Another Tool Box Restoration

[Mark H]

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.

Yes,it does have the Gothic hinges at the rear.The early thirties date ties in nicely with the little history I know about it.
The chest came along with an old Myford lathe which I bought from a friend.He bought them many years ago from the widow of the original owner,Alec Miller.Alec was a Scott who spent a lot of his working life in the U.S.I believe he was a machinist for General Electric.During the prohibition period,Alec apparently made a few extra dollars running booze for Capone.Cool to think the Gerstner box may have been paid for with illegal booze money!
I plan on keeping the original covering if possible.Any suggestions as to what adhesive would be suitable?
Many thanks,
Mark.

 

[machinistchest]

Yes,it does have the Gothic hinges at the rear.The early thirties date ties in nicely with the little history I know about it.
The chest came along with an old Myford lathe which I bought from a friend.He bought them many years ago from the widow of the original owner,Alec Miller.Alec was a Scott who spent a lot of his working life in the U.S.I believe he was a machinist for General Electric.During the prohibition period,Alec apparently made a few extra dollars running booze for Capone.Cool to think the Gerstner box may have been paid for with illegal booze money!
I plan on keeping the original covering if possible.Any suggestions as to what adhesive would be suitable?
Many thanks,
Mark.

That`s funny! It`s nice to have a story with the box.

It was traditional to use hide glue. However, I use good ole elmers glue anything that`s water soluable. Of coarse you`ll want to remove the old dried glue with hot water and coarse steel wool. If your cloth is in pretty good shape it can be dyed I always just replaced if it`s old and dry rotted.

Its canvas that was treated with something like schallac or linseed oil, they called it different names like oil cloth, art leather, seal skin.They just don`t make the stuff any more every thing is vinyl nowadays.The problems with the vinyl is we`ll never get it off it`s not porous as opposed to cloth.We cant get water turough it to soften the glue.

I`m hopen that you being in the old country just might be able to come up with something

I recently shipped to norway, not to far from you...MC

 

[Mark H]

MC,thanks for the advice,much appreciated.The covering isn't as bad as it looks in the photos,just the glue has given up.I also plan on keeping as much of the original hardware as I can,even if it is a little rusty as it's going to be a 'working' toolbox.
Good to know you ship overseas!
Cheers,
Mark.

 

[crowldawg]

Step 2
http://crowldawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/step-2-tool-box.html

 

[crowldawg]

I need to get a bolt cutter to get that damn lock off.lol

 

[crowldawg]

Just waiting for a few odds and ends

http://crowldawg.blogspot.com/2010/12/finis.html