Machinist's Chest
Build a timeless machinist’s chest with this detailed woodworking plan. Features vintage design, finger-joint construction, and secure tool storage.
Bring timeless craftsmanship to your workshop with this Machinist’s Chest Woodworking Plan, inspired by the elegant and durable tool chests of the early 20th century. Designed with a nod to antique tool storage, this woodworking project delivers both vintage style and modern utility, making it ideal for woodworkers, hobbyists, and collectors alike.
This classic chest features solid finger-joint construction, frame-and-panel design, and authentic vintage hardware, creating a beautiful yet practical storage solution for your hand tools, precision instruments, or collectible items. The design includes slim-profile drawers perfect for organizing small tools and hardware, plus a lidded top till for additional storage. A front panel secures all drawers, allowing the chest to be portable while keeping your tools safe.
Whether you're looking to showcase your craftsmanship, organize your workshop, or recreate a piece of woodworking history, this project is a satisfying and rewarding build. It’s also a great way to sharpen your joinery and cabinetmaking skills.
Highlights:
- Inspired by classic machinist tool chests from the early 1900s
- Durable finger-joint construction ensures long-lasting strength
- Slim drawers and lift-top till offer flexible storage options
- Front panel secures drawers for portability and protection
- Ideal for woodworking hobbyists, tool collectors, or anyone seeking elegant tool storage
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What You Get:
- 15 printable (digital) pages of step-by-step instructions.
- Over 60 full-color photos and illustrations.
- Bonus technique sections for making finger joints, stub tenon and groove joints, and locking rabbet joints.
Product Recommendations
We don't have any links to project supplies and hardware for this particular project yet, but here are some other products that might be of interest to you. (We may receive commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.)

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Imperial Plans
The United States Customary System of Units (USCS or USC), more commonly referred to as the English or Imperial system, is the standard set of units for our plans. It uses inches and feet for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are in the United States, and it is the one we have traditionally offered on this website.

Metric Plans
The International System of Units (SI), more commonly referred to as the metric system, is the alternative set of units that we have available for some of our plans. It uses millimeters, centimeters, and meters for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are outside the United States. These plans are provided by our business partner, Australian Woodsmith, and are based on the original Woodsmith plan. However, dimensions and other elements of the plan may vary between the metric and standard versions. Be sure to double-check the plan before building.


Premium Plans
All of the information that you need to build our plans can be found in the standard plan. However, if you want even more granular detail to make your job easier, you should consider our premium plans. These come with additional shop diagrams that we drew when creating the prototypes. Shop drawings are not available for every plan.
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Gift Plans
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