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No, it’s not a video; it’s screen capture of a video…that you’ll just have to wait to see.
Christopher Schwarz and Jameel Abraham are working together on a tool chest article for the August and October issues of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Chris built the box; Jameel created a carved marquetry panel for the lid. Yes – a carved marquetry panel.
The chest is built to travel, is based on the many vintage examples that Chris has studied and measured, and holds a full complement of furniture making tools, with the exception of a set of moulding planes. Maximum storage with minimum footprint. The image above does a pretty good job of showing the size, and Chris tells me it’s easier to build than a full-sized English tool chest.
Basically, it’s a box – sure, it’s a well-designed box with clever interior fittings that allow you to store just about every hand tool you really need – but it’s a box. What’s absolutely mind-blowing is the interior lid panel that Jameel designed and made. (Also, the hand-forged hardware from Peter Ross is nothing to sneeze at.)
Chris is now painting the exterior of the chest and installing the hardware. So until I can present the lid in its full and final context to properly showcase the unalloyed glory, I’m not showing it (nyah nyah.) But I will say it is the most amazing work I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing up close and in person. It’s simply stunning, and Jameel is … I haven’t the words to describe his artistry. I’m a-tingle with anticipation of showing it. And Jameel is going to teach you how to do it in the October issue (Chris’s plans and step-by-step instruction for making the chest will be in the August issue).
So in the meantime, I’ve uploaded the “Double-bevel Artistry” article Jameel wrote for us in 2013. I recall that when I first read that piece, I thought “Wow. I can’t imagine ever seeing work that is more stunning.” And while I might not be able to imagine that, it seems Jameel could (no surprise). But for that, you’ll have a short wait.
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Megan – thanks. Especially for the PDF file. 🙂
In a few days, once the snow in the shop thaws (farm pole barn… lots of gaps…) I’ll try this out!
Brad
Soooo, no stickers for the inside of this traveling chest then?
Tease.
(P.S. Thanks for the link. May I request a link to a PDF version within the link above. Please? )