Sadly, the ultimate tool box may be a five gallon plastic bucket. Hardly what one considers a timeless classic, but then again, I doubt future archeologists will consider them a rare find.
The main downside, is also an upside. There is no great appeal to the old pickle bucket. Just as the Japanese wooden tool box is a purely utilitarian crate, this is purely utilitarian. The plastic bucket does not attract attention and hardly announces that valuable tools are kept inside it. Another downside, is that in a hundred years, I doubt the plastic will be in great shape. Additionally the aesthetic does not really speak of refined tool work. With a bit of grunge ground into the outside the aesthetic goes even further downhill.
On the upside however, these are tough, available, secure storage. They will survive a canoe trip, flood, or whatever and still keep tools in good shape. They keep weather and insects at bay, while making a pretty good stool. Additionally there are slews of organizers available for them. So for planning for emergencies, these may be the ultimate TEOTWAWKI tool box.
Personally I think I like the six or seven gallon better, a few tools are a bit longer and need the room. In any case they should be equipped with a Gamma Seal, the best most secure and easy to use lid.
I will still be making and using wooden tool boxes. Art matters. Maybe I should make a wooden tool box that fits in a seven gallon bucket.
Bob
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Bob
one of my other interests is re-enactment, 1740-70’s time period. Everything needs to look authentic. Am thinking a wooden keg would be a good and attractive container for your toolbox design.
If you do a few searches on my tool box designs you will find that I rethink the process quite often. If I were doing re-enactment actively, I would try to produce something that was timeless in feel, while providing the most convenience and function possible. I would also want the tool box to intrigue and entrance those that viewed it.
I would probably go back to my original vagabonds tool box, http://toolmakingart.com/2008/05/07/the-vagabonds-tool-box/ but modify it in two ways. I would want it to hold tools in place carried as shown,
and to function when opened up and set on it’s end so that it takes up less space on a workbench. Additionally I would add French cleats to it so that it could be securely placed on a wall, workbench side or saw horse. This would require the box to be able to open more completely, so I would have detachable fasteners holding two of the bottom sections to the ends. With a few spare cleats carried in the box, it would be ready to go wherever I could drive a few screws or nails.
Bob