I’m looking forward to this thread, Ryan. I was actually thinking of starting a similar one myself, but didn’t get around to it, so I’m glad you did. I love the traditional English tool chest and yours (that is yours in the photos, right?) is an excellent example. For my own situation, I’m working on a Dutch style tool chest, as you know, and have only been using it for about a week. So far I really love working from it. Before my tools were typically in another room and were a bit disorganized (like my thoughts). But now, having the tool chest, there’s a nice sense of satisfaction and permanence. Each tool has its spot, which also gives me more motivation for staying organized because when something isn’t put away, then something’s amiss. I had considered building a wall cabinet since I’ve really liked a lot of the ones that I’ve seen on the site here, but I didn’t have a good, accessible spot on the wall. Here’s a wall cabinet posted here on LJ that I think is really sweet: [Link] -- "hold fast to that which is good"

That’s funny Brandon, your Dutch Chest is what got me thinking about this so I am glad you are the first post. you did an awesome job parsing out the space for your tools by the way. That is my-currently incomplete-English Chest. I am working on tills now: -- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

I like most everything ol Schwarzy does, but he lost me with the tool chest. I can see why somebody who travels often with their tools, as he does, would want a chest. But i have no desire to cram em all in a chest, then bend over all day accessing them. That beings said, I have no beef with anybody who does like these chests. I like some different things, some of them I can’t tell you why.

Anyway, I’m kicking around a big till/bench combo. I want them all out for easy access. Kind of like this, but nicer looking. I’ve seen some nice setups in books but I can never find links to those pics. -- "At the end of the day, try and make it beautiful....because the world is full of ugly." Konrad Sauer

I haven’t built a tool chest yet, but I’m looking forward to gaining some inspiration from this thread. -- Richard, Hot Springs, Ar -- Galoot In Training

Something like this Red? -- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

Jeepers, I’ve died went to LN heaven….lol. Man alive. Are those yours RG? I’m still sorting it out. I’m going to mount it above a joinery bench, so I don’t want it to come off the wall so far. The longer planes may have to go on a shelf in the joinery bench below. But a til above for smaller planes, chisels, rasps etc. Thinking some white oak and walnut like my bench. -- "At the end of the day, try and make it beautiful....because the world is full of ugly." Konrad Sauer

I’ll take this one. Who's buying? -- https://www.jtplaneworks.com - In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

JayT, that Walnut wall cabinet is sweet! -- "hold fast to that which is good"

Yes, Brandon, it is. <sigh> Too bad I will never own anything close to that. What is the dollar equivalent of 10k British Pounds, plus shipping and assorted taxes? I plan to build a wall cabinet later this year, but it is going to be reclaimed clear pine from our kitchen demo and remodel. My shop is too small for a chest and also because it is small, there is nowhere more than a couple steps from the wall the cabinet will go on. Here is another of my favorites that has been posted on LJ before -- https://www.jtplaneworks.com - In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

of all the floor chest, I think Brandon W’s is the best I’ve seen. I just can’t seem to figure a way to work a floor model into my style of working. (or playing as my wife calls it) As for wall mounts, its hard to image a really nice wall cabinet making it to my shop. I change tools to often. I also go through spells were I use certain tools a lot, then they get shoved away for a while. And luckily, I like it that way. -- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.

My idea was a version of the small Dutch chest on a rolling stand so I’m not stooping over and can easily move it out of the way. A wall cabinet is a swell idea but my walls are pretty crowded already. -- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/

Red I wish those were mine, but alas they are not. My collection is more of a hodgepodge of good vintage, solid new makes, and the occasional shop made tool. I just remembered the picture from the days that I was trying to figure out what type of storage I wanted. Open storage is great, and for the money it is hard to beat a 2’x’4 piece of 3/4” plywood. Once you have that up you can start mounting a ton of tools to that in a hurry. This is how I started: Being able to see all those tools ready to go is a nice feeling and I have seen several shops where the toolbox is the shop… Dan's shop comes to mind (sorry for the small picture, I could not get the big shot linked in) So why did I opt for a tool-chest over this? I’ll answer that tomorrow after I have dealt with my cat, who has decided to be a raging pain. -- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

an unabated source of wood -- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso

Great forum idea, Ryan. I’ll get back to you in a few months. -- From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be fashioned. Immanuel Kant