Cedar box?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

OK I have a question for you that was asked of me by Charlotte Gibbs ...she bought a medium size cedar chest to put Curtis' carving tools in, had a lock and she thought they would be safer, however when she got it home, a note inside said not to store metal, plastics etc inside! I told her my first guess was that the metal might stain the cedar, then I thought the acidity in the cedar might pit the knives....but guessing.....anyone know the answer? thanks Dave

[BobD]

I've read that cedar is corrosive to metal...I wouldn't store them in there. Oak is also hard on metal! My dad made a chisel rack out of oak, and there was rust on the chisels wihin a month!

Bob

[Hugh]

Not sure if this will help, just a thought. When storing guns, or tools, it seems to help to put in the small bags of silica. Hope its spelled right .

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I just found out Charlotte said the tools are in small wooden boxes that will go into the cedar box...I had thought of the silica bags, but I had a silica bag in the top of my tool box next to a piece of wood and it turned the wood a chalky color? I wonder about the note saying plastic too? have no idea what cedar could do to plastic or vice versa?

[kaiserb]

http://www.baldwinfurniture.com/htm/...s_penofin2.htm

Cedar, Redwood and Mahogany contain a very corrosive acid called "Tannic acid". This acid is the reason why bacteria don't attack and decompose the wood. It doesn't taste good. This acid is water soluble. When water is introduced the acid dissolves into the water, then it rises to the surface. When the water dries, this tannic acid is left sitting on the surface of the wood. It is like a coffee stain. Every time the wood gets wet it adds another layer of tannic acid to the surface. Pretty soon you can't see the grain anymore and your furniture is getting darker and darker.

[Ashbys]

There is one additional option, Journeymen's tool boxes when they finish their apprenticeship are usally a gift given upon completion of the apprenticship. These boxes are usally oak with wool felt liners. The wool felt acts as a moisture collector and wicks the moisture away from the tools.
I have some tools which have been stored in these type boxes since 1920-30's without rusting.
She could line the box with wool felt and it should give the protection she is looking for. Do not use the poly felt, although it doesn't shrink , it also does not act like the wool felt in wicking away moisture.

Ash

[Ron Davidson]

I would not store the carving tools in a cedar chest. I have a lane cedar chest and they tell me not to put anything like paper ,metal or plastic inside for storage. I think for the main reason is the Tanic acid content plus they are made to be somewhat airtight, with the two combined with a small amount of moisture could lead to disaster. My pick would be like someone mentioned the oak chest lined with felt. But this just my opinion.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Charlotte, it sounds like you might be better off with a basswood box or maybe a poplar ? Save the cedar for something else...not sure what if you can't put plastic, metal or paper??

[Ron Davidson]

As far as I know the plastic I don't understand either. The paper they say will yellow inside a cedar chest and metal could rust depending on humidity I suppose I am just going by what the manufacturer said.

[wade clark]

I love the machinists chests, especially the classic old Gerstners, but their drawers aren't deep enough front to back to hold my chisels and gouges.
Sam's has an OUTRAGEOUS tool box! The drawers, about 12 of them, are about 20" deep! It's 42" wide, if memory serves me right. It's about 6' tall, all stainless steel. It's spendy, but it's perfect! About $700. Craftsman doesn't have anything that compares, especially the depth. It fits all my gouges and chisels and every other hand carving tool I own.
There is a great Antique Map Chest on ebay at $69 ending in 1 1/2 hours that would be a wonderful box for carving tools.
Another great option is Architect's or Surveyer's chart/map chests, if you can find them. I got a great set of them from a surveyer moving their office and going all new. They typically sell for about $50 to $100 per drawer, and artists grab them up for art supplies. Some are metal, some wood, some pressboard.
If you really love your carving tools, especially if you're prone to collecting lots of them, and want a great toolchest for them, go take a look at the ones at Sam's!
Wade