My, how time flies! Lots to report, but first, an update on my Tool Chest.

After getting the lid adjusted to the base with no gaps, it was time to get the hinges on, and the weather strip fitted.

I made a cock up when fitting the weather strip, by positioning the screw holes for the weather strip on the back of the box in line with the screws on the tray rail below. Looked great, except, I had already done the same for the lid rest, and now the new holes were overlapping the screws for the lid rest. I had to move the screws for the lid rest and fill the original holes, so that I could re-drill holes for the weather strip. Argh!

Thankfully, some good came of my mistake as Bob, one of the Instructors, showed me how to plug the holes effectively and efficiently with wooden pegs quickly fashioned with a sharp chisel. A trick that will no-doubt be useful in future – in fact I have already passed it on to one of the other students who did the same thing on one of his screw holes.

Time to fit the lock … and another own goal. With the lock fitted, the lid now sat slightly askew. The link plate in the lid was 1mm off to the left, forcing the lid to the right when closed.

I had marked it correctly, but not believed the markings, so had cut just off the line. I cursed my distrust of my markings, and spent a goodly time getting it righted. Lesson learnt – I hope – as it will be even more important not to distrust my markings when I move onto spiling planks (marking out for planking a hull), where complex curves in there dimensions can become straightened when in two dimensions … challenges to come!

Now, the escutcheon. I took a piece of an African hardwood, Wenge, made a key hole and fashioned it into a diamond shape. Having marked its position, I cut out a rebate for the escutcheon and fitted it in. Rather than chamfer it and leave it proud, I decided to flush it with the surface of the box, and am very pleased with the result.

The wooden handle blocks were next, and my tool chest just needs some tool trays. These trays and a smaller sliding lid box were made from a soft wood. Cutting the dovetails is in some ways more difficult than in hard wood. Though it cuts easily, the wood crushes and marks very easily.

So, my Tool Chest is pretty much complete. I just need to give it another quick sanding, and then will apply a finish. Rather than varnish, I am going to use an oil and wax finish – Peacock Oil no less – made by Shane Skelton of Skelton saws. (https://www.skeltonsaws.co.uk/peacock-oil). Not sure how much I needed, I rang Skelton saws on Good Friday, planning to leave a message, but ended up speaking with Shane, interrupting his gardening. He very kindly gave me a quick tutorial over the phone, and said that one 250ml bottle will suffice. I hope so, at £24.00 a bottle! At least it’s cheaper than his saws.

This last week, Week 10, has been another short week due to 1st May Bank Holiday, but in these four days I have completed two other projects and will finish a third tomorrow. I have some photos to upload first, so will post again asap.