Gerstner Chest

[scooternut]

Sometimes you find nice things that you weren't even looking for. As a beginner hobby machinist, I'm buying machinist chests to accumulate nice old tools, usually they come in a Kennedy box. This time, a very decent condition Gerstner. These are very nice, I see first hand the attraction.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[bubinga]

Sometimes you find nice things that you weren't even looking for. As a beginner hobby machinist, I'm buying machinist chests to accumulate nice old tools, usually they come in a Kennedy box. This time, a very decent condition Gerstner. These are very nice, I see first hand the attraction.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Nice find.
I've got a decent collection of wooden some gerstner, box's.
Have had to sell a few though, as I needed the $$$. $$.
That one looks nice shape.
Recemond cleaning with Murphys 0il soap, and finish with paste wax off your choice.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[Davefr]

Sometimes you find nice things that you weren't even looking for. As a beginner hobby machinist, I'm buying machinist chests to accumulate nice old tools, usually they come in a Kennedy box. This time, a very decent condition Gerstner. These are very nice, I see first hand the attraction.



Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Look further back and see if you have signatures and a date for the cabinet workers that built your box:

 

[ttpete]

Get yourself a new handle from Gerstner. And keys, if you don't have any.

 

[Richard Cranium]

that would be so neat finding the names and dates of who worked on your box.

 

[Toolmaker65]

Nice looking box It looks like it was well cared for over the years. It should be relatively easy to get looking good again. As bubinga said, a little Murphy's oil soap will clean it up. After drying it off, following that with some dry #0000 steel wool to further clean and smooth the finish. Paste wax or lemon oil to suit.

Gerstner can also supply the missing drawer pull as well as a decal appropriate to the age of the box since it looks like yours is missing.

Did you get it from the original owner or a relative who could have given you an idea as to its age?

Welcome to the dark rabbit hole of machining - always a need for more tools and boxes.

 

[bubinga]

Nice looking box [emoji106] It looks like it was well cared for over the years. It should be relatively easy to get looking good again. As bubinga said, a little Murphy's oil soap will clean it up. After drying it off, following that with some dry #0000 steel wool to further clean and smooth the finish. Paste wax or lemon oil to suit.

Gerstner can also supply the missing drawer pull as well as a decal appropriate to the age of the box since it looks like yours is missing.

Did you get it from the original owner or a relative who could have given you an idea as to its age?

Welcome to the dark rabbit hole of machining - always a need for more tools and boxes.

Yeah, good idea on the 4/0 steel wool. Sometimes I'll use a scotch Brite pad to apply the wax, and further smooth the finish.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[scooternut]

Thanks guys.

Fortunately there was a key in the box. I think it really will clean up nice. I see no issues other than the bad handle, and missing knob. I'm sure the felt will look a bit dingy when it is cleaned out and cleaned up.

No names or dates, just that number "324" handwritten within the logo, along with the key no.

Bought it from a woman about 50 yrs old, said it was her father in law's box, but couldn't really give any date info. There are quite a few old tap/ die boxes inside, maybe they could help date the box. One of the mics is engraved "9-30," found a way old and cool AMES indicator, the oldest looking STARRETT box that I've ever seen, however, there are some KENNAMETAL pieces marked "1980."

 

[beatcad]

hello, pal. sorry i'm so late to respond... i was out of town on work last week.

that Gerstner is great.

from the the pix you showed i'd say it was late 40s to early 50s.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Best on-line Gerstner collectors guide site I know of linked here.