The Woodshop Shed

Gerstner Style Machinist's Chest

Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)


I wanted to purchase and restore a Gerstner style machinist's chest but used sticker shock caused me to rethink. As an alternative, I found plans and made this one. The plans were purchased online from The Woodsmith Shop. I bought the higher priced version which includes a set of drawings that runs 17 pages. Made from quartersawn white oak, the overall dimensions are 17 wide by 12-1/2 high by 8 deep. This version contains 7 drawers. The case bottom and sides are joined with box joints. The front and rear panels are made up of rails and stiles with raised panels. The lid is a frame joined by box joints with a rabbeted panel nailed on top of it.
When it came to the hardware I ran into a snag. The plans suggest MachinistChest.com as a source. Unfortunately, they are out of business. I was able to get most of the items from Rockler (hinges, latches and corner guards). The biggest problem was the drawer pulls. Five of the seven drawers are only 1-1/4 tall and all drawer fronts are only 3/8 thick. I could not find drawer pulls to match those specs. There is no space between the drawers and front panel so the pulls had to be flush. I ended up making custom wooden pulls. The exterior is finished with two coats of Sealcoat shellac and two coats of Waterlox satin finish. The drawers got three coats of aerosol shellac and three coats of Deft aerosol lacquer.
For now, this will hold small tools in my shop but I made it with my nearly 7-year-old grandson in mind. He has proven to be quite an artist. One day I will load this up with artist materials and pass it on to him.

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