Treasure Chests: The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes

Author: Lon Schleining
Publisher: The Taunton Press, Newtown, CT 2001
ISBN: 1-56158-362-6
200 pages; hundreds of color photographs, and construction diagrams.

The TREASURE CHEST book can be characterized as a “coffee table” book (lots of really pretty pictures). Along with the pictures, the book goes into some detail in designing and building various types of chests. I found it interesting that a number of the chests and chest makers featured were from the Maryland and Pennsylvania area, or at least so it seemed.

There are 3 separate aspects that you will find of use. Probably most directly useful section will be the chapter on tool boxes. There are 7different examples of tool chests presented in this chapter. I know I would like to move up from just dumping my tools into the tool box, or having them piled up on my work bench.

The second aspect of this book for blacksmiths, is that many of the wooden chests have forged hardware: handles, hinges, locks, straps, etc. On page 26. Pat McCarty?, a blacksmith from Missouri is featured, showing the chests and chest hardware he has made. I know that Pat has made a number of tool chests which were then filled with hand made tools and raffled off at ABANA Conferences. So this book has many design ideas for types of hardware to make for someone who builds chests, whether they are tool chests, blanket chests, or maybe treasure chests.

Finally, this book is an inspiration simply for showcasing exquisite craftsmanship, even if it is mostly in wood. I personally feel that because we work with our hands, we probably appreciate hand crafted excellence more than others do. The book is a little on the expensive side, but I have found this to be one of those books which gives me a “warm and fuzzy” feeling from just flipping through it and looking at the pictures. Books like this are worth having, they inspire me to go out to the blacksmith shop and try harder to forge a better hook, or hinge, or whatever.

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 01 Feb 2009