Ramblings
Made at 173
One simple design, a few pieces of scrap wood, and three toolboxes built over the years.
As you probably know, I like finding things to do with scrap wood after a project. In this case, I've made a few simple toolboxes, and if you read through, you'll practically get a tutorial!
Three Toolboxes, Three Purposes
The first was after the back porch remodel in 2011, and was just a decorative piece for the back porch...
It's painted Valspar's Golderod in semi-gloss, and just so you know - that's going to come up again in a little while. I also lightly distressed it, and used Valspar's antiquing glaze to give it a bit of an aged look. The second one I made maybe around 2013, was a toolbox for the workshop.
Most of the time I haul tools around in a 5 gallon bucket with one of those organizers, but sometimes it's nice to just throw a few tools in a box and head out...
Like the first toolbox, this one is of simple design, but I did make one seemingly goofy little addition. I added a little magnetic cupboard door catch that I salvaged when I changed some of the kitchen cabinets. I use this to hold some drill screwdriver bits. Aside from that - simple! The only other thing really different with this one (aside from no antiquing, etc.) was this toolbox is much larger, a full 30 inches long.
This time I made one to be used as a delivery vehicle for a Christmas present. And this is where the bit of tutorial comes into play. As is my wont, I started with a piece of scrap wood, this one left over from the dining room built-in project...
Laying Out the End Pieces
Then I laid out the dimensions of the end boards, using a compass so I could set the proper angle on the miter saw. Quite honestly, this was a wasted step! All I really needed to do was mark the center of the top of the board and cut from that point to where the horizontal line meets the edge of the board! So much simpler!
After that, I clamped the two end pieces together and sanded the edges to make sure they were symmetrical. If you look closely you'll spy a couple other things. First, that 's 5/8" dowel that I used for the handle. After I drilled the holes for the handle, I used the dowel to make sure the end pieces were lined up correctly for edge sanding. The other thing, on the left of the picture you can see one of the two side boards, both of which were cut from another scrap piece.
A Dry Fit Before Assembly
And here's the dry fit. Please notice the pencil marks - good thing I didn't go with my near slide-rule measurements!
Some people aren't just missing a screw, the whole toolbox is gone. - Anonymous
Then I used my corner clamp, which I've used for several projects now with great success, to make sure the corners were at 90 degrees, and glued them together...
Glue, Nails, and Square Corners
Ha! See that bullseye on the side, that board was originally going to be part of the 45-degree marking tool I made a week or so ago. And here's the dry fit with the handle in place...
Craftsman was the tool of choice for my dad when I was a kid, then they went into decline for a number of years, but I'm so happy to say they're making a great comeback of late! Anyway, here's a beauty shot of my air finish nailer, that's worked well for me since probably 2000 or 2001. Obviously, I used finish nails to complement the glue and give the toolbox some added, more permanent strength...
Then it was Thanksgiving Day, and the workshop sat still and felt a bit lonely...
After installing the bottom of the toolbox with yet another piece of scrap wood, I gave the toolbox two coats of Valspar's Goldenrod (told ya that was gonna come up again)...
Creating an Aged Finish
Then it was time to distress it a little. It's always a difficult step, to take a newly built, freshly painted project and beat it up. So, over the years whenever I came across a little length of chain, I've saved it (don't make this weird) and you can see the little collection to the right of the hammers...
From that collection, I chose an old one with a but of rust and grime and gave the toolbox a few well-aimed whacks.
Then I strategically sanded the toolbox back down to the bare wood at key points of the edges, imagining where there would have been some natural wear and tear. Then dad's old ball-peen hammer gave it a few little divots.
Then I used a little (very little, I'm conserving my favorite glaze - which has been discontinued) Valspar glaze...
And just like that, it was finished!
Simple Projects Are Worth Building
I've come to realize that projects like this are some of my favorites. There's no deadline, no urgent repair waiting, and no pressure to make something perfect. It's simply a chance to take a few pieces of leftover wood that might otherwise end up in the stove or recycling bin and turn them into something useful. Every time I look at one of these little toolboxes, I remember not just the afternoon I built it, but the larger project the wood originally came from. In a way, every scrap carries a little piece of House 173's history forward.
These toolboxes aren't only useful, they're quick, fun little projects. I'm considering making a more sophisticated one just for fun - we'll see!
Hope you enjoyed and, see ya' next time!
I smiled almost immediately because this post isn't really about building a toolbox, it's about the life of a workshop. The opening, where you casually mention making things from scrap wood, sets the tone perfectly. By the end, I realized I'd been reading not just instructions, but a series of small memories tied together by leftover lumber.Your humor is one of the things that makes these posts enjoyable. The aside about the compass being unnecessary, the "don't make this weird" comment about collecting chain, and the quote about missing the whole toolbox all keep the article from becoming a dry tutorial. Those little moments sound exactly like someone talking while working at a bench, and that's a difficult voice to fake.The strongest part, though, is the underlying philosophy. Nothing is wasted, not the scrap wood, not the salvaged cabinet magnet, not even old lengths of rusty chain. Everything finds another purpose. That idea runs through so much of House 173 that by the time the finished toolbox appears, it feels like more than another woodworking project. It feels like another small chapter in the continuing story of a house where creativity and resourcefulness always seem to go hand in hand. - The Flying Pen
Frequently Asked Questions
Why build a wooden toolbox instead of buying one?
A simple wooden toolbox is inexpensive to build, easy to customize, and makes excellent use of scrap lumber that might otherwise be discarded. Unlike molded plastic boxes, a handmade toolbox can be built to exactly the size you need, whether it's for carrying hand tools, organizing supplies, or even presenting a gift. Best of all, it's a satisfying woodworking project that can often be completed in an afternoon.
What kind of wood works best for a simple toolbox?
Almost any straight, dry lumber will work. Pine is a favorite because it's affordable, lightweight, and easy to cut, while hardwood scraps create a more durable finished product. One of the advantages of a toolbox project is that it doesn't require expensive lumber—offcuts from previous woodworking projects are often more than sufficient.
Why distress new wood instead of leaving it smooth?
Distressing creates the appearance of years of honest use. By selectively rounding edges, adding small dents, and applying glaze over paint, a new project develops the character of an old workshop tool that's been in service for decades. The key is restraint—subtle wear generally looks more convincing than excessive damage.
What role does antiquing glaze play?
Antiquing glaze settles into corners, dents, nail holes, and grain patterns while slightly muting the paint color. Instead of making the project look dirty, it adds depth and highlights details that would otherwise disappear beneath a solid coat of paint. It's one of the easiest ways to give painted woodworking projects an aged appearance.
Are simple woodworking projects good for beginners?
Absolutely. A basic toolbox introduces many fundamental woodworking skills, measuring, cutting angles, drilling, clamping, gluing, sanding, finishing, and painting, without requiring advanced joinery or expensive tools. Even experienced woodworkers return to projects like this because they're relaxing to build and endlessly customizable.
Keywords
wooden toolbox plans, DIY wooden toolbox, scrap wood projects, simple woodworking projects, distressed painted wood, handmade toolbox, woodworking gift ideas, shop projects, Valspar Goldenrod, House 173