Old Union Tool Chest Restoration (second one)

[Davefr]

I found this old Union toolbox from a g-sale. I believe it's DD-14 from the teens. Oak cabinet was pretty solid, hardware was complete but rusty, leather handle was shot and the front door was missing.

Here it is as found and after the first phase which was removal of the old H/W, some minor repair to the cabinet, a bath with acetone/steel wool and fabrication of a new front door using quarter sawn oak.

I had some vintage half mortise locks but they were all for 3/4" doors. I had to machine the cylinders so they'd look better with 1/2" doors. I also had to make a working key from scratch.

 

[Davefr]

Phase two was restoring the leather wrapped handle which was rotten. Fortunately I found some how to online.

I actually had an old Gerstner handle so I decided to use it to practice making one for the Union box.

I wrapped the handle cores with shrink wrap to protect the inner wound paper core then wrapped the handle with leather that soaked in water overnight. After that I sewed the leather with a Speedy Stich which is anything but speedy. After the leather dried, I rubbed a little olive oil over it and then dyed it dark brown.

 

[Davefr]

I soaked all the old hardware in Evaporust and then polished it up as best I could. I lightly sanded the cabinet and then applied Transtint Analine dye to bring back some of the color and to match the new front door. For the final finish I used Sam Maloof's formula of equal parts Turpentine, BLO and Varnish (not Poly). I applied about 10 very light hand rubbed coats to get that close to the wood type of finish. The last step was applying a repro Union decal. I chose not to replace the felt. It wasn't perfect but I prefer to keep it original.

 

[Davefr]

Here she is complete and read to join her bigger brother.

 

[alinc100]

Nicely done. someday I hope to find the time to get back to mine. I'd also like to fume one with ammonia and then a wiping varnish like Waterlox to see what the color combination would be like. I've done other pieces that way. https://photos.app.goo.gl/SxNXFXCAn9sXVttS8

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Looks fantastic, Dave!

And I am going to steal the shrinking the leather with water trick/tip. I've hand-sewn my own replacements on a few steel carry box handles in the past year and couldn't get rid of all the ripples in the bend with pulling and stretching as I was sewing.

 

[RTM]

Very nice work Dave. Is the panel floating on your new front door?

I've read that soaking with shrink wrap on one of the two toolbox guy's sites (Terry or Ted). Sounds like a winner, nice to see it worked for a mortal.

I am working on a new lock too, for another chest.

 

[toolboxted]

That's a great restoration job. You guys amaze me with your expertise. Wish I could but.......toolboxted

 

[FJ 432]

Bravo Dave. What a great job. I wish I had your talent.

Based off how well you did the handle on your small chest, are you considering doing the same on the large one?

 

[Davefr]

Thanks for the comments!!

Very nice work Dave. Is the panel floating on your new front door?

The panel's bottom edge is tongue and groove and floats. That's why they are almost always missing.

Based off how well you did the handle on your small chest, are you considering doing the same on the large one?

Probably not. It's original and not deteriorated. I did apply some neatsfoot oil to buy it some time. Working with leather is a fun challenge though.

 

[RTM]

Probably should have clarified a bit what I meant.

Is the center panel, that looks slightly recessed between the rails and stiles, free to float as the wood expands and contracts with the seasons? Or is your weather stable enough you don’t need to worry about it?

 

[Davefr]

Probably should have clarified a bit what I meant.

Is the center panel, that looks slightly recessed between the rails and stiles, free to float as the wood expands and contracts with the seasons? Or is your weather stable enough you don’t need to worry about it?

The larger toolbox on the left has a raised panel insert that floats between rails and stiles. The one on right is glued solid w/tongue and groove. Both were reproduced as close as I could to original. I guess the factory didn't worry much about wood movement on the small box.

Here's an original version of the smaller box. I've never seen one with raised panel front.

 

[RTM]

Cool, good to know. I need to make one for another box.