Gerstner Tool/Memory Box

[Ole Joe Clark]

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

 

[Onomea]

That's lovely, Leon. And thanks for posting it! I love those old machinist chests. One of these days...

You have a blessed day, too.

 

[Salty RI]

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

 

[Kanewpadle]

I made a key for one of these a couple years ago. The customer was very concerned that I didn't scratch it. I don't blame him as it was the same condition as yours. He called it a Gentleman's tool box.

 

[les.b]

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

 

[Wrangler Rich]

OH, my! That puts my Kennedy to shame. That is awesome craftsmanship.

WR

 

[Maddog 521]

Wow that's nice, indeed.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Thanks for the kind words.

More photos added.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

More Photos 2

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

More photos 3

This is scary, it's like the whole world can see my heart and soul now.

Leon

 

[steveno]

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

 

[Onomea]

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?

 

[steveno]

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

 

[sceva]

Gerstner, great American made tool chests.

I bought mine ; Quartersawn oak in the largest size # 82 at the time in the mid 1980's $282 on sale and mow well over $1000 new. It served me thru-out my Quality Assurance career and has been passed on to my daughter, it now stores her treasures

 

[armorer951]

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

 

[GB]

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.

 

[ralph7]

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.

 

[joe44va]

Much classier than my Kennedy. You should visit ebay to see what they are selling for these days. Just amazing.

 

[bgrafsr]

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.

 

[ACORN]

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.