork and very new too would you point me to the right direction of what tools and materials to use. Thank you
Hello Jose. The basic tool box can be made with a hammer, saw, chisel, ruler, a few pieces of wood and some nails. For the tapered batten I used a hand plane, but that is optional. I suggest starting with a very simple project that requires only a few hand tools to complete. Acquire more tools only as you need them. I learned mostly from books but there is lots of instructional info on the internet too. Better still, you might find someone in your community who can teach you. Good luck and have fun on your woodworking journey! Best regards.
In watching you make these tool boxes in the beginning, I thought they were very basic project, not worth the time to spend on them. Over your series however, I was drawn in and have grown to love them and their design. You have inspired me to make a whole set as you have and I think I will be making more. Simplicity and Functionality.....I love it! Great work, love your channel. Ant
Wonderful video Clifford. Beautiful selection of different types of wood. It looks like you are having lots of fun making these boxes. Was wondering if you can make the "feet" of one box located exactly where the space at the top of another box so that they can stack relatively stable on top of each other? Thanks for sharing. By the way, nice camerawork Joaneen.
+SarJulem Hello SarJulem. Yes, it was fun making these boxes. You certainly could position the feet to nest on top of a box below. They wouldn't be evenly spaced but it would work. Joaneen says hi too!
Excellent video! I've been considering building my own wooden machinist chest with custom inserts to hold all of my reloading dies & accessories along with all of my wrenches and sockets sets. Now that I've watched your video, I think I might build custom boxes for each individual caliber die set. You also have me thinking about making some fancy bullet boxes for my reloads with custom inserts for each cartridge. I think something about the size of your bubinga box for dies and maybe a box like your matchbox for some nice shiny rifle cartridges! Awesome stuff Sir!
The toolbox drew me in but the talk about trees was amazing. Looked up the vids as I'm building my own and the country squire look is amazing! Thanks for all the work you are sharing!
+Majid Al Qassimi Hello and thank you for your comments. I like to move my videos out of the workshop and the tree visit was a fun way to do that. The country squire is my favorite. Please visit again! Best regards.
9:23 _"If you don't know what a country squire is..."_ I googled it... do you mean the Ford?? that covers the two-tone look, so it makes sense. it's definitely _not_ what I imagined first, though...
Hi, I really enjoyed this episode three that you and your wife made. I just completed a japanese tool box about the size of your first one, used select pine and also the cut nails, after watching this video planning on making more using different types of wood and finishes. Thanks for the inspiration, great video. Mick
subbed from the first vid in the series. like your video approach. love the design. simple and functional always wins out. very nice work sir. oh, very nice work also Joaneen. thanks for letting me find you two. great team.
I made one of these 25 years ago and gave it away to someone who admired it. You inspired me to make another one yesterday. I am using it for all my tools that could possibly rust. I put one of those gel silica dehumidifiers inside too. Thanks.
i love that box and i think im gona make one. please make more i like the way you working with wood.i like working with wood to, it is alive😃 greatings from germany.auf wiedersehen.
I'm moving cross the country soon and I desperately need have a safe way to store and move my hand planes, chisels, and other tools. This is the PERFECT design! Thank for making these amazing videos.
I just have to ask why you haven't had the idea or at least haven't made the tops to look symmetrical when closed and locked? Just seems like a natural thing to do - to me anyway. Anon
+Anon Ymousmie Interesting question. I like symmetry, but sometimes asymmetry looks more interesting to me. Perhaps in this case the asymmetry draws attention to my favorite feature of the box....the locking wedge. Thanks for the design question.
+Andrew C Hi Andrew. You certainly could leave out the center batten. I've seen many examples where this was done. Sometimes a diagonal batten from corner to corner is used. So many choices!
Japanese matchbox forced me to subscribe. I suggest Joaneene to line the box with felt. And I most liked the shellac finish. And I have to thank you for creating these lovely vids.
+treebangham If the trays would be used too then those would be great boxes for moving jewellery. I'd also use felt with those. I will gladly watch your future videos ;)
Great work I really liked it. I have seen all the three episodes of Japanese Tool Box and I wonder if you can you tell us the list of materials and dimensions/measures of the full scale box. I think I´m going to dare to build one
+Todor Marta Hello Todor. I wish I had a published plan to send you. The article that inspired me to make the box is at books.google.com/books?id=vPYDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&pg=PA58#v=onepage&q&f=falseYou%27ll. I used 3/4" pine from my local home center and 6 penny fine finish cut nails made by the Tremont Nail Company and also sold by Brooklyn Tool & Craft. The overall dimensions are 24" long x 11.25 wide x 9.5 high. The two pieces on the top ends that define the opening are 3" wide. The opening is 17.75" long. The lid is 19" long. The battens are 2" wide and the handles are 2.5" wide. Regarding the lid. The lid is ¾” longer on the front end (regular batten end) and ½” longer on the other end (tapered locking batten). I suggest you mark these points on the lid, place it inside the opening (supporting the lid with a stack of books) and position it according to your marks. Now mark the lid for the position of the front batten and the locking batten. Make any fine adjustments by planing the edge of your locking batten to fit. This worked for me, feel free to adjust the dimensions to work for you. Good luck, I wish you success!
Just watched all 3 of the Japanese box videos with out sound, wife watching TV !. Very inspired to make one of these intriguing boxes ( or several !!!!) Will be a definate future project,thank you for posting. Why are we so fascinated by boxes?. All the best Jez.
+Jeremy Saunders Thanks Jeremy and good luck with your box making project. I like these boxes because they are an elegant design, easy to make and make great gifts. Please visit my workshop again.
Will be making one with my son for his product design class. Think it will be ideal to teach basic woodwork skills and has scope for additions to a standard box, maybe a draw at the base ? Thank you for the inspiration, looking forward to your future videos in your workshop. Regards Jez.
+Jeremy Saunders The toolbox would be a good choice for your son's design project. You might find some inspiration for variations to the standard box by doing a Google image search. So many choices! Good luck and enjoy your project with your son.
I'm located in NC and we have plenty of the Cyprus trees along with the smaller "knot" ones. When hunting or just exploring, we have to be very mindful of the smaller ones. They will definitely make you fall and give you a nasty bruise if not a break. I was a frame and interior/exterior trim carpenter for 19 years but never dove tailed anything, but very interested in it now. Great channel, new sub!
What a wonderful experience watching your video! I was looking for some wood boxes and your video came across. Simply saying: THANK YOU SO MUCH! For make this absolutely beautiful set up. We need more inspirational and heart warming videos on the net. And of course, nice wood work! Greetings and blessings to both of you, from Tampico, México.
Thanks. I wondered what those odd pines that are a little different, in my pasture. It looks like its bark. Another topic, I want to build a box with 3 interlocking sections. You nail top and bottom in one plane and the middle section the nails are 90 degrees from it so as wood drying takes place and the box is abused, it cannot be banged apart. The nails are locked from 2 directions. They fit together like a box joint, only there's only three sections. My plan is to contrive a japanese tool box with corners like I describe.
wow thank you sir! iv been looking for something to make my Gf's parents, as they have pushed me to get my shit together, in life, (22 no qualifications, know have maths and english degree's) they love wine so im going to make one to fit a nice bottle of there fave! and give them it when i ask for there blessing in a few months, fingers crossed ayy
+Alan Marshall Hello Alan. Over here the spray stuff is called "accelerator". We have lots of glue choices these days....slow, fast, reversible, waterproof, etc. Thanks for the visit.
I love the matryoshka doll style video. So delighted! I really should make some of these for my shop because I really need the organization! Right now I'm making some saw horses/benches and recording it. I'll have to show you them when they're done, they're my very own design. New Subscriber, and that is that!
It's clear to me that not only can you teach woodworking really well (on camera and in person); you also show how to encourage, thank and praise a person wonderfully. It's really nice to see on all counts.
The one thing that surprises me is that none of them seem to be designed for one handed carry. Seems a bit inefficient for the Japanese. They are beautiful and will build one myself. Nice video.
The box is designed to be carried balanced on one shoulder. This puts the weight of the box in line with your back. Ever try to carry a heavy tool box by its top handle with one arm? You won’t walk very far that way. Try it! Thanks for that excellent question. Best regards.
Hi, thankyou for this. I built one this summer for my son. In it he stows his chisel roll, sharpening stones a water bin and a sharpening guide from lee valley
would like to make a couple of these tool boxes would it be possible for you to put up some dimensions also of materials to use I have some boards from an old oak wardrobe around 1/2" thick 10 or 12" wide around 5' long would this be ok . excelent vidio's have stoped watching tv and now am watching youtube instead mick Scotland Argyll
Hi Michael. Use that oak! Reclaimed lumber would be great for this project. You will need to adapt some measurements to use your lumber, but here is info regarding my largest box. I used 3/4" pine from my local home center and 6 penny fine finish cut nails made by the Tremont Nail Company and also sold by Brooklyn Tool & Craft. The overall dimensions are 24" long x 11.25 wide x 9.5 high. The two pieces on the top ends that define the opening are 3" wide. The opening is 17.75" long. The lid is 19" long. The battens are 2" wide and the handles are 2.5" wide. Regarding the lid. The lid is ¾” longer on the front end (regular batten end) and ½” longer on the other end (tapered locking batten). I suggest you mark these points on the lid, place it inside the opening (supporting the lid with a stack of books) and position it according to your marks. Now mark the lid for the position of the front batten and the locking batten. Make any fine adjustments by planing the edge of your locking batten to fit. The smaller boxes are 2/3, 1/2, and 1/4 scaled from the above dimensions. The article that inspired me to make the box is here: books.google.com/books?id=vPYDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA1&pg=PA58#v=onepage&q&f=falseYou%27ll I hope this helps. Good luck!
Could you use upholstery tacks in place of cut nails on the smaller boxes? I wonder if upholstery show-nails would also be an interesting look as well.
Hi Gordon. There are different kinds of upholstery tacks. Some are four sided and wedge shaped, similar to cut nails. Others are round, more like wire nails. As always, making a test joint is a good idea. Also, for smaller boxes, glue can be used as the wood movement is minimal. In that case, the tacks could serve a more decorative function. So many choices! Thanks for the question.
Wonderful. I just watched, jaw dropped open and totally captivated by the box construction, your sheer skill and your quiet authoritative presentation. Many many thanks
I have been a painter for almost 40 yrs never heard of milk paint what is it actually? I love your boxes I will make at least 2 lol so cool that you showed the Cypress I'm from Louisiana an I have seen one growing over here lol
Milk paint is made from milk, lime, and pigments and is one of the oldest and longest lasting paints known. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_paint Make sure to get authentic milk paint (read the ingredients) because General Finishes, Rust-Oleum and others make a product they call “milk paint” that is actually an acrylic and will not give you the same look as real milk paint. Thanks for the question and thanks for visiting us!
+Jim Porter Hi Jim. I phoned the makers of Nexabond. They told me they sold Nexabond to DAP, who now markets it as RapidFuse. This product doesn't appear to be available in slow, medium and fast formulations. Check the DAP website for more info.
Hi treebangham. I've admired your JTB videos, and made my first one based partly on your work. I had a problem related to finishing, which you may have had (based on your comment about relieving the top). When the top fights tight under the end cross pieces, adding a finish makes it difficult to close as the ends of the top rub against the bottom of the cross pieces. What is your recommended approach to deal with this? There are three places which could be relieved - under the battens to lower the top, at the ends of the top, or under the cross pieces. Advice? BTW, to mark the upper side of the wedge, so the recipient knows which way to insert it, I have drilled a slight indent and glued a polished stone or some turquoise in the middle of the wide part. Looks nice.
Hi chasmj3. For me, I found that relieving under the battens was the best way to correct the fit. Great idea using a polished stone to mark the top of the wedge. That's a nice detail. Thanks for the question and best regards. Ken
Just discovered your channel and loving it! Your production style is so enjoyable to watch, and so well done! The camping segment was an unexpected bonus! The cypress tree is an amazing creation! The Three Sisters Swamp on the Black River in eastern NC is home to the tree you spoke of that is believed to be from before the birth of Christ. They’re very hard to date because of their tendency to rot away in the center as they age, so taking core samples to determine age is usually fruitless. For those interested in seeing these dinosaurs, you’ll need a canoe or kayak and a good love of adventure! The Black River, a gem in itself, disappears into the swamp for a long distance, and there’s no markers to guide you through! As far as the toolbox, I fell in love with these things a couple years ago after watching an Adrian Preda video. I’ve built several of the small ones like he builds, but a larger one is in the near future! Thanks for a great series! Subbed!
Hi Tom, very interesting info about the challenge of dating these trees from a core sample. Yes, the only trees this old are still inaccessible to most people. The old cypress in Delaware is a long hike through a swamp, with lots of trudging through mud, as the swamp is too shallow most of the time, even for kayaks. Hey thanks, I just checked out the Adrian Preda video. He does beautiful work and is fun to watch. Thanks for the visit and best regards.
@@treebangham I’m binge watching your channel now that I’ve found it! I wanted to relate something that occurred to me while watching your posts. For many years, I’ve heard the good natured bantering between the motorized woodworkers and their traditional brethren, each side touting the advantages of their camp over the other. One thing I’ve never heard mentioned though, but that shows on your videos like a neon light, is the absence of a layer of sawdust covering every single square inch of the shop! I never thought about it in regards to “wedge and edge” woodworking, but planes, handsaws, chisels etc. generate very little if any, sawdust! Especially the fine variety that’s so annoying! Thanks for producing a channel that this 61 year old, retired, woodworker can enjoy! I’ll stop rambling now! Ha!
Airborne dust is not good when it covers your shop….even worse when it gets into your lungs. Dust extractors do a good job removing the dust from the air, some of my “power tool” friends keep the dust under control very well that way. Then again, they laugh when they see my bandaged fingers from sharp chisels. Everything has its risk. Thanks for taking the time to send me your comments, keep them coming!
