As part of the ships cabinetry course at SBSS we are assigned the task of making a tool chest 

 One of the first things any new apprentice used to do was build his own chest for his tools . though this is not my first tool chest , it will be the first one I do right.

The plans

While waiting for the wood to arrive ,I made a 1/2 scale functional model. I used left over cedar from the Gartside sailing dingy project . Margot is still trying to look pleased when she receives yet another box.

Dove tails all drawn out and waiting to be cut out of some  western maple

After spending several days carefully cutting with the Japanese saw and chiseling out the dove tails you can see why hand made furniture would be so expensive . I took almost 20 hours to cut and fit all four sides of the box

I have finished gluing up the sides and have cut out the      drawer and dove tailed it together.  I added a dividing wall  and I am going to build a removable box with a drawer that fits inside that space

The secret box was finished

This picture shows the secret box in its home . the top of the box is a tray

The mahogany lid being glued up

a close up during the dry fit of the mitered through dove tail joint I did on the lid

I finished the bottom frame and applied the first coats of tung oil

I still need to add some handles and pull tabs for the drawer.  I will keep applying oil every day for a week or so,  but I am otherwise finished and ready for another project