I just received a family heirloom, my mother’s tool chest from the 1930’s. Yes, my mother’s. She was the first woman to graduate from the Institute of Technology at the University of New Hampshire, with a degree in architecture. Her father was a building contractor and gave her this chest, fitted out with tools, as her graduation gift. (This background may explain why I subscribe to Fine Homebuilding, though I’ve never built a thing in my life. It’s in my genes to find construction interesting.)
OK, the reason I’m writing is I want ideas on the best way to care for this new acquisition. The chest itself is wooden, 37″ x 19″ x 18″ high, with three lift-out trays that slide on cleats inside the box and a lift-out tote box with fitted places for a couple of handsaws. The interior is unfinished and fairly clean, though dusty. It smells musty, having spent the last 60+ years in a variety of cellars. The outside still shows signs of the original green paint.
The tools were dispersed over the years (Dad built a cabinet with pegboard and kept them there, which really annoyed Mom), but when my sister packed the tool chest to ship to me, she included all the “old” hand tools she could find. It’s quite a miscellany.
I plan to keep the chest and tools in the house. I’d like to do something to the chest to smarten it up and preserve it. I wouldn’t dream of repainting it, but someone at an antique shop suggested tung oil. Over time (winter evenings?) I’d like to clean up the various tools.
Any suggestions about what I should (or should not) do with this treasure?
EllenVic
Replies
That would be an excellent idea. I'm not sure how to preserve the wood, but they should be displayed.
You'll get some really good ideas for this over at "Knots", the woodworking forum.
Preservation of the toolchest, and the cleaning and restoring of the tools are both subjects that have been covered many times in many ways over there.
That being said, what are the chances that we will get to see some pictures of the box and the tools ?
: )
Cut me some slack here
Quittin' Time
I notice there's a place for pictures...let me see what I can do. I took a series of pictures as I unpacked. Stand by.
EllenVic
Ellenvic
Don't put tung oil on it, you'll make a change to it that is not reversible. Paste wax it, totally reversible if you want to and the wax does protect the wood enough for display purposes. I use paste wax on antiques with old finish on them and does good job of protecting the wood.
For the tools find an antique tool dealer or collector and show him/her what you have and ask what to do to preserve them. Usually they will be glad to share the info.
Doug