Highland Woodworking
 
Tool Storage Contest Winner
By Terry Chapman

Well, that was harder than I thought it would be. I was fortunate enough to be asked to judge the tool storage contest in honor of the publication of Virtuoso — The Tool Cabinet and Workbench of Henry O. Studley . I reviewed all of the entries so I could decide which one would win and receive the grand prize of a free copy of Virtuoso. There were twenty three entries and I really thought one of them would jump out at me quickly and it would be done in a few minutes. I was sadly mistaken.

I could see right off the bat that I needed some criteria to judge by or it was going to be a really long night. I ended up making a spreadsheet with point assignments in 8 categories. The highest score possible was 30 points. I assigned point values to Originality, Spalting, Vintage(ness), Fold Out Panels and Doors, Neatness, Workmanship, Needs Fit, and Because. There was no logic to these categories other than I like them and I'm the judge. I mean how is "Spalting" a category other than I really like spalted wood and the color that goes with it? And "Because" is just because, kinda like an old fashioned love song, don'cha see?

I went through every entry and assigned point values to each category and three tool storage systems rose to the top.

In third place with 28 points out of a possible 30, was Carter Choate and his fold out tool box with inlaid flowers on the cover. The spalting on the wood was marvelous, and his wife did the pyrography and art. Obviously, she pyrographed all over the cover of this tool box and it is wonderful. Single fold-out doors, many little drawers, flowers on the front, saw storage, plane cubbies, overall, a very nice chest.

Carter Choate's fold out tool box

In second place with 29 points out of 30, was Scott Bennett and his luthier's chest. Neat and well organized, with stained glass doors on it, I really like this cabinet. With a light at the top, and a nod to a movie about a violin, Scott hit all the right notes (sorry, I couldn't resist). I like the shape of the top, the carving on the peak, and the neatness. Nobody had any way to know that I have had a book on making a violin on my shelf for 30 years, but have never done one. A chest for making instruments got all the Because points.

Scott Bennett's Luthier's Chest

In first place and the winner of the Tool Storage Contest and a copy of Virtuoso , is Dave Lindeman . Dave got 29 points out of 30 as did Scott, but when I had to choose a winner at the end, this one got it. Claro Walnut, Spalted Maple, light strips when the doors are open, piston fit drawers, carved ebony drawer pulls, rare earth magnets to hold the tools in place, nice color contrast between the sides and front, nice color contrast between the inside of the doors and the inside of the cabinet. It just works all around. Anybody would be proud to have a cabinet like this one. Lovely and a well deserved win.

Dave Lindeman's winning tool storage cabinet

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