Tool Tote

Finished size 24" W × 11" H × 12" D. Uses under a quarter of a 4×8 sheet of 3/4" plywood. You can cut four totes from one sheet.

An open tool carrier, 24" long, 12" wide and 11" tall at the handle. A center divider with a hand hole splits it into two compartments, each 4 7/8" wide, for hand tools, a drill and a box of screws.

The parts take under a quarter of a sheet, so one sheet makes four totes, or one tote plus the workshop wall shelf.

Parts

#	Part	Size (in)	Qty
1	Side	24 × 6	2
2	End	11 × 10 1/2	2
3	Bottom	22 1/2 × 10 1/2	1
4	Divider	22 1/2 × 10 1/4	1

All parts are 3/4" thick. Sizes are length (along the grain) × width.

Cutting diagram

Laid out on a 96" × 48" sheet with a 1/8" saw kerf, every part keeping its grain direction.

Part (number = parts list)Offcut

Open this plan in the optimizer →

The optimizer opens with these parts filled in. Change the sheet size, kerf or parts to match your material.

Assembly

Cut the parts following the diagram and number them. On the ends, the grain runs up and down, which makes them stronger around the handle.
Lay out the hand hole on the divider: 4 1/2" long and 1 1/4" high, centered along its length, with its top edge 1 1/4" below the top. Drill a 1 1/4" hole at each end and cut between them with a jigsaw.
Glue and screw the bottom between the two ends, flush with their bottom edges.
Stand the divider on the bottom, centered between the ends, and screw through the ends into it. Its top edge is flush with the tops of the ends.
Glue and screw the sides to the ends and the bottom edge, flush at the bottom and at both ends.
Round over the hand hole and the top edges with sandpaper or a small roundover bit, then finish.

Before you start

Screws into plywood end grain hold less well than into the face. Use glue on every joint and pre-drill for 1 5/8" screws.
Keep your fingers clear of the jigsaw blade when cutting the hand hole, and clamp the divider down first.
Sharp tools should ride blade-down in a sleeve or with a guard, not loose.