can someone recommend a plan

[Pat Zabrocki]

I have some reclaimed wormy chestnut that I got quite a few years ago. I've been trying to figure out something to make from it and i think I've settled on a toolchest. I'm think something along the lines of Gerstner style chest or a Stanley 801. Shopnotes had a plan for the Stanley a while back. My biggest challenge is that the lumber is about 5/8ths thick. Most of the plans I see online call for thicker wood. so anyway your suggestions are much appreciated.
thanks
Pat

[C. in Indy]

Hi Pat!
It so happens I have rebuilt about 8 or 9 Gerstner chests for nephews of mine; I enjoyed them most when I had to fabricate new pieces for them. They typically have their solid-lumber pieces about 7/16" to 1/2" thick. And they also usually have a 1/4"-thick plywood rear veneered panel, along with about a 1/2"-thick plywood veneered lid-top. With all this, they still are noticeably heavy pieces, so I don't think lumber thicker than 5/8" would really be needed or even desirable.

I haven't gone out for from-scratch plans, but there might be some on www.machinistchest.com to look at.

Good luck!

Chris

[Pat Zabrocki]

C. in Indy said:

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Hi Pat!
It so happens I have rebuilt about 8 or 9 Gerstner chests for nephews of mine; I enjoyed them most when I had to fabricate new pieces for them. They typically have their solid-lumber pieces about 7/16" to 1/2" thick. And they also usually have a 1/4"-thick plywood rear veneered panel, along with about a 1/2"-thick plywood veneered lid-top. With all this, they still are noticeably heavy pieces, so I don't think lumber thicker than 5/8" would really be needed or even desirable.

I haven't gone out for from-scratch plans, but there might be some on www.machinistchest.com to look at.

Good luck!

Chris

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Thanks, Chris!!! that looks like just the ticket.
Pat

[Pat Zabrocki]

thanks again, Chris. As it turns out they don't appear to just supply plans. They have some expensive hardware kits that include plans and I might go that route, but I'd like to find just plans first if I can.
pat

[Pat Zabrocki]

the Veritas plan looks promising. I called and it uses 1/2 inch thick lumber. John Hetzel's plan looks good, too, but I don't know how think the lumber is. It says it is staying true to old time construction so I think it would be good. Has anyone made a machinist style chest and can you recommend these or any other plan?
thanks
Pat

[Boatman53]

Woodsmith did an issue with a chest/toolbox I'll find the issue this evening, if some one else doesn't turn it up first. I might have other options in my files also.
Jim

Found it; Woodsmith vol 31 No 183. Looks a lot like my Union chest. I can post photos later if necessary.
Jim

[Pat Zabrocki]

You're not just the boatman, you da man. I have that issue of woodsmith and must have missed that plan when i went through them last night. looks good
thanks
pat

[Boatman53]

You're welcome Pat, glad I could help.
Jim