Assembling

Join with a plain butt joint. (If you care to take the trouble, you may use the dovetail method shown in the suggestions). Nail through the sides into the ends, making the outside corners exactly even. Test with a large steel square, and hold the framework perfectly square while you nail on the bottom. The bottom is to be nailed down through into the sides and edges. Make the bottom even on all edges. If it is not exactly even, plane it so.

The Top

Prepare the wide board for the top either by matching or doweling, as you did the bottom.

The Binding Strip

The binding strips should be planed perfectly straight and square, the width shown in the drawing. They are to be joined with mitered joints. Cut them in the miter box, or lay them out the half-pitch cut and set the T-bevel. The length of each piece must be measured separately, taking the measure from the place where it is to be fastened; in this way you can be accurate. Fasten the trim to the lid, make it exactly even on the top. The top trim on the body of the box is put a little below the edge, thus' forming a rabbet to receive the lid. The base trim should be mitered around the box in a similar manner. The trim is to be nailed through the box from the outside. (If you desire, screws may be put in from the inside of the box into the trim. In this case the screws should be countersunk so as to be even with the surface).

The Till

The till is a small box on the inside of the chest. Notice that it rests on strips tacked on the inside of each end. This till should be provided with openings for hand holds.

Hinging The Lid

Fasten the lid to the box with hinges. It may be necessary to refit it slightly in order that it may work easily after the hinges are in position. Test it, and plane wherever necessary to make it work easily. Cut the mortise and set the lock.

Finishing

With a sharp block plane, or sharp steel scraper, remove any pencil, tool marks, or rough places in the work. Be sure that all the surfaces are perfectly clean. Smooth with fine sandpaper; stain the desired color; finish with shellac or varnish. When the coating is dry, fasten the brass corners in position.

In the Suggestions for Original Design you will find a drawing showing a handy tool cabinet to be carried from place to place.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Boy's Trunk Chest

1. The plan of construction given in this lesson may be employed in building a strong box, or trunk chest, which a boy may find quite serviceable in his room.

Camp Chest

2. On camping trips there is a demand for a strong box which will answer the purpose of a shipping crate, and will also serve in camp as a cupboard. This plan of construction will be found quite satisfactory. It would probably be necessary to make such a chest considerably larger, and equip it with a number of divisions which would answer as shelves while it was serving the purpose of a camp Cupboard.