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Bettesworth Construction
dovetail joinery

Heirloom Tool Tote Woodworking Plan: What the 2017 Project Includes

The 2017 Heirloom Tool Tote plan teaches hand-cut through-dovetails and offers another joinery route. Here’s how to identify it and avoid mixing it up with the 2023 plan.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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The Heirloom Tool Tote Woodworking Plan is a WOOD Magazine project from Issue 248, published in September 2017. It teaches hand-cut through-dovetails and also provides an alternative joinery method, so dovetails are not the only route described by the plan. The publisher’s project page was updated January 8, 2024.

What the Heirloom Tool Tote plan covers

WOOD presents the tote as a way to build a display-worthy home for tools rather than rely on a canvas bag or plastic toolbox. Its defining woodworking lesson is making through-dovetail joints with hand tools. The publisher also says the plan includes an alternative joinery method for builders who would rather skip dovetails.

“With this tote, you’ll learn to create through-dovetail joints with hand tools. But if you prefer to skip the dovetails, we provide an alternative joinery method.”

— WOOD Store product description

A dovetail saw is relevant if you choose the hand-cut dovetail route, but the listing does not name a required saw brand or model. It does not establish that a particular saw is required for the plan overall.

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16OZ Waxed Canvas Tool Tote Bag | Large-Capacity Tool Storage Tote with 10 External Pockets | Multi-Purpose Garden Tool Carrier for Gardening, Wrench, and Carpentry Tools – Khaki
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Confirm you have the 2017 plan

The exact-title plan is the project from WOOD Issue 248, September 2017. The matching WOOD Store listing carries the same issue attribution. The project page shows an update date of January 8, 2024; that is the page’s update date, not a new edition date.

There is also a separate, later project called Customizable Heirloom Tool Tote, associated with WOOD Issue 292, November 2023. Its details should not be used as specifications for the 2017 plan.

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Guliter 11 Inch Small Tool Bag, Open Top Tool Tote with Stainless Steel Handle and Adjustable Shoulder Strap,21 Pockets Electrician Tool Bags,Black/Green
  • 【Open Top Tool Tote】This tool tote features 21 function-specific pockets, designed to streamline tool storage across diverse scenarios—making organization both intuitive and efficient.
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Plan Issue and date Published details
Heirloom Tool Tote Woodworking Plan WOOD Issue 248, September 2017 Hand-cut through-dovetails, with an alternative joinery method; detailed dimensions are not stated in the project listing.
Customizable Heirloom Tool Tote WOOD Issue 292, November 2023 Box-jointed case with a lift-out tray; listed overall dimensions are 20-1/2 inches wide by 13 inches deep by 10-1/4 inches high. These specifications apply to the 2023 plan only.

What the public listing does not specify

The accessible publisher listing does not provide the 2017 plan’s dimensions, materials or stock list, cut list, finished capacity, difficulty level, build time, full tool list, or complete build sequence. Check the plan itself for those details before buying materials or laying out a project. Do not substitute the later customizable tote’s measurements or construction details.

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Where to find the plan

WOOD’s project page describes the project, and the WOOD Store listing identifies it with the September 2017 issue. Check the current listing for availability and the format offered.

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VEVOR Tool Bag, 16.1 Inch, 33-Pocket Open Top Tool Tote, Portable Electrical Maintenance Toolbox Organizer Storage with Hard Plastic Base, Adjustable Shoulder Strap, for Professionals DIY & Jobsite
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Trahzia Tool Tote Bag for Women, Double Layer Tool Storage Organizer, Pink
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Aupofit 16-Inch Open-Top Tool Tote, 29-Pocket Pro Bag for All Trades
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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