Chainsaw Gas and Oil Tote

There are lots of wooden tool boxes and gardening totes but this one is specifically for the gas, bar oil, and tools needed to keep the chainsaw going when you are out cutting. I cut wood to heat my house, not as a profession, so my daily cutting needs are small. Plus, I am a senior citizen and get tired. This box is sized to a one gallon can of gas mix, a quart bottle of bar oil (refilled from a gallon jug), and small saw tools. The inside dimensions are only 8-1/2" x 8". Perhaps the big difference with this tote is the height of the handle. You have to be able to get your gas can in and out. Make your uprights tall enough. The dimensions shown below are to accommodate my gas can.

MATERIALS

66" of 1" x 4" cut to:

2 pc. 9-1/2" long

2 pc. 8-1/2" long

2 pc. 15" long (I ripped mine to 2-3/4")

1 pc. 1/4" x 10" x 9-1/2" plywood or hardboard

1 pc. 11-1/2" x 3/4" dowel

8 pc. 1-1/2" x 6 screws (Philips)

8 pc. 1-1/4" x 6 screws (Philips)

12 pc. 1-1/2" nails (galvanized if you have them)

Wood glue (optional)

TOOLS

Saw

Drill & assorted bits

3/4" bit

Hammer

Screwdriver or drive bit for the drill (Philips)

HOW TO

Cut the 9-1/2" and 8-1/2" long pieces. Rip the remaining 30" piece to 2-3/4" if you want. Locate the middle of the 30" piece. Measure and mark 1-1/4" from the midpoint towards each end. At each 1-1/4" inch line, mark the middle of the piece. At each mark drill a 3/4" hole. Now cut the piece in half at the midline you drew. Cut the hardboard or plywood and the dowel to size. Test fit the dowel to the holes. Use sandpaper or a rasp on the end 3/4" if the dowel is too tight or just won't fit.

Drill two pilot holes in each of the 9-1/2" pieces. These should be about 3/8" from the ends of the pieces. Assemble the 9-1/2" pieces to the 8-1/2" pieces at a right angle using 1-1/2" screws. (See the second photo) Fit the hardboard to the bottom of the open box you just made and drill shallow holes in it, just smaller diameter than your nails. Assemble the bottom to the box with nails. Use four (4) per side and one (1) in the middle of each end.

Drill four (4) pilot holes in each upright for the screws to attach them to the ends of the box. Assemble one upright to the box using 1-1/4" screws (See second photo). Make sure it is perpendicular to the box. Fit the (glued, optional) dowel into the hole in the upright you just attached. Fit the other end (glued, optional) into the remaining upright. Assemble the second upright to the box using 1-1/4" screws.

Drill a hole the diameter of your hails in the center of the top of each upright through the dowel but about 1/4" shorter than the nail. Put a nail in each hole and hammer it in. (See third photo) I drilled a vertical hole in one side of my box the hold the saw tool (see first photo).

Paint or stain if you want. Sign and date your project. Make more boxes as gifts for wood cutting friends .