One the best things about being a woodworker is that if there is something you need and you either can't find it to purchase for a reasonable amount (or any amount for that matter) or can't even find what you are looking for .. you make it!
Such is what I did recently with my chainsaw, that is terrible for weeping chain oil, even after I drain it, and 5 months later it is STILL weeping a small amount of chain oil ...
Old Case (too much wasted space)
New Case (better fitting, harder to see in vehicle, still has adequate storage)
The amount of oil it weeps is minimal, but who wants even a tiny bit of oil in the trunk of their car, or in my case the floor or the back seat of my truck, or even in the truck box? The way to stop this is to have a small plastic tray under the area where it weeps, and drain that every once in a while ... it's all "a pain" but that's what chainsaws do, I have never seen or used one that does not weep chain oil.
Chain Oil Tray (with 3M Scotch Brite pad to help stabilize oil within the pan)
I have enough bits and pieces of plywood around, that are perfect for a small project like this, plus the original case I made is just too large to lug around and awkward to get the chainsaw in and out of because usually I have piled a bunch of other stuff on to of it out of lack of room ... going solve ALL of these problems and spend some time making life easier on myself.
Basically all I did was build a plywood box that would fit around the chainsaw, with enough wiggle room that it comes in and out easily, and I can put a small plastic tray under the chainsaw to catch the weeping chain oil.
Before finishing I needed to clean up some of the parts that I purposely cut a bit on the long side to account for re-size prior to painting. I found the best tool for this was my block plane as it could get into all areas easily. I almost always give my plane a quick blade tune-up before use just to give the blade a "scary sharp" edge, and all it normally requires is bit of stropping (unless the blade edge has been nicked with something metal, or just plain wear and tear after a few months, then a quick touch up with the diamond stones, some stropping, and good for a few more months)
M-Tool Sharpening System - see more in my Affiliate Link
Finish Case including Black Paint 
The carboard template was an enormous help for a starting place. It really helped me figure out width, depth and even height. Building this box was a great way of making something without really know who it was going to come together. After I figured out the height it needed to be, with the slanged top it helped to show me that the next thing was the jig-job back of the case the goes around the handle bar, then around and tapers to the back handle and slopping all the way. Each piece was a custom size that needed to be fitted in. It reminded me a lot of my boat building days, even when things on a boat look even on each side, in reality they seldom are, almost every part that goes into a boat is cust cut and fitted, just like this box.
After the box was made I needed to add a few elements to allow the chainsaw to fit snuggly, without moving around within the box by adding a couple of stops and base supports before finally fitting and attaching the top. The door was easier than I thought, a couple of small brass hinges and some thin plywood worked just fine. And for a door latch, a couple of Velcro brand hook and loop strips were easy to make and will work fine in all conditions of hot or freezing temperatures. I used Chicago Screws to attach the hook part and simply used a couple of staples on the top for the loop section, even though it was sticky backed, the stapes will help to support the strength.
A Very Close Up Shot of the Chicago Screws that Secure the Velcro Straps
As much as I hate "painting" wood, this time it is for security. There I time when I take the chainsaw out "in case ... " and it just sits in the truck somewhere which or course makes the chainsaw susceptible to theft, but people only steal things they can see, and a black case in a dark area is very hard to see which will hopefully prevent to problems, a stolen chainsaw and a broken vehicle window, so for that a $12 can of spray paint is work it.
The Finished Case
The only thing I did not put on was a carry handle, as I am not sure what I want to do with that. The case is not going to be "carried around" only transported from home to the truck and back, and for storage at home, otherwise the case won't see a ton of work and it's main role is to catch weeping chain oil.
And that's it, the project is done. A very solid wooden case, that not only allows the weeping chain oil to be collected in an area that is not going get all over my workshop floor, the floor or bed of my truck or any place else it is stored. The case will also easily hold my spare chain and enough chainsaw oil that will keep me going in the field for longer than the battery will last.
Colin Knecht
