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Gerstner Tool Chests

I like the idea of recessed finger pulls with the drop front. Knobs would need a larger gap for clearance and leave the drawers pushed further back into the box.

I went with the dimensions Gerstner did so I have short knobs. Wish you'd have said something sooner before I set my dividers and such ;)

I guess the time to change things is worth it for 1/4" deeper drawers.
 
Almost done. Still undecided on knobs or recessed round finger pulls
I like the look & feel of the "trumpet-shaped" knobs on my Gerstner:

20250124 Gerstner Knob.jpeg
 
I went with the dimensions Gerstner did so I have short knobs. Wish you'd have said something sooner before I set my dividers and such ;)

I guess the time to change things is worth it for 1/4" deeper drawers.
The time for changes is now. Nothing worse than wanting to change things after the wood has been cut. I would even go so far as to do a mock up drawer front and lay hands on both nobs and recessed pulls and see what feels right to you. Or go to Lee valley and start feeling all their different pulls. The amount of choices they have to choose from can be almost overwhelming. I have even taken drawer fronts into the store and held the options up to it to see what proportions looked the best.
 
The time for changes is now. Nothing worse than wanting to change things after the wood has been cut. I would even go so far as to do a mock up drawer front and lay hands on both nobs and recessed pulls and see what feels right to you. Or go to Lee valley and start feeling all their different pulls. The amount of choices they have to choose from can be almost overwhelming. I have even taken drawer fronts into the store and held the options up to it to see what proportions looked the best.
Lee Valley used to have a store right near my home. They closed it.

I wont make the drive to their other stores. Mail order only from them. I'll be making whatever knob, or pull I choose to go with. I often do mock ups so maybe.
 
I have one of those Windsor Design tool Chests from amazon, they're such cheap soft wood that they're prone to splitting, especially at the front track for the sliding front panel.

Gerstner has those fugly galvanized plates to reinforce the front edge but I hate the look. So I think I'll use faux ebony strip to reinforce the track. Stabilized maple is very dense and strong so no worries about longevity. It will look 100 times better

1737833574722.png
 
Gerstner has those fugly galvanized plates to reinforce the front edge but I hate the look. So I think I'll use faux ebony strip to reinforce the track. Stabilized maple is very dense and strong so no worries about longevity. It will look 100 times better

View attachment 58669
You mean these:

20250124 2613 Lid Slide Plate.jpeg


20250124 52A Lid Slide Plate.png

I really don't notice them, but the faux Ebony will be a nice accent, complementing the bottoms of the drawer fronts.
 
Not sure about the proportions... smaller wont fit fingers too well, thinner walls may not be as durable as I'd like, may need to be aluminum

1737846632531.png
 
@TorontoBuilder - how about dark hardwood pulls? Don't you already have some ebony on there? I'd suggest horizontal with a finger lip. Attached with black/brass/stainless SHCSs, or wood screws from inside.
 
@TorontoBuilder - how about dark hardwood pulls? Don't you already have some ebony on there? I'd suggest horizontal with a finger lip. Attached with black/brass/stainless SHCSs, or wood screws from inside.
that's what I've gone with and what is in the render.

however the hole in the middle is only just over 5/8" diameter when you include the lip. I think my fingers are fatter than that. I need to 3d print a test or two, or make the walls thinner and the pull slightly larger diameter.

I want to use wood. I just dont know how much I can push it.
 
that's what I've gone with and what is in the render.

Inset is nice but may not be doable for big hands and fat fingers. I meant a proud pull.

Screenshot_20250125_204958_DrawNote.jpg

Sorry my phone drawing skills suck!

It could be one piece milled, or just a round piece on two very short metal stands. The diameter and height depending on what you think you can grab onto.
 
Inset is nice but may not be doable for big hands and fat fingers. I meant a proud pull.

View attachment 58695

Sorry my phone drawing skills suck!

It could be one piece milled, or just a round piece on two very short metal stands. The diameter and height depending on what you think you can grab onto.

I have an idea. If my wood handles fail I have an option.

I can turn delrin much thinner on the lathe. I have a long length of 1.5" diameter delrin. It resists oil and grime. It looks great bead blasted and will look very similar to ebony.
 
the problem becomes how to affix delrin to the drawer fronts. I dont want to use a fastener

A back piece that screws into the back of the front? Or perhaps a 1/16 turn dog lock. It need not be thick. If the front of the pull extends into the inside of the drawer by 1/8 inch, there is room for dogs or threads.

If the board you cut the fronts from is wide enough, you could match the grain..... Insert evil grin here......
 
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