Make a Traditional Tool Chest

This is a 5-day course and is held at our workshop near Ely, on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border. The course sees attendees make a traditional tool chest carcass on castors. As shown on the right, this is the chest made of dovetailed construction with a dovetailed lower and upper skirt. The floor is fitted and then castors added. 

This project is done using hand tools and it is a busy rewarding 5 days. The aim is to make the main carcass of the tool chest so that you can then complete the lid and fit out the interior at home. 

As with all the courses, the journey is more important than the destination as at the end of the 5 days your skills will have developed.

• The course is for a maximum of 3 people to ensure we can focus on delivering quality tuition and support you to the full. The course is run over 5 days and there are milestones to hit each day. This will all be covered when we have the briefing/introduction over a cup of tea on the first morning.  
• On arrival you will have your own space to work at and your softwood timber pack on top ready get started. The workshop is well equipped and with a small group everyone soon gets to know each other quickly and we all help each other at various times.  
• This course is suitable for intermediate level, as some woodworking skills are required. We do run a 1-day ‘Introduction to woodwork’ course and if anyone books an introductory course and tool chest course we can arrange a discount. If you want to discuss the skill/experience level required, please contact us as we will always try and be flexible where possible.  
• During the course you will use many hand tools and will certainly perfect your dovetails on large panels and through repetition. The project is challenging and rewarding, you will develop skills like planing, dovetailing and clamping.
• During the course you will use a range of hand tools and your measuring & marking skills to the full. As we approach the various processes of the build we will point out options and you can try different tools, if you wish to. 
• Everyone should leave with the carcass complete and on castors, some may also start their lid  but the focus is the carcass and the learning. Everyone works at different rates and comes with different experience levels.   

The schedule is full but by the final day you will have a beautiful tool chest carcass to wheel away, you can then take it home, lay out what tools you want to keep in it and design the interior and fit/make your lid. Bill will show you a fully finished tool chest and discuss the lid construction, options for the interior and also the painting. You will have a creative fun week in a relaxed professional workshop and meet new like minded people in the process.   

The courses run 9.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday. However anyone with questions or wishing to make special arrangements for a course on a different date or involving a weekend should please email Bill.

The course price is £925 and this includes: All materials to make the carcass and lid frame are included (you will need to supply your lid centre panel to customise your interior of lid) In addition is supplied the hardware pack containing chest handles, castors and hinges. 

We also offer a follow up/extended course for those who need extra time/support making the lid for the chest, please ask for details

Please bring a packed lunch, there is a fridge and microwave available for use. 

Please wear clothes suitable for workshop including sturdy footwear.