DiResta Giant Starrett Machinist Box

In this woodworking project, I make a giant machinist tool box to keep all the Starrett® tools I've collected, and will continue to collect! thank you for the love and support!

Start your collection of Starrett® tools here

Use coupon code JDHRDWR15 for 15% off most hardware through May 31, 2022.

Hardware at

Come join me at Makers Central in the UK
April 30 & May 1 2022

For Voiced over videos

[marlobreding]

You can tell a lot about a man by how he takes care of his tools. You Sir built yours a MANSION.

[urbanlumberjack]

For some reason I got a real “old school Diresta” feel from this video. Awesome project

[robertbeer]

I am a retired hadicaped person who for years was always a tinkerer and fixer type guy. Its difficult for me now but watching you work and what you create with your god given hands keeps my dreams alive if only in my heart, God bless and keep you safe we need people like you in this world. PS I still like to take things apart and see how they work.

[thesplinteredfinger]

Haven’t ever seen that technique installing drawer slides before! This is going to be my new go to method. Thanks again Jimmy for the inspirational build, I love it! Uses #1, 000, 786 and 1, 000, 787 for using a Diresta Ice Pick!

[joesmith]

You started with plywood, and I thought you were building a Gerstner chest. Then you put the oak veneer on, and I thought, “Oh, there it is!”.
Slick build here! You should send a picture to Gerstner if you haven’t yet already.

[Erikr-exdj]

I have my dads and was thinking of restoring it. I believe it was mad in the 20"s. He was a tool and die guy way back in the day for a company here in Pennsylvania that was called Standard Pressed Steel. SPS my grandfather also work their.

[c.jillallen-hood]

I paid $20.00 for a handmade jewelry box for my mom that is similar to this tool box many years ago. She loved it and kept on her dresser until she died. This is my favorite toolbox style. I would love to build this.
❤❤❤

[neffk]

Even an expert does not make this look easy. So much work. So many steps!

[SeanHodgins]

Beautiful. I would have broken at least half of those brass screws!

[kyle]

All the right Gerstner touches! Well done!
When you put the mirror on, I knew the rest would be right. I am partial to the green felt because that is what my old guys in my shop had but still a beautiful build!

[peterdowning]

When I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, I often re-watch your old toolbox builds as therapy. This one gets added to that list! Such amazing work, amazing techniques, amazing creator who provides us with so much inspiration and comfort. Thank you Jimmy!

[pebblesthecat]

It's a really beautiful chest, very reminiscent of the quality, old time chests that were hand made by carpenter apprentices like my great grandfather. He was "tied" ( old Scottish word to mean apprenticed to a craftsmean ) to a carpenter in the next village over at the age of 12. He said goodbye to his family and walked the 15 miles with his father, to his new home. His dad paid the carpenter 5 shillings and they sat down for a meal. After that, his dad handed him over and said "Do what your told, when your told. Be polite, make me proud. I will see you again when your apprentiship is over and you come back to the village". WW1 happened and he never saw his dad again as he was killed at Ypres.
The carpenter was luckily a very kind man and treated him very well, actually making him the first bed he had ever slept in, which was placed in the workshop in an alcove near the fire. His first task was to make all his own tools from scratch. He then made his tool chest. It was solid oak, had a lid that held all his saws, and eleven drawers, with 2 side compartments that opened via hinges at the bottom. All his tools were stored in it and he used it for the rest of his life, sharpening them by hand, replacing parts as needed. When he eventually died, all his 4 sons wanted it, but as my grandfather was the only carpenter ( the others being a plumber, an electrician and a mechanic ), so he was the one that got it . It is still in my dad's possession and when he dies it will become mine. I plan on keeping it and using it until I die and then giving it to a museum as I don't have children, and they have assured me it will be kept and looked after, with a little plaque with my great grandfather's name and all the details of when and how it was made. I think this would be a fitting tribute to him, and to something made over a hundred years ago where that looks even more beautiful than the day it was made.
Do you think this chest will end up in a museum as well ?

[munched]

Jimmy, you're a mad man. The design. The massive proof of concept. The drawers. So many drawers... So much work. You're mad.

[Scodiddly]

Beautiful! Only missing one thing - forklift pockets on the bottom.

[henrysara]

So peaceful to see you work and transform odd shapes into useful things.

[alanmoffat]

ANOTHER MASTERCLASS FROM JIMMY DIRESTA WHITH ALL THAT GOOD WORK THOUGHT IT WAS FOR THE WOMEN OF YOUR LIFE O WELL IT TIDES UP THE WORKSHOP .

[PaulWhitedWoodStoneIron]

That gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling ha. Warm wood tones and fuzzy drawers. A real beaut!

[burtbacarach]

FINALLY!A TOOLBOX ANY GIANT MACHINIST WOULD BE PROUD OF!!

Beautiful.And so well built it''ll last for ages.So much talent in one man!

[oficinadofurtado]

And what I like the most is that you always have a different way of doing the same job. Showing that if you want to do something regardless of what you have at hand, you will get it.👏👏👏

[tsstn]

The thing I love about watching any of your videos is not just the beautiful pieces you create. I could replicate many of them myself. The difference is how quickly you produce them. Several years ago I started to focus more on your work flow rather than just the work itself. You have developed many fantastic skills and are always a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing. You inspire and mentor me and all it costs me is my time. Time well spent.