Frequently Asked Questions
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Q.  Can I use pictures from the Gerstner website to sell my chest on an online auction site?

    A.  No. The pictures on the Gerstner website are copyrighted and may not be used without written permission from H. Gerstner & Sons. Usage of these photos without permission violates US copyright law and you may be subject to prosecution as allowable by law. Gerstner does not allow the usage of these photos for private party sales. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.  

Q.  I lost my key to my tool chest, what can I do?

A.  Keys for Gerstner Chests are $10.00 each, shipping and handling charges for the first key are an additional $10.00 - see our hardware page for more information.  You can find the key number for Tool Chest locks either on the face of the lock or on the side of the lock.  It will generally start with a KY and a number(s) or A50M and a number(s).  Bases, older chests and handbook drawers have the key number on the back of the lock and start with LL and some numbers or E and some numbers.   There are many other key series too numerous to mention.  We have most keys in stock, but some of the older keys  are no longer available.  Sometimes the keys we have don't work in your lock, this is because the lock on your chest has 20, 30, 40 or more years of daily use and the locks that we test our keys in do not.  If you purchase a key from us that does not work in your lock, contact us for more help.  If your chest or base is locked and you can not find a key number call us for assistance at 937-228-1662.  To place an order with a credit card call our order line at 800-888-5269 or send a check with the key number to:
                                                            H. Gerstner & Sons, Inc
                                                            20 Cincinnati St.
                                                            Dayton, OH 45402

Q.  There is a hand written number on the inside bottom of my chest.  What does the number mean?

A.  Every box we make has a control number on it.  The drawers and front lid of the box are hand fit for each box and then numbered with the box number.  This number is to help match up all of the parts to the chest after it has a finish put on it.

Q.  How can I identify the age of my tool chest?

A.  We offer a service** to determine the age of a chest.  To correctly identify the age of a Gerstner Chest we look at the construction and the hardware on the chest.  We research our records and original brochures to determine the time periods that certain hardware was used.  This helps us to identify the year or years that the different hardware for each chest was used.  There is a charge for this service, but if you choose to send in the necessary photos and information requested in our mailing, you will receive an Age of Chest frameable certificate that you (and in turn, your heirs) will appreciate having. The Age of Chest process will also identify the model number of your chest.  For more information and instructions on aging your chest, proceed to Age of Chest. Please Note - we cannot give estimates of the age of a chest over the phone - all the information required on the Age of Chest paperwork is necessary to determine any age of a Gerstner Chest. 
    
**Please also be very wary of others who tell you they can provide our dating service information for free or at a reduced cost. No other party is authorized by Gerstner to sell, or supply this information, and what we have seen available is inaccurate

The parties we have seen providing this information on various auction websites have been informed by Gerstner their information is incorrect, yet they still continue to charge for their inaccurate information. 

Anyone who claims to be authorized to provide this information is violating US Trademark Law and we would appreciate knowing who they are, or where you have seen the information.

If you question the authenticity of an item for sale on the internet as a genuine Gerstner product, please contact us with the website address and product location and we would be happy to tell you if it's a genuine Gerstner or not. In some cases we may also be able to tell you who originally manufactured the chest if it's not a Gerstner. Both of these services are provided free of charge.

 Q.  How can I tell if my chest is a Gerstner?

A.  There are three main areas to look for identifying marks.  First, look for the Gerstner name to be stamped on the catches or lock.  Second, look for a Gerstner name tag to be located on the face of the bottom drawer.  (Sometimes the tags have come off, but there will be an outline of where a tag used to be).  Finally, there will sometimes be a stamp on the inside of the bottom of the chest cavity.  To look for this stamp, one must remove the long drawers, extend the front lid and inspect the inside of the chest bottom.  If none of the above three are found and you still believe this chest to be a Gerstner, follow the Age of Chest guidelines.

Q.  I have an older model Gerstner Tool Chest.  What is the current value of the chest?

A.  Older model Gerstner Tool Chests are on the market at prices ranging from $50 to$750 or more.  As with any antique, the price is set by what someone is willing to sell an item for vs. what the other party is willing to pay. We are unable to give any specific values of chests due to fluctuating market prices on used chests.

Q.  Are there replacement parts available for older chests?

A.  Yes, we still have a limited stock on older parts.  The parts list that we have created has hand tracings of the replacement parts that are currently available.  The parts list is located on our hardware page. If you cannot find your particular part on our hardware page please call for assistance (937) 228-1662. Generally if it is not listed on our hardware list it is no longer available.

 Q.  Does Gerstner have a refinishing or restoration service?

A.  Yes, we have a refinishing and restoration service.  This service is for Gerstner Chests only.  We can not restore products that were not manufactured by us, due to different construction and materials used in making the products.  Refinishing and restoration services can meet or exceed the cost of a new chest.  When we refinish or restore a chest, we process them one at a time.  We have to completely strip a chest of all finish, hardware and felt before we can begin to repair and refinish the chest.  This process often takes longer to complete that it does to build chests in a production environment.  For more information please visit our Refinishing Information page.

Copyright © 2008
H. Gerstner & Sons, Inc. 
20 Gerstner Way
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 228-1662

Site designed by:  Scott Campbell
Last modified: January 10, 2008
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