Thanks... I am prety sure that Gerstner uses hide glue to assemble the box, that is why it came apart so easily... It has been stored for the past few years in a very moist place... The pannel is actual ply, I can see all 7 layers.. Whatever glue they were using in about 1975 is what I have... I wil give the soaking a try, if it doesn't work, I will just cut a new board... After all, it is just a tool box... And, I have two more similar bases, and three top boxes, so I will not be hurting for tool storage