Oak Machinist Case

[D_Mac 8,593]

Well I picked up another old machinist chest / case. This one has no label on it so I do not know the maker. I dosnt have a top lid that opens so they call this a case and not a chest. I am guessing it is from the 30's or 40's. Anyone with any knowledge of this , I am all ears. This one was full of stuff to make flies for fly fishing. It also came with this stand that I believe to be used to repair fishing rods. I bought it for the box not its contents. The last one I purchased was a Gerstner that was full of machinist tools. Cant be lucky all the time. This one I already cleaned and polished it. I will be getting some felt for it and relining the drawers. I will also replace the lock. Right now without the lock the front panel will not stay closed. I like these boxes, this is the 3rd oak one I have had. I have also refinished a couple old metal Kennedy boxes in the past. Anyone with any knowledge.. please pass it on. Thanks

[D_Mac 8,593]

Here is the Gertsner I picked up a while back. It was loaded with tools.

[formariz 11,987]

Quite possibly that one may be user made. Beautiful box the Gertsner.There are some interesting and unusual ones.I also like these boxes.

This one I found many years ago here in town in a long closed small factory.Clearly user made . Drawer bottoms made from metal sheets that were used to make the power actuated fasteners in the facility individual worked at here in town. I also bought it for the box. However it was totally loaded with all kinds of special tools. So much that in order to move box tools had to be removed. Box is unusually large for this type.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 11, 2021 by formariz

[Stormin 9,981]

4 hours ago, D_Mac said:

 

 

 

  I've two of those. Toolmakers cabinets we call them. One belonged to my late father. Made for him by a brother of my mother, sometime in the 1940s at a guess. He was a joiner/cabinet maker.

   The other is mine bought when serving my apprenticeship as a toolmaker about 1965.

[squonk 41,038]

I got a Gerstner about 10 years ago. No tools just loaded with shim stock. Really couldn't fit many of my tools in it so I sold it.

[midpack 862]

I bought a copycat Gerstner years ago. Think i spent $30 for it brand new. I added Gerstner metal parts to it and it was hard to tell the difference.

It's sitting in a closet full of machinist tools now.

Back in the day, you were required to have your own set of tools. Now companies dont want the responsiblity for care and calibration of someone elses tools

[formariz 11,987]

5 hours ago, squonk said:

I got a Gerstner about 10 years ago. No tools just loaded with shim stock. Really couldn't fit many of my tools in it so I sold it.

These boxes are usually not good for most trades. Drawers are too small along with box. They are really made with machinists in mind  to keep small precision tools. The one I have is about the largest I have seen at 30"x16"x9". However drawers are too small only being good for carving or measuring  tools.

[D_Mac 8,593]

Yes a lot of folks repurpose these to hold craft supplies or jewelry boxes. Like I said this one held stuff for fly fishing. When I see a good one I also try to get it. This morning I put new felt in it and also glued some loose joints. It is still in the clamps until tomorrow, then I will post some new photos of it complete.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,791]

I find these things just beautiful and very nice for my electronics work. Need to get another to actually put my machining stuff in.

[formariz 11,987]

I have great interest in these boxes and also other types of tool boxes such as old cabinetmaker's chests. They are some of the last artifacts from continuously disappearing trades. It is great to see people taking an interest in them and repurposing them for other tasks or to just admire their beauty and many times ingenuous clever ways  used to maximize storage and functionality. They tell the stories of people with pride in their craft and the tools used for it. The user made ones particularly are most interesting in how they were made and what materials were used, many times what was available at hand in the moment. Like workbenches they are as individual as the actual maker telling us a lot about such person. One has only to "read" them.

[squonk 41,038]

When I was selling mine, we had it on the table front and center at our flea market site at the Steam Pageant. Nobody bought it there but it drew in customers! 

[D_Mac 8,593]

Got it finished. Took the clamps off. Glue seems to be dry. Rubbed in some more Johnsons Paste Wax. New felt makes a huge improvement. Going to put it on my dresser in my bedroom. Keep my watches and pocket knives, loose change... etc in it.