Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | May 01, 2010 10:20pm | #1

   drawer components

   Mine measure 3/8" thick - front, sides and back.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | May 01, 2010 10:27pm | #2

   measurments

   Thanks Ralph.  May I ask, when you get a chance, what is the size of the dado in the sides of each drawer?  How deep and how wide?

   Appreciate it.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   roc | May 02, 2010 05:06am | #3

   Tool Box Specs

    The Tool Box Book By Jim Tolpin

   David Winter's tool box on page 41 has some dimensioned plans.  Box is similar to Gerstner that they show on p 37

   Good book if you haven't seen it.  I imagine you have.

   > dado in the sides of each drawer<

   Dado shown on this plan to be 3/8" for a drawer 2 3/8" x 9 1/8 x 25 1/8

   Smaller drawers also 3/8 runners

   Another great book showing Gerstner boxes with some history of the company but no dimensions is :

   Treasure Chests The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes by Lon Schleining

    

2. 
   RalphBarker | May 02, 2010 10:27am | #4

   dado dump

   Mine measure 1/4" wide by 3/16" deep.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | May 02, 2010 09:26pm | #5

   Thanks Ralph for the dado dimensions.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   JackFish | May 02, 2010 09:38pm | #6

   Gerstner question

   I started a similar project.  My father has an older Gerstner 42XL.  Drawer fronts were about 3/8, sides about 5/16.  Also, interesting to note that it used drawer lock joints for the fronts, and the drawer bottoms are made of sheet metal (flocked on the inside), and are located in a groove about 3/16 from the bottoms.  Most of the frame joins are just tongue and groove, but I think the bototms (at least on some older Gerstners) are done with finger joints.

   Otherwise, most of the dimensions (outside, drawer heights, etc.) are all on the Gerstner site.  Good luck!

1. 
   RalphBarker | May 02, 2010 11:15pm | #7

   vintage Gerstners

   Mine dates to the early '70s, and also has flocked metal drawer bottoms. They are certainly admirable for "production" tool chests, but not examples of intricate joinery that one might see in a hand-made chest.

2. 
   alanplanesaw | May 08, 2010 11:06am | #8

   Jack,

   Thanks for the descriptors of your dad's Gerstner.  I haven't decided how I will do all the joints, but the two people the boxes I am making will not have great appreciation for how the joints are done.  I'll probably do drawer lock joints as well.  They will greatly appreciate the boxes and that I made them, but they won't ooh and ahh over any particular details.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   RalphBarker | May 08, 2010 11:36am | #9

   The 1/8" BB ply should work fine. But, if you want to explore the sheet metal route, both Lowes and Handyman carry sheet metal in "project" sizes.

4. 
   roc | May 08, 2010 08:03pm | #10

   Sheet

   I would suggest going to a steel yard that sells retail to the public, the smaller the better, and have them sheer the sheet to final sizes for you.  It is quick for them to do and produces the best results.

   Be sure to debur the edges there, or get them to do it,  otherwise they are like handling big square  knives.

5. 
   489tad | May 10, 2010 11:22pm | #11

   My dad's is a 42(?) and dates back to the late 40's maybe early 50's.  Drawers all 3/8" with sheet metal bottoms.  Sheet metal bottoms are about 1/16" up from the drawer and are in a groove in the front and sides.  The sheet metal is nailed to the bottom of the back of the drawer.  The drawers are held together with locking joints.  Exterior of the box is black leather.  Its missing its mirror.  It still smells 40 plus years of a tool and die shop.  Love it!

   My grandfather's tool box was homemade.  Smaller than a 42 with no top lid.  All the drawers are joined with one dovetail per side. The drawers ride on hacksaw blades cut into the sides of the box.  When I used the box during my apprenticeship my dad could trace it back 60 years but did not know who his father got it from.  It could be 80 or more years old now.

   Dan

1. 
   roc | May 11, 2010 11:53am | #12

   Dan, any photos you could post ?
   Of either or both.

1. 
   489tad | May 11, 2010 06:23pm | #13

   Roc

   Haven't posted a picture yet, but I'll try.  My grandfathers box is on the east coast, maybe I can take a picture this summer.  I have my father's here.

   Dan