H. Gerstner & Sons O42 Toolbox Rescue

[XterraJohn]

I picked this up on eBay. It looks like it has been sitting in about an inch of water for an extended period of time and the bottom fittings were almost completely rusted away. The plywood back and bottom were rotted and pulled off easily by hand.

Surprisingly the drawer felt seemed to be in decent condition.



Making the new bottom was tricky even with a commercial jig.



Veneering was hard and I think there still may be a couple of bubbles especially on the inside.



This was the kitchen table. I have a very understanding wife.







I spent a lot of time polishing with a Dremel and felt wheels and finished with Simichrome.



This was before I trimmed off the excess felt in the corners but you should get the idea.



 

[JackDiddly]

Wow! nice transformation. Great job breathing some new life into that beauty.

 

[woody 73]

Fantastic job very nice...

 

[neilreeveszz]

Very nice work. I wish that I had that kind of ambition because Lord knows I have a couple of Gerstner's that could use it.

 

[FJ 432]

Looks as good as new. Great work.

 

[bmwrd0]

Nice! I restored a Gerstner from the '80s a year or so ago, needed a new panel on the front cover, a new handbook drawer and the top wide drawer was warped. It may sound like a lot of work, but it was nothing compared to what you did. My hat is off to you!

And working in the dining room is a time-honored tradition. When I met my wife, I had a motorcycle disassembled there.