Andrew Stranks, Alexandra Hills, QLD

Australian Hardwood Toolbox With Coopered Lid & Chisel Drawer
Sydney blue gum, silver ash, Crow's ash, jarrah
Box and lid: 700 x 330 x 310mm h.
Overall: 725 x 330 x 520mm h

Concept
The construction of this piece was inspired by the need for a nice item to transport my tools in, other than the plastic box that they have previously been in. The tools shown in the photo are just some of the items used in the construction of this piece and will also be housed in it.

Glue: Techniglue 2 part epoxy.

Finish: four coats of 70% gloss Polyglow.

Materials
Sydney blue gum: box sides, drawer front and lid tops.
Silver ash: box ends, lid ends, drawer and box base.
Crow's ash: handle, drawer sides and back.
Jarrah: cradle sides and base/drawer runners.
Brass: hinges, hidden drawer lock, drawer and lid pulls.
The Sydney blue gum and silver ash were offcuts from previous furniture construction. The Crow's ash was sourced from a large dead standing tree on a local farm. The jarrah was offcuts from some T & G floorboards, which were cut from old wharf beams, so the jarrah on this box is in its third form.

Method of Construction
The main box is dovetailed together (hand cut), with the ash veneer rebated into the box.
The coopered lids are shaped along their length with hand planes and the ends shaped around the top with spoke shaves. The tops of the lids are rebated into the ends.
The base of the jarrah cradle which also incorporates the drawer runners is mortise and tenoned together (hand cut). The side arms have been shaped with spokeshaves. They are dovetailed into the base & have a half lap join at the top. The handle has been fully hand shaped with spokeshaves and is joined into the side arms with wedged mortise and tenon joints. The jarrah cradle is fully removable from the box. It is held on by eight screws countersunk through the base.
The drawer is constructed with half blind dovetails to the front and through dovetails to the rear.
I have handcrafted the drawer and lid pulls from some old brass plumbing fittings. They have been hand shaped and polished with a Dremel. They have been recessed into the blue gum, also with a Dremel.
The hidden drawer lock has also been handcrafted from brass strips. The holes have been drilled and filed to shape. The finger knob was riveted into the locking bar. The lock has been rebated into the inside of the box and secured with screws. The main purpose of the drawer lock is not for security, but to keep the drawer secure while carrying the box.

Photos: Andrew Stranks