The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
DNA if you can 91% ISP can work also
d42jeep
Well-known member
I removed *****’s autograph and drawing from this OD box with a little brake cleaner. You could try some of that on the spray bomb as well. If you are going to apply paint to the bare spots, I would hold off on the WD40 until after you finish. It can stop the paint from sticking. It does work great on original paint. 
-Don
-Don
d42jeep
Well-known member
I have good luck with the O’Reilly brand of brake cleaner. I used to really like CRC brand brakleen but they must have changed the formula because it is no longer effective.
-Don
-Don
d42jeep
Well-known member
The good stuff used to be CRC 05089 in the red can. I used to be an automotive chemical buyer in an earlier life.
-Don
-Don
Mike'smeatshop
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- Apr 1, 2023
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- 1,273
I'm not sure. But I do know Tekela makes my wife's cloths come off.
d42jeep
Well-known member
The QR code seems a little modern to me. Maybe give the O’Reilly stuff a try. I buy it by the case and just use it for cleaning tools and toolboxes.
-Don
d42jeep
Well-known member
They didn’t change the part number, it‘s just much less effective than it used to be in the old days. Give yours a try and see if it accomplishes what you want to do. No harm in it. Here is a can I found at an estate sale and have been hoarding. 
This is what I generally use. Works pretty well on most spray bomb and felt pen markings
-Don
This is what I generally use. Works pretty well on most spray bomb and felt pen markings
-Don
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bmwrd0
Well-known member
I think there is a C now at the end of the part number for California sales. I do remember that whenever I had a cop car delivery in Reno I was told to swing by AutoZone there and check and see if there was any non-C brake cleaner.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
scottmaster1121
Member
Hello everyone,
I thought I should post this in this thread as well. I recently acquired an old toolbox that I think is a Snap-On K-60 Super Chest, but I'm not 100% certain. Here are some pictures of it. What do you guys think?
-Scott
I thought I should post this in this thread as well. I recently acquired an old toolbox that I think is a Snap-On K-60 Super Chest, but I'm not 100% certain. Here are some pictures of it. What do you guys think?
-Scott
Welcome to GJ, Scott
Congratulations! This is K60!
Let me be the first to give you the first "You ****" Great way to start your tool addiction on this board!!!
The drawer handles are not original, but you can slowly start acquiring handles from less valuable parts boxes from the period (if you decide to go original). May be somebody on this board has a couple of extras to have you started. Otherwise look up what's available online and see if there is something relatively similar to original ones (do not forget - they had 2 styles - earlier ones were different)
Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
P.S. Add your approximate location to your avatar
Congratulations! This is K60!
Let me be the first to give you the first "You ****" Great way to start your tool addiction on this board!!!
The drawer handles are not original, but you can slowly start acquiring handles from less valuable parts boxes from the period (if you decide to go original). May be somebody on this board has a couple of extras to have you started. Otherwise look up what's available online and see if there is something relatively similar to original ones (do not forget - they had 2 styles - earlier ones were different)
Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
P.S. Add your approximate location to your avatar
scottmaster1121
Member
Thank you so much for the welcome and the information, Shelbylex! I would love to find the original handles and the name plate. If anyone has any leads, please let me know. What about the handle on the lid? Is that a replacement as well?
How can you tell if it's an early or later one? I've read threads on here that reference the catalogs, but they all look the same to me in the different year catalogs. Am i missing something?
I plan to give it a good cleaning at some point when I can figure out how to get the drawers out. I've read about the spring behind the rivet on the slide, but I'm not having any luck when I try to remove the drawers with a metal shim.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yep, that K-60 is a USUCK find for sure!
scottmaster1121
Member
Haha thanks, Outlawmws! I appreciate you guys confirming it for me!
As much as I'm embarrassed to admit it to you guys, I really had no clue what it was until I decided to look it up online. Then I found this forum and tried to find pictures of similar looking toolboxes for more information. Much to my surprise, I discovered how important it really is. It's funny how that works!
I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. I'd like to clean it up and try to find the original handles and nameplate and just keep it in my garage as a trophy haha! I also considered selling it when I found out what it might be worth haha. I could use the money to fund other projects, but I'm not even sure what it's worth yet though so I don't know.
How rare are these things really? Would it be possible to find a K-200 Roll-Cab to go with it or are they equally as rare?
As much as I'm embarrassed to admit it to you guys, I really had no clue what it was until I decided to look it up online. Then I found this forum and tried to find pictures of similar looking toolboxes for more information. Much to my surprise, I discovered how important it really is. It's funny how that works!
I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. I'd like to clean it up and try to find the original handles and nameplate and just keep it in my garage as a trophy haha! I also considered selling it when I found out what it might be worth haha. I could use the money to fund other projects, but I'm not even sure what it's worth yet though so I don't know.
How rare are these things really? Would it be possible to find a K-200 Roll-Cab to go with it or are they equally as rare?
fishwatcher
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- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 759
What’s a good customizable screwdriver organizer that is short enough to fit in the shallow drawer I’d a Kennedy 620 tool box? Looks like I have about 1 1/4” of height max. 
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Just what you are doing - line the handles up and fill the drawer front to back. I did that on both sides of a Craftsman 10 drawer box "Back in he day" I may have added a row of 1 X 2 X 5/16ths magnets (my source was old can conveyors)
Beerhippie
Well-known member
My old KennedyKits Bighorn 620 got a bath; found a home and a purpose!
Removing the old, mouse-infested felt was disgusting--but really hot water and some brewery detergent got it out with little elbow grease needed.
Some organization will be required, but that last corner of my workbench is now sorted--sort of.
Removing the old, mouse-infested felt was disgusting--but really hot water and some brewery detergent got it out with little elbow grease needed.
Some organization will be required, but that last corner of my workbench is now sorted--sort of.
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Earlier models had aluminum accent lines to the right and the left of the emblem. They also had bakelite handles.
Later version had handles like on this K200.
Sorry for crappy bottom picture - can not find a better one of the current setup - reflections look like boxes are bent...
... Now you will need to look for one of those too : )
RTM
Well-known member
What kinda can conveyors had magnets? Mine were all aluminum, so I’m guessing foodstuff. Is this a newer innovation? I stopped reading Food and beverage related trade magazines 27+ years ago.
ZRX61
Well-known member
No one mentioned the plastic carrot & fried egg?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
What can you tell me about the topper on the left? I believe it's the same model I have. Mine's missing the handle and badge on the front cover.Earlier models had aluminum accent lines to the right and the left of the emblem. They also had bakelite handles.
Later version had handles like on this K200.
Sorry for crappy bottom picture - can not find a better one of the current setup - reflections look like boxes are bent...
... Now you will need to look for one of those too : )
As found:
Is there any source for things like the front cover handle and badge? I've started cleaning it up. Come good painting weather, I'd like to give it a full restore.
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senlow
Well-known member
PBW for the win!My old KennedyKits 620 got a bath; found a home and a purpose!
Removing the old, mouse-infested felt was disgusting--but really hot water and some brewery detergent got it out with little elbow grease needed.
Some organization will be required, but that last corner of my workbench is now sorted--sort of.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Steel cans in canneries, but this was decades ago. multiple careers back. but we could take them down a row, hit a vertical belt and straight up, even had one taking them from the top and across. you just added more magnet depth for the load. when you wanted it to drop just stop adding magnets! (but have another magnet on landing so they don't bounce...)
like these, but you can surely find better deals: https://www.harborfreight.com/pack-...LNq7qwiZQw182zF7YdQ-2doRKgRVwqohoCsH0QAvD_BwE
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Close--we use Supreme. Pretty similar--a "mildly alkaline brewery detergent". If not used with some care, it will strip paint.PBW for the win!
I have sample tubs of PBW at home that I use for cleaning my coffee maker, mug and Thermos.
senlow
Well-known member
Yeah, I tend to forget that there are breweries that don't use chemicals from Five Star. I'm a bit biased toward their products. They are local to me, plus the rep has been very generous with sharing samples with me.
The one on the left is a slightly different model - it's 1963 KRA58B.What can you tell me about the topper on the left? I believe it's the same model I have. Mine's missing the handle and badge on the front cover.
As found:
Is there any source for things like the front cover handle and badge? I've started cleaning it up. Come good painting weather, I'd like to give it a full restore.
The one you have is closer to KR-56 I have. It's 1955 and has different handles.
First 3 pictures are KRA-56, the last one is KRA58B
Your box has couple of differences - compartment layout as well as two vertical strips. Drawer handles are also slightly different.
Check at the sides and bottom for the stamp - Snap On would have a model and the manufacturing year. I am not sure if Canada made boxes back in the day - check for the stamp
I think you might have an MBC made tool chest (they made boxes for Snap On as well. MBC chests had a smaller rectangular storage on the right side and no strips on the front. Handles are consistent with MBC manufacturing.
I suspect it might be Vulcan - the layout of small rectangular compartment is on the left (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-vulcan-tool-box.461010/)/
It's unlikely to be Yorktown as they did not have
Source of the handle - try to see if there is an old big metal cabinet being thrown away somewhere - I think they had similar handles. If not, start looking for parts box or see if somebody is parting a box on e-bay or somewhere on the site. Same with the emblem.
(if its Snap On (less likely), it will be easier to find. If it's Vulcan - good luck!
Another thing against Snap On - hole shape on the left upper side - Snap On is 2 round holes...
P.S It would be interesting to see what other members will say - the vertical strips on front panel are pointing away from MBC manufacturing. But I also wonder if previous owner just added them...
PPS What do you want to make out of this box yourself? Very few people outside of this forum would really know the difference if you decide to restore it and put a different brand on it.
If you want to save this box and make it a Snap On: get a handle, the emblem and restore it. It's most likely made by MBC - which means that it's the same quality as any Snap On box from the time period.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Thanks for the reply and info!The one on the left is a slightly different model - it's 1963 KRA58B.
The one you have is closer to KR-56 I have. It's 1955 and has different handles.
First 3 pictures are KRA-56, the last one is KRA58B
Your box has couple of differences - compartment layout as well as two vertical strips. Drawer handles are also slightly different.
Check at the sides and bottom for the stamp - Snap On would have a model and the manufacturing year. I am not sure if Canada made boxes back in the day - check for the stamp
I think you might have an MBC made tool chest (they made boxes for Snap On as well. MBC chests had a smaller rectangular storage on the right side and no strips on the front. Handles are consistent with MBC manufacturing.
I suspect it might be Vulcan - the layout of small rectangular compartment is on the left (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-vulcan-tool-box.461010/)/
It's unlikely to be Yorktown as they did not have
Source of the handle - try to see if there is an old big metal cabinet being thrown away somewhere - I think they had similar handles. If not, start looking for parts box or see if somebody is parting a box on e-bay or somewhere on the site. Same with the emblem.
(if its Snap On (less likely), it will be easier to find. If it's Vulcan - good luck!
Another thing against Snap On - hole shape on the left upper side - Snap On is 2 round holes...
P.S It would be interesting to see what other members will say - the vertical strips on front panel are pointing away from MBC manufacturing. But I also wonder if previous owner just added them...
PPS What do you want to make out of this box yourself? Very few people outside of this forum would really know the difference if you decide to restore it and put a different brand on it.
If you want to save this box and make it a Snap On: get a handle, the emblem and restore it. It's most likely made by MBC - which means that it's the same quality as any Snap On box from the time period.
GOOD LUCK!!!
I'm a user more than a collector, but I enjoy owning and using quality tools and equipment that suits my age. Currently, this box is functioning as my "desk" drawers and organizer.
To avoid confusion--there is a base welded on the box by a PO. It's well made from heavy angle iron and extends about 1 1/4" above the bottom of the box--which might be why I've been unable to find any stampings after sanding through three layers of paint in the usual places. Original paint was red. With the base, the box weighs 83 lb. empty.
I don't know if the handled tote is original or made by a PO. It's mighty handy, anyway. My hand sharpening stones and kit lives in there.
I had noticed that the similar Snap-On boxes I've seen pictures of have the small compartment at the front of the top on the right, whereas mine is on the left.
I'm not so much interested in value, just some idea of provenance of this old piece of industrial artwork.
Make it simple: choose which brand you want it to be. Getting Snap On badge might be easier, MGB might be pretty hard... Get a handle (you can always switch it later if you do not like the one you find) and enjoy using it.
When I bought KR-56, I wanted to restore it. I started using it and never bothered... Still enjoy using it despite the scratches and paint imperfections... That's the story of majority of my boxes...
... Though at some point I will probably pay somebody to restore my Blackhawk Red Rover and K200 (once I get K60) - I just do not have a skill to make it perfect ...
When I bought KR-56, I wanted to restore it. I started using it and never bothered... Still enjoy using it despite the scratches and paint imperfections... That's the story of majority of my boxes...
... Though at some point I will probably pay somebody to restore my Blackhawk Red Rover and K200 (once I get K60) - I just do not have a skill to make it perfect ...
Hi Guys, I have a Starrett Kennedy machinist box and I have been on the lookout for a bottom chest for it for a long time. I didn’t expect to find one here in Europe because the are pretty rare but I found this for sale today and I was wondering if anyone would have any idea of age and value and if it indeed a Kennedy made box.
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How is the quality?