The North Bennet Street School Toolbox with Matt Wajda

By Matt Wajda Jan 24, 2017

Woodworkers from all over the world come to The North Bennet Street School in Boston to study woodworking. As part of the curriculum, every one of them must make a toolbox. For many, the toolbox serves as a badge of honor, but for the instructors at the school, it is an important teaching tool that covers an array of hand-tool and machine techniques.

In this video workshop you’ll get a taste of what it’s like at the North Bennet Street School. So sit back, grab a notebook, and learn how to build a toolbox, the North Bennet Street way.

Web producer’s note: This is an extremely detailed demonstration of a very complicated project. Normally our video workshops are around two hours long, but we just couldn’t cram all of the information into that format. Since there are no time constraints with streaming video, we decided to open things up, instead of glossing over information. This video workshop will come in at more than 6 hours of demonstrations. I hope that you learn as much watching this video workshop as I did when we were making it. Even though I was there recording it, I still learn something every time I watch it, and I’ve watched it several times. –Ben Strano

Video by Jeff Roos and Ben Strano
Edited by Jeff Roos
Produced by Ben Strano
Music by Greg Morrow, Steve Mackie, and Ben Strano

Purchase plans here

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Videos in the Series

All About the North Bennet Street Toolbox

January 24, 2017

For many, the toolbox serves as a badge of honor, but for the instructors at the school, the toolbox is an important teaching tool that covers an array of hand-tool and machine techniques.
The History of the North Bennet Street Toolbox

January 24, 2017

For some it is a place to put your tools, but for the students of North Bennet Street School, their toolbox is a badge of honor.
Easy Way to Glue up Panels

January 24, 2017

Learn how to use a simple spring joint to glue up boards and how to place your clamps to ensure a flat panel.
Dovetailed Toolbox Case Needs Careful Layout

January 31, 2017

Dovetails for a toolbox must be strong, but for an heirloom box they also should be attractive. Learn some tricks and techniques for nailing the layout.
Hand-Cut Dovetails: Pins First

February 7, 2017

Discover the pins-first approach to dovetails that the North Bennet Street School is known for. Learn proper sawing technique and how to efficiently and effectively chisel out the waste.
Hand-Cut Dovetails: Tails Second

February 14, 2017

After cutting the pins, learn how to transfer and cut the tails of the dovetail joint, the North Bennet way.
Finessing the Fit of Case Dovetails

February 14, 2017

How to creep up to the perfect dovetail fit using a method called "chasing the smudge."
Cutting Joinery for the Toolbox Case

February 21, 2017

Stopped dadoes and rabbets are cut by machine and fitted with hand tools.
Gluing Up a Toolbox Case

February 28, 2017

With the North Bennet Street Toolbox, lots of parts have to come together perfectly, so you may need an extra pair of hands to tackle this daunting glue-up.
Making Dividers for the Toobox

March 7, 2017

The dividers are joined using bridle joints and mortise and tenons cut perfectly on the tablesaw.
How to Attach Dividers to the Case

March 14, 2017

Learn an efficient method of fitting dividers to a case and a simple method of installing drawer runners.
How to Make Dovetailed Drawer Partitions: Dado First

March 14, 2017

Learn how to cut a dado by hand for the drawer partition.
How to Make Dovetailed Drawer Partitions: Dovetail Second

March 14, 2017

Learn how to cut, fit, and glue up the dovetail joint for the drawer partitions.
Laying Out Dovetail Joinery for the Drawers

March 21, 2017

Tips and tricks for fitting a drawer perfectly and getting the layout spot-on for the half-blind and through dovetails.
Cutting Half-Blind Dovetails for Drawers

March 28, 2017

Learn how to cut and fit half-blind dovetails the North Bennet Street way.
How to Fit Drawers

April 4, 2017

Learn how to fit an assembled drawer perfectly to its case opening.
Cutting Joinery for a Frame-and-Panel Door

April 11, 2017

The door frame is assembled with machine-cut mortise and tenon joinery.
Make a Raised Panel for a Door

April 11, 2017

How to cut a raised panel on the tablesaw using a clever jig that ensures safety and accuracy.
How to Assemble a Raised-Panel Door

April 11, 2017

Prefinish the panel, cut the mortise for the lock, and then glue it all together.
How to Hang the Door and Add a Lockset

April 18, 2017

Learn how to fit a door, add hinges, and install a lockset that works perfectly.
How to Make a Shiplapped Back Panel

April 25, 2017

Tips and techniques for making an elegant, traditional cabinet back.

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