My Son's Tooling Box

[infoimp]

OMG!! Ed, you're a genius!! I want to come work for you!!

[BearMan]

Hi Meleck,

Yes, that's the slicker. I usually like a 5" wide slicker,,,, but there just wasn't enough room.

[Rawhide]

Ed,

Very fine work and I must say that your talents really shine in this box. I really like the bear paw print in the interior. Would you share how you made the impression areas for each tool and the paw print?

Marlon

[mugwump]

Holy schnikes!!!

Kate

wow!!!! you took the (exact) words out of my mouth... hehehehe...

eric

[BearMan]

Hi Marlon,,,, Thanks!! The paw print is really pretty easy. Basically, the base/ backing is 1/8" aircraft plywood, covered with 1/4" thick high density crafting foam. That's the kind of foam that comes in all kinds of different colors, it's similar to what flip flops are made out of. Find a GOOD realistic paw print on the Internet, or printing program. Re-size it, to fit your needs, & print 2 copies. I take the first copy, with each of the little areas cut out, to use as a placement pattern. Tape that in place, then cut out the same areas on the other copy, only this time, you want to save the paw pieces, to rubber cement onto another sheet of the 1/4" foam. Once you have those pieces cut out, glue them in their spots, with contact cement. Once they are very secure, trim the corners off, to round them a little. Select your piece of leather covering,,, you are wanting a piece from an area where there are lots of wrinkles. This helps with the stretching & gluing process. Apply a good coat of contact cement, to both surfaces. Once ready, I try to start from an edge, of from the center, & work out, working & stretching, to get everything worked in, without an wrinkles.

I had to do that paw 4 times, before I was satisfied with it. The other tool recesses, were made using 1/2" thick foam board, 2 pieces. Peter Main told me about the 1/2" foam board,,, it works very nice!! Thanks Peter!! Basically, once you figure out the spots, you draw around them, & then hollow out the areas to the depth you want. Make the reccesses, a little bigger than the tool, because the leather will take up soome room. Then it's basically the same proceedure as the paw,,,, glue,,, stretch,,, & smooth.

It will take some time,,, & you'll probably have to do it more than once, to get it the way you want,,, But,,, I'm sure you can do it!!

Ed the"BearMan"

[Duke]

that would work for my christmas present, lol. what would you charge for something like that? I want one

[Bevan]

Nice job uncle !!!!

[DawnS]

Okay Ed. I want to be adopted. You can't show favoritism and I want one just like this one. I have only been tooling for a year and you are now my hero!

[Vikefan]

Hi Everybody,

Here is what I've been working on lately. I have a little over 100 hours in it. I made everything in it, except for some of the stamping tools, the 2 swivel knives & blades, & the 6" rule. At last count, there are 35 tools in all. The tools include: a 4" slicker, a border tool, 6" rule, small screwdriver, "cheat sheets", 18 stamping tools, a strop, an expandable tube of rouge, a pair of "Lady Leg" dividers (carbon fiber), 2 different swivel knives, 2 extra blades, a petal lifter, a modeling tool, an allen wrench, & a 20oz Rosewood Maul.

Several things are held in place by rare earth magnets. The compartment lid uses a magnetic latch. The top leather piece is held on with 93 tiny nails,,, I don't think it will fall off,,, hehehe The finger carved bird, is my interpretation of Clay Millers design. I only have one "secret" compartment in this box,,, & of course no I can't tell you where!!

I was told I should call it "30-05" (thirty ought five), because it's 30 lbs of stuff,,, in a 5 lb box. Thanks Ben!

Sooo,,,, what do you think??? What did I forget to put in,,, in this 9 1/2" x 6" x 2 1/2" box? Thanks for looking,,, Ed the"BearMan"

TOTALLY AWESOME WORK!!!!

Wish I had one.

[8thsinner]

Took this link from the other tool box one recently, But had to come in here and say that's a gift of generations. I hope he can do it proud.

[leathercrafter]

Hi Everybody,

Here is what I've been working on lately. I have a little over 100 hours in it. I made everything in it, except for some of the stamping tools, the 2 swivel knives & blades, & the 6" rule. At last count, there are 35 tools in all. The tools include: a 4" slicker, a border tool, 6" rule, small screwdriver, "cheat sheets", 18 stamping tools, a strop, an expandable tube of rouge, a pair of "Lady Leg" dividers (carbon fiber), 2 different swivel knives, 2 extra blades, a petal lifter, a modeling tool, an allen wrench, & a 20oz Rosewood Maul.

Several things are held in place by rare earth magnets. The compartment lid uses a magnetic latch. The top leather piece is held on with 93 tiny nails,,, I don't think it will fall off,,, hehehe The finger carved bird, is my interpretation of Clay Millers design. I only have one "secret" compartment in this box,,, & of course no I can't tell you where!!

I was told I should call it "30-05" (thirty ought five), because it's 30 lbs of stuff,,, in a 5 lb box. Thanks Ben!

Sooo,,,, what do you think??? What did I forget to put in,,, in this 9 1/2" x 6" x 2 1/2" box? Thanks for looking,,, Ed the"BearMan"

hello ed. not bad for a beginner!!!! just kidding it is beautiful!!!!!!! great job by the way i love my maul you made for me i dont know if it has helped my work but i love using it thanks so much john

[LilRay]

Ed, I'm new round these parts, but I gotta say the bear footprint is what set the whole project off for me. Everything else is utterly amazing but I like incorporating "signature" things without being overly obvious.

Fantastic job.

:D

God Bless, Ray

[BearMan]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for all the compliments!! Yes, my Son is very gaurded with his box. He keeps it locked behind glass in his display cabinet,,, & only brings it out when he uses it,,, or to show it off. I haven't figured out, how I'm going to top it this year. The boxes I make for him have progressively gotten more elaborite each time.

Thanks Again,,,, Ed

[particle]

I can't believe I've never seen this thread before!! Beautiful, well thought out piece of craftsmanship. My mom asked me to make a storage box to keep her family tree documents in. That was well over a year ago. I wasn't really sure how to make a strong enough box out of leather, but your leather-topped solution seems like the best one yet. Thanks for sharing!

[Rhide]

Absolutely FIRST RATE work BearMan! As a retired cabinet maker, I commend you on your excellent woodworking skills. As a neophyte leather worker, you give me inspiration. Thanks for the photos.

[BearMan]

Hi Particle & Rhide,

Thank you both so much for the wonderful compliments!! I'm really honored that this keeps popping back up. It was a lot of work,,, But,, it was also a lot of Fun! If I ever get a "Round 2 It",,, I've got some more ideas for another box. Hmmm come to think of it,,, I do have a "Round 2 It" hehehe Thanks Again,,, Ed the"BearMan"

My "Round 2 It"

[infomage]

That is the best Round 2 it i have ever seen!!! You totallyblow me away with your workmanship.

tlong

Think Positive Be Positive

[JRodUSMC]

Wish you were my Dad! He's gonna love it!