Felt or drawer liner for machinist's tools?

[n8n]

Opinions?

Gonna clean up the Snap-On box I got last week hopefully this weekend and move my tap and die stuff etc. into it. Want to line the drawers before I do.

Typically I use the solid drawer liner from Sears or HF but my Kennedy box has green felt in it. Is there an advantage of one material over another? Or is felt just traditional for machinist's boxes because it was available earlier? I have a Jo-Ann nearby that has felt on the roll so that is definitely an option if I choose to go that route.

I will probably cut whatever I choose to fit up the sides of the drawers and tack it on with rubber cement so it won't harm the finish if I change my mind later. Ideas for other methods also appreciated.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[rsanter]

Felt is traditional.
For measuring tools felt can be good but I would not use it for taps and dies.

I used the regular type drawer liner material for stuff like that so chips don’t stick to it

 

[davethorik]

I have a Kennedy stack at work. The felt is nice but can accumulate dirt/chips. However none of my steel tools have rusted on the felt. Only the top chest has felt. The middle and bottom are just painted steel.

I put some of the cheap drawer liner they sell in rolls in the mid and lower, that was a mistake. Any bare steel that contacts it will rust, it also has melted (?) some plastic items that were on it, and they stick together, very annoying. Even though it's rubberized, unless I very gently push the drawers shut, the liner and tools slide around. So If you go that route get quality liner, not the cheap ****.

 

[platypus20]

I’ve use indoor/outdoor carpeting for drawer liners for yrs, I buy it in Lowe’s, sold as carpet runners, by the ft.

 

[Davefr]

If you go with felt, it needs to be acid free and non hygroscopic. It's best applied with hide glue.

Get the supplies direct from Gerstner so you know it's appropriate for tools otherwise the tools will rust.

For a SO box, I'd go with Nu Source PVC drawer liner. If I had a classic wood machinist chest, I'd stick with Gerstner felt.

 

[alfazer]

Thin sheets of cork are good too.

 

[n8n]

Thanks for the opinions guys, I didn't think about chips but that is an excellent point. I already had the solid black stuff so I've got all but one piece cut now. Took the box outside and hosed it down to get rid of any rodent residue, will bring it in when the sun goes down and load it up when it's dry.

Cork would be more appropriate, but I already had the black stuff. Not really worth spending money on this as it either a) has tons of patina or b) is beat to hell, depending on your perspective.

 

[zkling]

For that classic box, I'd go cork.

 

[CGarage]

I prefer cork. IKEA sells it inexpensively in a roll. I have worked with hide glue and I hate it. There are modern alternatives that are far superior.

 

[dkroth]

Maybe Gerstner will sell you some felt, or point you to their supplier?

The felt cutting room at Gerstner. Frickin' laser beams:

When having a box restored they cut the felt by hand:

.