Question regarding Machinist Tool Box?

[CB350F]

I have been getting the bug for a Machinists Tool Box or Cabinet and was wondering what the diamond mirror on the inside lid is for. Asking for a friend...

Take care...CB

 

[LopezBart]

Helping dig chips out of your face, or cleaning off smudges so you don't look dirty at the lunch counter .

Why Gerstner and the knock off companies mount a mirror in the machinist tool chest. Mystery solved

Hi Have you ever wondered why there is a mirror mounted in side the really nice sought after Gerstner machinist tool chest and the not as nice knock offs (which I happen to own since I could not afford the real thing) ? HF describes it as a machinist safety mirror I am not sure where they...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[CB350F]

Thanks...that is sort of what I figured. Great info...

CB

 

[AEAdam]

There's a lot of tradition built into those boxes. What sort are you looking to get? I think they are very cool, and specifically awesome for what they were built for.

 

[RTM]

Getting metal chips out of your eye, cuz no safety glasses required back then.

 

[hailwood1965]

Sometime I think those boxes are more tradition than usefulness. Do I own two? Yes, yes I do.

 

[CGarage]

Had a friend order a custom built Gerstner in cherry which he uses as his wardrobe valet. It’s HUGE.

 

[AEAdam]

Getting metal chips out of your eye, cuz no safety glasses required back then.

Heard this so many times. I think it’s an old wives tale. (If we can still use that expression). I think Gerstner is correct. It’s for cleaning yourself up a bit before going home.

Remember, these guys were wearing shirts and ties and vests and jackets to work. They wore aprons to keep their clothes clean.

My grandfather was one of these guys. He was a proud man, always wore a hat, worked with his hands but dressed like a banker. That’s how it was then. I think he was born in 1895.

Contrast that with today. I have a desk job like a banker but dress like a roofer and drive a pick up truck that I never wash. My grandfather would be ashamed of me!

 

[RTM]

Heard this so many times. I think it’s an old wives tale.

Glad you caught the attempt at humor without me including a wink or smiley

Twenty plus years ago, one of my peers made that statement, in front of an old timer whose dad also wore the tie to work. His dad had heard that once, and told the guy to try it. The posture required to get to your eye was almost impossible. When I tried it once I was home, I almost had my nose in the glass, and trying to do that while bent over a tool chest on a roller chest would have been painful. I toss it out ever so often to see the responses.

 

[alfadan]

It sure as hell wasn't for putting lipstick on!

 

[AEAdam]

It sure as hell wasn't for putting lipstick on!

No, they sold similar tool chests in England. Thursday night is usually ladies’ night there.

 

[Dave455]

Had a friend order a custom built Gerstner in cherry which he uses as his wardrobe valet. It’s HUGE.

Style! I like this guy already!

I assume he keeps his very best engineers tools in his wardrobe!

Heard this so many times. I think it’s an old wives tale. (If we can still use that expression). I think Gerstner is correct. It’s for cleaning yourself up a bit before going home.

Remember, these guys were wearing shirts and ties and vests and jackets to work. They wore aprons to keep their clothes clean.

My grandfather was one of these guys. He was a proud man, always wore a hat, worked with his hands but dressed like a banker. That’s how it was then. I think he was born in 1895.

Contrast that with today. I have a desk job like a banker but dress like a roofer and drive a pick up truck that I never wash. My grandfather would be ashamed of me!

There is much in this. My Grandfathers Brother regularly assisted with projects in the house, but brushed his clothes and polished his shoes before returning home.

Amusingly, I bought some buffing compound a while back, and found an illustration on the back of the pack that shows you how to dress when using it..

No, they sold similar tool chests in England. Thursday night is usually ladies’ night there.

Sorry to disappoint, but British engineers tool chests are a different pattern. They don’t have an opening top compartment, so no mirror!

 

[CB350F]

Perhaps the fact that the mirror was set at 90 degrees, diamond shape, gave it a more "manly" look. Take care...thanks for all the comments.

CB

 

[1982fxr]

Had a friend order a custom built Gerstner in cherry which he uses as his wardrobe valet. It’s HUGE.

Pics!!

 

[CGarage]

Pics!!

I’ll see if I can get some. It’s cherry and it’s huge and screams “Americana”.

 

[AEAdam]

Had a friend order a custom built Gerstner in cherry which he uses as his wardrobe valet. It’s HUGE.

I’ve see mahogany Gerstners with Starrett logos and red felt that I thought were pretty slick.

 

[RTM]

I’ve see mahogany Gerstners with Starrett logos and red felt that I thought were pretty slick.

This poor soul on the far right fits that category. Buddy got it for $50 I think, one busted up drawer, but the rest just completely filthy. I need to check in, see how it looks a year later. I’m hguessing the same, but without the green tape?

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

It’s always amazed me how guys could keep their Gerstner boxes so clean in a shop. My Kennedy is absolutely covered in oil, cutting fluids, tap magic, coolant and all the micro swarf and chips floating around. Somehow guys avoid all that with their woodys.

 

[babyseal]

This poor soul on the far right fits that category. Buddy got it for $50 I think, one busted up drawer, but the rest just completely filthy. I need to check in, see how it looks a year later. I’m hguessing the same, but without the green tape?

Someone had an awesome day at the flea market.

 

[babyseal]

Heard this so many times. I think it’s an old wives tale. (If we can still use that expression). I think Gerstner is correct. It’s for cleaning yourself up a bit before going home.

Remember, these guys were wearing shirts and ties and vests and jackets to work. They wore aprons to keep their clothes clean.

My grandfather was one of these guys. He was a proud man, always wore a hat, worked with his hands but dressed like a banker. That’s how it was then. I think he was born in 1895.

Contrast that with today. I have a desk job like a banker but dress like a roofer and drive a pick up truck that I never wash. My grandfather would be ashamed of me!

Back when my Dad was a working mechanic, he wore a white shirt to work. Never so much as a smudge. While I, can't walk past a garage door without looking like I rolled on the floor.