Christopher Schwarz

This finish is nontoxic, simple to make, and easy to apply

Cut the joinery for this Carpathian chest with a single hand plane.

As if building the coffer weren’t fun enough, painting and carving it notch up the excitement. A choice of paints and colors and endless design possibilities for carving can change the look and feel of the piece.

Chris makes chairmaking approachable with a set of basic tools.

The low Roman workbench is the oldest and simplest form of bench, and it has advantages many woodworkers have overlooked.

Chris Schwarz demonstrates two ways to sharpen a weird tool.

Sandpaper, dowels, and wood scraps solve unique sharpening challenges

No matter the chest, keep tool spaces simple so it can evolve with your tools and interests.

My relationship with Fine Woodworking is probably unlike yours. I once awaited every issue with complete dread. When it would arrive, I would pore over every page and moan in agony when…

Chris Schwarz has worked out of his tool chests for decades, and finds them to be the perfect combination of protection, access, and flexibility.