Gerstner Tool/Memory Box

Ole Joe Clark

Ole Joe Clark

Absent Comrade
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
4,091
Reaction score
12,875
Location
Alabama
I am humbled that someone asked to see photos of my Gerstner tool box. I use it now to store a few tools and lots of memories in.
Purchased new in Birmingham, Alabama in the spring of 1965, for $65.00.
I have lots more photos, but don't want to bore you.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

OmBZMqO.jpg


wmI2Tc3.jpg


TO6YWzd.jpg


kQxMqtO.jpg
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I had a tool box just like it, I bought from one of the old machinist at work when he retired, loaded with all his tools. One of my BIL's was in training to be a machinits, when he finished he wanted a tool box like that, my wife talked me into giving it to him, I was always sorry I did, I never liked him he was a real jerk.[emoji46]

Sent from my LGL52VL using Tapatalk
 
Leon...thanks so much for sharing that marvelous tool chest with us. Fat chance that would bore anyone on this forum!!:) That is just the thing to lift our sprits!! Classic craftsmanship at its finest. I remember when I was at the Armorer's school at the S&W factory back in 1977...the instructors each had versions of the classic Gerstner tool chest. I've wanted one ever since...just can't seem to justify the expense. They are pretty pricy nowadays!!! Especially the made in the USA versions. They offer a foreign crafted version, which is pretty respectable, but even it is pricy!!

Edit... You still got a bargain...my inflation calculator tells me that $65 in 1965 is the equivalent of $529.43 in today's money. And I'll tell you, that chest today would be somewhere around $1,895.00!! (MSR for the "Journeyman Chest", which is similar to yours).

Best Regards, Les
 
Last edited:
it is good to see you have a copy of "Machinery Handbook". it might be better to turn the book with the open pages down as it will be easier to get the book out of the drawer.

the last handbook (# 26) I bought was $100 about 15 years ago or so. I found Handbook # 21 for $5 in a pawn shop a few years ago. I have no idea what a new one costs these days
 
Last edited:
Love the pix!

I have always wondered what that deep middle drawer is for. Please tell us about the Machinery Handbook. What's in it? How was/is it used? Who published it? Steveno's post implies that different versions were published or perhaps updates?
 
the different numbers were for updates , additions and subtractions of different topics. for instance my # 26 edition there isn't any pages of bar stock tolerances and they are still in the #21 edition. it is the "bible" for machinists with tolerances , formulas and about everything else you need to know as a machinist except how to run the machine. there is a large print version also if you have a hard time reading small print


Machinery's Handbook - Wikipedia


this a glimpse on thread

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3iLnPp-qI4[/ame]

it would be a lot easier to explain if you know a real machinist to look at theirs. there is a LOT of information in it
 
Last edited:
Thanks for sharing those great photos. I've wanted one of those ever since I laid eyes on the one John Contro used at the armorer's school. A perfect utility box for precision tools.....and also very beautiful.

Just checked their web site.....some of their cabinets are $1800.00 or more.....WOW
 
Last edited:
Quality shows! Be it tool chests, the tools that go in them or guns. Or for that matter anything that you buy that you think you will own for a long time! I always try to buy the best that I can afford. There were times in my life when all I could afford was the cheapest I could find. When I started work again in the construction trade, I started with cheap and upgraded as I could afford better. The cheap stuff became my "loaner tools". Still have a few that were actually returned!

Great looking chest! Wish I had one.
 
I was a machinist for about 10 years back in the 70's.
I had (still have) a 2 level Kennedy roll around that was very nice, but the few guys that had a Gerstner were the guys that usually really knew their stuff, old school tool and die guys.
Always coveted those boxes! Quality oozed from them. :)
 
Last edited:
I have one, but not a Gertsner, plus a two drawer metal chest.
My Buddy's Father was a machinist and he got the boxes and all his tools after his Dad passed away.
One day he asked me if i would like to have them and I replied "yes", but I want to pay you for them. He said "no way" as I always help him when I can.
They will go to my Son on my passing.
 
Hmmm. Gonna have to check. My Mom has my Pap's machinists chest. Judging from the pics here is smaller than the one shown. I don't know if my Pap was the original owner or what. He started working in US Steels Duquesne Works when he was about 14 and retired 49 years and 9 months later.
 
Bought my 7 drawer Kennedy from sears shortly after I got out of the navy.
Think I paid about 50 bucks for it back then. as it stands right now you cannot pick it up.
Micrometers, ground and unground tool bits.all sorts of hand measuring tools.
Has not moved from its present location in close to 20 years. I got the shock of my life
when I looked in a catalog and found out what the cost now. I keep it in my den because of the heat and
humidity in the garage. Gerstners were always like fine furniture I wanted one badly
bit the money just wasn't there. Thanks for sharing your Gerstener. Frank
 
Last edited:
Thanks for giving me a great early start to this day Leon. What a beautiful old box in fantastic condition! It was killing me to know what was in those drawers until I scrolled down and found out. Some well loved pocket knives, a few arrowheads, a flechette and S&W screwdriver, busted watchband. You sent me on a mission to see if I still had my copy of Machineries Handbook, but I think I gave it away in the great purge of '16. Thanks again for taking us all on a trip down your memory lane! Your secrets are safe with us.
 
I have the same model tool box as the OP. My mother bought it for Dad in the early 50's. It is in great shape but not quite as nice as Leon's. The machinist book is # 8. I keep some machinist tools and small guns and parts in it now. I have seen two for sale in the $1500 range several years ago.They were not in the condition that mine or the OP's are.
Walt
 
Last edited:
steveno said:
it is good to see you have a copy of "Machinery Handbook". it might be better to turn the book with the open pages down as it will be easier to get the book out of the drawer.

the last handbook (# 26) I bought was $100 about 15 years ago or so. I found Handbook # 21 for $5 in a pawn shop a few years ago. I have no idea what a new one costs these days
Click to expand...

The book has resided in the box like it is for over 50 years and it works for me. Besides the spine is better suited to handle the weight. It's a 17th edition.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
Onomea said:
Love the pix!

I have always wondered what that deep middle drawer is for. Please tell us about the Machinery Handbook. What's in it? How was/is it used? Who published it? Steveno's post implies that different versions were published or perhaps updates?
Click to expand...

The Machinery's Handbook has been published since 1914 by Industrial Press. The latest is the 30th, mine is the 17th edition, published in 1964. It covers numerous metal working subjects, from heat treating to threading, (which I used a lot) to drilling, milling, turning and almost any machining method that was used up until the time it was published. Lots of changes during the last 50 years in manufacturing.

Hope this helps.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
That's a treasure, Kenna! I don't think it's a Gerstner, but what a wonderful heirloom to have.

A guy on the Gerstner Forum posted an interesting video of his great grandfather's toolbox: YouTube Various memorabilia within, as well as his great grandfather's tools.

I'm sure someone on that forum could identify your grandfather's box for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
For Sale Model 19-3, 2.5" blue and Model 25-14, 3" nickel Snubbies
Replies
4
Views
2K
Marcruger
M
chief38
A few more pictures of vintage and antique tools I still own and occasionally use
Replies
8
Views
754
chief38
chief38
M
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn **SOLD** S&W 29-6 For Sale
Replies
3
Views
2K
norsemanhp
N
EricR
Model 36-1 Box w/ Everything but Gun
Replies
4
Views
838
cmansguns
cmansguns
DARE
Memories of Elmer
Replies
26
Views
3K
magnum0710
M

Latest posts

Back
Top