Vintage, "Suitcase" Carpenters Tool Box

[lzenglish]

No Makers Name Toolbox, Metal Clad Plywood Construction for the Most Part. I spent a couple days looking on line, and in my Old Tools Hardware Catalogs Trying to put a Possible Makers name to it by Doing the old "VISUAL SEARCH". I found many lookalikes but most were unbranded house brands. I'm VERY SURE it was Factory made, verses Homemade. They have been around for many years according to my catalog searches, but a First Time See and Find for Me. Any Help on this/these boxes would be Much appreciated.

Dimensions....32"x17"x7" One 3", Full Length Drawer, Saw Holder, and Level Holder Brackets.

LZ

 

[BrianHayes]

You might want to also search for Joiner's Toolbox. It was one of my first serious hand tool projects many years ago.

 

[flyingblind]

Looks like a kit box to me ( buy the hardware kit and build the box). Exposed edge plywood on the drawer is what makes me think that. You should see the suitcase table saw plans.

 

[RTM]

This is the best tool chest catalog. Doubt you will find an exact match, as you mentioned, so many house brands and homemade ones muddying the water

C. E. Jennings & Co.'s Tool Chest Catalog : C.E. Jennings & Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

47 p., illus., 26.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[lzenglish]

Thanks for all the Replies and Links, I'm Still Searching!

LZ

 

[lzenglish]

This one Matches up Perfectly! Dimensions, Exact, Level Angle Brackets Placement, Same, Center Mount Saw Holder, verses two spaced out Saw Holders, Same. SO, it appears National has the lead so far, LOL..... Still Looking.

Pic 1, an Exact lookalike Copy found online, for sale.
Pic 2, The "National", Perfect Except for the Handle Material.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Perfect Except for the Handle Material.

That should not deter you from your postulation in the least. The industry wide shift from handles with sewn leather-clad fiberboard with a steel stiffener strip inside to all-steel occured in the mid-40s, in the mechanics toolboxes sector, anyway. There are numerous examples of toolboxes that are identical except for the handles. That could easily be just a later model than the cat excerpt.

 

[chris_1001]

Wow, I have my grandfathers (he was a carpenter, (he) died before I was 2) old box like that. Was given to my by my mom way long ago, its in OK condition. I made a similar box in the early 90's for a project. I still have that one also.

 

[lzenglish]

Wow, I have my grandfathers (he was a carpenter, (he) died before I was 2) old box like that. Was given to my by my mom way long ago, its in OK condition. I made a similar box in the early 90's for a project. I still have that one also.

Great Story chris_1001 ! Lets See What You Got, if You Don't Mind. I would Love to See Them Both !

LZ

 

[PBCampbell]

I don't remember ever seeing anything like this. My next project I think as this would solve some current storage problems.

 

[chris_1001]

Great Story chris_1001 ! Lets See What You Got, if You Don't Mind. I would Love to See Them Both !

LZ

Here you go, both need some cleaning and such... I think I made my box in the 1990-91?

You cant see do to the pile of tools in the box I made, but in the top part, there are some wood dividers. I stained it to match my grandfathers (got sloppy on the latch)...

I added the handle to my Grandfathers box. And one of the saw holders on the lid broke off many many years ago is is prob long gone. I do have a few tools that came with the box. I'll see if I can put them back in. And on the lid he had a Level in the long slot. I still have the level. Its hanging on the peg board.

Maybe this weekend I will clean them up

 

[lzenglish]

Here you go, both need some cleaning and such... I think I made my box in the 1990-91?

You cant see do to the pile of tools in the box I made, but in the top part, there are some wood dividers. I stained it to match my grandfathers (got sloppy on the latch)...

I added the handle to my Grandfathers box. And one of the saw holders on the lid broke off many many years ago is is prob long gone. I do have a few tools that came with the box. I'll see if I can put them back in. And on the lid he had a Level in the long slot. I still have the level. Its hanging on the peg board.

Maybe this weekend I will clean them up

VERY NICE !!!!

Thanks for Showing Them,

LZ

 

[RTM]

Here is mine, found in 2014, as found. The guy sold me the box plus contents for less than I was willing to offer for the box, couldn’t say no. I have not improved it much since then, glued down a few splinters, wiped off some dirt. Will post a current pic later this weekend, when I can dig it out.

 

[Balvar24]

No Makers Name Toolbox, Metal Clad Plywood Construction for the Most Part. I spent a couple days looking on line, and in my Old Tools Hardware Catalogs Trying to put a Possible Makers name to it by Doing the old "VISUAL SEARCH". I found many lookalikes but most were unbranded house brands. I'm VERY SURE it was Factory made, verses Homemade. They have been around for many years according to my catalog searches, but a First Time See and Find for Me. Any Help on this/these boxes would be Much appreciated.

Dimensions....32"x17"x7" One 3", Full Length Drawer, Saw Holder, and Level Holder Brackets.

LZ

Interesting. The fit/finish looks a whole lot like a Freeland Shooter's case, range box, or rifle crate.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Here you go, both need some cleaning and such... I think I made my box in the 1990-91?

You cant see do to the pile of tools in the box I made, but in the top part, there are some wood dividers. I stained it to match my grandfathers (got sloppy on the latch)...

I added the handle to my Grandfathers box. And one of the saw holders on the lid broke off many many years ago is is prob long gone. I do have a few tools that came with the box. I'll see if I can put them back in. And on the lid he had a Level in the long slot. I still have the level. Its hanging on the peg board.

Maybe this weekend I will clean them up

I found one like this full of tools twenty years ago at a yard sale. It was full of carpenters tools good quality name brand. It even had the mans name and social security number large print across the out side of it. Wish I would of hung on to it. Paid $50.00 sold for $300. Man I really like yours. I am not a carpenter.

 

[four.cycle]

I've had these for a long time.
The larger box with the sliding lid is 23" x 4½" x 14" and appears to be solid pine or possibly fir. I believe it has the original finish. It shows signs of several repairs by a previous owner. The interior work shows this box was made by a master of his trade.
The two open-top trays are about 30" long and are different widths. I think they may have originally been lift-out trays in a larger box.
My guess is that they've been refinished with that dark stain, most likely by Jean Kell, who ran a shop here on 6th Avenue called "Glass Rooster".