Old Union Machinist Chest - Restoration (#3)

[Davefr]

I have a soft spot for wanting to save these old Union Oak Tool boxes. Especially when they're from garage sales. This is #3.

It was missing the front cover, lock, two ring pulls, felt was ratty, it was painted black, the leather handle was rotten and there was a notch cut into the top. The good news is that it had all the drawers and the tongue and groove joinery was rock solid. It was solid quarter sawn oak and had all of the corner braces.

As found, as completed and joining her brethren.

 

[Davefr]

Phase One: Stripping, cleaning, sanding patching.

 

[Davefr]

Phase 2: Making a new front and leather handle.

 

[Davefr]

Phase 3: Fabricating a couple ring pulls was a challenge. They're unobtainium. Then off to polishing hardware.

 

[Davefr]

Phase 4: Now the easy part. Stain with Transtint Analine die and finish with Sam Maloof's formula of equal parts varnish, linseed oil and turpentine for a "close to the wood" finish.

Phase 5: Modifying a Yale drawer lock designed for 3/4" faces. Had to cut the barrel down for a 1/2" face and make a new key by hand.

Phase 6: Each drawer was refelted with Gerstner felt and applied with hide glue.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Very well done! All those tool boxes look great.

I am happy you were able to distill all the suggestions for the new handles and were able to create such perfect replicas!

Nice handle too!

The staining is perfect.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Beautiful work!

 

[Jayman17]

Dave, wow impressive project and great results. Really like how you made your own ring pulls.

Jay

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Fantastic, Dave! Again!

 

[bmwrd0]

Very nice.

 

[RTM]

Dang nice work. Love the ring pulls. Someone else was looking for ring pulls recently, hope they see this.

 

[jabberwoki]

Very nice, I'd love one of those . Never seen one over this way.

 

[LXCam]

Very nice!

 

[930dreamer]

Great work on the chest.

 

[Provincial]

Wonderful craftsmanship! Truly a labor of love.

 

[Davefr]

Thanks guys! The forum's Fabrication/Techniques thread was incredibly helpful in brainstorming ways to make ring pulls.

 

[toolboxted]

Those turned out beautiful. Congrats on your ingenuity and skills. You’re one of the lucky ones…….toolboxted

 

[alinc100]

Nicely done Dave....mine are all still in limbo...have not had shop time in forever. I believe you have redone 3 in less time than my one has been a project

 

[bugnut]

Very well done!

 

[bmwrd0]

Thanks guys! The forum's Fabrication/Techniques thread was incredibly helpful in brainstorming ways to make ring pulls.

Dave, could you give a link to this, or point me in the right direction? I picked up what I am pretty sure is a Union FF that could use a good freshening up.

 

[saukit]

Beemer, pretty sure this is the one...

Guys, how would you replicate this ring pull?

It's from a really old wooden Union machinist tool box and original ring pulls are unobtainium. New replacements aren't even close. The ring part will be easy but I'd like to form the round steel concave piece and have it look like it was machine stamped. Any suggestions using common shop...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Farmer J.]

Very nice, I'd love one of those . Never seen one over this way.

The chest for tools, or your new avatar picture??

 

[Davefr]

Dave, could you give a link to this, or point me in the right direction? I picked up what I am pretty sure is a Union FF that could use a good freshening up.

Union used two different styles of ring pulls. (2 nail and 3 nail). It looks like your box uses the 3 nail style. Here's what they look like. Unfortunately both styles are virtually unobtainium. I'd be happy to press out a couple concave plates and give you a couple rings. I still have the die I used. They're not perfect but better then nothing.

For the 3 nail style, you'd need to punch out/form that little hinge for the ring to go thru. I think brass would work better but matching the patina of the old ring pulls is a challenge.

Post #4 shows the 2 nail style. They have a strip of steel that holds the ring to the back of the drawer which is easier to reproduce.