This is a sensible first carcass project: one board, one dowel, and joinery simple enough to finish in an afternoon. The open top and low sides mean you can see what's in it at a glance, and the handle sits high enough above the load to carry a full kit without your knuckles dragging on the bench.

A Pine Tool Tote with a Through-Dowel Handle

What you need

1 length 1200 x 144 x 18mm planed softwood (PAR) for the base and two end panels
1 length 1000 x 94 x 18mm planed softwood (PAR) for the two sides
1 length 300 x 22mm hardwood dowel beech or ash, for the handle
20 40mm x 4mm countersunk wood screws
1 bottle wood glue
1 small tin Danish oil or similar wipe-on finish

Step by step

From the 144mm board, cut the base to 380mm and the two end panels to 230mm, squaring every cut on the mitre saw.
15 min
On each end panel, mark the hole centre 50mm down from the top edge and centred side to side.
10 min
Clamp the two end panels face to face with the marks aligned, and bore a 22mm hole through both in one pass.
15 min
From the 94mm board, cut the two sides to 380mm.
10 min
Mark and drill countersunk pilot holes along the base edges for fixing the sides and end panels.
15 min
Glue and screw the two sides to the base, keeping the bottom edges flush.
15 min
Glue and screw the two end panels onto the base and sides, checking the carcass square before the glue sets.
15 min
Cut the dowel to 280mm and test-fit it through both end holes.
10 min
Glue the dowel into the holes and wipe off squeeze-out before it skins over.
10 min
Once the glue has cured, sand all edges and the handle smooth and apply the first coat of finish.
20 min

Afterwards

Brush sawdust out of the corners before the first load of tools goes in; shavings cling in the joints. Let the Danish oil cure for 24 hours before light use and a week before it sees daily handling. Recoat the base and handle every few months once it's in regular shop use.

Questions

Why bore the handle through the ends instead of screwing a handle on top?

A through-handle spreads the load into both end panels instead of relying on a single screwed-on fitting, so it won't work loose under a full load of tools.

Can I use a softwood dowel for the handle?

You can, but it will flex more and is more likely to crack under weight over time. A hardwood dowel, such as beech or ash, carries a loaded tote better at the same diameter.

What's a sensible load limit?

Built from 18mm stock with a 22mm hardwood handle, it will comfortably carry a normal hand-tool kit — a drill, a few clamps, a handful of fasteners. Treat it as a tote, not a step.

Does the base need to be thicker than the sides?

No. 18mm stock all round is stiff enough at this size; the glued and screwed corners do the work, not the panel thickness.