The making of a Gerstner tool box

[jmarkwolf]

Forgive me if this has been posted before.

 

[benmychree]

Pretty cheesy, the way that the hinges and latch for the top till are screwed on, not riveted, provides scant security, at leas for the tools stored on top. I hope the boxes made at the factory still have rivets.

 

[4ssss]

Interesting video. I'm sure that the factory made boxes are not made the way this video shows, as I once had the opportunity to tour a national cabinet company, and the cabinet boxes and the drawers that were glued were done in a press.

 

[T Bredehoft]

I recently purchased the hardware for my box for Gerstner, the hinges were riveted on.

 

[benmychree]

I bought mine in the late 1960s, cost $76! I thought the one in the video was odd with the center drawer made with wood sides, mine had metal sides for the Machinery's Handbook. I think the one in the video has altogether different joinery in the drawer corners, and it looks like Masonite for the drawer bottoms instead of galvanized sheet metal like mine. The one shown in the video has a bunch of differences in construction, and also the fronts of the drawers do not have the bead detail that the old ones have. Also, the old ones have a locking system that acts to lock the front panel when the top till is closed and locked.

 

[shell70634]

Thanks for posting. Over the years I've built 3 of them, 2 oak and 1 mahogany. They were alot of fun to make. I used spring loaded pins to lock the front panel when the lid was closed and box joints for the corners. That one looks easy to build. Makes me want to build another.

 

[ConValSam]

Hi shell

Can you kindly post some shots of what you built? Thinking about building a Gerstner clone and I am curious about the joinery you used and how sturdy and durable you found it.

Thanks

 

[john.oliver35]

The PBS Show 'A Craftsman's Legacy' did an episode on the Gerstner factory this year. Here is a link to the episode info, but don't know if the full video is available on line or not.

http://www.craftsmanslegacy.com/craftsmen/SEASON-4/Gerstner-Sons

 

[shell70634]

This is the last one I made about 1989 or so. I was wrong, 1 mahogany, 1 oak, 1 ash. The mahogany and oak were given away as gifts. This is the worst of the 3. I lost the front panel during the last move. As you can see, it's still being abused
,

 

[f350ca]

About a year ago I built two of these out of mahogany. One as a gift. Didn't opt for the front panel, knew it would never get closed or the top compartment, in my shop they just collect junk and never get closed.
Its stood up well in my filthy shop.


Greg