I needed a box to house all the hand plane parts I’ve been amassing. I also recently got some huge piles of old screws, and as I was sorting them, I had the idea that it might be nice to make a box that sort of showed them off, rather than try to hide the fasteners like one is almost trained to do.
I used some pallet wood that I had in my cut-off bucket, with a piece of luan for the bottom. It was another design-as-I-go-along project. In the middle of making it, I came across those nice old hinges, so I decided to show them off a bit too and made the lid only open part of the top, so the hinges could lie flat.
I also had the opportunity to use a few new (very old) tools I recently got: a Millers Falls bit brace and eggbeater drill. Used the eggbeater to make the pilot holes for the screws, which was just wonderful. Then I used the bit brace to drive the screws, also great. Waxed the screws first, then eased them in.
Finished it with walnut oil.