Tool chest materials

[Mosey]

Oak, white or red or the numerous other varieties have been used successfully for tool storage for hundreds of years. The base model Gerstner chest is oak and is a classic choice with no problem of rust for fine tools, mine is 50 years old. I don't know what European oak is. I personally prefer quarter-sawn white oak for that lovely medulary-ray flaky grain, tawny color, and mellows-with age warmth. You might put some mothballs in your chest, which will gaurantee no rust.
Iron and steel fasteners for cabinets when you can use brass? Nails? Rust? Ugh. Maybe nickel-plated steel.
Mosey

 

[Omnimill]

There is a very nice book called "The Toolbox Book" which has some very nice examples of machinists chests in it. Almost none of them are made of Oak surprisingly! Ok, I found one in there, but the rest are made of Cherry, Maple and even Pecan. Lots of nice pictures for inspiration. Author is Jim Tolpin if you want to have a look.

 

[Mosey]

Thanks for the reference.
That is because in the old school, oak is a cruder material if you will, than the fruit woods, which are preferred for casework. Oak was traditionally used for doors, floors, stairs, etc., but rust? no.
Mosey

 

[Walsheng]

Gerstner & Sons have been making oak tool boxes for machinists for 106 years in the US. Maybe European oak is different than American white and red oak but absolutely no issue with American oak and rusting.

John

 

[kd0afk]

There is a very nice book called "The Toolbox Book" which has some very nice examples of machinists chests in it. Almost none of them are made of Oak surprisingly! Ok, I found one in there, but the rest are made of Cherry, Maple and even Pecan. Lots of nice pictures for inspiration. Author is Jim Tolpin if you want to have a look.

I used to own that book. Built a fine rolling tool chest for my woodworking tools before they were all stolen. Remember, putting your tools on wheels means that they can roll away.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Like others have said . American Machinists chests are commonly made from Oak . Gershner Union and probably some other brands as well as shop made ones.

I can not and will not deny the fact that oak contains tanic acid , tanic acid like any other acid is corrosive. But there are other factors to consider. for one the drawer bottoms of the chests I have seen are not oak. they may be sheet metal Masonite plywood etc.
also the drawers are lined with felt.

I cannot say tools in a wood box will not corrode. but in my experience any corrosion is minor not a little attention and oil will not deal with and no different from storing tools in a Kennedy tool chest. Except the wood looks soooo much nicer.
Tin

 

[Mosey]

Tin says it all!
Mosey:wall:

 

[Wizard69]

Machinery's Handbook in the ones I've seen.

Pretty amazing that toolbox design has evolved around a book.

 

[Wizard69]

For you casting fans out there, has anybody attempted to cast a set of drawers for a tool box? I know the thin walls would be a challenge and may be impossible in a home foundry for the larger drawers seen in tool boxes but the idea of a one piece cast aluminum drawer facinates me for some reason.

The idea would be to face the front and line the drawers just like one would do with wood. Seems like sand casting would be possible but a hard mold for a poured casting might give better results.

 

[kd0afk]

Just cast the drawers solid and machine out the cavity. Wood fronts of course but the drawers would be aluminum. You could even program in your tools so that they would fit perfectly. If a drawer isn't filled with tools the unfilled part would be solid and worked as you get new tools.

 

[Tin Falcon]

if casting was a feasible method of making a tool box it would have been done by now.
boxes are made from blow molded plastic great for production but not for home. gingerly publications has a book on making one out of aluminum sheet.

Tin

 

[kd0afk]

Wish I had a brake and a shear. I'm still on a specific mission right now and those tools aren't in the plan but as I think in the next few months I might get that three in one tool from grizzly. I mean if a person is good with a spot welder and sheet metal tools, there isn't any reason why they can't make a chest as good or better than a Kennedy. Am I right or is there something special about them?

if casting was a feasible method of making a tool box it would have been done by now.
boxes are made from blow molded plastic great for production but not for home. gingerly publications has a book on making one out of aluminum sheet.

Tin

 

[Wizard69]

Wish I had a brake and a shear. I'm still on a specific mission right now and those tools aren't in the plan but as I think in the next few months I might get that three in one tool from grizzly. I mean if a person is good with a spot welder and sheet metal tools, there isn't any reason why they can't make a chest as good or better than a Kennedy. Am I right or is there something special about them?

If you have the tools and the skill you can make a far better sheet metal tool box. The only thing special about the purchased ones is the slides or runners. Finding something suitable to replace them might take some effort.

There would also be some design effort involved to get everything to fit up nicely. A toolbox like a Kennedy probably isn't a beginners task.

 

[Wizard69]

Just cast the drawers solid and machine out the cavity. Wood fronts of course but the drawers would be aluminum. You could even program in your tools so that they would fit perfectly. If a drawer isn't filled with tools the unfilled part would be solid and worked as you get new tools.

That would work if I had a suitable mill. Right now I don't (which frustrates me significantly).

25 years or so ago I worked in the die cast industry so I have some idea of what can be archived that way. Manually poured Aluminum is another thing though. I've had guys say though that relatively thin walls are possible. Its an idea I will have to put to rest for awhile. The house needs a roof and similar things.

 

[robcas631]

I'd like to know if there is a poor mans way of creating boards from logs?

 

[aarggh]

I'd like to know if there is a poor mans way of creating boards from logs?

Difficult to get a good result unless you have some experience with cutting, drying and seasoning timbers. Done properly can take some time, it's a long haul effort. You need to cut out any heart, then cut according to the grain for the desired boards, seal the ends, and stack with spacers so it gets air flow, but dries slowly to stop checking. Doable, but you need to think a couple years ahead.

cheers, Ian

 

[rodw]

I'd like to know if there is a poor mans way of creating boards from logs?

Ages ago I saw a portable saw mill at a field days that did the cutting with a chainsaw. The saw was held in a jig that rolled along rails. Dunno if that gives you an idea to fab something up.

 

[Tin Falcon]

yes it is called a hand saw and hand plane the way it was done in years past and still done in third world counties.
Or research the old popular mechanics and make one.
or hit lots of yard sales My table saw cost me $25 cheaper than I could make one.
Tin

 

[rodw]

yes it is called a hand saw and hand plane the way it was done in years past and still done in third world counties.
Or research the old popular mechanics and make one.
or hit lots of yard sales My table saw cost me $25 cheaper than I could make one.
Tin

Googling "portable chainsaw sawmill plans" returns quite a few ideas. Some sawmills might do it for you if you ask nicely.

 

[hblair]

There are only a few pleasures in life better than building your own Gerstner style, quarter sawn White Oak took box. I've built several.
As far as tools rusting, NOT A PROBLEM. White oak when dried has about 2% moisture content. On top of that you are going to seal it with a oil finish.
If you are going to stool any tool in damp environment, such as a basement, I suggest that you invest in a good dehumidifier.