I suspect we've all (at less the more senior among us) have run into that lighting thing about being great 20 years ago, and now it's not enough. This aging thing isn't all that glamorous. BTW, same for the eye thingy.

1 hour ago, Cisco Kid said:

Thank you, Fred. I've used the D4 for many large items like guitar amp cabinets. I suspect that I would use it again for something like a blanket chest.

However, these days my woodworking has been focused on smaller things like boxes, and I've been cutting all of my dovetails by hand. It took me a while and a lot of wasted wood, but I find a genuine satisfaction out of doing them by hand. It has also shown me a couple of deficiencies. One - my eyes. They are getting weaker and I now keep a set of "cheaters" on my bench at all times. Two - my lighting. Twenty years ago, I had all the light that I needed in my shop. Now, I find myself constantly needing more light to do the same tasks. This winter will see a much-needed upgrade to the lighting in my shop. I don't know yet what the solution will be, but I need more light for sure.

I hear you on the eyesight! More light and more magnification. I still have to use prescription glasses due to astigmatism, even close up it's now giving me a lot more trouble than when I was younger!

2 hours ago, Cisco Kid said:

The circuit is a 1957 Fender Champ (5 watts)

Love those "old" vacuum tubes!! I used to have one of those tube "suitcases" stocked for repairs.

Beautiful tiger stripes and chatoyance in the case.

12 minutes ago, lew said:

Love those "old" vacuum tubes!! I used to have one of those tube "suitcases" stocked for repairs.

Beautiful tiger stripes and chatoyance in the case.

That 5V4 rectifier tube is probably older than I am. I had a very hard time finding it. The circuit calls for a 5Y3, which are pretty common. However, the 5V4 has a lower internal impedance giving you somewhat better note definition with a punchier attack and a stronger low end.

Soon to be on my bench..

Intend to use this as a Pattern...and build one of my own...

$96+ change.....Stay tuned...

11 minutes ago, steven newman said:

Stay tuned

Absolutely!!

57 minutes ago, steven newman said:

Soon to be on my bench..

Intend to use this as a Pattern...and build one of my own...

$96+ change.....Stay tuned...

I saved a Popular Mechanics issue from (I think) the 70's with plans for the original Gerstner. I even made precision templates for the drawer guides and bought the brass hardware. I never made the box but I did buy a cheap Chinese imitation for cheap. It has since disassembled itself sitting under the house..

There's a show on PBS called "A Craftsman's Legacy". An episode I happened to catch (I'm not a regular viewer, this was channel surfing) had him at the Gerstner facility going through some of the steps to make a Gerstner chest.

On 11/9/2026 at 11:26 AM, Cisco Kid said:

somewhat better note definition with a punchier attack and a stronger low end.

Remembering when Lafayette Radio was closing for good . . . the tube tester and inventory were close to free ...

According to one employee, they were "given 48 hours to tear the entire store down, get everything boxed that had a valid and current stock number, and get it on a truck to take it back to Syosset (Lafayette’s Long Island warehouse). Anything that wasn’t on the official inventory sheets was to be discarded". - wiki