I just finished a similar restoration of a WWII era Gerstner model 42. I also had to replace the top board of the front panel. Your video was an enormous help. Thanks.
That is the model I am currently ‘restoring’. It had taken a nasty fall and some of the joints had partially separated. I am on the felt now and this video is a huge help.
I've restored 2 Gerstner 042 tool chests and replaced the old felt with new Gerstner felt and hide glue. I just poured warm water into the drawers, enough to cover the felt and let sit for 10 minutes. Felt slides right off and no harm to the wood. You can find cheaper products for the new felt, but nothing is better than the original. And if you have to replace the new felt in the future, using anything other than hide glue will make you sorry for that decision.
I for the most part agree with you, However given the budget of the people I am repairing a chest for I use a stripable product used in the wallpaper industry that releases like hyde glue without the time material and labor involved with hyde glue. Its always about money it seems.
I've looked at Rocklers felt and it is good stuff but not the same. Gerstner felt contains sizing and is a bit heartier. And as Indiana has said, I would use horse glu....er I mean hide glue. Easier to work with and repair later on if you have to. But as with all things Gerstner it's expensive.
Not bad. Not bad at all. I just picked up a 7 drawer 41D Leatherette in rough shape I'm going to restore. I'm on the hunt for a front lid, and I'm thinking of stripping the leatherette and restoring the wood underneath instead. Thoughts?
Thanks Mike. The front lid is relatively easy to make depending on your skill set and equipment. I doubt you will ever find one that fits properly. I have used old 2x8s from floor joists to get a good grain that resembles old tool chests. The leatherette were considered a premium chest, my guess is the wood underneath might not be of the best appearance and might not even be oak. The leatherette was installed using hyde glue and can fail over time. If the majority of the covering is tight I would glue and repair it, then either paint or use shoe polish to bring back to life depending on its needs. Photos would be cool to see.
@@meanwhileinindiana8107 making my own is definitely in my wheelhouse and is on the docket but I will know more when I get eyes on it. I'm a semi retired old handle cranker and millwright by trade. I've worked with wood in the past and have always loved it. I just don't have the tooling for it but oh man my buddy does and says I can restore it in his shop. Wife is afraid I'll never come back!😉 There are pics-where do I send them? Gerstner can make one for you but that's expensive.
I just finished a similar restoration of a WWII era Gerstner model 42. I also had to replace the top board of the front panel. Your video was an enormous help. Thanks.
That is the model I am currently ‘restoring’. It had taken a nasty fall and some of the joints had partially separated. I am on the felt now and this video is a huge help.
I've restored 2 Gerstner 042 tool chests and replaced the old felt with new Gerstner felt and hide glue. I just poured warm water into the drawers, enough to cover the felt and let sit for 10 minutes. Felt slides right off and no harm to the wood. You can find cheaper products for the new felt, but nothing is better than the original. And if you have to replace the new felt in the future, using anything other than hide glue will make you sorry for that decision.
I for the most part agree with you, However given the budget of the people I am repairing a chest for I use a stripable product used in the wallpaper industry that releases like hyde glue without the time material and labor involved with hyde glue. Its always about money it seems.
GREAT Craftsmanship! How might we be able to reach out to you to have you consider doing a box of ours?
(Please)
Are you going to add felt? Rockler sells self adhesive felt that might work well.
I will, I have 4 to do. I will use traditional hyde glue.
I've looked at Rocklers felt and it is good stuff but not the same. Gerstner felt contains sizing and is a bit heartier. And as Indiana has said, I would use horse glu....er I mean hide glue. Easier to work with and repair later on if you have to. But as with all things Gerstner it's expensive.
Not bad. Not bad at all. I just picked up a 7 drawer 41D Leatherette in rough shape I'm going to restore. I'm on the hunt for a front lid, and I'm thinking of stripping the leatherette and restoring the wood underneath instead. Thoughts?
Thanks Mike. The front lid is relatively easy to make depending on your skill set and equipment. I doubt you will ever find one that fits properly. I have used old 2x8s from floor joists to get a good grain that resembles old tool chests. The leatherette were considered a premium chest, my guess is the wood underneath might not be of the best appearance and might not even be oak. The leatherette was installed using hyde glue and can fail over time. If the majority of the covering is tight I would glue and repair it, then either paint or use shoe polish to bring back to life depending on its needs. Photos would be cool to see.
@@meanwhileinindiana8107 making my own is definitely in my wheelhouse and is on the docket but I will know more when I get eyes on it. I'm a semi retired old handle cranker and millwright by trade. I've worked with wood in the past and have always loved it. I just don't have the tooling for it but oh man my buddy does and says I can restore it in his shop. Wife is afraid I'll never come back!😉
There are pics-where do I send them? Gerstner can make one for you but that's expensive.
@@machinistmikethetinkerer4827 My email is under "about" section. helpispossible@gmail.com Looking forward to pics!
Let me know if this link works. It's been giving me problems.
@@machinistmikethetinkerer4827 no link has appeared
What is the solution you use to clean it? I’ve got a similar toolbox I want to clean up.
It’s denatured alcohol.
Why didn't you take all the hardware off?
I don't like to take anything off that has split rivets. I dont have any to replace them with.
What part of indiana
North central, 1 hour south of South Bend.
I would have knocked that pot of water over at some point. 😜
mini flatbar
Flatbar