The power of tusk tenons

derekcohen

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Jun 22, 2008
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I would like to utilise the tools in the travel tool box in my workshop, as well as take the tool box along for joinery demonstrations at my woodwork club. The problem is that the tool box takes up too much real estate on the work bench ... not just the tool box, itself, but when storage boxes are removed and other layers uncovered. This would not be an issue at the furniture course in New Zealand (for which the tool box and tools were built) since their benches have a generous shelf under the bench top.

My solution was to build a knock-down, movable stand for the tool box. To build it knock down, generous use was made of tusk tenons. These create a very strong, rigid mortise-and-tenon joint, easy to bring together and pull apart. Wood used is Radiata Pine - cheap, light, quite tough. A bugger to chisel ... your edges need to be sharp otherwise the socket faces tear out in chunks. Finish is hard wax oil with a little tint to add some "old" to it, as with the tool box.



Later I decided that carrying all these pieces is for the birds. It is better to assemble the sides and carry these plus the internals which join them. The sides are really no larger than the shelf, so one does not need to break it down more. Still, it is possible to carry this bundle, and interesting to see how quickly one can build the stand.

Tusk tenons look like this ...



An assembled stand ...



This is sooo strong, one could do handstands on it ... no me. I am not that silly!

Add a tool box and drop in the shelf ...



Everything to hand ... plus it has lockable wheels, to move around ...



Regards from Perth

Derek
 
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