Woodworking nerds among you will recognize the play on words in the title here. Christopher Schwarz’s recent book, the Anarchist Tool Chest has been the topic of previous posts and is must read for woodworkers, especially those interested in hand tool woodworking.
Schwarz argues that his chest design is essential for occasional mobility (you can put it on wheels), ease of viewing all of your tools at once, and, perhaps most importantly, protection from rust inducing dust. I accept all of those arguments. However, my tiny shop simply doesn’t have the space for a tool chest–especially one that can hold all of my hand tools. So, I used Schwarz’s design essentials to build the cabinet pictured here.
Schwarz’s chest is designed to last a lifetime, and as most of his other creations described in the book, as “the last one you’ll ever need.” I appreciate that sentiment–I hate to replace or throw things away. Nonetheless, I was not willing to build an immutable case that I’d be stuck with for the rest of my life if I didn’t like it. So, my shelves are adjustable; the back can be removed; the drawers are held together with hide glue (which steam/hot water can loosen), and the web of drawer frames is not glued in place (it’s just a tight, friction fit). The big case is made with through dovetails and hopefully won’t need to be adjusted, because it’s glued with Titebond III.
Giving credit where credit is due: I attempted to spread Christopher Schwarz’ tool chest design into a wall-hanging cabinet. I copied the idea for the shelf holding the bench planes from Christian Becksvoort’s design (the shelf is on a hinge, which lifts up and allows for extra storage for various plane do-dads).
I haven’t yet decided what I’ll use all the shelves for. The top shelf is spaced to hold joinery saws, but I actually like keeping those on the rack above the bench. They might hold moulding planes, if I ever go that route…we’ll see. I actually hope not to accumulate too many more tools–I get by pretty well with what I have.
Wood choice: case = Poplar. I initially planned to paint it, but I like the natural look. The shelves are made from scrap, Birch plywood. Drawer sides on the bottom drawer are made from Pine, the rest are Poplar. The handles are made from Walnut scraps.


























