Gifted very old machinist's tool box

[Ole Anderson]

My neighbor and friend gave me an old machinist tool box she has been storing for over 30 years. I believe it was her grandfather's. Some items appear to predate 1900. I am thinking I will at least try to clean it up (White Oak). A fair number of Starrett, Brown & Sharpe and Lufkin measuring instruments as well as a few taps and a taper reamer. In addition I decided to repair and clean up the wood box a 0-3" Lufkin micrometer came in, also gifted to me 20 years ago by my BIL. I have limited use for most of the stuff in there, but I do find it interesting. Don't know if there is any value here.
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[Ole Anderson]

More pics: 401556401557401558401559401560

[John K Jordan]

Oh boy, that is a goldmine to some of us! (especially those with little machine shops) Maybe after you clean everything up show the neighbor - she might be thrilled to see a touch of her grandfather's legacy.

List any you can't use on classifieds here, clean or not. I would certainly go for the Starrett depth gauge! (and dies, any taps, calipers)

I've bought some similar old tools and while they are not usually not real expensive they are worth something to the right person.

JKJ

[Andrew Seemann]

The main problem with that tool box and the equipment in it is that it really doesn't fit the decor your shop. Now if it was in my shop it would work much better:)

I actually drooled a little bit looking at those pics.

Other than a little extra patina on one of the surface gauges, everything looked in really good condition. The monetary value probably isn't that great. It's all good user stuff, but not at all uncommon. The woodworking equivalent would be common Stanley/Sargent/Millers Falls smoothing, jack, and block planes in good condition. Great as users, but not historic or collectable. That said, someone will want them.

Alternatively, consider hanging on to it for a while. Machinist tools like that are more useful in woodworking than you might expect.

[Jim Koepke]

Alternatively, consider hanging on to it for a while. Machinist tools like that are more useful in woodworking than you might expect.

+1 on this.

My odd accumulation of taps and dies has come in rather handy at times.

An angle gauge is helpful in marking out a precise for setting bevel gauges.

Even micrometers are handy at times.

jtk

[Bruce Page]

It looks like a very old Gerstner tool box. They were the Cadillac of machinist tool boxes. I wanted one badly when I got into the trade but could only afford a Kennedy, which I still have today.

[Robert LaPlaca]

Ole, I was fortunate enough to be given my late fathers machinist tool chest by my mom. My dad was a master tool and die maker, dads tool chest was a Gerstner (make of white Oak) like yours, dads chest was cram jammed with all kinds of tools used by the trade, many of the tools, I have not a clue as to there purpose. I use as many of dads tools as I can when woodworking.

As one could imagine, dads tool chest has great sentimental value.

[Frederick Skelly]

Ole, you are a lucky dog! That sure looks like a Gerstner box.

[Ron Citerone]

Very nice box and cool machinist tools too! Enjoy!

[Myk Rian]

My neighbor and friend gave me an old machinist tool box she has been storing for over 30 years. I believe it was her grandfather's. Some items appear to predate 1900. I am thinking I will at least try to clean it up (White Oak). A fair number of Starrett, Brown & Sharpe and Lufkin measuring instruments as well as a few taps and a taper reamer.
I spent 20+ years at Ford repairing tools like yours. That's a very nice assortment.

[Tony Zona]

Ole,

Don’t clean the box. Just leave it, and look at it. Cleaning it would probably decrease the desirability.

[William Adams]

Gerstner has a program for refurbishing boxes --- agree that you should be careful of the patina.

[Ronald Blue]

Nice collection. Is the outside micrometer set Lufkin? Look at the hasps to see if they have Gerstner stamped on them. Also check the drawers all over. If it's a Gerstner it should be marked somewhere.

[Ole Anderson]

Well, I had already scraped the lid top to see what was underneath the grime. The box smelled like an old tractor it had so much machine shop oil from hand prints all over it, so there was no going back. I did go to the Gerstner web site and found all of the replacement parts they carry. Just felt is $50. Stain $25. Handle $50. Hmm, just like owning an old Jeep, Just Empty Every Pocket. And they have an owner's forum with lots of tips on refurbishing them. Look as I might, so far I cannot find any hard evidence by way of labels or stamps that is actually is a Gerstner, sure looks like it though. They started in business in 1906, and talking to my friend, her grandfather likely would have gotten it before 1920. Looked on fleabay and even the B&S thread mic would not even fetch $25, so I might just put everything I don't need up in one lot at some point. Probably just keep the combination squares. Stuff in there I don't even know what it is, like a hollow wood dowel full of pointed knitting needle-like rods. Good news is that my friend thinks she may still have the missing front panel in her garage.
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[John K Jordan]

...Stuff in there I don't even know what it is, like a hollow wood dowel full of pointed knitting needle-like rods.

That's interesting, didn't see it in the pictures.
Some hints might help identify:
- length?
- diameter?
- material, Steel or unknown?
- Long or short taper?
- Pointed on just one end, needle sharp or rounded/worn?
- Ground or polished points?

JKJ

[Brian W Smith]

Those surface gages,bttm right photo.....

Are the bees knees for setting up machines. From TS's....shapers.... jointers.... you name it. Clean them up and do some online research on their usage,might surprise you how dang efficient they are.

[Mel Fulks]

I think they are for drilling. They work ok for soft wood.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Awesome! You have a Starrett 6" hook rule in pick #7, mine is my absolute favorite woodworking rule. I keep it close for nearly every project.

I'm not sure it's Gerstner, some features don't look right, could be Lufkin or one of the others. It's older than the Gerstner I use, so possibly it is just an old one. Look for the name on the hardware for Gerstner. There is usually a name plate that makes ID easier but not always. Knowing the manufacturer will help you figure out the history. Fun stuff!

[Ronald Blue]

Awesome! You have a Starrett 6" hook rule in pick #7, mine is my absolute favorite woodworking rule. I keep it close for nearly every project.

I'm not sure it's Gerstner, some features don't look right, could be Lufkin or one of the others. It's older than the Gerstner I use, so possibly it is just an old one. Look for the name on the hardware for Gerstner. There is usually a name plate that makes ID easier but not always. Knowing the manufacturer will help you figure out the history. Fun stuff!

I'm with you Steve. Even when googling for old Gerstner's I never found any that didn't have the flip down hasp in the lock assembly. Of course it might predate that feature.

[Ole Anderson]

Speaking to my friend yesterday, her grandfather was a tool and die maker born about 1884 and worked at Cadillac likely early 20th century, say 1910-1925. Gerstner was founded 1906, do if it is a Gerstner, it obviously doesn't predate that. It could be a very old copycat. I am waiting to be accepted into the Gerstner forum where I will likely get more information to confirm or deny authenticity.

[Ole Anderson]

Additional information from the folks on the Gerstner forum pointed me to information confirming it is a Pilliod Model 50 chest built in the time period 1920-1924. A copy of the popular Gerstner O41.

[Frederick Skelly]

Still very cool to have!

[Ole Anderson]

I removed all the hardware, cleaned up the chest, sanded it, stained it and applied four coats of wipe-on poly. Buffed out all of the brass as best I could. All the screws were in pretty bad shape so I bought new slotted brass wood screws off the internet as well as a new handle and split rivets directly from Gerstner. Removed all of the felt, haven't yet cut and glued the new felt I got for a few dollars from Joanne Fabrics. Still waiting for a chance to go to my neighbor's garage and look for the front panel. I do have it all reassembled and it is looking pretty sweet. When I get back from being a snowbird, I will post a few pics.

[Ole Anderson]

Here are a few pics with the chest refinished, Along with the before version.406965 406962406967

[Bruce Page]

Wow! That turned out very nice.

[Frederick Skelly]

Wow! That turned out very nice.

It sure did! Nice work Sir!

[Steve Rozmiarek]

That's beautiful!

[Jim Koepke]

+1 on That's beautiful!

jtk