The carpenter's tote is an iconic symbol of an older, slower time when frugal people made their own furnishings. These simple "boxes-with-handles" were created out of necessity and practicality, and usually with whatever scraps were laying around. I built my first tote as a boatwright apprentice 25 years ago. While that first take was fairly hideous, I fell in love with the shape and possibilities of the thing. The totes I make now hearken back to that slower time, but are designed and made to be fine heirlooms that last generations.
Boat Totes are made primarily from reclaimed wooden boat mahogany planking. These materials drive the shape and design of the piece, and therefore each tote is completely one-of-a-kind and singular. Once these materials are gone, they’re gone forever.
There are very few straight lines on this piece. It is one of my first Boat Totes and the design had been swimming around in my brain for years before I built it. Even the shape of a boat is detectable in its overall design.
The sides are reclaimed mahogany planking, the old screw holes plugged as they would have been in an old ChrisCraft (TM) or Century (TM) runabout and the finish is filler stain and polyurethane. The sides curve in all directions and are curved in cross-section as well. The ends are “new” mahogany. The bottom is Michigan pine, painted red.
The handle is laminated red oak and is made in two crossing pieces which are screwed together at their meeting place. The handle is wrapped in brown leather with waxed black line. The handle is affixed to the box at three points sistered in straight grain Douglas Fir and held by hardwood pegs.
Brass and copper bronze screws are used in the construction.
The carpenter's tote is an iconic symbol of an older, slower time when frugal people made their own furnishings. These simple "boxes-with-handles" were created out of necessity and practicality, and usually with whatever scraps were laying around. I built my first tote as a boatwright apprentice 25 years ago. While that first take was fairly hideous, I fell in love with the shape and possibilities of the thing. The totes I make now hearken back to that slower time, but are designed and made to be fine heirlooms that last generations.
Boat Totes are made primarily from reclaimed wooden boat mahogany planking. These materials drive the shape and design of the piece, and therefore each tote is completely one-of-a-kind and singular. Once these materials are gone, they’re gone forever.
There are very few straight lines on this piece. It is one of my first Boat Totes and the design had been swimming around in my brain for years before I built it. Even the shape of a boat is detectable in its overall design.
The sides are reclaimed mahogany planking, the old screw holes plugged as they would have been in an old ChrisCraft (TM) or Century (TM) runabout and the finish is filler stain and polyurethane. The sides curve in all directions and are curved in cross-section as well. The ends are “new” mahogany. The bottom is Michigan pine, painted red.
The handle is laminated red oak and is made in two crossing pieces which are screwed together at their meeting place. The handle is wrapped in brown leather with waxed black line. The handle is affixed to the box at three points sistered in straight grain Douglas Fir and held by hardwood pegs.
Brass and copper bronze screws are used in the construction.
Image 1 of 13
Image 2 of 13
Image 3 of 13
Image 4 of 13
Image 5 of 13
Image 6 of 13
Image 7 of 13
Image 8 of 13
Image 9 of 13
Image 10 of 13
Image 11 of 13
Image 12 of 13
Image 13 of 13