Japanese Toolbox From Make:

First, let me give credit for the design and plans.  This project is straight from this resource in MAKE:  http://makezine.com/projects/make-34/japanese-toolbox/

I made this project because I needed a toolbox big enough to bring my drill and assorted hardware when working outside my house.  I thought that this was an elegant design and especially liked how the lid is attached to the toolbox.  It is a simple and elegant solution.  The only divergence I made from the original was to eschew the use of a diagonal on the top.  If you look at a picture of the toolbox in the closed position you will see that it forms a perfect surface to saw 2X4's or other wood.  I can jam the wood up against one of the pieces of wood and it is very stable.  I can sit on the box.  I've even used it as a stepladder of sorts (upside down) in a pinch. 

The total cost for new materials was $22 but that includes a big piece of 12 inch board that I will use for another project.  If you pro-rate it for usage the total cost of new materials is $16.  The total time for the build was about 4 hours, but that included drinking a beer.

I really encourage you to read the resource above as it is well-done and has the exact dimensions for the wood cuts and directions for the build.  What follows is a synopsis of the build.

Everything is made from a 4 foot section of 12 inch pine and an 8 foot section of 8 inch pine.  Using a table saw cut the individual pieces using the schedule in the original article (see first step for reference).

The end pieces have a strip of wood on the top that will become the grips when you want to transport the tool box.  Use glue and countersink the screws using a countersink bit.  I used 1 inch screws for this step.

The important thing to remember here is to make this as square as possible before you tighten it all with 2 inch screws.  You will note in the third photo that the right edge was slightly proud and so I sanded it down with my belt sander. Gluing and screwing the bottom on is pretty easy.  Just make sure to mark the placement of the screws accurately.

It's thirsty work.  And it's Veteran's Day.  Cheers to all the Veterans out there and thanks for all you do.

Make them flush with the sides and remember to round the corners with a sander because when you hold the tool box this is where you will be holding it.

The top of the lid is cut to fit inside the box in width.  The length is about 1 1/2 inches longer than the opening of the box.  The two braces at each end are built to extend to the outside edge of the sides of the box.

This box holds all the tools I use for most jobs outside the house.  And it fits neatly on the table saw stand I built.  Easy accessibility.