Gerstner Tool Chest

[David Woodruff]

I have two questions regarding Gerstner for those in the know.

1) What is the product difference between Gerstner USA and Gerstner International?

2) Is there a Gerstner collectors book with values available?

Thank For your input

[Anthony Diodati]

As far as I know, Gerstner International, is made over seas, and instead of say white oak, would be made out of red oak.
Here is one at sears, don't look bad for the price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959657000P
Tony

[David Woodruff]

As far as I know, Gerstner International, is made over seas, and instead of say white oak, would be made out of red oak.
Here is one at sears, don't look bad for the price.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959657000P
Tony

Thanks , I didn't know if the quality of construction was compromised or there was use of plywood or veneers. Gerstner USA uses all solid woods or did. I have not closely examined USA made chest's in 2 or 3 years.

[Dave Lehnert]

Looking at the web site I noticed the international line says "veenered plywood construction" did not notice that on the Gerstner made in Dayton Ohio.

[Anthony Diodati]

Looking at the web site I noticed the international line says "veenered plywood construction" did not notice that on the Gerstner made in Dayton Ohio.

where did it say "veenered plywood construction" at the sears site, or at the
Gerstner International site?
I did not see that at the sears site.
I thought the tops on the Ohio Gerstner's were veneer, but I could be wrong.
Tony

Here is the one from sears at the GI site. The GI 532
Better picture's. If you click on it, it will show you 3 other picture views.
Don't look too bad.
Does say
"This red oak chest is a classic American style chest constructed entirely in solid wood"
http://www.gerstner-international.com/STYLEgi-532.htm

[Dave Lehnert]

where did it say "veenered plywood construction" at the sears site, or at the
Gerstner International site?
I did not see that at the sears site.
I thought the tops on the Ohio Gerstner's were veneer, but I could be wrong.
Tony

Here is the one from sears at the GI site. The GI 532
Better picture's. If you click on it, it will show you 3 other picture views.
Don't look too bad.
Does say
"This red oak chest is a classic American style chest constructed entirely in solid wood"
http://www.gerstner-international.com/STYLEgi-532.htm

If you click on the features tab under the example you gave it says "American red oak and veenered plywood construction"

Under the features tab on their international boxes.



American red oak and veenered plywood construction with tongue and groove joinery insures strength and durability
Hardwood design provides protection from moisture
Brown felt-lined interior provides cushioning
Hand rubbed stain with lacquer finish
Polished chrome plated hardware and rubber bumper feet - non-marring
Padded leather top carrying handle for ease of portability

http://www.gerstner-international.com/STYLEgi-515.htm

[Steven DeMars]

I have an American made Gerstner Box & have looked at the "International" clones several times.

Buy a real American Made Gerstner or build one. There is a difference in quality, especially in the long run. The real thing will last generations. The clone will not.

Steve

[Ed Labadie]

Look at the wood....GI are riftsawn Red Oak, USA made ones are still QSWO.

Ed

[Bart Leetch]

http://www.afinia.com/Gerstner_Wood_Chest_Tool_Box_s/53.htm

http://www.gerstnerusa.com/excellence.htm

[David Woodruff]

Thanks for all your inputs, I have learned through these comments and additional research that the Gersterner International, GI, product should never be confused with the Gerstner USA Made chest. The wood is never QS, there is veneer, I hope not with particle board core, the cartons are stamped made in China, for Gerstner International. The US Mfg product is made in the Gerstner factory Dayton, Ohio. In my humble and occcasionally flawed opinion this type of marketing effort to generate revenue confuses the original customer base and tarnishes the equity in the Gerstner franchise. Why in hell does a fine company do this stuff, I am baffled. I am glad I asked this question in time to retract an ebay bid on a GI tool chest.

[Ed Labadie]

I would wager that Gerstner started the import line to provide a product for those that can't afford the "real thing" and to generate enough revenue to stay in business and keep building the USA made products.
Also betting Gerstner never thought they would have to market their products for storage of "trinkets & junk" instead of machinists tools.

Ed

[Steven DeMars]

I would wager that Gerstner started the import line to provide a product for those that can't afford the "real thing" and to generate enough revenue to stay in business and keep building the USA made products.
Also betting Gerstner never thought they would have to market their products for storage of "trinkets & junk" instead of machinists tools.

Ed

I spoke to GERSTNER a year ago about this. They said it was either this or disappear. I do think they have hurt themselves by not modernizing their Dayton facility to keep prices more competitive. They still do things the same way it was done 50 years ago. A CNC router could easily give them a helping hand and still maintain quality. Face it, there are not that many people that can justify / afford $750.00 plus for a trinket box . . .

Steve:)

[Dave Lehnert]

It would be my guess, and bet a good guess, they had to do the international line to stay competitive. Have to use the Gerstner name on that line also to get anyone to even consider them.
If I were going to look at the international line I would first give it a comparison to the Grizzly offerings first.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/23-Oak-6-Drawer-Chest/H7713

http://cdn2.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg288/h/h7713.jpg

[Tony Joyce]

The on site video doing a plant tour shows a CNC router being used to dado cases for drawer runners and dividers. Pretty interesting video.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=127641&d=1252624454

[David Woodruff]

It would be my guess, and bet a good guess, they had to do the international line to stay competitive. Have to use the Gerstner name on that line also to get anyone to even consider them.
If I were going to look at the international line I would first give it a comparison to the Grizzly offerings first.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/23-Oak-6-Drawer-Chest/H7713

http://cdn2.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg288/h/h7713.jpg
I have compared GI to Grizzly, still way ahead of Grizzly.

[Mike Davis NC]

Anybody calculated what it would cost you to build one for yourself? Even at $10 an hour labor it has to be outrageous.

[Ed Labadie]

Anybody calculated what it would cost you to build one for yourself? Even at $10 an hour labor it has to be outrageous.

If you had one for reference I don't think it would be very hard to make. Construction methods are fairly simple.

FWIW...all drawer bottoms are galvanized sheetmetal. If there is a machinery's handbook drawer, its bent from aluminum sheet stock with a wood drawer face.

Mine is from the late 50's. It was solid and required no repairs. I've got many hours in cleaning it up as the po was a team leader in a GM die build facility. It sat unused for years, collecting dirt, grime and paint spatter. The top required cleaning with pure Simple Green and a razor blade scraper. I didn't refinish, choosing to keep it's aged look. Where the finish did come off during cleaning, I applied a few coats of BLO to match the worn exterior.

FWIW, if you were an apprentice in this plant, the tinners would make you a rollaround box. When you "topped out" and became a Journeyman, you were then given a Gerstner machinists box. Not sure if this practice still exists as many simply took the Gerstner home and never used it at work.

Ed

[Myk Rian]

You want a quality tool box? Build one. I did.
http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad222/MykRian/Misc%20tools/100_3066s.jpg

[Anthony Diodati]

It would be my guess, and bet a good guess, they had to do the international line to stay competitive. Have to use the Gerstner name on that line also to get anyone to even consider them.
If I were going to look at the international line I would first give it a comparison to the Grizzly offerings first.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/23-Oak-6-Drawer-Chest/H7713

http://cdn2.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg288/h/h7713.jpg

"Features beautiful face veneer over stable center core construction"
Have to wonder what the "center core construction" is?
Don't look bad for the price though.

Here is the one I re did, Had to refinish it, as someone had started to strip it.
Also the front cover was blown apart and rotten, so had to make a new cover.
Used blond shellac toned with honey trans tint, and a few coats of wax.
Replaces some of the felt too.
Came out nice. Paid $100.00 about 10 years ago at Rogers flea market.
Tony

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget/Gr-R005S-1.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget/Gr-R003S.jpg

[David Woodruff]

With my questions of Gerstner USA vs Gerstner International, hereinafter referred to as GI. (I am trying to impress John Keeton). Anyway I bought a GIB 532 which is a riser/base for a GI 532 chest. Had to find out up close & personal the nature of the real differences. I have three Gerstner USA so I know the inherent quality of the Dayton product. The ordered item came today, so the inspection began.
Impressions: Externally a very good finish presents over rift sawn red oak. No quarter sawn here, no surprise. Drawer fronts are solid red oak, three sides from solid poplar or look to be. Bottom is plywood. Drawers are well machined, well fabricated, and well fitted. Also drawers are nicely finished inside & out, felt work is well done with a good quality felt, AKA, can't see thru it. Unlike Grizzly, drawers are full depth utilizing all space. Chest front is solid wood, key locked, hinged, pivots, and slides under bottom drawer, sliding on two objects glued to bottom to prevent scratching..Inside is well constructed for strength and rigidity. All woods whether solid or 9 layer veneers are 1/2" thick, front, back , sides, top, bottom, interior framing. Alll this was actually a nice surprise, then came the downer at least for me, the drawer glides were glued in place, plastic strips, no sign of fasteners. I predict these will fail much sooner than later. First few cold/warm cycles. If I were going to keep this base I would replace the plastic with hard maple strips, boiled in wax. The plastic was surely a surprise. To the plus, there was a nicely printed thick aluminum nameplate proudly stating GI. Close inspection realized many, 12 or so small glue repairs of veneer or joints, not quite mated. No such anomaly ever seen on the USA product. I could find no evidence that particle board or masonite type materials were used anywhere in the construction of this chest.
On balance and with a limited budget this is a great second best to the USA chest and I would find no shame in owning a GI chest; after I replaced the drawer runnners. Really , no joke, that would be a must. I have my standards and they are way offffffffff.

ps I now have an opinion on Gerstner International vs Grizzly. There is little to compare in my honest opinion. Grizzly is back in the pack. Take your grizzly $$, put a few more $$ with it and buy GI, there are some really good buys on ebay of the GI532/GIB532 chest/base combination $549.00 and free shipping. I have two Grizzly's, any one interested let me know. I make you deal.

[Mike Davis NC]

Have you checked to see if the plastic runners are screwed from the inside of the drawer?

[David Woodruff]

Have you checked to see if the plastic runners are screwed from the inside of the drawer?


The drawer sides are grooved and the plastic runnners are attached to the frame, I again looked closely, could see no evidence of mechanical fastening. There is one runner that looks poorly attached. Over the weekend I will access my chances of successful re-attachment and maybe take it off, if it is willing. I am curious as well if there something beyond liquid nails. Wish me luck

[David Woodruff]

Very, Very Nice Work

[David Woodruff]

If you had one for reference I don't think it would be very hard to make. Construction methods are fairly simple.

FWIW...all drawer bottoms are galvanized sheetmetal. If there is a machinery's handbook drawer, its bent from aluminum sheet stock with a wood drawer face.

Mine is from the late 50's. It was solid and required no repairs. I've got many hours in cleaning it up as the po was a team leader in a GM die build facility. It sat unused for years, collecting dirt, grime and paint spatter. The top required cleaning with pure Simple Green and a razor blade scraper. I didn't refinish, choosing to keep it's aged look. Where the finish did come off during cleaning, I applied a few coats of BLO to match the worn exterior.

FWIW, if you were an apprentice in this plant, the tinners would make you a rollaround box. When you "topped out" and became a Journeyman, you were then given a Gerstner machinists box. Not sure if this practice still exists as many simply took the Gerstner home and never used it at work.

Ed
I did not know all galvanized sheet metal was bent from aluminum sheet stock. Learn somethind odd every day. Just giving you a hard time

[Ed Labadie]

That one word...all...got me didn't it. ;)

I'll add, the machinerys handbook drawer has a wood back also. The aluminum is simply a large "U" shape.

Ed

[Thomas Delpizzo]

Grizzly's catalog also has larger chests and it state that they are GI's.

[David Woodruff]

Good Morning Ed, I had to have a little fun with that , hope no offense taken. You made two good points on Gerstner USA vs Intrnational: 1)Quarter Sawn vs Rift. You really realize the beauty of QS when side by side. 2) What was 2? I will have to look and send this first or will lose and I type to slow to type over.

[David Woodruff]

2) cont. The Marketing approach Ed suggested Gerstner is taking with the International line is very correct. These two products USA made vs China made for Gerstner; having now suffered a withering comparison to my well calibrated eye has found the International product in second place as expected but not that far back. With a few minor details lacking the GI product can still be proudly owned. In my opinion the extra $$ over the comprably sized Grizzly product is well worth it. More detail in an earlier post. As suggested earlier, I now, don't think the Gerstner franchise will suffer once the customer base understands this marketing effort and that thay can buy an almost USA type product for sustantially fewer$$.

[Dave Lehnert]

Anyone looking to make one in their shop. I made this one, as a gift,from a set of plans from Rockler many years ago. I remember it was an easy plan to follow.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=464&filter=plans

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/40519-01-500.jpg

[David Woodruff]

I meant to comment earlier on the possibility that the Chinese Manufacturer of Gerstner International Tool Chests is using the rift sawn technique for sawing of Red Oak. The comment is; it is highly unlikely that rift sawing is being used as it is the most wasteful sawing technique used and is very rarely used anymore, anywhere. Even more wasteful than quarter sawing. The sawing technique most likely used is thin kerf plain/ board sawing.

[Anthony Diodati]

Yeah makes sense they would not want to waste the wood.
Dave L. do you have pictures of the box you did?

Craigs list was "good to me" yesterday.
15 minuets from home I picked up 2, 26" machinist tool chests in pretty good shape for $200.00 for both.
Don't think the 1st one shown, is a Gerstner, but is still pretty nice.
I think the other one might be a a Gerstner I have to look at it better.
Few nicks here and there, but all in all pretty good shape.
I have to repair the rails of the front covers on both of them, but the wood is all there, won't have to make new one's , or make new rails for them.
Some of the felt should be replaced also, but it don't need all of the felt.
There are 2 screws in the 1st one looks like a name plate was there, but it looks like the name plate I got from the trophy shop in town for one of my other boxes ($40.00 craigs list find, I refinished it some)
will fit right into where the two screws are. He only charged me like $5.00 or $6.00 for the tag, (so much per letter) and he will do a "one off".
The $40.00 box is shown last.

I started writing this and then I went down and started working on them.
Had to fix a few of the drawers on the first one.
Started fixing the front panel, turns out the top AND bottom rail were split,
so I knocked them apart (thank God for hide glue) and fixed the splits, have to glue the panel back together tomorrow.
Then I picked up the case a little to move it and found the bottom rail of both sides (they are frame/panel too) had come away from the panel, so I had to fix that.
Turned out to be an invisible repair though.
I lightly sanded the few nicks and then wiped it down with mineral spirit's to clean it and blend the dirt into the sanded down nicks.
Thought about a quick coat or two of shellac, I still may, as it looks like all the hardware is removable so it will be easy. The drawer pulls unscrew, not riveted like some I have seen. I will be taking this one to work, so it don't have to be 100% perfect.
Don't see a name on this one, the front two latches say USA Excelsor Stamford Conn.
Don't know if that's just the lock co. or what.
Here are some pictures of the 1st one, I will write about the second one probably tomorrow, as I am getting tired.
I have some questions about the second one too.
BTY it (The 2nd. one) does say Gerstner and sons on the center latch. But it does not say Gerstner and sons on the bottom under the bottom drawer like some I have seen.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/UnknownChest13.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/UnknownChest2.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/UnknownChest3.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/UnknownChest4.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Unknownchest6.jpg

[Anthony Diodati]

Pictures pretty well tell it. Have not started working on this one yet.
My question if anyone knows is about holding the bottom of the front panel in.
I think there is supposed to be some type of plate there, but not sure.
See last pic.
Thanks, Tony

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner01.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner02.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner03.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner04.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner05.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc268/mrbreezeet1/Upload%20and%20forget%202/Gerstner06.jpg