Hey everyone! I've just installed the saw till in my tool chest and I'm gearing up to work on the runners and other till bottoms. The trouble is, I live in a place where hardwoods are pretty scarce. My tills need to be about 260mm (10 1/4") deep, which works with the 150mm (6") boards I have access to, but the more affordable hardwoods are either not durable or look a bit weird (like mustard yellow). I'm also new to woodworking, so I'm wondering if it's okay to use three pieces for the bottom instead of two. Would that weaken it too much? I could get used hardwood flooring at around a dollar a foot, but it's only 100mm (4") wide. Is it really worth it to spend a fortune on a light-colored hardwood? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Honestly, just go ahead and use plywood if hardwood is too pricey. It's durable and gets the job done! Or, if you can, look for old tool chests. I've seen bottoms made from all sorts of woods like walnut, poplar, and even pine—all worked great over the years.
You should be fine using two pieces of hardwood with a tongue and groove in between, just make sure they’re not glued together so the wood can expand and contract with humidity changes.
You don't necessarily need hardwood for the till bottoms. I've seen tool chests over a century old made from softer woods like pine or fir that have held up just fine. If you're okay deviating from doing everything by the book, using a softer wood could save you some cash!
Gluing together three boards for a panel should work well for your needs. Just make sure you use a good wood glue! I had a similar worry about strength with laminated panels, but honestly, if you do it right, the holding power of glue can be pretty impressive.
What country are you in that doesn't have decent hardwood options? I thought most places had at least a few choices!