Blackhawk Tool Chests and Tool Rollers (Caterpillar by Blackhawk are welcomed as well!)

[don long]

YES, I remember now I did

 

[don long]

I've been working on a couple of blackhawk porto power cases. Do they fit your criteria for this thread?

 

[Shelbylex]

Don, your masterpieces are always appreciated! Bring them in!!! (and catalog pages with contents if you have them)

 

[don long]

Here is my tombstone porto power case and set redone for display in the big Party Garage

Before



After



I removed the tools that didn't belong in the set. I haven't found any documentation on this set so I went by what fit the best

 

[don long]

Now I'm looking for information on what pieces make up the torpedo porto power set



I'm in the process of getting this set ready for display too

 

[don long]

Here is what I came up with for this case



I'm still waiting on the chrome to come home from the plater

 

[thehorse13]

By request, the 1937 Red Rover along with the original owner's factory name tag on the top drawer.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Thehorse13! I guess now you will have to suffer with the organization of the top drawer (and probably the rest...). I still did not find any information about what goes where given the magnitude of compartments...

 

[don long]

Here is my freshly refurbished nugget 50B tool set

 

[don long]

I found a place to put the NUGGET tool box
Right under the round NUGGET display

 

[don long]

I just finished another tool case for the Blackhawk wall but I'm not sure where to put it
T grabbed the wrong decal for it but that's all I had and it needed one badly

 

[Farmer J.]

I found a place to put the NUGGET tool box
Right under the round NUGGET display

Perfect place for it! The whole display area looks great set up like that.

 

[don long]

Here is a box that hasn't been posted on here. It was a give away by the manufacturers to their distributors for selling the blackhawk tools individually.
It is called a "stock cabinet" all together it held over 200 pieces





Here is mine









They first appeared in the mid 20's I think.
My cabinet is almost full with at least one of everything. However I have not found any "T" numbered universal joints or the t-17x extension

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Here is a box that hasn't been posted on here. It was a give away by the manufacturers to their distributors for selling the blackhawk tools individually.
It is called a "stock cabinet" all together it held over 200 pieces





Here is mine









They first appeared in the mid 20's I think.
My cabinet is almost full with at least one of everything. However I have not found any "T" numbered universal joints or the t-17x extension

Real nice Don. So the extension T17x hanging is not the one you are looking for?

 

[don long]

Real nice Don. So the extension T17x hanging is not the one you are looking for?

Oh no!! It's a #69994 late model 16 1/2" extension but it looks good until I find the real deal and the T-4X in the other corner is just a hanger too but the rest of them are date correct

 

[thehorse13]

Here is a box that hasn't been posted on here. It was a give away by the manufacturers to their distributors for selling the blackhawk tools individually.
It is called a "stock cabinet" all together it held over 200 pieces





Here is mine









They first appeared in the mid 20's I think.
My cabinet is almost full with at least one of everything. However I have not found any "T" numbered universal joints or the t-17x extension

You're a lot farther along on your cabinet than I am. It's gotten very tough out there for 20s era Blackhawk finds.

 

[Fred Knox]

Shelbylex asked me to add my recent Blackhawk tool chest find to this thread. It is an older Blackhawk Master Mechanic Wrench Chest. The Blackhawk sticker says it’s a Blackhawk “Chief” Wrench Set, more specifically the Tractor & Construction Wrench “W” case from the late 1930s – early 1940s. The dimensions are 27” x 13” x 11” and it weighs 67 lbs. I will clean it up, but will leave the original finish.

I figured it was a good time to also show another recent addition - my Blackhawk Manufacturing Company Nuggets No. 30-K toolbox (designed for its 7/16”-drive socket sets). It needs to be cleaned up a bit as well. It has great decals and a good portion of the original red japanning finish.

Now I just have to fill both boxes with the appropriate vintage Blackhawk hand tools. This may take a while! Any trade help appreciated.

 

[Graysgarage]

Found this gem in a garage sale… light surface rust no biggie but everything works and is intact.. sadly the tools are heavily rusted or missing.. big chief 87WD BLACKHAWK tool box / chest… is it missing the support bar that goes across the front of it?

 

[Shelbylex]

Great find, Graysgarage!!! This makes a third one on this site to the best of my knowledge!

 

[Graysgarage]

@Shelbylex yea saw it and made a bulk deal… they said ok… damn spent too much money. Girlfriend said wtf a**hole you have enough tools.. just my luck but some decent tools in the mix

 

[thehorse13]

Found this gem in a garage sale… light surface rust no biggie but everything works and is intact.. sadly the tools are heavily rusted or missing.. big chief 87WD BLACKHAWK tool box / chest… is it missing the support bar that goes across the front of it?

The box is complete. There are no missing supports, etc. Great find!

 

[thehorse13]

Shelbylex asked me to add my recent Blackhawk tool chest find to this thread. It is an older Blackhawk Master Mechanic Wrench Chest. The Blackhawk sticker says it’s a Blackhawk “Chief” Wrench Set, more specifically the Tractor & Construction Wrench “W” case from the late 1930s – early 1940s. The dimensions are 27” x 13” x 11” and it weighs 67 lbs. I will clean it up, but will leave the original finish.

I figured it was a good time to also show another recent addition - my Blackhawk Manufacturing Company Nuggets No. 30-K toolbox (designed for its 7/16”-drive socket sets). It needs to be cleaned up a bit as well. It has great decals and a good portion of the original red japanning finish.

Now I just have to fill both boxes with the appropriate vintage Blackhawk hand tools. This may take a while! Any trade help appreciated.

Here's a little motivation for you. 30K and 49K both wearing all original paint and decals. I am one swivel socket short of the complete 49K set. The 30K is 100% complete.

 

[Graysgarage]

I go through a lot of tools…

The box is complete. There are no missing supports, etc. Great find

Okay nice thanks! I looked through a lot of pics seems like the variations of the box differ a little.

 

[Graysgarage]

Here's a little motivation for you. 30K and 49K both wearing all original paint and decals. I am one swivel socket short of the complete 49K set. The 30K is 100% complete.

By chance what swivel are you missing?

 

[thehorse13]

By chance what swivel are you missing?

Nugget 35416 - 1/2 inch swivel. It's the final one needed to call the 49K 100% complete.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here's one I picked up last fall. First Blackhawk. Missing the two small drawers.

 

[Graysgarage]

Update… these are the tools I found with the box… might have a wrench or two missing but this is majority of it.. soaked in rust-away… then hit it with a wire wheel.. no luck.

 

[thehorse13]

Update… these are the tools I found with the box… might have a wrench or two missing but this is majority of it.. soaked in rust-away… then hit it with a wire wheel.. no luck.

Is there a D56XN or D58XN socket in that pile? I'm on the hunt for those two 3/4 inch drive sockets for my 70RD set.

 

[Graysgarage]

Is there a D56XN or D58XN socket in that pile? I'm on the hunt for those two 3/4 inch drive sockets for my 70RD set.

I actually do have both those sockets..

 

[Zrxrunner]

Morning find, haven't seen this one referenced yet. Included 1 inch thru 2 inch lockon sockets, breaker, extension, t handle. One extra proto socket on top right n a williams deep well impact. All 3/4 drive. Says set no 14-BD I think

 

[thehorse13]

Morning find, haven't seen this one referenced yet. Included 1 inch thru 2 inch lockon sockets, breaker, extension, t handle. One extra proto socket on top right n a williams deep well impact. All 3/4 drive. Says set no 14-BD I think

1948ish. You're missing the 69987 ratchet and the 16 1/2 inch 69994 extension from what I can see. The good news is that these two pieces come up on evil bay every so often. Great pick up!!

 

[Zrxrunner]

Just checked off list, only thing missing is the ratchet. But I have extra breaker bar that says it only comes with the 12 set and extra 1-3/16 socket that shouldn't be in there. Everything looks period correct except the 69995 extension. Looks to be more current production without any patent numbers. Box has been repainted, but was masked around the emblem. Custom carry handle bolted on too, but looks OK. Will get some light cleanup and will check my old stock to see if I have a more period correct extension. Funny thing is, if you put everything the way they have it pictured, the 60058 1-13/16 socket won't allow the lid to close. Have to lay the sockets down like I have em in my pics.

 

[thehorse13]

Just checked off list, only thing missing is the ratchet. But I have extra breaker bar that says it only comes with the 12 set and extra 1-3/16 socket that shouldn't be in there. Everything looks period correct except the 69995 extension. Looks to be more current production without any patent numbers. Box has been repainted, but was masked around the emblem. Custom carry handle bolted on too, but looks OK. Will get some light cleanup and will check my old stock to see if I have a more period correct extension. Funny thing is, if you put everything the way they have it pictured, the 60058 1-13/16 socket won't allow the lid to close. Have to lay the sockets down like I have em in my pics.

The Blackhawk advertising art is notorious for layout impossibilities. In my 70RD treasure chest, you cannot fit the D58XN 3/4 inch drive socket in the lower tray the way they have it in the picture. You have to put it behind the socket rail.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Morning find, haven't seen this one referenced yet. Included 1 inch thru 2 inch lockon sockets, breaker, extension, t handle. One extra proto socket on top right n a williams deep well impact. All 3/4 drive. Says set no 14-BD I think

Nice find! Also I see the little helper in the picture. You have to start em young

 

[Zrxrunner]

She was along for the find and isn't afraid to get her little hands dirty pulling stuff outta old boxes for dad to clean! Lol. She was at her first estate sale by 4 months old and has already helped me out at 4 or 5 live auctions. She had best seat in the house at a couple!

 

[don long]

This sweet little jem just found its way into my stable tonight. I couldn't be happier



It's 100% indian head with 2 sockets missing 19/32 and 3/4 and the T6 extention. It came with the tool list on the lid. I wish that I could read the date??



The box is in nice condition as well. I think that with a little attention it will look great



So while i was sitting here at my desk looking at this new prize. I was wishing that I knew how to blacken the tools back up, when it came to me!!! What about the black paste used to renew old pot belly stoves? I just happened to have a tin of it on my desk so I took one socket and tried it. What do you guys thing

Before



After

 

[thehorse13]

This sweet little jem just found its way into my stable tonight. I couldn't be happier



It's 100% indian head with 2 sockets missing 19/32 and 3/4 and the T6 extention. It came with the tool list on the lid. I wish that I could read the date??



The box is in nice condition as well. I think that with a little attention it will look great



So while i was sitting here at my desk looking at this new prize. I was wishing that I knew how to blacken the tools back up, when it came to me!!! What about the black paste used to renew old pot belly stoves? I just happened to have a tin of it on my desk so I took one socket and tried it. What do you guys thing

Before



After

I saw that prize and considered it for a second. I'm very glad that it found its way to your garage.
The pot belly stove trick is a winner in my book. I do have a pile of sockets that someone soaked in rust eater or simple green for way too long. I'm going to give it shot!

 

[Farmer J.]

For some reason I never thought of using stove blacking to renew the coating of tools. It looks good, and i think i'm going to be trying it too. Nice one Don.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I wish that I could read the date??

It would be cool to know the exact date, but the range is pretty narrow, Don.

First of all, it can't be older than 1919, when American Grinder launched the Blackhawk line, or later than 1925, when American Grinder changed the name of their company to their most successful brand, and, when they started introducing the 911X and Q.D. style tools.

Secondly, see that "192" followed by a few ellipses? The labels were like a form. Someone from the factory, either the inspector or the packer, whose names were also written on the form in their respective places, was supposed to write in the exact year in the ellipsis. I believe a clean view of that line would look something like this:

Date ..................... 192 .....

And that looks like an "O" on the "Date" line to me.

October 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, or 1924 is the implication.

 

[MR.X]

I've been aware of the Blackhawk/ American grinder/ Snap on story for quite a while though I'm sure I haven't kept up on it nearly as much as the regulars on this site. I went back to the completed auction listing to see more pictures of the early Blackhawk set recently posted. It's an excellent set with the wrenches and accessories and all.....I was curious though, so I see there were 3 pretty strong bidders who wanted it so that's one factor, but was it the inventory paper or that particular box style that pushed it up as high as it went?