The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[BlueBomber]

Picking this up today for only $25. The seller is kindly bringing it to work with them so I don't have to drive an extra hour to get it. It's not the model I want, but I can't pass it up at this price!

Brian

Agreed! Great find!

 

[bsg1]

tagged.

 

[Sassylass]

Oh wow that is gorgeous!

 

[joe.striper]

Just finished my Gerstner box. The felt I got was fantastic. Did a light resto as I wanted to save the great patina.. 0000 steel wool for the brightwork.

 

[FJ 432]

Just finished my Gerstner box. The felt I got was fantastic. Did a light resto as I wanted to save the great patina.. 0000 steel wool for the brightwork.

Looks fantastic. Nice job.

 

[carcajou]

Just finished my Gerstner box. The felt I got was fantastic. Did a light resto as I wanted to save the great patina.. 0000 steel wool for the brightwork.

Very nice! Would you mind explaining how you installed the felt? Someday i need to do a couple Kennedy boxes.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That is a beautiful box! Nice job on the resto.

 

[joe.striper]

Very nice! Would you mind explaining how you installed the felt? Someday i need to do a couple Kennedy boxes.

The felt was really easy. I posted a link to the manufacturer few days ago. 7 bucks a yard, minimal stretch and acrylic. Made a template and just cut and fit it in place. Used pliobond wood glue and a foam brush. Laid out just great. Used a number of household items to lay it down as well as fitting into the corners.

The felt made it real easy. 2-3 hours start to finish. I plan to use this in my tool boxes as well. Much cheaper than the rubber matt material.

 

[sasquatch12]

Nice work Joe.Striper!

 

[Outlawmws]

The box came out great Joe!

 

[paulm12]

looks great Joe. I just ordered some of that felt.

 

[joe.striper]

When it rains it pours...found this George Scherr box with no front and pd $60. I almost passed but damn it is handsome

 

[mossfrond]

Hi!... new to the board and I thought I'd jump in with a couple of vintage toolboxes:

The little Woolworths was $.50 in St. Vincent de Paul about 12 years ago.
The larger green "Union" was about a dollar there also.

The Vermont American was a gift from my girlfriend, now wife, about 22 years ago. It was new then.

 

[beatcad]

When it rains it pours...found this George Scherr box with no front and pd $60. I almost passed but damn it is handsome

great find. 60 bucks....yeah, you ****

 

[Dobbin]

Sorry I'm not sure how to post the link from my I pad buthought this may be of interest from e bay uk

 

[joe.striper]

should I buy this for $100? no lock, minor wood replacement but otherwise very nice. i just don't know enough and don't want to overpay. My brother is a furniture maker so repairs are easy...

it is 20" long x 12 x 14

 

[Outlawmws]

Thats pretty cool. I'd be sore tempted!

 

[Blue Frog]

Thats pretty cool. I'd be sore tempted!

+1, and I already have three Gerstners that size.

 

[tombell572]

I would buy it at that price. Basic machinist's tool boxes routinely sell for more.

BTW, my son's on the Agawam FD.

Tom B.

 

[joe.striper]

I would buy it at that price. Basic machinist's tool boxes routinely sell for more.

BTW, my son's on the Agawam FD.

Tom B.

Thanks for the feedback. I hope he likes Agawam, I love living here. Tell your son I live directly across from Mansion Woods. The FD is there almost every day.

 

[paulm12]

PAULM-i've got a craftsman just like that one.
wooden chest. leatherette cover, and metal drawers.
made by union, and if i remember that craftsman logo is early 40s

Yeah, I'll probably end up selling the small Craftsman, and keep the other 2 boxes I found. I'll work on re-felting the Kennedy.

 

[joe.striper]

So I picked up the chest, here are better pics. I'm good on vises but a complete NOOB about these chests; therefore, I'd like to ask this august body, what I should do with this one.

The Good: very nice original finish, very good shape for its age, LOTS of original intact hardware, great drawers, working locks when the lid is shut

The Bad: missing trim, missing front lock, old repairs in the top,

The verdict: Do I do a complete strip, sand and refinish or just clean up this finish with 0000 steel wool and a little wax? Completely strip off all hardware and re-polish to bright finish or just steel wool what is there and wax? What color for drawer liners and do I go with felt or what is there now which is blue velvet (prob not original)? Any idea as to who sells locks for this? I looked on a couple of sites but this lock is a double latch design.

I really would like your opinions. Thanks in advance

 

[Outlawmws]

I would opt for the cleanup and start with Murphy's oil soap, and see where you are.

I would not strip and refinish. Not as nice as that looks overall. a few "badges of Honor" doesn't devalue it. (striping it could however)

Edit: there is a way to restore the white ring issue. You can google for that, or I may have a link or three at home.

 

[jacked_72]

This is my brother's. I've never seen a craftsman like it. I would have thought it a repaint, but for the decal. It must be from the 40s.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That is a very cool box

 

[tombell572]

Try to identify the maker, age and wood type. Jennings built more ornate boxes than the usual styles such as Gerstner, Union or Pilliod and have a relatively high value. A possible resource might be here: Google "The Guide for Wooden Machinist Chests, Pre 1960". I don't have the web address. A source for locks and hardware may be here: www.machinistchest.com. I'd be inclined to leave it original with a clean-up, at least you know a bit more about its origin. Green felt is the traditional drawer liner although other colors have been used. It is indeed a beautiful tool box.

Tom B.

 

[joe.striper]

Try to identify the maker, age and wood type. Jennings built more ornate boxes than the usual styles such as Gerstner, Union or Pilliod and have a relatively high value. A possible resource might be here: Google "The Guide for Wooden Machinist Chests, Pre 1960". I don't have the web address. A source for locks and hardware may be here: www.machinistchest.com. I'd be inclined to leave it original with a clean-up, at least you know a bit more about its origin. Green felt is the traditional drawer liner although other colors have been used. It is indeed a beautiful tool box.

Tom B.

Tom i appreciate this info more than you know. I dont want to ruin it, they are only original once.

 

[jakemac]

Joe - Before using Murphy's Oil Soap, there is an old cleaning solution that you should try. A 50-50 mix of white vinegar and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth (and kitchen gloves) to clean with. It will remove the dirt. Go slowly, if you aren't careful it could also remove the old wax and patina. This is the cleaning solution that my grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, etc, used to clean floors and old woodwork for over a hundred years.

Do this in a well ventilated area. The vinegar fumes can get to you.
Once done, you can then use the finish of your choice.

I'd consult with your brother about whether the repairs should be done before or after.

I'd say that that box is a definite keeper.

 

[Outlawmws]

This is my brother's. I've never seen a craftsman like it. I would have thought it a repaint, but for the decal. It must be from the 40s.

It is; early 40's, and not many left... Does it have drawer slides, or just the drawers riding on angle rails? The latter is earlier.

 

[mdbeck1]

.. what I should do with this one.

...The verdict: Do I do a complete strip, sand and refinish or just clean up this finish with 0000 steel wool and a little wax? Completely strip off all hardware and re-polish to bright finish or just steel wool what is there and wax? What color for drawer liners and do I go with felt or what is there now which is blue velvet (prob not original)? Any idea as to who sells locks for this? I looked on a couple of sites but this lock is a double latch design.

I really would like your opinions. Thanks in advance

I'd clean it up. The drawer lines would depend on what you plan to do with it. If it's to use in the shop I'd use tool drawer liners (sorry early enough that the first cup of coffee hasn't engaged the brain for the name). If you want to make a show piece out of it I'd hit the local craft store and pick up some felt about the right color and trim it to fit the inside. Use a little bit of hot glue in the corners to hold it in place.

Note that I moved the Gernst that I got from my wife's grandfather into the bedroom for my tie tacks, pocket knives, and other pocket trash. Looks good and keeps her family happy that it's not getting oily and dirty in the garage.

 

[twertsy]

A couple additions to the tool box hoard this week.

 

[RedVise]

Try to identify the maker, age and wood type. Jennings built more ornate boxes than the usual styles such as Gerstner, Union or Pilliod and have a relatively high value.

Tom B.

Search e bay for Jennings, I was able to ID my Jennings box via an old ad on ebay. Took a screen shot and zoomed in to see the details.

Nice box !

Brian

 

[joe.striper]

Search e bay for Jennings, I was able to ID my Jennings box via an old ad on ebay. Took a screen shot and zoomed in to see the details.

Nice box !

Brian

Thanks, getting a little frustrated...cannot find ANYTHING even remotely like it. Starting to think that perhaps it is English. Solid Cherry construction. Looked long and hard at Jennings, nothing like it. Drawer pulls are TINY, have to use my pinky to open them. Wooden bottom on the drawers. Perhaps it is a jewelers tool box....I'm stymied. I also cannot find any lock even remotely that will fit in the tops mortised section....aaaarrrrgggghhhh. I'd think it was a jewelry box except for the drawer locks and heavy construction throughout.

I will find out who made this and then it will be bliss.

 

[joe.striper]

Joe - Before using Murphy's Oil Soap, there is an old cleaning solution that you should try. A 50-50 mix of white vinegar and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth (and kitchen gloves) to clean with. It will remove the dirt. Go slowly, if you aren't careful it could also remove the old wax and patina. This is the cleaning solution that my grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, etc, used to clean floors and old woodwork for over a hundred years.

Do this in a well ventilated area. The vinegar fumes can get to you.
Once done, you can then use the finish of your choice.

I'd consult with your brother about whether the repairs should be done before or after.

I'd say that that box is a definite keeper.

My brother showed me how to french polish with lacquer thinner today. I almost crapped my pants when he started on my chest but the results are amazing. It restructures the original finish, moves it around a bit, and then it resets.

I'm lucky to have him assist me in the repair of the chest. I went there today and he pulled a gorgeous piece of cherry out of his pile and then showed me stains to match it. a very talented guy.

http://www.romanpolaski.com/Classic_Cabinets/Home_Page.html

And Jakey, I think this is a keeper for me, and I don't say that often.

 

[Outlawmws]

Joe, some after pics? How did it do in the white water mark? Was it straight lacquer or a shellac lacquer mix?

 

[joe.striper]

Joe, some after pics? How did it do in the white water mark? Was it straight lacquer or a shellac lacquer mix?

Patience...i dropped it off to his house today. We experimented on the finish. He just used straight lacquer thinner. There is a whole process for this, the stroke is in an arc you dont rub it in, its hard to explain. The ring is through the finish, which is problematic. If I can polish it right Im hoping to move enough finish to blend it. We will see.

The wood trim he is doing when he can, but he does great work.....I hope.

 

[bubinga]

Outlawmws, Can you mix lacquer with shellac? Or use lacquer thinner in place of Denatured alcohol?

 

[Outlawmws]

Bub, Google "French Polish" and quite a bit comes up on this as a new finish. Less so for repairs like Joe described. There seems to be some pretty serous experience and a light touch required for good results. I may play with this a bit...

 

[joe.striper]

So an old couple put a tag sale sign in my yard yesterday. About 11 am i remember the tag sale and hustle over. I buy two vises and I start talking about tool boxes with the guy. He takes me in his basement and BANG he shows me these two. Negotiating now...he may want to hold out forcawhile but sooner or later they will be mine. Literally 100 yds down the street from my house.

 

[tombell572]

Joe, you have to get yourself under control or at least be open to some help. I've informed my son to have the guys in his firehouse treat you gently should they get a call for an adult male trapped under a pile of tool boxes.

The Gerstner in your second photo is an unusual configuration and looks like a real beauty. Also, which two vises did you buy?

Tom B.