Gerstner Tool Boxes

[gregsolds442]

I've seen many threads here relating to metal tool boxes here,ie:Craftsman, Snap-on and others,but what do most of you think of WOODEN tool booxes such as Gerstner? As a machinist, I LOVE the Gerstner line, which include the oak,walnut and cherry boxes! The wooden boxes resist moisture so that precision tools don'f rust. There are Gerstner U.S that are manufactured in Dayton, Ohio and Gerstner International that are made in China.There are also many older manufacturers of wooden tool boxes that are available used on EBAY and Craigslist.Plus they are truly beautiful. I've even seen where some women use them as jewelry boxes, (sacrilige!).

 

[Ric in Richmond]

I bought one off CL 3 hours away from home.

Looks like this:

THe machinist box with the Machineries Handbook still in it dated 1962. Along with a base that matches, but is not a Gerstner.

It was a tool and die makers box and had over $3500 of measuring tools in it that were still available new. Mitutoyo, Starrett, etc. All with cases too. Tons of mills, bits, etc.

$350.00

Didn't argue the price....packed it up and drive the 3 hours home.

It holds a special place in the garage and I wonder often what it created along with its prior owner.

 

[zuk123]

I like the old wooden boxes too. I never see them though, and in my shop, they would get destroyed by time and use.

I'd like to have one in the office though. I would put drawing supplies, and maybe some small electronic tools in it.

So many neat things in the world, so little time and space....


zuk

 

[ihredo4]

To me the Gerstner USA is the absolute top of the line tool box. But there is quite a difference in Precision Machinist Tools than Snap-On tools. If I could afford them that is all I would own.

 

[PA-Buckeye]

It was a tool and die makers box and had over $3500 of measuring tools in it that were still available new. Mitutoyo, Starrett, etc. All with cases too. Tons of mills, bits, etc.

$350.00

Didn't argue the price....packed it up and drive the 3 hours home.

Can't beat a deal like that! How fast did you drive away and did you leave peel-out marks in their driveway, lol?

I've got a wooden tool box I made when I worked at a modelmaking/prototyping shop. My boss had me make it when I started working there and I've made a couple of smaller ones since then. Not near Gerstner quality, but more than acceptable for my needs.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

Can't beat a deal like that! How fast did you drive away and did you leave peel-out marks in their driveway, lol?

I've got a wooden tool box I made when I worked at a modelmaking/prototyping shop. My boss had me make it when I started working there and I've made a couple of smaller ones since then. Not near Gerstner quality, but more than acceptable for my needs.

I drove down there based on just the box alone, knowing there were some tools as well.

I was very surprised at the rest of what was included. The gentleman who owned it was being transitioned to a nursing home and had dementia. Kids wanted nothing to do with the tools. They had been in his master bedroom closet since he retired.

The firm that was selling his things had been asking way more and had recently lowered the price. I just stumbled on it at the right time. Sort of fate I guess since I had just started playing with machine tools as a hobby.

It still had pictures of his kids and personal stuff in it. I emailed the guy who was selling his things and he never got back to me. I kept all his personal stuff together as a little tribute. Cool old cats eye marbles, some nice little knives (one little case knife that can't be over 3/4 of an inch long!!) and a hand cigarette rolling machine.

I knew I got a good deal, but it made me sad that the family, who arguably benefited from the mans life work, and that life's work came from THIS tool box and equipment. And they gave not a **** about it......

And it saddened me that all the knowledge that he ever possessed regarding these tools had evaporated into the fog with the dementia.

 

[Bob C]

heres a page with some boxes

http://www.grizzly.com/products/category/159090

 

[lwlobo]

I've managed to score 3 machinist chests over the years, but no wooden ones yet. A nice Gerstner USA for a good price is my Holy Grail of tool buys. I'd prefer this thread and all similar be closed and deleted so as not to inflame the competition.

BTW, the Gerstner International boxes are **** compared to the real thing.

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

...and I think it is great that someone like you, who cares a great deal about the tools and life treasures, is now in possession of it. I think the old dude would be happy. Enjoy!

 

[Vvmvbb]

Got these back in the '80s at a little shop in Waterbury CT. My wife wanted to get me the top for Christmas. Top was listed for $500 I think. Bottom was $300. Waterbury was dying then as the brass industry moved down south and they were knocking down the mills. I was there with my wife (she's a sweety) and the proprieter took a liking to us. He said 'you know, no one has looked at those in a long long time, I'll give you both the top and bottom for $300'. His shop is long gone now. I'll always treasure them. They are W-52 and WB-52 (Walnut). The good stuff goes in there (Mitutoyo, Starrett, etc.).

I got this Gerstner National from Sears on clearance in the '90s. It's very nicely made but all plywood construction - a cut under even the Gerstner International of today. I used this as my main box for years, and really like it. I'd by another one if I could find it.

As for using Gerstners for jewelry boxes, I bought this Gerstner on ebay for my wife a few years back when I saw they were discontinued. It's beautiful.

 

[rsanter]

As a woodworker I have wanted to build one of my own, but it's too far down on the list for now

Bob

 

[shephd]

I knew I got a good deal, but it made me sad that the family, who arguably benefited from the mans life work, and that life's work came from THIS tool box and equipment. And they gave not a **** about it......

I hear you on this, but let me propose another viewpoint. That might have been how the man wanted it, that he did what he did and his children were free to do what they wished.

I've loved tools for about 40 years, and before my father passed, he was trying to take care of getting rid of as many things as he could. I'm the one that took the tools, and I know I put more value into them than the old man ever did. Us kids, his family, mattered the most.

And it saddened me that all the knowledge that he ever possessed regarding these tools had evaporated into the fog with the dementia.

no argument

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Color match on the drawer could have been better, should have tested on scrap piece from the same board, Might still try to get it better if I find my other bottle of Trans Tint
dye, or may just call it good.
Color on front panel of the other one I showed came out better.
Here are a few pictures.
1st one is how it came from e bay

Here is the other one I did, and made the front panel. Someone had striped it before I got it.

One I have at work, Not a Gerstner.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Better Color Match On The 2nd Drawer Up From The Bottom. Dark Mission Brown Transtint Dye Mixed In The Shellac.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gerstner-To...1702243444325453028&pid=100009&prg=1004&rk=1&
Nice set on e bay, but 2 different kinds of woods, I'd like to have one of those base boxes in oak. Might have to try to build one.

 

[goodspeed]

I need a wooden tool box in my life. Primarily to hold my drafting stuff, but I need it.

I may just end up building one. I just can't justify the amount they bring.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah they get the bucks for them, unless you can find a "fixer upper" for around $100.00 or less.

 

[trainer]

I'm kicking around the idea of building my own this winter. My collection of woodworking tools need a home, so I'm trying to plan some sort of cross between a machinist's chest with drawers and a traditional tool till.

Harbour freight has one that looks interesting for $79 I'd like to see one up close though. http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

 

[Maexle]

i use one of the HF boxes as a "swing out small tools-box" not probably not Gerstner quality but for my needs excellent....

 

[mrbreezeet1]

There not bad, I've seen them in the store, Gerstner quality they are not, but there alright.
IMO too small for woodworking, OK to have on a stand for woodworking for all your smaller ,finer, rulers, squares,older stanley chisels,marking knives an the like.
You probably want something like this one I found on craigslist, sort of did a quick refinish.
Can't seem to find any pictures of it, I'll take some new ones.
Here is an attached pdf of a simple to make one, it is close to the one I got.
Batting 1000, it's too big, it's only 465kb, I don't know where else to host it. Send me your e mail if you want,I can try to e mail it.

here is one picture to give ya an Idea, I'll take some better.

I'm kicking around the idea of building my own this winter. My collection of woodworking tools need a home, so I'm trying to plan some sort of cross between a machinist's chest with drawers and a traditional tool till.

Harbour freight has one that looks interesting for $79 I'd like to see one up close though. http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

 

[ZRX61]

I had visitation with mine today at the storage place....

Here it is when I still had a garage....
https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/206771_1793831378339_2496735_n.jpg

& the 1920 (or earlier) Union I picked up a while back...
https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576034_3955895108581_501623619_n.jpg

& how it looked when I dragged it home...
https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/603747_3954791720997_1169622641_n.jpg