9.1: Tool Tote Project Overview

9.1 Tool Tote Project Overview

The tool tote is the most complex project in WMT 101.

It brings together many of the skills introduced earlier in the course:

• milling rough lumber;
• working from drawings and a Bill of Materials;
• planning a sequence of operations;
• machining joinery;
• making an edge-glued panel;
• cutting grooves and dadoes;
• fitting parts to an assembly;
• shaping curves;
• using adhesives and fasteners;
• sanding; and
• finishing.

The reference tote is approximately 18 inches long × 9 inches wide at the box. The risers and handle extend above the box and determine the overall height of the completed project.

The exact appearance may vary. Your instructor may also demonstrate different approaches to some of the joinery.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this project, you should be able to:

• Plan a multi-part woodworking project.
• Prepare matching box parts from rough hardwood.
• Create and fit appropriate corner joinery.
• Make a solid-wood bottom panel.
• Cut grooves and dadoes accurately.
• Fit risers and a solid hardwood handle.
• Use relative dimensions to fit parts to the actual project.
• Dry-fit and assemble a multi-part project.
• Sand through 320 grit.
• Apply the provided oil finish.

Major Parts

The tool tote has several major components:

Long Sides — The two longer walls of the box.

Short Ends — The two shorter walls of the box.

Bottom Panel — A solid-wood panel that fits into grooves in the box.

Risers — Two vertical supports attached near the ends of the tote.

Handle — A single piece of solid hardwood fitted between the risers.

An optional removable tray may also be added.

Reference Dimensions

A typical WMT 101 tote uses approximately:

• 5/8-inch-thick stock for the box sides and ends;
• an 18-inch long box;
• a 9-inch wide box;
• a box body approximately 6 inches high;
• risers approximately 12 inches long; and
• a solid hardwood handle spanning the tote.

These dimensions provide a useful starting point.

They do not mean every part should be cut to final size before construction begins.

Some dimensions are best determined from the actual project as it develops.

Corner Joinery

The four corners of the box require appropriate woodworking joints.

A single-finger or box-joint form is commonly used, but your instructor may choose another suitable joint or demonstrate a different construction method.

Whatever joint is used, it should:

• align the sides and ends;
• provide adequate strength;
• allow the box to assemble squarely; and
• be appropriate for the stock and available machines.

Focus on understanding why the joint works and how to fit it accurately rather than memorizing one procedure as the only possible method.

Plan Before You Begin

The tool tote has enough parts and operations that working without a plan can create unnecessary problems.

Before machining:

• review the project drawing;
• review the Bill of Materials;
• identify the major subassemblies;
• think about which parts must match;
• identify dimensions that can be determined later from the actual assembly; and
• review the major steps with your instructor.

This is where the planning skills from Chapter 8 become useful.

Build in Subassemblies

Think of the tote as several smaller projects:

1. Box sides and ends
2. Bottom panel
3. Risers
4. Handle
5. Final assembly
6. Optional tray

Complete and fit these components in a logical sequence rather than trying to manufacture every part at once.

Check Yourself

1. What are the major components of the tool tote?
2. What is the approximate footprint of the reference tote?
3. What determines much of the overall height?
4. Is one specific corner joint required in every section of WMT 101?
5. Why is it useful to think of the tote as several subassemblies?
6. Why should some dimensions be determined later in the build?