Backpack & Satchel
A fun combination of functional design and lightweight construction, these carry-alls let you take your woodworking anywhere.
Like me, you may think that a wood backpack is an odd choice for a project — at first. Clunky, heavy, uncomfortable. But an examination of the details of this backpack (and the companion satchel) reveal a clever exploration of the wonder of woodworking design and thoughtful construction. There was a time when a lot of the functional objects that surround us were made from wood, from utensils to furniture to shipping crates. The backpack and satchel call to mind the travel trunks, valises, and campaign furniture of the 19th century. But this isn’t a strict steamship reproduction. Those pieces have an over-the-top grandeur. The look here is updated — clean, crisp, and better suited for bikes and cars. The shared DNA is that the construction has to be both light and rugged. For the material, we used straight grained walnut. It’s a mid-weight hardwood that is plenty strong. The pieces are assembled with box joints. This adds a graphic visual element to go along with large glue surfaces. In keeping with the pared-down look, the hinge hardware for the lid is minimal. Purchased shoulder straps and stretch cord can be added to suit your style. With just a little work, you’ll soon be ready to head out with a unique piece that’s sure to draw attention.
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What You Get:
- 8 pages of step-by-step instructions
- 42 full-color photos, illustrations, and exploded views
- Materials List & Project Supplies Sources
Product Recommendations
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Similar Woodsmith Plans
Imperial Plans
The United States Customary System of Units (USCS or USC), more commonly referred to as the English or Imperial system, is the standard set of units for our plans. It uses inches and feet for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are in the United States, and it is the one we have traditionally offered on this website.
Metric Plans
The International System of Units (SI), more commonly referred to as the metric system, is the alternative set of units that we have available for some of our plans. It uses millimeters, centimeters, and meters for measurement. This is the one you probably want if you are outside the United States. These plans are provided by our business partner, Australian Woodsmith, and are based on the original Woodsmith plan. However, dimensions and other elements of the plan may vary between the metric and standard versions. Be sure to double-check the plan before building.
Premium Plans
All of the information that you need to build our plans can be found in the standard plan. However, if you want even more granular detail to make your job easier, you should consider our premium plans. These come with additional shop diagrams that we drew when creating the prototypes. Shop drawings are not available for every plan.