Toolbox Bk (Craftsman's Guide to)

First off, this is not a great how-to book. There are a few plans throughout, but not many. I got this book more for the information & inspiration. The pictures are nice color pictures and the writing was easy to read. The only complaint I would have is, I wish there was more on the standing style cabinets as this is what I am trying to build. But because this book covers all types of tool storage I understand there is only so much room.

Mr. Tolpin combines his journalistic background with imagery and thoughts of both the useage and construction of the Toolbox. Everything from Masterfull pieces in the Smithsonian Institute to Ancient functional pieces are discussed and illustrated. Due to this book, I have decided to build a pair of wall mounted boxes to display old tools and bring comonly used tools to a better location when I'm working.

I'm setting up my first workshop. I bought Scott Landis' Workbench Book for guidance on building my workbench and this book for guidance on workshop tool storage. I found Landis' book extremely useful, but this one did not really have what I was looking for.

This book is called the Toolbox Book for a reason. While the subheading is "A Craftsman's Guide to Tool Chests, Cabinets, and Storage Systems," the focus of the book really is (often spectacular) handcrafted toolboxes. Only one chapter -- 14 pages -- is devoted to "Designing In-Shop Tool Storage," and much of that is about the generic design process (how to make a story stick, how to draw your design first, etc).

So if you're a novice like me looking for practical workshop tool storage ideas, I don't think this book is worth the money. I definitely didn't learn any more here than I have just browsing woodworking sites on the internet.

None of this is a knock on the book, really. It's a beautiful, well-written book that's gotten glowing reviews from other readers for a reason. But I think its audience may be more limited than the subheading, and some of the other reviews, might lead you to think.

Lots of pictures, ideas, descriptions and this book serves its purpose of giving me ideas on current and future projects.

Recommended

I just received this book. Wow! Because of all the good reviews, I expected a good book. This is one beautiful book and is way above my expectations. I would have been satisfied if it only contained photographs and illustrations without the text, they are very clear. I have not purchased a book that has impressed me as much as this one, ever. I can only add my positive comments to the many reviewers before me. It is well worth your investment whether you just want to scan through a beautiful book or are a serious craftsman wanting to build fine furniture for your tools.