Question about Gerstner Tool boxes...

[bobemmerich]

They were clearing out an area at work and had some "junk" left over they were scrapping. In this "junk" was an older Gerstner tool box. I ended up taking it home. Its been used and slightly abused, but its in overall good shape. The question I have is, is there anywhere to get parts for these? Specifically, drawers. There's a couple missing. The box may be useless without them, but I couldn't see tossing it when other than the front "door" coming apart at the top seam, and the missing drawers, it's an awesome box.
I'll gets pics in a bit. I gotta get it out of my truck.

 

[CoryZ]

Gerstner is still around. I'd give them a ring. It looks like they sell a lot of replacement hardware and the like. http://www.gerstnerusa.com/

 

[Hammer1963]

Worse comes to worse, my bet is that one of the GJ members can fab some new drawers for you. These are great tool chest and should be saved for others to enjoy.

 

[bobemmerich]

Heres the pics...

 

[bobemmerich]

Yes. Thats why i saved it. Even beat up, it's a great piece! More pics...

 

[poprockcrusher]

Now they are imported

 

[ZRX61]

Now they are imported

Not all of them. The International line is imported.

 

[Packard V8]

Good box kharma. That box is worth bucks when you get it back together.

jack vines

 

[Stuart in MN]

I bookmarked this place a while back, they sell replacement hardware for machinist's chests: http://www.machinistchest.com/site/products.php They also restore and resell old chests, they may be able to help with drawers.

 

[Caleb T]

Very cool! Way to go saving that box from a junk heap.

 

[Lost Road]

awesome save!

 

[TheGrooveking]

That looks to be a Model 52 in Oak. Do the remaining drawers have detents/stops on them when you pull them out, or do they slide completely out?

TheGrooveking

 

[bobemmerich]

They slide completely out. Stuart, thanks for the link. I'll give it a shot.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

They do come up on Ebay beat up sometimes. Maybe you could make one from two?

Collectors want the numbers on the bottom of the drawers to match so value will be down, but it is still a great box.

I have a 1961 box with the original machinery's handbook. That is what the weird drawer in the center is for. Fits perfectly!

The original instructions on mine say to just clean it with a little gasoline! (those were the days weren't they??)

Gerstner will rebuild these for way more than it costs to buy a new one!!!

 

[bobemmerich]

I saw the rebuild price, and decided no. I actually don't need it, but it was just too cool to toss. I may make my own drawers, then wait for a beat up one on eBay and use those parts. I'm still not sure how I wanna go yet.

 

[RedVise]

See this link, the front panel on mine was repaired by the PO. I replace the nuts and bolts with brass hardware, I like it.

I would keep it, if you are not a woodworker, I would find a HS wood shop class kid to duplicate the drawers. (do they still have wood shop ?)

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64199


Brian L.

 

[bobemmerich]

yeah, I went out and bought some oak boards last night. I'm going to TRY to duplicate what's there. I used to be pretty good at woodworking when I was a kid,(stopped in my teens to mess with cars, beer and girls) so I'm not afraid to try. I'll probably use some cheap pine at first to get it right, then the oak. I really don't need the box for anything, so i'll probably end up selling it anyway. As said, it was just too cool to let it get tossed.
The bottom of the drawers underneath that are there have a very thin piece of sheet metal. Is it normal for a Gerstner? I've seen them (beyond my budget), but never took one apart.

 

[Phixer]

You sir, ****!
Nobody seems to throwing away toolboxes (Gerstner or otherwise) when I'm around!
Way to go foiling the efforts of the "throw-away society" people that are all around us. That box can become a great heirloom item to pass along in the family.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Do those drawers sort of have a bead on the bottom, or are they just flat?
I am working on a smaller one right now, and was working on the drawer front last night.
It has the bead on the bottom.
What I did was slightly round over the bottom of the drawer with a LA block plane and sand paper.
Then there is a line or like a thin kerf cut in the drawer about 1/4" up from the bottom.
For that I clamped a straight piece of wood as a guide and used about a 30" back saw I have to cut the line of kerf.
Think it will look pretty good when it is done.
My camera is at work or I would include a picture.

 

[bobemmerich]

Yes, they have the small bead on them. It's going to be difficult to replicate, especially since I'm no woodworker...lol. I stil have no clue whY I'm going to do with it, though....lol

 

[rlitman]

Just grind a scraper blade to the profile of the bead, and run it over the bottom edge a bunch of times. It's easier than it looks.

 

[bobemmerich]

cool. I'll have to give it a try.

 

[camarotoolman]

one like that is worth 3-400$ It worth fixing up. Also you can get felt at a fabric store, cut it and glue it in to reline the drawers.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Pictures of the front.

Do those drawers sort of have a bead on the bottom, or are they just flat?
I am working on a smaller one right now, and was working on the drawer front last night.
It has the bead on the bottom.
What I did was slightly round over the bottom of the drawer with a LA block plane and sand paper.
Then there is a line or like a thin kerf cut in the drawer about 1/4" up from the bottom.
For that I clamped a straight piece of wood as a guide and used about a 30" back saw I have to cut the line of kerf.
Think it will look pretty good when it is done.
My camera is at work or I would include a picture.

 

[bobemmerich]

WOW! That's pretty damn good.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Thanks Bob,

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Well got the drawer done, just need to stain it, (The Drawer) and refinish the whole box.
Took these with the New Fuji Film I got at Sears on BF for $50.00.
Takes nice pictures.
Photo Bucket links too,
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload and forget 2/DSCF00462.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload and forget 2/DSCF00422.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload and forget 2/DSCF00412.jpg

 

[camarotoolman]

Looks good, refinishing will take some of the value of the box. Me, I would finish the drawer to match the best I could and just give the rest a good cleaning.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

That is cleaned. Here it is before.
Cleaning wore the finish pretty thin.
A few light coats of shellac and some paste wax, it will look good.

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

 

[bobemmerich]

thats awesome work. Wish i could do it, but I've found my fine carpenrty skills arent that good. I still have no clue what I'm going to do with it.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Guess I'll call it good. Still have to finish cleaning and installing the latch's and the bottom corner pieces.
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.

 

[coolreed]

All Gerstner Tool Boxes are not imported. Only the Gerstner International is imported.
I have visted the factory in Dayton. They make a great product. But it is expensive. But they are heirlooms. Gerstner offers a kit now where you get all the components and build it yourself.
The Gerstner International Toolboxes are considerably cheaper. Assembled in China by Mexican Immigrants.

 

[Swan]

Nice find, box and restoration. Excellent use of the Harbor Freight sale flier too!