The Anarchist’s Tool Chest

by Christopher Schwarz

This book, by Chris Schwarz, editor of Popular Woodworking, is really two books and an essay. The essay is a few chapters on how Chris began his woodworking and how his approach to tools and wood came about. After years of trying, buying, and discarding lots of tools Chris settled on forty eight essential (and some secondary) tools for hand woodworking. The first half of the book is a discussion of each tool, what features to look out for and which to avoid and how to use the tool. For anyone starting out this will be an invaluable guide and save a lot of heartburn. I don’t agree with every suggestion Chris makes (especially on draw bore pins) but following his advice will give you a really great foundation, with not a lot of money wasted on useless tools. He certainly makes our job as iron mongers harder. His opinions are all about design features so don’t expect brand recommendations.

Next comes an equally long section containing both a design discussion and a blow by blow construction guide to a full-size traditional toolboxes. I’m a big fan of traditional toolboxes and not only does the project give Chris a chance to put all the preceding tool discussion into practical context, you end up with a really great way to store your tools. This is my favorite part of the book. In general there is not a lot of material published on traditional tool boxes, and it’s something you should build fairly early on when you don’t really know how. Chris takes you step by step through all the phases of construction and as a tool box is built pretty much like any other piece of casework, when you are done you will have increased your overall skill substantially.

Like all books from Lost Art Press, “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest,” is printed and bound in the United States on acid-free 60# paper. The 493 page book is in hardcover, 6″ x 9″, Smythe sewn, and covered in linen. Profusely illustrated with B+W photographs.

Pages: 493
Binding: HC
Publisher: Lost Art Press