Gerstner going Jewelry Box

[Squashfest81]

I’ve been moving this box around for like 15 years since I pulled it out of a basement at an estate sale.
The wife hinted that I should make our 11 year old a jewelry box.
Let’s clean up the Gerstner, or other brand, cause I’m not sure.

determine screen resolution

 

[Squashfest81]

The carcass is in great shape. Needs a good clean and new felt.
The top, it’s super grimey and has some veneer issues. The plan is to clean and glue.

 

[Squashfest81]

Here’s a steel wool scrub with vinegar and trying mineral spirits. It’s slow going.

 

[nadogail]

Back in the Day, Gerstner tool boxes were regarded as the best by Machine Tool Operators and Tool and Die Makers

 

[larry_g]

When refelting the drawers pay attention to the adhesive you use. Common white glue off gasses and promotes rusting. I believe that hide glue is the proper stuff to use, but you need to confirm that cuz my memory is foggy these days.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jimkinney]

Great idea.
Bought son Craftsman cabinets and chests to use as dresser's when he was young. They're now filled with tools.

 

[Spencer Was Here]

Flip over the drawers to see if they have the Gerstner name printed on the bottom of them.

 

[Squashfest81]

What is giving me pause on Gerstner is the lack of a label and the pulls. It has pencilled numbers on the backs of the drawers and does look the part.
It’s definitely not new.
Anyone with a similar box with those pulls?

 

[Squashfest81]

The veneer was just too far gone and peeled right up.
Here’s the wild plan: Toss the top through the table saw to “dado” out the middle and inset the front panel as the new top… that way the panel will have a use, looks cool, and allows the use of all the original hardware. Thoughts?

upload photos to internet

 

[bubinga]

I’ve been moving this box around for like 15 years since I pulled it out of a basement at an estate sale.
The wife hinted that I should make our 11 year old a jewelry box.
Let’s clean up the Gerstner, or other brand, cause I’m not sure.

determine screen resolution

Pretty sure it's a Union!

 

[Squashfest81]

That was an easy Google confirm. Definitely Union. Good work Bubinga!
The drawer pulls and the different frame style on the mirror are giveaways.

 

[alinc100]

deleted to add below

 

[alinc100]

What is giving me pause on Gerstner is the lack of a label and the pulls. It has pencilled numbers on the backs of the drawers and does look the part.
It’s definitely not new.
Anyone with a similar box with those pulls?

Just saw this thread and Bubinga beat me to it. 100% a Union ,pulls are a dead giveaway.

The number in pencil should also be on the lower right inside of the case and on one edge of the front panel.

I would advise against the cutting and making top panel idea. generally most of these boxes stay open all the time and you'd not see the top much anyhow. It would not be that hard to cut and fit a new piece of veneer into the top if the previous layer was removed.

 

[mogandave]

For a jewelry box I'd clean and re-oil the drawers and black lacquer the rest.

 

[Squashfest81]

Alinc100, I don’t disagree, but I hate the idea of the panel front just hidden away forever. I’m liking the plan of insetting it in the top to fix the top.
And Mogandave, I like the black lacquer idea. Would give it that wrapped in leatherette tool chest look with the oak drawers.

 

[mogandave]

Alinc100, I don’t disagree, but I hate the idea of the panel front just hidden away forever. I’m liking the plan of insetting it in the top to fix the top.
And Mogandave, I like the black lacquer idea. Would give it that wrapped in leatherette tool chest look with the oak drawers.

Cheap and easy too...

 

[Squashfest81]

Yeah, cheap and easy. No finding nicely grained veneer. No trying to match stain. We need to keep this in my wheelhouse.

 

[Squashfest81]

Started to turn the top into sawdust. No turning back now.

 

[Squashfest81]

The front panel has become the top. The hardware and handle will help the look.
I plan to wire wheel the hardware and use that gun blueing stuff I bought, but haven’t tried yet.

 

[Squashfest81]

Decided to sand the entire carcass. Here’s a test run of some Minwax Antique Oil finish. The drawers will just get a clean and polish.

anonymous photo sharing

 

[Jayman17]

I think this was a clever way to fix your top and meet the needs of your intended use. Well done.

Jay

 

[Squashfest81]

Thanks Jayman.
Need to jump back on this. The top will get glued up tonight. The carcass and top is ready for finish. The drawers have been cleaned and the felt removed. Hardware is cleaned for gun blueing. New “color surprise” felt arrived the other day. Progress.

 

[ScottsGT]

Maybe use flocking for draw interiors instead of gluing in something like felt?
Nevermind, I see you already have new felt.

 

[Squashfest81]

Too late Scott.
Ready for finish.

 

[Squashfest81]

Got the Minwax Antique Oil on. I’m stoked!

honda accord 0 60

 

[BMWBOB]

Very cool!

 

[ScottsGT]

Looking good!

 

[Squashfest81]

Thanks Bob and Scott. It’s coming together.
Wanted a little more gloss so it got a coat of poly. That’s wet, so it’s not really that glossy.

 

[PugetDude]

Need an update with the finished product!

 

[nadogail]

When you consider that Machinists treated their tools like Jewelry, your repurposing of the Gerstner box is very appropriate.

 

[bubinga]

lt's looking good!

 

[Monza Harry]

I read a bunch of their site awhile back and there was a jewelry connection at Gerstner, I can't remember which came first the chicken or the egg [tool box, or jewelry] I checked back and I couldn't find that part of their history, too bad I found it quite interesting. I recall that the depression was a factor. Harry

 

[Squashfest81]

Puget, so here’s the update.
Christmas was coming, but the box took a back seat. That’s fine, her 12th birthday is only a few months away. Nope, we must get her a phone.
Well, here we are stalled, but seeing these comments has got me reinvigorated. I’m going to wrap this project up and just give it to her. Thanks garagejournal.

 

[Squashfest81]

I know you’ve all been waiting patiently.
The girl turns the big 13 this week. Sure, she needs a record player, like all the hipsters, but she can get a jewelry box too.
Hardware got gun blued and cleared. Felt will get cut later and assembly tomorrow.

 

[Squashfest81]

Thanks Puget. Got the felt cut, which I glued down to posterboard first to keep it stable. Went classic toolbox green, but minty-er.

welcome home poem

 

[captain14]

Nice work. Hope she keeps it in that shape!

 

[bonneyman]

I am by no means a wood guy but it looks great to me.

 

[Squashfest81]

Done!

 

[Squashfest81]

 

[Squashfest81]

son poems