Replies

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Jan 18, 2007 09:30pm | #1

   Planes are easy to protect. I usually slide each of them into nice heavy 'tube sox'. That will give enough protection for most travel. For dovetail saws and short bladed saws I have these plastic U shaped covers which slip over the teeth (they are from 'report' binders and available in staples) They are held on with heavy rubber bands. The other small items can also go into a sock, either as a group or individually. Make sure you have some sort of cap over the end of chisels as they will cut through the toe of the sock in no time. As for a 'tool box', the soft side nylon bags are fine. I don't know what size (length) planes you will be bringing, but if they are on the smaller side, an attache case is great for a 'touch of class.'
   SawdustSteve

2. 
   BenM | Jan 18, 2007 09:39pm | #2

   You can impress your co-workers if you show up with a japanese toolbox with a sliding cover.  Even better, you can make one in about 3 hours.  American Woodworker magazine had plans for one about 10 years ago.  If you drop me an email I will pdf a copy of the plans to you.

1. 
   JJV | Jan 18, 2007 10:28pm | #3

   Ben-do you know the issue # of that AW?  I used to get it 10 years ago but it's been a while since I pawed through them.

   thanks. 

   Maybe someday I'll know a little something.

1. 
   BenM | Jan 19, 2007 09:40pm | #12

   Issue 47, pages 58-59.  One of the dimensions was in error and the corrected dimension was published in Issue 50, page 6.  I have made several of them; the first one I made I used the dimensions in the plan.  I found it was too large; hard to carry through a doorway (you have to angle yourself sideways) and way too heavy when filled.  About 2/3 size is perfect.

1. 
   JJV | Jan 19, 2007 09:54pm | #13

   Thanks; I'll check that out tonight. 

   Maybe someday I'll know a little something.

2. 
   ctsjr | Jan 18, 2007 10:53pm | #4

   I actually have that copy of AW.  Toshio Odate was the woodworker who designed and built it.  As cool as it would be to pull my Dozuki and japenese chisels out of, I need something a little more car friendly.  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

3. 
   highfigh | Jan 19, 2007 01:32am | #5

   I would lay all of the tools out and see how much space they'll need. Plano makes tool boxes in all different sizes and they're pretty durable. When I was working on boats, I had one tool box with my wrenches, screwdrivers, and things like that, which let me do about 80% of my work. I have another box with diagnostic tools and gauges. The one with wrenches, etc weighs in at about 50 lb and although the top bilges a bit, the handle never came off. All of the big box stores sell these, plus Harbor Freight and Northern Industries. Some of these places sell boxes that look like brief cases and have dividers inside.

   I would use a harder case because a soft one would let the planes bang around more than I want. My chisels are in a wooden case but I think the planes might get dinged up. I would wrap the cast iron tools and would bring past wax, rags and my sharpening stuff.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   ctsjr | Jan 19, 2007 04:18am | #7

   Thanks for the good word.  I'll look into the hard boxes.  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 19, 2007 08:50am | #10

   The ones I have are dark grey with a parts box on each end of the top, and I also have a longer one (maybe 26") with no parts boxes. There's a removable tray at the top that can be used for smaller tools, too.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

4. 
   Patto | Jan 19, 2007 04:12am | #6

   Tom

   Steel ammunition box designed for grenades and a couple of old towells. This is long enough for saws and a #7 and sturdy enough for anything. Exterior dimensions are about 8*10*30" (guess only cause I dont have it on me).

   This is not flash, but did transport all of my tools through several removals. Not all that sure my woodworking has improved since the tools outgrew this box either.

   Dave

5. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 19, 2007 04:22am | #8

   I have one of those duffel type canvas bags for traveling to job sites.  It works quite fine.  I can't remember the brand I have, but it has little sleeves and vertical compartments all over the outside and inside, and is quite handy for storing pencils, calipers, screwdrivers, etc.... 

   I wrap all of my chisels and carving tools in canvas rolls, and I protect each plane that I bring by simply wrapping it in a shop towel.  Without that, they'd all be knocking around into each other every bump you hit with the car/truck, and they'd get all dinged up.  I learned this one the hard way. 

   I've often thought of building a nice wooden tool tote out of some nice figured wood, as a means to show off my work when I walk into a customer's home,  but I haven't taken the time.  It would probably be quite heavy, as well, to fit everything that I take with me.

   Jeff

6. 
   dherzig | Jan 19, 2007 07:12am | #9

   I have had similar experiences driving to several classes in another state. Tube socks are great to protect everything. I found that the plastic tote boxes at Bed Bath and Beyond were perfect as tool boxes. You can find a size that just carries all of your tools so that they don't move around. The lids latch and form handles. Easy to carry. Since the classes I attended lasted a week each, we just left our tools at the bench for the week.

7. 
   Hazlett | Jan 19, 2007 05:28pm | #11

    I work at a different location almost every day.

    this is the bag i have set up with some of my most frequently used sheet metal tools.

    i have another  identical bag loaded with my most frequently used small hand tools for carpentry---#5 stanley, a block plane, paring  chisels,  mortice chisel,drill bits,  spoke shave,small squares, marking knife, bevel gauge, compass, chalk lines, files,rasps,screw drivers, wrenches,pliers, small pry bars--and on and on and on.

    a small japanese dovetail saw fits in it as well.

    the soft sides are very customer friendly when taking in and out of houses through finished doorways.( these are leather bottomed riggers bags I got from Duluth trading company years ago)

   Actually looking at getting a slightly larger Veto Bag--to more easily accomodate some slightly longer japanese saws.

    Have built several wooden totes-that look great sitting on a bench---but are damn heavy even empty--and less than practical ---in and out of customers houses--especially loaded.

    If you go over to the fine homebuilding  site--in the tools section-- there was a thread on this--back around January 4---that will give you a link to the  Veto site.

   Stephen

   
1. 
   ctsjr | Jan 30, 2007 06:09am | #14

   Stephen

   Thanks for the reply. New messages in this thread were not showing up when I checked, so I'm just now seeing this.  I shop Duluth TC frequently, and like their stuff, so I'll check them out.  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

8. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 30, 2007 05:06pm | #15

   This doesn't answer your question specifically but:

   If you are going to a Marc Adams class in Indiana, your tools are perfectly safe overnight in the classroom. I suspect other schools are the same. We Woodworkers are a pretty nice bunch! If this is the case your only need is an old blanket or two for the drive.

   Frosty

1. 
   ctsjr | Jan 30, 2007 05:15pm | #16

   Frosty

   I'm going to be attending Lonnie Bird's school in Eastern Tennessee.  I live in Houston, so it's a two day drive both ways, and I want to insure my tools arrive ok.  I don't doubt that my tools will be safe at the school.  I hope I did not leave the impression that my fellow woodworkers cannot be trusted.  If I did, I apologize.  Meeting with other woodworkers and chewing the fat with them is going to be a large part of the fun and journey.  I can't wait.  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 30, 2007 05:37pm | #17

   I didn't think you didn't trust your fellow artisans. I was just addressing the need to pack-up every night. Have a great time.Frosty

1. 
   ctsjr | Jan 30, 2007 10:49pm | #18

   Thanks!  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

9. 
   killenwood | Jan 31, 2007 06:37am | #19

   See attachment - I needed a large box to carry tools to a woodworking class I teach each week. This is heavy, on casters, and I throw it into the back of the pickup. Hand planes are located on the floor of the box on both sides of the middle spar. My handsaws are also located there wrapped in their original coverings. Chisels are placed in the top plate with holes. Smaller tools are placed in the removable trays. This would not be useful for a trip on the airplane.

   Tim

   
1. 
   ctsjr | Jan 31, 2007 05:27pm | #20

   Very nice.  A bit heavy for my needs, but well done.  Is it made of douglas fir?  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   killenwood | Jan 31, 2007 08:15pm | #21

   I used sugar pine which I can get rough and clear in wide stock. It is light weight which I wanted for this box.

   Tim

2. 
   cbolton | Jan 31, 2007 08:40pm | #22

   Ditto on the "well done!!!" :)My tool tote isn't quite as large and is and was inspired by something I found in a book called "Building the Perfect Tool Chest" by Jim Stack. I added a bunch of smaller boxes which fit into half the chest for some things which I felt needed extra protection or their own little 'house'.
   I used the design as a starting point but after customization, the tote has served me well and is IMHO a lot nicer and versatile than anything that I would have been able to buy. It only took a few hours on a weekend to throw together.Here's the link to the book I mentioned. The book was nice in that it is a springboard to designing and making a toolbox which will suit YOUR needs."http://www.amazon.com/Building-Perfect-Tool-Chest-Stack/dp/155870650X/sr=8-1/qid=1170264663/ref=sr_1_1/102-7243806-2536112?ie=UTF8&s=books