# Machinist's Tool Boxes Mirrors
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 21, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405 "2011-10-21T22:40:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/1 "2011-10-21T22:40:09Z")
For those of you out there who own or have seen machinist’s tool chests here’s a question: why do the inside [http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MDxkZHBdL.\_AA160\_.jpg](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MDxkZHBdL._AA160_.jpg)" have a square mirror mounted at 45 degrees? I’ve been a machinist and owned such a chest for years, but have never been able to figure out what that thing could be used for.
Any ideas or straightish dope on this.
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### Author:  [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/2 "2011-10-21T22:49:33Z")
Machinists’ eyes are at risk of flying shavings. A mirror plus eye-wash kit is standard equipment for metal workers.
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### Author:  [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/3 "2011-10-21T23:19:39Z")
Thank you. I’ve been machining for fifteen years and have only gotten a chip in my eye once. I fished it out with a wet paper towel in the bathroom at the shop. I can now sleep at night without wondering any longer.
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### Author:  [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/4 "2011-10-21T23:24:54Z")
Plus an obvious one: if he or she senses impending face to face encounter with anyone they are attracted to and/or might want to impress, having a mirror right there comes in handy for fixing stray grease marks on their faces that might make them look dorky.
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### Author:  [@FE3O4ENAIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FE3O4ENAIL)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/5 "2011-10-21T23:33:38Z")
> [@brittekland](#):
>
> Plus an obvious one: if he or she senses impending face to face encounter with anyone they are attracted to and/or might want to impress, having a mirror right there comes in handy for fixing stray grease marks on their faces that might make them look dorky.
Well, when machinist toolboxes were first made, there were no shes in the shop.
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### Author:  [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/6 "2011-10-21T23:40:32Z")
> [@FE3O4ENAIL](#):
>
> Well, when machinist toolboxes were first made, there were no shes in the shop.
\*\*_♪ **Guilty! ♪** _
(Girly ex-machinist here)
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### Author:  [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/7 "2011-10-21T23:42:43Z")
> [@FE3O4ENAIL](#):
>
> Well, when machinist toolboxes were first made, there were no shes in the shop.
Are you absolutely sure? And what about “he”?
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### Author:  [@FE3O4ENAIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FE3O4ENAIL)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2011, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/8 "2011-10-22T00:17:36Z")
For your research, I recommend “A Treatise On Milling And Milling Machines” by The Cincinnati milling Machine Co. 1951
Rosie the riveter was generations away from the start of machining. Not that that was a good thing.
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### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/9 "2011-10-22T23:09:01Z")
Yes, but, why are they on a 45 degree angle? All the ones I notice are, anyway.
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### Author:  [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/10 "2011-10-23T03:47:13Z")
> [@FE3O4ENAIL](#):
>
> Well, when machinist toolboxes were first made, there were no shes in the shop.
Someone’s sister or cousin might drop by, though. Or even someone’s girlfriend/wife.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/11 "2011-10-23T04:34:25Z")
> [@Napier](#):
>
> Yes, but, why are they on a 45 degree angle? All the ones I notice are, anyway.
You mean they aren’t orthagonally aligned, right? I assume that gives you more width and height in the reflection without using a larger mirror. But I didn’t know what they were for. I have a pretty nice one that didn’t come with a mirror, but I’ve seen one that had it at an old time machinists shop. I figured it was used to reflect light to get a better look at machined piece, bits, and the like.
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### Author:  [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/12 "2011-10-23T15:28:50Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> You mean they aren’t orthagonally aligned, right?
Right - the corners are at top and bottom and left and right. But the mirror is in a vertical plane when the toolbox lid is all the way open and vertical.
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### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/13 "2011-10-23T15:35:08Z")
My wag is that it just looks cool on a 45 plus you get a little more viewing area like TriPolar says.
I used to have a really nice Gerstner machinists chest. It got stolen years ago and I’ve never found a cheap enough replacement.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/14 "2011-10-23T15:56:20Z")
> [@MikeG](#):
>
> I used to have a really nice Gerstner machinists chest. It got stolen years ago and I’ve never found a cheap enough replacement.
Gerstners seem to be a status symbol for machinists and tinkerers like myself, and old ones are selling at high prices. Yours might be up for sale on eBay right now.
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### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/15 "2011-10-23T16:12:27Z")
It would be easy to spot, I did custom Celtic knotwork inlay on the drawers in rosewood and brass with malachite accents. It was something else, I tell you.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/16 "2011-10-23T16:22:32Z")
> [@MikeG](#):
>
> It would be easy to spot, I did custom Celtic knotwork inlay on the drawers in rosewood and brass with malachite accents. It was something else, I tell you.
Well take heart from the guy who just recovered his classic Camaro. Maybe there’s a way to get the word out. Would it be worth posting a reward for you?
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### Author:  [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/17 "2011-10-23T17:25:41Z")
Anyone have access to the Gerstner Owner’s Club Newsletter, Issue III? Perhaps the answer is there, as indicated by a poster named deathwish2 on the [Woodworking.com](http://Woodworking.com) forum [http://woodworking.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-8477.html&](http://woodworking.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-8477.html&) :
> [@](#):
>
> [http://www.gerstnerusa.com/membersonly/newsletters/OwnersClubNewsletter-Issue-III.pdf](http://www.gerstnerusa.com/membersonly/newsletters/OwnersClubNewsletter-Issue-III.pdf)
>
> The Question for this issue comes from Mr. E. K. Morley of Boone, North Carolina.
>
> He wrote, “What is the historical purpose of the mirror mounted inside the chest top lid?”
>
> The Company Response:
>
> The mirror was first installed in the early 1900’s on some of the very earliest Gerstner chest designs. In those days, very few manufacturing and/or tool & die companies had indoor plumbing. In other words, there were few companies with lavatories (with wash basins and mirrors) for toolmakers and other factory workers to use to clean up at the end of the day.
>
> The “mirror” mounted inside a Gerstner tool chest provided the wherewithal for the chest owner to check his appearance and comb his hair before heading home (or, perhaps, going in to ask the boss for a raise). At various times over the years, we have introduced a few tool chests without including a mirror. Interestingly enough, the feedback from customers has been, “Without a mirror, the chest doesn’t look like a Gerstner.” So . . .you may notice that virtually all new model Gerstners feature a “mirror” inside the tip lid.
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### Author:  [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/18 "2011-10-23T17:34:18Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#):
>
> Someone’s sister or cousin might drop by, though. Or even someone’s girlfriend/wife.
I thought these plots generally go with rich owner’s pretty daughter…
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### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machinists-tool-boxes-mirrors/600405/19 "2011-10-23T19:27:27Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> Well take heart from the guy who just recovered his classic Camaro. Maybe there’s a way to get the word out. Would it be worth posting a reward for you?
It’s been gone since 1992, doubt it will show up now.