Gerstner Tool Chest alternatives

[AlexK]

Guys is there any good alternatives to Gerstner Tool Chests?
I'd love to have a Gerstner chest like this:




but at $1000 it's a little too much for me.
My house is less than a mile from Pacific Ocean coast and I have a serious rust problem. That rules out steel tool boxes and cabinets. Steel boxes supposedly much worst for rust problem.
Wooden chests seems like the only choice for me. But the prices ...
Any advice is appreciated.

[squirrel]

If it was still made in the USA I would buy it for $1000. Since it is an import its only worth what the Harbor freight or Shars equivalent is priced at.

Another fine example of screwing America, USA quality price for an import product.

[JCHannum]

Gerstner makes two lines of tool chests. The original line is still made in the US. They have added an import line that is lower priced. They are not screwing the public, but are quite open in pointing out the difference in the two products.

http://www.gerstnerusa.com/

[EddyCurr]

I looked at an import 8 drawer wooden tool chest at Princess Auto (who
seem to sometimes offer items that are similar to those carried by the
likes of HF).

Based on this, I caution prospective purchasers of an import to inspect
it in person or be confident that the vendor honours a No Questions
returns policy if buying from a distance.

.

[Dr Stan]

If you are also a wood worker take a look at these:

http://www.americanfurnituredsgn.com...oduct_Code=277

http://www.americanfurnituredsgn.com...oduct_Code=237

http://www.u-bild.com/projects-indoor/788.htm

I'm certain there are many more plans available on the Net.

[PeteM]

My house is less than a mile from Pacific Ocean coast and I have a serious rust problem. That rules out steel tool boxes and cabinets. Steel boxes supposedly much worst for rust problem.
Wooden chests seems like the only choice for me. But the prices ...
Any advice is appreciated.

I'm fifty miles south of you, in clear sight of the Bay a mile away and frequently with a dense morning fog. I haven't had a bit of rust among a dozen metal Kennedy chests and a dozen more shallow drawer metal mechanics chests (better quality than Kennedy in most cases). Nor have the hundreds of precision tools in them rusted. The secret? They're housed in heated and/or dehumidified rooms.

The Gerstner chests are cool and I wouldn't dissuade you from buying them. But, if you're not right next to the ocean mist your metal chests shouldn't rust if they're properly housed.

For precision tools, I find a light coat of Boeshield T9 is useful. It's light enough that it doesn't gum up things and dry to the touch, while providing useful rust protection.

[Chester]

Have to agree with that (PAL) toolbox summary. You really want to see the quality first, on that one.

Want to make your own?? One source is here:

http://www.woodsmith.com/issues/183/

Found this "Beach" toolbox on Kijiji a while back............

[Bill Pace]

I've got a friend who got one of the HF chests - around $60ish? - and while is certainly isnt a Gerstner, it looked to be a pretty decent box for that price.

With HF's easy return/replace policy, on 2-3 occasions I went ahead and got an item - on a credit card - and took it home for a good check over or run and if not what I hoped, took it back....

[Black_Moons]

I got the princess auto box.. But I keep stuff like gluesticks, Recipicating blades in it, Die grinder burrs, 4 1/2" and 7" abrasive disks, wire wheels, etc etc...

I laugh to myself every time I see a wire wheel resting against its felt lined interiour. Heaven forbid the wire wheel get scratched! Or those abrasive stones!

[Arthur.Marks]

It may prove worthwhile to wait & see the pricing on these when they are available: http://southbendlathe.com/acc/machinists_chest.aspx