Peerless Tool Chest Restoration

[R_C]

Inspired by some of the awesome tool chest restorations on GJ, I wanted to give it a try. I didn't want to risk screwing up a Gerstner, so I found this Peerless chest on eBay for $60. From all of the pictures I've seen of other chests, I was sure there was hardwood under the red paint. It needed some TLC and would be a good project.



The front panel and bottom drawer were not original and that plastic laminate was an interesting choice.





According to toolboxted's Guide for 20th Century Wooden Machinist Tool Chests there isn't much information about this chest. But it may date to the 1920's or 1930's.



The drawers needed some serious attention too.

 

[R_C]

I got started by removing and soaking the hardware in Evapo-Rust.



Next, I cleaned them up on the wire wheel.



Finally, I polished on the buffing wheel and liked how they turned out.

 

[R_C]

Initial paint removal did reveal an oak chest.




But nearly a century of scratches and dings filled with red paint would take a lot of effort to make presentable again.

 

[R_C]

After removing the paint I found that attempting to sand was useless because of the original finish. I used a finish remover with 0000 steel wool to remove the finish then I could sand.




This picture shows the four small drawers with the original finish before removal and sanding.

 

[four.cycle]

The Peerless Level and Tool Company also manufactured.... levels!

 

[R_C]

The drawers required some re-gluing and one needed a new side.



I made a new bottom drawer using the same joinery. This is my first time working with oak. After selecting a few white oak boards I chose one with the closest grain match for the drawer face. But I'm not thrilled with the color. Without staining, I don't know if there is any way to get close to the patina of the original drawers.




I cleaned the original galvanized drawer bottoms, cut a new piece for the new drawer and applied new felt and knobs.

 

[lastill]

Oh woow Good job!

 

[R_C]

I had to make a new front panel. The few Peerless chest images I've been able to find don't include a raised panel. But I like that look on other chests I've seen so that's what I made. I found new clasps to match those on the side and added a new lock. The leather handle took a lot of work to clean up too.




And I made a new mirror frame.



It's been satisfying rescuing this neglected chest and ending up with a nice bit of history to put back to work.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Beautiful work, @R_C! The natural/blonde finish is not as common as what I am used to seeing, but it looks great.

 

[R_C]

Beautiful work, @R_C! The natural/blonde finish is not as common as what I am used to seeing, but it looks great.

Thanks. Since it's my first time working with oak and the color and grain are so nice looking, I just wanted to capture it without staining or darkening. I used Tung Oil Finish, which I've used on other projects with good results and it's easy to maintain.

 

[Beerhippie]

Beautiful--and well beyond my skill set!

I can't be sure without seeing some detail pictures of the grain, but it sure looks like the original wood is red oak.

 

[R_C]

Beautiful--and well beyond my skill set!

I can't be sure without seeing some detail pictures of the grain, but it sure looks like the original wood is red oak.

Thanks. The original could be red oak but I can't tell the difference. My limited reading on the subject of red vs. white oak showed it was less about color and the closed-grain pores of white oak made it more durable so that's what I chose. Probably should have bought some read oak too to compare both white and red to the original.

 

[Squashfest81]

That’s some fine craftsmanship. Especially liking the oak frame for the mirror.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks. The original could be red oak but I can't tell the difference. My limited reading on the subject of red vs. white oak showed it was less about color and the closed-grain pores of white oak made it more durable so that's what I chose. Probably should have bought some read oak too to compare both white and red to the original.

That's quite true. Hence its use in making wine barrels and ship planking.

Fun trivia: The vessels in red oak are so open you can take a vertical-grain stick, put one end in water, and blow bubbles through it.

However, I'm hoping you keep that beauty of a chest dry!

 

[R_C]

That’s some fine craftsmanship. Especially liking the oak frame for the mirror.

Thanks. The mirror frame was tricky. Gluing end grain joints isn't very strong but I managed to get a brad through the miter joints and that held up nicely.

 

[R_C]

That's quite true. Hence its use in making wine barrels and ship planking.

Fun trivia: The vessels in red oak are so open you can take a vertical-grain stick, put one end in water, and blow bubbles through it.

However, I'm hoping you keep that beauty of a chest dry!

Hah! I actually saw a video of a guy blowing bubbles through red oak when I was researching the difference. But this chest won't be going any where near water.

 

[1982fxr]

Wow!

 

[toolboxted]

You’re doing a beautiful job, especially from what it used to look like. The 1st year I could find when they were listed in directories as manufacturers of tool chests was 1940. Take a look at this site for more info on Peerless. Have a good one......Ted
https://sites.google.com/site/thegu...ests/pg-130-peerless-level-tool-co?authuser=0

 

[R_C]

You’re doing a beautiful job, especially from what it used to look like. The 1st year I could find when they were listed in directories as manufacturers of tool chests was 1940. Take a look at this site for more info on Peerless. Have a good one......Ted
https://sites.google.com/site/thegu...ests/pg-130-peerless-level-tool-co?authuser=0

Thanks Ted. Your Peerless page is where I got the 1920's or 1930's date estimate. Note that my chest has a 4/2 drawer configuration, which is not in your list. But my chest certainly has the unique front panel feature you described. Thanks for the info.

 

[toolboxted]

Hey R_C, I had never seen a 4/2 Peerless configuration before. Would you mind posting the w x h x d, outside of wood only, chest dimensions, +/- 1/16", for my records. Thanks much !

 

[Shelbylex]

Amazing rescue!!! You did a great job, R_C!!!

 

[bmwrd0]

Very nice!

 

[Motorman55]

I had to make a new front panel. The few Peerless chest images I've been able to find don't include a raised panel. But I like that look on other chests I've seen so that's what I made. I found new clasps to match those on the side and added a new lock. The leather handle took a lot of work to clean up too.




And I made a new mirror frame.



It's been satisfying rescuing this neglected chest and ending up with a nice bit of history to put back to work.

Great job and results!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Beautiful work!

 

[RoninB4]

-Looks great, nice work restoring it.

 

[lastill]

Oh woow, turned out absolutely fantastic!

 

[R_C]

Hey R_C, I had never seen a 4/2 Peerless configuration before. Would you mind posting the w x h x d, outside of wood only, chest dimensions, +/- 1/16", for my records. Thanks much !

Here are the chest's dimensions: 20 1/8" W x 13" H x 9 3/16" D

 

[R_C]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I owe my inspiration for this project to all of the fantastic work I've seen here on GJ.