Stanley 903 Wooden Tool Chest Restoration & Tool Search

[build4fun]

This is my first post about a wooden Stanley 903 tool chest that I came across. It looked pretty good on the inside, but had a lot of damage on the outside and it seemed like the owner might just throw it out. Since I thought that would be sad, I decided to restore the tool chest and go on a search for period correct tools to stock the tool chest. I hope to even use it for a few home projects over time. As there were no tools inside, I am sure this will be a long term project to collect all 17 tools. So far, I have restored the cracks in the case, repaired the box joints, removed the finished, applied a new finish that closely matches the original, and also redid the brass plating on the handle. Both latches work, but one has some damage, so might be looking for another along with the tools over time. I thought others that like vintage hand tools or historic Stanley tools would enjoy this project.

Tool Chest Restoration:

Replate Brass Hardware:

This is an old newspaper ad with the list of original tools. Feel free to let me know if you know where to find 1920s-1930s time era Stanley tools for the tool chest.

 

[Jack A.]

Fun project. The brass wire wheel was a new one for me.

 

[Wilsoncb]

My suggestion is to start looking at Estate sales. There are always plenty in the area you live and there are usually at least a few Stanley tools at many of them. If you’re not familiar estate sales, download the Estate Sales app. It will list the sales coming up in your area and have pictures. Unfortunately for old tools they usually throw a bunch in a box and you have to dig through them. But the hunt is half the fun!

 

[build4fun]

Fun project. The brass wire wheel was a new one for me.

Thanks for taking a look. The brass wire wheel worked surprisingly well.

 

[build4fun]

My suggestion is to start looking at Estate sales. There are always plenty in the area you live and there are usually at least a few Stanley tools at many of them. If you’re not familiar estate sales, download the Estate Sales app. It will list the sales coming up in your area and have pictures. Unfortunately for old tools they usually throw a bunch in a box and you have to dig through them. But the hunt is half the fun!

Thanks for the suggestion. This would probably be an inexpensive way to get the tools .... and maybe many other extra surprises.

 

[Mike Davis]

I'm sure I have a few of those tools, not in perfectly new condition, but serviceable/restorable.
I will look over the next week or so and see what I have then send you some photos through the NCWW message system.

 

[Mark Fogleman]

Nice job! After watching your video, this post in Antique Woodworking Hand Tools – Post and Boast on Facebook popped up. Stanley also made a #850 Journeyman's Tool Case with a tambour door.

 

[brianm]

Nice job! After watching your video, this post in Antique Woodworking Hand Tools – Post and Boast on Facebook popped up. Stanley also made a #850 Journeyman's Tool Case with a tambour door.
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That is a cool tool chest as well! I really like projects with tambour and it gives me an idea for a tool cabinet to mount on my wall

 

[Mike Davis]

I have 3 braces but not the one you need. Pretty sure I have a 220 block plane but I was looking for a 60 1/2 for some unknown reason. Have a drawer full of bits, screwdriver bits, etc.

I do have a 60 1/2 but it needs a major clean up. Free if anybody wants it, cleaning and sanding is awful boring to me now and it doesn't pay well.

 

[build4fun]

I have 3 braces but not the one you need. Pretty sure I have a 220 block plane but I was looking for a 60 1/2 for some unknown reason. Have a drawer full of bits, screwdriver bits, etc.

View attachment 241930


I do have a 60 1/2 but it needs a major clean up. Free if anybody wants it, cleaning and sanding is awful boring to me now and it doesn't pay well.

View attachment 241931

Thanks for looking around Mike! I found a 220 block plane on eBay and Etsy. Don't really have a big budget, so I think I am going to go slow and enjoy the process of finding the tools.

 

[Mike Davis]

Thanks for looking around Mike! I found a 220 block plane on eBay and Etsy. Don't really have a big budget, so I think I am going to go slow and enjoy the process of finding the tools.

Sorry I wasn’t clear. I was offering the 220 for free. Anyway, hope you find the rest of the tools.