Wood cabinets for tool, parts or nuts and bolts or even your socks. please show them

[Farmer J.]

There is a group of big Douglas Firs about twenty miles from my house as the crow flies. The largest tree there blew down in 1981 and it was about 230 ft. tall and 34.5 ft. in diameter. At the time, it was the second-largest Douglas Fir known. It was in an area that gets about 12 feet of rain per year. That is feet of rain!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_the_Giants_(Oregon)

Douglas Fir trees grow tall and straight when in a uniform stand. They compete for sunlight, so they try to get taller than the others. If they don't have to compete, like the one at the edge of my field, they grow bushy, shorter, and the trunks taper a lot.

I think that 200-250 feet tall is about maximum for Douglas Fir, and probably is limited by the ability of the trunk to carry water to the top. Coast Redwoods get taller.

Thanks for that info too, all very interesting. We're rather getting off the thread of toolboxes, so i will try and send you a PM in the next few days if I can find my old map and diary...

 

[drivesitfar]

Farmer & Provi: i personally like it when the threads get a bit more personal and bring in a little new flavor or something a bit different to add to the subject.

speaking of which anybody here mill their own wood and make cabinets and want to post up the different stages of building them please do.

my in laws had to remove a tree in their yard to build their garage/carport that i think might have been 15+ feet in diameter and i think i recall it being 700 years old (this was maybe 25 years ago). i remember a branch on it fell in their yard that was as big as most trees which was another reason for cutting it down.

cheers

 

[2oolhound]

Douglas Fir trees grow tall and straight when in a uniform stand. They compete for sunlight, so they try to get taller than the others. If they don't have to compete, like the one at the edge of my field, they grow bushy, shorter, and the trunks taper a lot.

Something I observed working in the forestry is the valley bottoms grow some tall trees. My theory was if you took a topographic profile of the land surface and compared it to a topographic profile of the tops of the trees you'd find the trees at the bottom of the valley wouldn't drop down as low as the land. The bottom trees have to struggle a little harder for the light. They also get some great soil and lots of water.

I've heard recently biologists have discovered the trees growing within 100 feet of streams and rivers grow much better and it is thought that's because the bears carry salmon up to that distance from the water. After 100's of years the land is much better fertilized in that vicinity. If you've ever seen the abundance of salmon in the spawning waterways you'd understand this philosophy.

 

[rlitman]

...I've heard recently biologists have discovered the trees growing within 100 feet of streams and rivers grow much better and it is thought that's because the bears carry salmon up to that distance from the water. After 100's of years the land is much better fertilized in that vicinity. If you've ever seen the abundance of salmon in the spawning waterways you'd understand this philosophy.

Translation:
Does a bear poop in the woods?
Yes. Yes, it does.

 

[Farmer J.]

That tallest Douglas Fir here was growing close to a stream, but no bears in GB to carry salmon or poo to fertilise it!
I thought i may have passed close to those tall ones in Oregon in 1980, can't find my diary, but marked a route on a map and it shows I drove down the coast route that time. I was going to see the Redwoods in California after working my way across North America. Most impressive when I got there, I had never seen anything like them!
In Cornwall here we have a lot of huge introduced Monterey Pine trees, so a few years ago I detoured on a trip and went to Monterey expecting to see huge trees, but the pines there were small by comparison!

 

[Farmer J.]

Farmer & Provi: i personally like it when the threads get a bit more personal and bring in a little new flavor or something a bit different to add to the subject.

speaking of which anybody here mill their own wood and make cabinets and want to post up the different stages of building them please do.

my in laws had to remove a tree in their yard to build their garage/carport that i think might have been 15+ feet in diameter and i think i recall it being 700 years old (this was maybe 25 years ago). i remember a branch on it fell in their yard that was as big as most trees which was another reason for cutting it down.
cheers

I used to have a tractor mounted sawbench years ago, the 24" diameter circular blade coped with anything growing on the farm and after a retired sawmill man taught me how to sharpen and use it I had a fine time making my own planks, posts and rails some of which are still around. I never made any cabinets though..

I was wondering, how do you convert those large diameter diameter logs into lumber? Do you have massive band saws or something in America for that job? how big are those machines?

 

[rlitman]

...I was wondering, how do you convert those large diameter diameter logs into lumber? Do you have massive band saws or something in America for that job? how big are those machines?

Could be a done with a huge circular saw, or a huge band saw, or with a chainsaw mill if you want to do it on the cheap.

edit:
A quick google search turned up stuff like this:

 

[drivesitfar]

Farmer & RL & ALL: my uncle who passed about 20 years ago now owned 4 cedar mills and i actually saw those big circular almost 3 story tall saw blades running and cutting logs almost as big as the ones on my Gramp's truck. it was some site to see, hear and be around let me tell you. i buy lumber from a cedar mill now that uses a bandsaw blade about the size you posted and i try to stand far away from it. i've heard when they break which isn't that often anymore it isn't a good thing to be near by.

i think i mentioned it before that my great grand dad bent over for something on the floor at a mill where he work and lost his balance and a few seconds later he only had one leg. he survived after being pulled down the hill on a sled pulled by a horse (yes it was maybe 1920's) and everybody called him PEG after that. i also heard he only missed a couple weeks of work.

here's a few pictures of some mills you can use on site to cut up logs and most if not all of them use a standard chainsaw with some sort of guides. also a youtube video of a young man making lumber after just falling the tree.

ALL: i'm picking up this interesting cabinet today and it's got a lot of dividers so should come in handy. i'll post more pictures of it later.

have a great day everybody!!

 

[fowldarr]

I just missed buying an 'Alaska mill' last weekend. (Chainsaw mill). Another guy beat me to it.


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[drivesitfar]

Fowl: i know a woodworker/furniture maker in Salem area that's been looking for a mill for maybe a few years now so maybe he bought it. keep looking and don't give up on your dreams.

ALL: i picked up this pretty well built plywood map cabinet last night and the seller was having her book club meeting and actually had her friends all carry a drawer up the hill while i helped the seller push the dolly up the long driveway full of nice cars. i just put a couple metal flat files on top of it and it's ready to load in my storage unit. perfect size and i actually like the divided drawers.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I posted this in the garage sale thread but had to show it here too!

 

[fowldarr]

Jeff, I saw your find in the other thread, good find. I love the aged character of the box and look forward to seeing it when it is back together.


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[drivesitfar]

JEFF: I agree that box needed to be bought and brought home with or without all the taps and dies. nice find.

ALL: not sure what is the attraction for me to all these OAK FLAT FILES, but i sure like them. here's one that was a coffee table that is going up on a shelf soon if i can find a spot for it. i'll remove the casters and maybe the plywood top. it's 53.5 x 41 x 16.5 so no little thing.

anybody else like these oak flat files? anybody have some old wood cabinets to post here or some metal ones to post over on the metal cabinet thread please do.

cheers

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: i was looking for something and found a few pretty cool wood cabinets that are above my budget. anybody own some like these? the Gertsner is a different version than most i've owned or seen and the other ones i thought were just different and cool.

 

[beatcad]

that Gerstner looks like a model 44. usually called a patternmakers chest.
one of the biggest chests they made.
i got one, but it aint as nice as that one.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Thanks for the kind words on the wooden box. Sadly my friend passed away last week due to complications from an accident he had last year. He will be missed!

 

[casmurbax]

sorry to hear about your friend's passing.

 

[Perfectstranger]

This is to cool might have to pull the trigger on this $195.00 what do think?

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeff: i'm glad you have a little something to remember your friend by besides the memories and sorry for your loss. i bet you've got more metal and wood containers to post when you have time or maybe more to buy in the future cause you have a great eye for that stuff. cheers

Beat: good to see you posting again and the Gertsners really get your engines moving maybe almost as much as Harleys don't they? That's how that Gertsner was advertised and it's being sold at an second hand store for 4.5 benjamins and i couldn't pull the trigger cause i don't need it, but it's cool isn't it.

PS: definitely your call on whether you can use that old letterpress cabinet, but they are getting spendier than that and they don't make them anymore if you have a spot for it you might want to grab it if you like it's condition.

ALL: i'm still trying to either build something for these little wood boxes or should i just put them on a shelf and fill them up with the stuff that usually ends up on top of my benches? anybody have a solution for these that they like or that they've seen or built?

have a great weekend

 

[fowldarr]

Drives, I would consider building a hanging shelf under the workbench for those. Makes them accessible at the bench without being in the way.


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[drivesitfar]

Fowl: i was thinking of that, but I think i have close to 100 of these old wood bins.

ALL: for some of you that have some nicer or collectible tools or stuff here's an idea to maybe get them inside your house with your BRIDE'S BLESSING.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: these VW cabinets are not vintage, but thought i'd post them to give a few of you creative guys some ideas for cabinets for your shops and MAN CAVES or for your kid's rooms. kinda cool with the car's logo and a license plate and i think the guy selling these is making them from scratch. IMHO a great idea.

or maybe a Pepsi or other brand you like?

 

[fowldarr]

Fowl: i was thinking of that, but I think i have close to 100 of these old wood bins.



Well, if my appraisal ever gets done I'll have a lot more workbench. Maybe I could store some for you.


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[drivesitfar]

Fowl: i bet once you get moved in that shop of yours will fill up fast. i also have a feeling you take your kids to garage sales and tool auctions like i did or do they like working in the garage with DAD?

mine always like to go shopping or previewing as i'd call it for stuff or real estate, but they didn't want to spend much time learning how to plumb or make thinks around the house, but now that they are older they are wanting to learn.

cheers and thanks for the offer that i'll respectfully decline for now!

best of luck on the closing and the move into your new place.

 

[fowldarr]

Cant blame a guy for trying. Yeah my kids come out and help in the garage. They each have a toolbox that we are slowly filling up for them.

I just have to remember that every time something is missing I need to check the little s-k box that my 4 year old called dibs on more often than not he is supplementing his collection with mine.


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[SKThornton]

Have I got the cabinet for you! Previously used as a mineral cabinet, it has 48 drawers and 3 other compartments. Measures 43" wide x 21" deep x 6'10" tall.

 

[bubinga]

Have I got the cabinet for you! Previously used as a mineral cabinet, it has 48 drawers and 3 other compartments. Measures 43" wide x 21" deep x 6'10" tall.

Nice, love that quartered white Oak.

 

[fowldarr]

ALL: i'm still trying to either build something for these little wood boxes or should i just put them on a shelf and fill them up with the stuff that usually ends up on top of my benches? anybody have a solution for these that they like or that they've seen or built?



have a great weekend[/QUOTE]



DRIVES: I've been thinking about what I would do with these, and I think I would build a purpose built shelving system out of reclaimed wood of roughly the same vintage as the boxes.


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[jeffmoss26]

Thanks to the owner of the hardware store, the wooden box is now complete!

 

[bubinga]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@jeffmoss,Nice save on the drawer. May I suggest a little stain on it?

 

[jeffmoss26]

That's next. Gonna see if my coworker has something close - he does a ton of woodworking as a hobby.

 

[beatcad]

you guys know how much i love some wood chests.
i figured this would be a good place to bring this up...
years ago i joked with some friends that i hoped those guys from american pickers would never "pick" a vintage wood chest 'cause it would only drive up the price for us regular guys.
i could see how mike(the tall one) could be into them 'cause he's into bicycles and one of the wright bros had a Gerstner...
anyhow, last night i saw an episode of the pickers and there was a lot of mike talking with what looked like a craftsman union wooden machinist chest in the backround.
part of me said look behind you dummy.
part of me said you aint looking hard enough
i dought hes lurking the GJ and hope he dont find this thread

 

[beatcad]

and i picked up another old chest last weekend.
union i think. 40s? 50s?

 

[drivesitfar]

BEAT: sure if these old boxes just kept to themselves and we didn't talk about them maybe just maybe you could still find them for a reasonable amount. or we can talk about them, learn who made them and show them off and maybe the ones we want to buy would go up in price.

since you own about 20 of them i bet if prices go up and you have to sell one to buy one you like better might not be so terrible. also if want to brag that you bought them when they weren't so expensive and you have some serious value wouldn't that be ok?

nice find and you do have a good eye for old tool boxes. if you lived closer I might consider swapping you some old metal ones i have that you like for some wood ones.

 

[BrettJ74]

Looks like I just missed this deal the lady say I'm currently 3rd in line but I'm not holding my breath. Bummer now I've lost a nights sleep and ruined a day at work.. Hopefully someone really appreciates it [emoji30]

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[arkieguide]

I inherited my Dad's machinist toobox and it currently sits in my office at work. One drawer has been preserved just the way he left it.

NICE ! It would be a treasure to me, if I had it. Hold on to it !

 

[Socket Pounder]

I wonder what it is about old wood toolboxes. Even my kids oooh and ahhh and get really excited about them.

 

[Rick B.]

Wow. With a little attention to the finish, this box from the O.P. would almost make a nice addition to the dining room to house the good silver and serving utensils! Where do people find this stuff???

View media item 74238

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: cool old wood cabinets don't come up for sale cause maybe the owners love them or maybe not as many were made, but i found one yesterday i'd like to find a permanent spot for.

it's 24x24x48 and nothing too special in quality, but not cheap either. one of the drawer fronts needs some repair, but it's pretty solid and easy to use.

anybody see or own this style wood cabinet?

 

[Gerry Clarke]

Very few older Gerstners in the West of Ireland and if there were, they would be prohibitively expensive. I keep hand tools in these two old Moore & Wright toolmaker's chests on my assembly bench. The upper one is c. 1950's/1960's I would guess and the lower, beat-up item is older, possibly pre-war - not sure. I like the historical feel to these things and the fact they are still in use. The smell is wonderful too! Also posting the wooden box for my largest vernier callipers.

Gerry