Not quite woodworking, but still neanderthal. Kinda

So this isn't a brand new acquisition, nor is it strictly woodworking, but it is hand tools. And it is in a wooden box.

Last year my favorite vendor at my favorite antique shop managed to find an antique machinist chest. From what I am able to research, I believe it was made in the 1918-1925 range. Not sure what kind of wood, but it still has the original decal and the 2 original keys. The case is constructed with finger joints and the drawers have some sort of drawer joint, but aren't dovetailed.
Most of the tools in here at LS Starter. A couple other brands too, the micrometer is a brownie and the one machinist rule is a goddell Pratt.

This thing is basically a time capsule. It looks like some old machinist locked it up decades ago until I blew the dust off it.

I haven't done anything to it except run over the tools with some 4 ought steel wool to get rid of the oh so slightly rusty finger prints, but most everything shined up nice. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures as much as I did discovering this treasure chest.
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A toy is a toy. Good find.

Bless it Jason, now I need to go and clean the drool off my keyboard:)

The wood is probably quartered white oak, with some kind of period Mission finish on it. It should clean up nicely with some rags dabbed in a little mineral spirits. There is a good chance the topcoat could be shellac, so don't use any alcohol.

Don't be in a hurry to get rid of any of the tools in it. Despite being "Machinist" tools, many of them are quite handy in woodworking, even Neanderthal woodworking.

LS Starter, autocorrect strikes again!!

No worries. I have zero intentions on breaking up the chest. I took some machining classes as part of my technical degree and have been known to to do some metal working, do these will come in handy wether woodworking or in the garage.

And auto correct strikes again. I thought these were supposed to be smart phones?

I was planning on leaving it as is as far as clean up. I want to preserve it. It lasted potentially a hundred years like this, should be ok for a while right?

That's a good score Jason. How about some closeups of the chest and drawer joinery?

Thanks,

Tom

A wonderful find.

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I was planning on leaving it as is as far as clean up. I want to preserve it. It lasted potentially a hundred years like this, should be ok for a while right?

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Cleaning can be left undone and possibly be revisited another time. Though the patina of the last century can never be returned once removed.

jtk

Jason,

Super neat find! Does the Nicholson files box still have files in it that are in great shape? If so, they are likely great files compared to what you can mostly find today.

Regards,

Stew

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Originally Posted by Stew Denton

Jason,

Super neat find! Does the Nicholson files box still have files in it that are in great shape? If so, they are likely great files compared to what you can mostly find today.

Regards,

Stew

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I wish it was full, but there a two files left in it that are in good shape

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Originally Posted by Tom Blank

That's a good score Jason. How about some closeups of the chest and drawer joinery?

Thanks,

Tom

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Here is a look at the joinery. Nothing super fancy.

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