Ken,
Those boxes are gorgeous. I'm in the process of restoring a variety of vintage wooden tool boxes. Several Gerstner, some Union, one Federal, etc. I'd love some tips on how to do this so that I end up with something that hopefully approaches the quality of the finish that you achieved. Where do you purchase your felt and hardware? What types of glues do you use for attaching the felt, and how do you actually install it so there aren't any wrinkles? What did you use to remove the grease and grime to reveal the beauty of the wood underneath?
I've contacted Gerstner, and they've got most of the hardware I need for their boxes. Some of it is fairly expensive (the handles alone are $50) but they have just about everything I think I will need to restore their boxes. They even have the keys. But Union is a different story. And for several of the very old tool boxes I have I am unable to identify a maker, so it's difficult to figure out where to buy missing drawer pulls and other parts. And advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Maui