britbox.jpg

Another Tool Box Restoration

Posted by 141drew Posted onMay 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM and filed under Projects
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:40 AM


A while back we featured a fella that restored toolboxes and posted his progress photos on Flickr. Well, he’s done with his latest and it is nothing short of gorgeous. We want one… badly… Take one vintage Brit Box, spend a few (ok, a ton) hours restoring it, and if you are any good you end up with the above.

You can see his progress photos here.


See Comments on the forum.

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Stuart in MN

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Beautiful tool box. Of course, if this was Antiques Roadshow they'd tell him he ruined its value by removing the original finish. ;)
 
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Dan in Pasadena

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The guy is just an artist or an old world craftsman. I don't know which is more applicable. The stuff he knows to do like pre stainign this with a yellow stain or the pre stain fillers he uses, the combinations of stains and finishes he applies. Oh and by the way, where does he find these old wooden chests in the first place? I'm truly impressed with his work. Nice to know there are people still this talented out there.
 
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machinistchest

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Dan,

There are many of these old boxes on ebay. Just do a search for machinist chest box and you`ll see them. The summer months are the best time for bidding, it`s the off season for woodworking.

Regards, John
 
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Dan in Pasadena

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machinistchest said:
Dan,

There are many of these old boxes on ebay. Just do a search for machinist chest box and you`ll see them. The summer months are the best time for bidding, it`s the off season for woodworking.

Regards, John
Click to expand...


Really? Awesome. I'm gonna take a look. I'd love to have one or two. I'd probably use one for a man-chest for watches, pocket knives, etc. Thanks for the head's up. Are you the owner of the machinistchest website? Fantastic site. Really enjoyed poking around in it when I read this story. Thanks again.
 
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machinistchest

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Hey Dan,

Yes, I founded machinistchest in 2005. Kinda started out as a hobby. I bought a box on ebay for $80 and refinished the wood , cleaned up the hardware, replaced the felt, made a new handle and sold it back on ebay for $392.00. So then I cashed in on some CD`s at 3% APY at the bank and I bought me some boxes .

What I had learned was that many of the old hardware makers had gone by the way side with the extinction of the phonograph player.

So being a machinist myself, by trade. I began manufactuering some of the pieces that were no longer available for my restorations, come to find out I wasen`t the only guy in the restoring biz. We tested the market with my first item , a simple knob backplate at a $1.25 ea., again on ebay, Gerstner had been selling them for $4.00!!! sold those every week for a year straight.That got me a little hardinge turrett lathe and I began turning knobs.

All the while I`m trying to figure out how in the heck they made those padded leather handles . I bought every used womans leather purse and boots I could find, only to tear them apart and try to figure out the process. Well, two years later I thought I had something I could market. I don`t have to shop around all those second hand stores for old hard leather boots any more. I`m able to buy 50 sq. foot european cowhides now, soft stuff.

But I must say one last thing, Ole Txinkman sure knows how to put a glaze on a board. The stuff looks like glass. When he`s done refinishing a box.

"It`s finished"

Thanks ...MC
 
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Schoessow

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Fantastic box restoration. My Dad was a tool & die machinist & I have two of His box's. I just cleaned them up and have been using them for years. You have me thinking though, may be I should try to restore them. Thanks for the inspiration. Dennis
 
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Dan in Pasadena

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machinistchest said:
Hey Dan,

Yes, I founded machinistchest in 2005. Kinda started out as a hobby. I bought a box on ebay for $80 and refinished the wood , cleaned up the hardware, replaced the felt, made a new handle and sold it back on ebay for $392.00. So then I cashed in on some CD`s at 3% APY at the bank and I bought me some boxes .

What I had learned was that many of the old hardware makers had gone by the way side with the extinction of the phonograph player.

So being a machinist myself, by trade. I began manufactuering some of the pieces that were no longer available for my restorations, come to find out I wasen`t the only guy in the restoring biz. We tested the market with my first item , a simple knob backplate at a $1.25 ea., again on ebay, Gerstner had been selling them for $4.00!!! sold those every week for a year straight.That got me a little hardinge turrett lathe and I began turning knobs.

All the while I`m trying to figure out how in the heck they made those padded leather handles . I bought every used womans leather purse and boots I could find, only to tear them apart and try to figure out the process. Well, two years later I thought I had something I could market. I don`t have to shop around all those second hand stores for old hard leather boots any more. I`m able to buy 50 sq. foot european cowhides now, soft stuff.

But I must say one last thing, Ole Txinkman sure knows how to put a glaze on a board. The stuff looks like glass. When he`s done refinishing a box.

"It`s finished"

Thanks ...MC
Click to expand...

MC, Thanks for the information. I LOVE your story. I love that someone turned an avocation into a vocation (well, sorta I guess) and in doing so helped others with the same hobby, AND saved them some money too. I hope you make a million, I really do.
 
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Kevin54

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A lot of the older Gerstners that had the leather coverings can be picked up fairly cheap (usually around $50). Most will tear the bad leather off and then refinish the box. They look real decent then. The Gerstners are mostly Oak, but the leather covered boxes look like Hickory underneath. When refinished they look rather unique.
 
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TheGrooveking

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An alternate reality in a parallel universe.
I worked in one shop where one of the new apprentices who happened to be about 25 brought in an old Gerstner 52 chest that was probably 50 years old plus, it looked like it was 125 years old from the way it looked. It turned out that he used to refinish Steinway pianos and the old guy who he worked for retired so he changed trades. He took that Gerstner home and refinished it with 20 coats of hand rubbed black laquer, it was an amazing box, you could see yourself in almost 3D when you looked at the box.

We all warned him to take it home before it was ruined, but he insisted, sure enough the idiot 2nd shift die repair guy who's bench was behind him decided to use a disk grinder to sharpen a die block while it was still mounted to the lower die shoe on a cart between their two benchs. Sure enough the idiot hit the die pin with the grinder and shot a junk of the grinding wheel right into the back of that beautiful Gerstner. The apprentice took the box home the next morning and quit at the end of the week, still to this day it was the most beautiful tool box I've ever seen.

I have 13 Gertners boxes I bought from between 1982 and 1998, always a job keeping the wife from taking one to be a jewelry box.

TheGrooveking
 
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Kevin54

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TheGrooveking said:
I worked in one shop where one of the new apprentices who happened to be about 25 brought in an old Gerstner 52 chest that was probably 50 years old plus, it looked like it was 125 years old from the way it looked. It turned out that he used to refinish Steinway pianos and the old guy who he worked for retired so he changed trades. He took that Gerstner home and refinished it with 20 coats of hand rubbed black laquer, it was an amazing box, you could see yourself in almost 3D when you looked at the box.

We all warned him to take it home before it was ruined, but he insisted, sure enough the idiot 2nd shift die repair guy who's bench was behind him decided to use a disk grinder to sharpen a die block while it was still mounted to the lower die shoe on a cart between their two benchs. Sure enough the idiot hit the die pin with the grinder and shot a junk of the grinding wheel right into the back of that beautiful Gerstner. The apprentice took the box home the next morning and quit at the end of the week, still to this day it was the most beautiful tool box I've ever seen.

I have 13 Gertners boxes I bought from between 1982 and 1998, always a job keeping the wife from taking one to be a jewelry box.

TheGrooveking
Click to expand...

I think pics are in order :thumbup:

I'd like to pick up a good older Gerstner. I passed on one at the flea market a while back, came home and decided t go back and get it. Too late :(
 
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machinistchest

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Re: Another Wooden Tool Box

Thanks again Dan,

And many stories I do have.

The biz really took off last June (2009). Six months earlier I sold a handle on ebay to the editing manager from woodsmith magazine, he had contacted me and said he was THINKING of doing plans for a machinist chest in the mag. I started ramping up production just in case. One month before the mag hit the bookstores he called back and said that the box was finished, the plans were drawn, and that he needed a set of hardware to finish up the pic`s. He didn`t even give me a heads up that that he made a decision to do the project, the mag was practically on it`s way to the printer (250,000 copies in three countries). Talk about overwhelming! I was on a dead run for the next four months. It was quite an exciting time. They took a vote and it was deciced that the picture of the chest didn`t make the front cover. I was a bit dissapointed but happy that they listed machinistchest as a hardware source in the back of the book. The plans still arn`t available for download on the internet yet. I guessing that the back issues are still selling well.

http://www.woodsmith.com/issues/183/sources/machinists-chest/

MC
 
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Rick B.

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The pictures of your box literally jumped off the screen! I remember as a kid, my grandfather had that exact box. Even then I recognized the quality of the craftsmanship. Too bad I didn't recognize the fact that 40 years later I'd wish I still had it!
 
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orsty3001

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I've got the same box. This used to by my Dad's and I got it when he passed away 16 years ago. It was part of the tools he bought over from England when he moved to Ameirca back in the 70's This box had a bunch of milling machine bits in it. The bits were stolen but the box was left in tact. I use it to store random electronic parts in. Never knew it had so much potential until now.

2wpmtsw.jpg
 
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machinistchest

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Kevin54 said:
A lot of the older Gerstners that had the leather coverings can be picked up fairly cheap (usually around $50). Most will tear the bad leather off and then refinish the box. They look real decent then. The Gerstners are mostly Oak, but the leather covered boxes look like Hickory underneath. When refinished they look rather unique.
Click to expand...

Kevin,

Here`s one that I replaced the covering, Those old leatherettes look really sharp when restored.All those nickel trimminge stand out...MC
 

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lwlobo

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machinistchest said:
Dan,

There are many of these old boxes on ebay. Just do a search for machinist chest box and you`ll see them. The summer months are the best time for bidding, it`s the off season for woodworking.

Regards, John
Click to expand...

Shhh, I've been wanting one of these boxes and watching them on ebay for a long time, we don't need more people bidding on them. ;)

I've had good luck finding Kennedy Machinist boxes locally, but none for wooden ones. Keep looking, I guess.
 
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RedVise

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Well, let me jump in here !

I re-assembled tonite what I believe is an old Union toolbox. Interested to see Orsty3001's box, as most have the top that opens, his and mine do not.

Also funny to read MC's comment about handles as I made one for my box. I am not crazy about it, but this is not a restoration, more of a repair. I am planning on leaving the repair the PO had made to the front panel, using metal strips and nuts and bolts. I will leave the drawers as I found them, after a little cleaning. The exterior has acid and who knows what on it, and was delaminating in places when I got it, so it gets the repair to the delaminated back, and all exterior panels will be sanded and shellaced. shellac. Top is done, had to finish it first, to attach handle to, prior to assembly.

Not many pics, but basic before and now view to share. It was a blast to get it back together after see the pieces apart for a month or so.
I will admit to looking at Txinkman's pics many, many times. You know how it is the first time you try something, I look all over for tips and ideas.

Brian L.
 

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RedVise

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machinistchest said:
Brian,

It`s an old gerstner you got there.The front panel is hinged on pins, right?
and those knob back plates are 3/4" dia. Union are 7/8" ...MC
Click to expand...

Correct on both counts ! Thanks for the info!
As I said, I did a lot of Internet searching and based on that, looked at all the drawers, and the rear panel, ect looking for a makers mark. Never did find any clue on the box and was matching it up against photos.

MC, a ballpark quess on the age of this box ?

Thanks again for the data, and if I decide I not happy enough with my handle, will be hitting the MachinistChest.com site with credit card in hand.

Brian L.
 
M

machinistchest

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Brian,

Any time you see that drawer divider H frame most likley it`s a gerstner.There weren`t many vintage makers that constructed that way. It adds stability to the case and nicely squares it all up.

I would bet it`s dated about the early forties. I would be streaching it to say late thirties, however those early Gerstners didn`t have any ink stamps on the inside base.

I recall one like yours that I had redone, it had the made by Gerstner stamped in the base about five times. I assume Harry had just gotten his new rubber ink stamp and was practicing...MC
 
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RedVise

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Gracias, MC !
There is a faint marking on the rear inside panel, possibly oval. No way to make any sense out of it. The only pics I found of a box with out a lid, was a Union. I am enjoying the heck out of bringing the old guy back to life, knowing the maker is a bonus.

I got the drawer pulls painted and the drawers refinished tonight. I was NOT going to refinish the drawers as I was going for just an exterior refinish, but once the outside was looking good, I could not leave the drawers untouched. Hope to put on the corner brackets tomorrow.
See the sad shape of the front cover, fixed by a machinist ! No offence to all the fine machinists out there...
I am planning on reusing the steel panels, refinish the wood and replace the nuts and bolts with brass, as I am planning on using brass screws on the corner brackets. I am trying to strike a balance between a restore and leaving it as an example of a working box.
See the pic of the side to see why I refinished the exterior, there was an acid stain (light colored lines) and an epoxy stain (dark stain).

I need to take some pics during the day so I don't need the flash, it seems to be washing out the color.


Brian L.
 

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machinistchest

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Brian,

Those old machinists were pretty creative weren`t they? I can`t believe the guy used stove bolts . I`v seen boxes with 1/4 " thick angle iron bolted in the corners to hold the case together. The things they came up with...

MC
 
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RedVise

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Breeze, I like those boxes a lot. If mine was that nice to start with I would have just cleaned it and stopped there. I like the "working box" look.
I like the simplicity of the last box with tray.

Brian L.
 
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Call me the Breeze

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Brian L. said:
Breeze, I like those boxes a lot. If mine was that nice to start with I would have just cleaned it and stopped there. I like the "working box" look.
I like the simplicity of the last box with tray.

Brian L.
Click to expand...

Thanks Brian, There's more pictures and some information of these in the garage gallery under "The Breeze Place"
 
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RedVise

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Bumped for a request.

I am looking for 20 square brass nuts, 10-24, to finish my tool box front panel. Could not find them locally, nor via the Internet, with out ordering from India. Finally one of the US distributors I hs contacted, emailed me they could order them for 16 cents apiece. I called them up, placed the order with a 7 day ETA, deleted the email, and went back to work. Now almost 3 weeks later, no nuts ! And I have no idea who I ordered them from... No credit card charge yet either.

So, here I am, please look on the back of your shelves, behind the shiny new stuff, and see if you have some, Thanks.

I am open for a reasonable price and shipping to Central Fl.

Threw in a before pic so you can see why I need the brass nut. I am "upgrading" the PO repairs.

Brian L.
 

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Greg-nwo

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Acklands-Grainger has them here for $10.68 per 100.

I think they are what you are looking for anyway... tried to link the page but it's not happening. If you PM me your e-mail address I can send you the pdf of the catalog page.

If you can't get them from Graingers down there send me a PM. We can probably work something out.
 
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RedVise

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Thanks for checking, Greg !

Still lookin' for square nuts !!

Square Brass %^%$## nuts ! Driving me nuts.

Brian L.
 
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RedVise

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and out of the blue, I receive my order of square nuts !

The front panel is re assembled in the same manner as when I bought it, just a little cleaner. Next step is the felt, that I could find.

Contrast the pic in post #29 with the current pic.

Been waiting a while to put that panel back together.

Brian L.
 

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RedVise

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Crow, that looks like quite a challenge !! I will be watching closely, always looking to learn how someone else does stuff.

I need to take a final pic of my box for this thread.

Brian L.
 
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Mark H

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machinistchest said:
Kevin,

Here`s one that I replaced the covering, Those old leatherettes look really sharp when restored.All those nickel trimminge stand out...MC
Click to expand...
Wow!Fantastic job.Looks the same as mine but in slightly better condition!LOL



SDC11279.jpg


I plan to restore it one day.
Any idea as to the age and model?
 
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crowldawg

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I am waiting on an oxalic acid paste to bleach the wood and hopefully the new pieces will look like the old or visa versa. I will put up a series of pictures as I progress.
Mark H that mirror makes me think its and old Gerstner covered in leatherette.There should be some marlking on the bottom under the last drawer.
The only clue I found was on the lock It said Star Chests,Chicago
Gerstner has a website,also check machinistchest.com
 
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machinistchest

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Mark H said:
Wow!Fantastic job.Looks the same as mine but in slightly better condition!LOL



SDC11279.jpg


I plan to restore it one day.
Any idea as to the age and model?
Click to expand...

It`s old, probably early thirtys. I see it has a chain therefore those old maple leaf type hinges on the back or sometimes we call them gothic.

One thing I learned, all the gerstner hardware had no copper under the nickel plate .It didn`t take long for the steel to undermine the plating and rust. I don`t want to sound like I`m complaining, for me this is a good thing.

All the Union hardware had copper flash and did much better, in most cases it just takes a little buffing to bring the nickel back to life.

That`s a National Lock Rockford ILL.

This is the 16"

I have some old Gerstner catalogs. I`ll have to check back on that model.
 

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Mark H

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crowldog
Thanks for the input.Checked inside the bottom of the chest,no markings.Lock is marked 'Gerstner & Co'.Found both web sites,some great info there.cheers.
 
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