We had a similar topic on MG to show off recent acquisitions for our shops. Figured I would start it back up here.
I don't make the rules as to what to post but mostly if you're happy about something and want to share...
Tried to post a pic but the file size limit prevented it.
You can always downsize your photos prior to trying to upload or attach. :smiley_typing:
Got this National machinist chest over the weekend. And it's full of Starrett. Didn't realize that Gerstner had a lower end "National" brand? I guess kinda like the story of Blue Point & Snap On.
That's not a Gerstner low grade label chest.
That is a true National brand tool chest. They were one of many that tried to make it out there making wooden tool chests.
https://groups.google.com/g/the-guide-old-wood--machinist-chest-forum
Ken is correct. There is a low end Gerstner but it is not named National. They were/are a company themselves.
"Billy G"
I never knew any of that! Over the last 6 months I have bought tons of low end, IE cheap bits and pieces and accessories, most obscure and less sought after than costlier high end stuff that are in line with my fun money budget (not much denaro) literally weekly several things are added to my machinist tool goodie pile. I would really like to share pictures of my new " treasures" but cannot because I am clueless on how to resize pictures. Measuring device acquisitions have centered on vernier choices for the most part since they are much less popular. The downside is the need of magnification lenses to see all those tiny lines! Anyone familiar with the name Stebar? I bought several of their products in recent months, one of which a simple Google search will not reveal. That device (I suspect a bit rare and unheard of and likely seen by few) is a clear piece of plastic with a built-in magnifier centered over the sleeve and thimble of a conventional mic to allow for easier reading of the mic. The device appears to have been designed for mics of the Starrett 436 series dimensions. To install for use the thimble and spindle are totally unscrewed and removed from the mic. The device is then slid over the sleeve and secures to the mic via a notch in the Stebar that nests on the frame of the mic which perfectly centers the magnifier over the graduated panel on the sleeve. Once installed the spindle and thimble are slid back in and reinstalled as normal. Magnification makes reading the graduations a breeze. The only downsides of the device are the added bulk to the spindle/sleeve part of the mic and the inability to store the mic in anything but the older designed slide top wooden boxes due to that added girth of the Stebar. I adapted readily to those downsides quickly due to the easier ability to read the mic the Stebar allows.
Bottom line, I wish I knew how to re-size pictures so that I could share this and countless other acquisitions made in recent months.
It looks like a How To article for resizing photos will be coming this weekend!
Quote from: 4GSR on Apr 24, 2024, 06:56 PMThat's not a Gerstner low grade label chest.
That is a true National brand tool chest. They were one of many that tried to make it out there making wooden tool chests.
https://groups.google.com/g/the-guide-old-wood--machinist-chest-forum
Sorry guys, silly me has no knowledge of the Gerstner history. The info/link below was my reference. It says the National line of lower end machinist tool chest was formed by Gerstner & Sons in 1921. Maybe that author is incorrect?
https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/pg-120-national-cabinet-co
It's been my understanding that National Tool Chests was a Gerstner company. Same as today they have the International line made in Asia. That's a far cry from the quality of a Gerstner... However the National Chests were good quality at a lesser price of the day..
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/c239/OldCarGuy_1955/BE31A036-D8EB-48BC-AE5A-827620A43A1A.jpeg)
That's interested. I did not realize that the old National Tool Chest Co. was a Gerstner company. Learn something new every day here! :drinking01:
Starting in the 1930's Sears offered the Dunlap hand tools and chests line as a lower cost in comparison to the Craftsman line..
The top left side chest is a picture of My father's Dunlap that he purchased in the mid 1930's and used for 45 years. Sadly my 2020 shop fire completely destroyed it along with the rest of the six boxes on that shelf... I replaced them with three Gerstner 2610
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/c239/OldCarGuy_1955/0F5C1548-DCFE-4E0A-A6DA-4FA142260F3E.jpeg)
My latest machine acquisition can be seen in this here Video:
Enjoy. There will be more detailed stuff about it as I go forwards - a couple of fixes, adding a DRO - that kind of thing. Hell, maybe I'll even make something with it eventually.
Looks like you had a close call or two getting it off the trailer.
Nice drop bed trailer. Don't think I've seen one like that. Did you buy or build it ?
Quote from: Piggiron on May 14, 2024, 05:21 PMLooks like you had a close call or two getting it off the trailer.
Nice drop bed trailer. Don't think I've seen one like that. Did you buy or build it ?
It looked a lot more tippy than was really the case. I have to admit that watching the vid when editing it yesterday I thought "holy crap it looks like it was on the verge of going over!" - but that definitely wasn't the case. Not how I'd recommend doing it for sure.
The trailer was a rental - got it from White Bear Lake rental in Mn - they have a couple of them. I had never known of these trailers before this - someone told me of their existence and sure enough when I searched, most local equipment rental places had at least one. Very handy pieces of equipment - makes moving this stuff a breeze - at least when the machine is load centered on the pallet properly it does. So I am super glad someone in the local machinist group pointed them out.
I had to Google them out of curiosity since not having ever seen one.
After seeing the price tag, now I understand why. $20,000 for a new one like you used !
Wow ! :smiley_mad: