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Gerstner Tool Chests

TorontoBuilder

TorontoBuilder

Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas
Does anyone here own a Gerstner tool chest? preferably the pro series 26 x19 x 12, but if not a journeyman?

I'd like to get one dimension off of a the chests
 
MashingMetal said:
I can’t help you with your measurements, but are you making one? I have always wanted to.
Click to expand...
One?

When I heard my friend was going to use painted maple as mere baseboards I immediately decided to make three Pro series type tool chests and matching bases. We pulled one spectacular 2" x 8" x 12' curly maple specimen out of our pile to reserve for a special project... it would make great front panels.

I'd like more modern look though, so I'm thinking bleached maple, black felt drawer liners, matte black hardware, ebony drawer pulls, and drawer dividers



1737564992252.png




1737565200868.png
 
Would you happen to have drawings or sketches or even just dimensions for the one you made? Making a wood machinist tool box is on my list of projects probably in the spring or summer and am looking for different designs to give me a starting point on size. I have some really nice cherry I have been saving for this. You are really gong all out throwing in ebony. Are you worried about the black felt making the drawers seem dark inside or blending with the tools?
 
Megar arc 5040dd said:
Would you happen to have drawings or sketches or even just dimensions for the one you made? Making a wood machinist tool box is on my list of projects probably in the spring or summer and am looking for different designs to give me a starting point on size. I have some really nice cherry I have been saving for this. You are really gong all out throwing in ebony. Are you worried about the black felt making the drawers seem dark inside or blending with the tools?
Click to expand...

I'm really going to use an ebony substitute made from my own from maple, dye and cactus juice. My part for sustainability and cost effectiveness. I'm not going to use a lot on the chests, just a few accents will be sufficient. I'm also thinking of making my own because I'm going to use the same wood for field cameras I'm building.

The issue of plans is a huge pain, because the current plans on the market are not to my liking, and I believe gerstner actively pursues anyone trying to distribute plans that closely mimic the gerstner design. I thought at one time that they even sold plans for them but that was decades ago and they're long gone.

But like everything else I do, I almost always make my own plans which is what I'm currently doing. I'm going to make mine the same as the pro series 26" x 19" x 12 1/2" because that size works. I'm still deciding on the drawer allocation and sizing. This is why I'm curious to know the dimension of the top cross piece, and perhaps drawer front width.

I'm not worried that the drawer will be too dark with black felt because I'm only covering the bottom of the drawer, and the sides will be light. My box will be kept indoors in my small shop area which will have excellent lighting as well.
 
TorontoBuilder said:
One?

When I heard my friend was going to use painted maple as mere baseboards I immediately decided to make three Pro series type tool chests and matching bases. We pulled one spectacular 2" x 8" x 12' curly maple specimen out of our pile to reserve for a special project... it would make great front panels.

I'd like more modern look though, so I'm thinking bleached maple, black felt drawer liners, matte black hardware, ebony drawer pulls, and drawer dividers



View attachment 58461



View attachment 58462
Click to expand...

Definitely a great project from experience I don’t think you would be happy with the bleach/white look in 10 years of use, going to yellow for sure and look dirty. I would use a dye stain to enhance the grain . Did you get your hardware yet?
 
I noticed plans seem to be hard to come buy also. I have never seen one of these in person so I am finding it difficult to figure out a good size for the drawers. I am thinking of not doing the front panel that is common on them for closing them up. My reasoning is that it is for my shop at home and will never be closed up. Not only do I not need it then but it would also run the risk of the color not aging the same as the rest of the outside since when it is tucked away under the bottom drawer it isn't exposed to the world the same as the rest of the box is.

I think maple looks beautiful with a clear oil finish personally. I know this isn't a woodworking forum but I would love to see pictures of your build.
 
MashingMetal said:
Definitely a great project from experience I don’t think you would be happy with the bleach/white look in 10 years of use, going to yellow for sure and look dirty. I would use a dye stain to enhance the grain . Did you get your hardware yet?
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No I haven't sourced any hardware yet and I may likely make most of the hardware bits myself with the exception of the hinges
 
TorontoBuilder said:
Does anyone here own a Gerstner tool chest? preferably the pro series 26 x19 x 12, but if not a journeyman?

I'd like to get one dimension off of a the chests
Click to expand...
Like this:

20250122 2613 Walniut Gerstner Chest rfs.jpeg

This Walnut 2613 is a "Factory Second" (although I never found anything that wasn't perfect) that I purchased direct from Gerstner in '94 or '95 for less than $500. You're welcome to visis and get all the dimensions you like.

Guy Lautard notes (and reprinted with permission) in TMBR V1 an article in the December 1957 issue of Industrial Arts (now Industrial Education) magazine with a partial drawing of a Gerstner-style chest, and also "an excellent article on the same subject in the April 1983 issue of Popular Mechanics."
 
MashingMetal said:
Definitely a great project from experience I don’t think you would be happy with the bleach/white look in 10 years of use, going to yellow for sure and look dirty. I would use a dye stain to enhance the grain . Did you get your hardware yet?
Click to expand...
UV water based urethane
ChazzC said:
Like this:

View attachment 58478
This Walnut 2613 is a "Factory Second" (although I never found anything that wasn't perfect) that I purchased direct from Gerstner in '94 or '95 for less than $500. You're welcome to visis and get all the dimensions you like.

Guy Lautard notes (and reprinted with permission) in TMBR V1 an article in the December 1957 issue of Industrial Arts (now Industrial Education) magazine with a partial drawing of a Gerstner-style chest, and also "an excellent article on the same subject in the April 1983 issue of Popular Mechanics."
Click to expand...
Neither of those resources is available to me, and a trip to the US is not in my future.

If you'd be kind enough to confirm something for me I'd appreciate it though. I'd like to know the height of the open areas below the lowest drawer into which the front panel slides.

The newer Pro series is different from yours IIRC, they've made the first 3 lower full width drawers all the same height (1.25") whereas the older style like yours the first full width drawer is a little shorter.

I believe that the top front cross piece is 3 3/4" high as well...
 
TorontoBuilder said:
UV water based urethane

Neither of those resources is available to me, and a trip to the US is not in my future.

If you'd be kind enough to confirm something for me I'd appreciate it though. I'd like to know the height of the open areas below the lowest drawer into which the front panel slides.

The newer Pro series is different from yours IIRC, they've made the first 3 lower full width drawers all the same height (1.25") whereas the older style like yours the first full width drawer is a little shorter.

I believe that the top front cross piece is 3 3/4" high as well...
Click to expand...
Can you mark-up a copy of my photo? You can take your time because I’ll need two hands to get at the dimension below the lowest drawer (I’ve had the front panel out and it’s a pain to maneuver), and that’s probably another month before I can push/pull lift.
 
ChazzC said:
Can you mark-up a copy of my photo? You can take your time because I’ll need two hands to get at the dimension below the lowest drawer (I’ve had the front panel out and it’s a pain to maneuver), and that’s probably another month before I can push/pull lift.
Click to expand...
Oh chazz I dont need you to go to any effort that causes exertion.

How about if you can just take me photo that of the chest that is parallel to the chest and level as possible.

Only if it is convenient and easy for you. Thank you in any case.
 
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