The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Outlawmws]

Nice score Jeff!

 

[zanyad]

Very nice @jeffmoss26!

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Here are new scans of 3 tool chest and box catalogs on Archive.org:

1981 Rem Line by Model Industries

1983 Model Industries full line (Rem Line & Union)

1984 Stack-On

 

[Targa68]

I have this Crowntop, 7-drawers machinist chest from the 60's (?). Here in Norway these are realy hard to come by.

It is in OK condition; some surface rust and paint splatter, but no big dents, and the felt lining is in good condition. But the front lid is missing....

As parts for these are impossible to find here, I have followed E-bay, but with no luck.

Might be a long shot, but if anyone on the forum have a correct front lid, and would be willing to sell and send to Norway, it would be highly appreciated

 

[Smokeshow69]

Picked up this 4 drawer Waterloo made Proto tool mobile this weekend! Also got this old snappy carry bix

 

[Beerhippie]

I have this Crowntop, 7-drawers machinist chest from the 60's (?). Here in Norway these are realy hard to come by.

It is in OK condition; some surface rust and paint splatter, but no big dents, and the felt lining is in good condition. But the front lid is missing....

As parts for these are impossible to find here, I have followed E-bay, but with no luck.

Might be a long shot, but if anyone on the forum have a correct front lid, and would be willing to sell and send to Norway, it would be highly appreciated

I'll betcha' that's a Kennedy 520 variant made for Sears. Start looking for the front cover for one of those.

Front cover on mine measures 19" X 8 1/2".

 

[Targa68]

I'll betcha' that's a Kennedy 520 variant made for Sears. Start looking for the front cover for one of those.

Front cover on mine measures 19" X 8 1/2".

Thank you!

 

[Beerhippie]

I just checked, and the front cover for the Kennedy 620 is identical, so you can widen your search.

You'll have to re-paint to match.

 

[Beerhippie]

If you want to skip the search and just pay retail, here's the drop front from Kennedy:

https://buykennedy.com/product/drop-front-520-620

$51US.

I wonder if you can get one without paint?

 

[Etchase]

That’s much less expensive than I thought it would be. Nice that Kennedy is still in operation. Waterloo made boxes for Sears in that configuration. Maybe other manufacturers too. I personally can’t differentiate them.

 

[Targa68]

If you want to skip the search and just pay retail, here's the drop front from Kennedy:

https://buykennedy.com/product/drop-front-520-620

$51US.

I wonder if you can get one without paint?

Nice, Thank you

 

[Beerhippie]

That’s much less expensive than I thought it would be. Nice that Kennedy is still in operation. Waterloo made boxes for Sears in that configuration. Maybe other manufacturers too. I personally can’t differentiate them.

I was surprised, too. Considering they want nearly $40 for felt liners for the drawers....

I have no idea how the shipping costs work out as I haven't ordered direct from them.

 

[Ducky]

I saved this beauty from a dump run the other day. My B.I.L. was cleaning out a building for the owner who had recently sold it. He knows that I am into old boxes and said that he had this old metal cab with nuts and bolts, nails etc. that I should come take alook at. I have to admit that when I first saw it, I did not recognize it as a Kennedy roll away. This pic shows how I saw it but also it was on the floor next to a bench with no casters.



I told him that I would take it. When we went to move it we found the cool folding front cover. Thats when I realized what it was. Of course finally spotting the Kennedy signature was helpful as well....





After a little web search I found out that this is a model 278 according to the 1970 catalog. I started to do alittle cleaning and found this piece of cardboard used as a drawer liner. On the underside was this blast from the past. It also corroborated the time line as these were popular in the sixties. Made my day.

 

[Beerhippie]

I saved this beauty from a dump run the other day. My B.I.L. was cleaning out a building for the owner who had recently sold it. He knows that I am into old boxes and said that he had this old metal cab with nuts and bolts, nails etc. that I should come take alook at. I have to admit that when I first saw it, I did not recognize it as a Kennedy roll away. This pic shows how I saw it but also it was on the floor next to a bench with no casters.



I told him that I would take it. When we went to move it we found the cool folding front cover. Thats when I realized what it was. Of course finally spotting the Kennedy signature was helpful as well....





After a little web search I found out that this is a model 278 according to the 1970 catalog. I started to do alittle cleaning and found this piece of cardboard used as a drawer liner. On the underside was this blast from the past. It also corroborated the time line as these were popular in the sixties. Made my day.

Sueeet score! I love the labels--"Random ****" looks like something I'd have a drawer full of.

Cool artifact, too. I found this:



while cleaning out my most recent Kennedy chest, a 520. The 125 ATX was a one-year model, '76, so there's a latest-likely date for the chest.

Since this is a tool forum, here's what went in your '76 Yamaha 125 ATX tool wrap:


BTW: Did you make the locker under the box, first pic? I'm liking the bike-chain hinge--it reminds me of something I made a while back:



Check out these TIG welds:



Those were done by a kid who worked for me back then. Damn, but that kid (20-ish) could swing a torch and dance the pedal!

Big, fat, ugly welds? Yeah, mine.

 

[Outlawmws]

That Kennedy roller is a 278 - I have two of that era, one crinkel brown, the other, smooth red. Nice boxes but the too flat drawer pulls can be a bit of a pain if the contents are heavy.

 

[Beerhippie]

Found another Union tool/tackle box today:





The reason I like these so much:



Never a game of "pick-up-tools" when you close it but forget to throw the latch.

The guy I bought it from said he could never figure out how to open it.

I think drip irrigation parts will go into it. It's that time of year again.

 

[Ducky]

I thought I would post an update of my Kennedy rescue. I gave it a good hot bath and then went after the rust in the bottom pan. Straightened the pan where the caster had been bent and pushed up the back left corner. Primed the pan inside and around the bottom outside. I bought a dark brown paint for the outside and decided to do the whole thing after I saw how well it was covering. It's just an empty carcass at this point. The drawers are going to take alot more work. Old duct tape is no fun. Oh, and I got new casters and moved the handle to the left side because it was bent up and just easier to move it.

 

[1982fxr]

What brown paint? Looks good...

 

[Ducky]

I am trying the Glidden Max Flex Dark Granite Satin. I had just returned 2 cans of Rust-oleum that had failed so I thought I would try something else. And thanks.

 

[fishwatcher]

I thought I would post an update of my Kennedy rescue. I gave it a good hot bath and then went after the rust in the bottom pan. Straightened the pan where the caster had been bent and pushed up the back left corner. Primed the pan inside and around the bottom outside. I bought a dark brown paint for the outside and decided to do the whole thing after I saw how well it was covering. It's just an empty carcass at this point. The drawers are going to take alot more work. Old duct tape is no fun. Oh, and I got new casters and moved the handle to the left side because it was bent up and just easier to move it.

I like how you saved the Kennedy logo. Great job!

 

[fishwatcher]

Nice! Is this Park brand the same as the modern Park Tools brand known for bike tools? Great that it’s going to be used for your bike tools.

 

[Outlawmws]

I bought a dark brown paint for the outside and decided to do the whole thing after I saw how well it was covering.

That looks great!

 

[WagonHo!]

Found another Union tool/tackle box today:





The reason I like these so much:



Never a game of "pick-up-tools" when you close it but forget to throw the latch.

The guy I bought it from said he could never figure out how to open it.

I think drip irrigation parts will go into it. It's that time of year again.

Design perfection, nice find.

 

[Beerhippie]

Design perfection, nice find.

Agreed! This is Union box #3--two of this size (7 1/4" X 14 1/4" x 6", single fold-out shelf) and one of the larger models w/3 fold-out shelves--don't feel like dragging it out to measure. I don't collect these things, I stuff them full of **** and use them!

 

[WagonHo!]

Agreed! This is Union box #3--two of this size (7 1/4" X 14 1/4" x 6", single fold-out shelf) and one of the larger models w/3 fold-out shelves--don't feel like dragging it out to measure. I don't collect these things, I stuff them full of **** and use them!

As well you should but I’m Sheldon Cooper to my vintage boxes as he is to germs.

 

[WagonHo!]

Simonsen Wings logo recent requisition. 14”x 9.5”x 8”. Beautiful Celery Green paint gloss with patches light rust, all latches handle operative. Chock full of vintage tackle, which if anyone is interested in it’s yours for a email. Been looking for this beauty for awhile.

 

[Beerhippie]

Here's the entire--so far--Union tool/tackle box collection:



R-L: Road box for my '93 Toyota Corolla Adventure Sedan. Coleman tools and spares in the three-tier. New box, probably destined for drip irrigation parts.

Big three-tier box is 19 1/2" X 7 1/2" X 7".

 

[Mintgrun]

Beautiful Celery Green paint

That's a nice color alright! It'd be fun to see some photos of the tackle.

I've got the same box, but the aluminum version in blue. I'd been meaning to share photos and this seems like a good time.

​

I've been using mine to store router bits. I'm guessing the cork liners are original. It came with a waxed paper bag of dividers that clip into place.



Edward Simonsen patented the trays and dividers in the mid fifties. Here's a link to that patent.

US2788912A - Tray - Google Patents

These say Patent Pend. on them.


Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Simonsen Wings logo...

What's the story on that? I am well versed in the history of Simonsen and the heavier duty versions of these cantilevered hip roof tyle boxes they made for the US Army Air Forces (Mechanics, Type II, Class A, Size 2), before and during WWII through the early 50's when they got rounded corners and a metallic instead of a leather handle. Those didn't have the embossed wings, just horizontal bars. Are the wings - which came much later in the 50's, supposed to be a nod to that legacy or what? I searched around a little and couldn't find anything.

This article talks about a different box and a different logo (the dog), but it's a fun read.

Anyone know?

 

[ALLFAST]

That's a nice color alright! It'd be fun to see some photos of the tackle.

I've got the same box, but the aluminum version in blue. I'd been meaning to share photos and this seems like a good time.

​

I've been using mine to store router bits. I'm guessing the cork liners are original. It came with a waxed paper bag of dividers that clip into place.



Edward Simonsen patented the trays and dividers in the mid fifties. Here's a link to that patent.

US2788912A - Tray - Google Patents

These say Patent Pend. on them.


Tom

Tom, that beauty is bad to the bone ! I love the chamfered holes and overall look of the dividers

 

[RTM]

Nice! Is this Park brand the same as the modern Park Tools brand known for bike tools? Great that it’s going to be used for your bike tools.

I don't believe so, think it's been posted here before.

 

[Mintgrun]

Thank you, Allfast. I've had it sitting on a shelf for maybe ten years and just recently put it to work. I'm trying to be gentle with it, because I'm sure it will dent very easily.

Are the wings - which came much later in the 50's, supposed to be a nod to that legacy or what?

I don't know the answer, but there are a few variations.

These are googled images.

 

[Provincial]

Embossed to stiffen up the fairly large, unsupported side panels. A smart way to make the box stronger, while introducing some style!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't know the answer, but there are a few variations.

Thanks, Tom. All of them cool!

Embossed to stiffen up the fairly large, unsupported side panels. A smart way to make the box stronger, while introducing some style!

For sure. On their wartime and early 50's military boxes, the stiffeners on the front and back panels were merely functional horizontal bars without any flair, and the same for the circular stiffeners on the side uppers. Prompted by @WagonHo! 's use of the word "logo" to describe the wings, which transcends not only merely functional, but also stylish, into brand signifying, an idea I am inclined to agree with him about, I'm trying to find out if anyone knows if that's actually the case, and again, if it was an intentional nod to the USAAF toolboxes they were known for.

 

[Mintgrun]

Okay, I went up an snapped photos of two more Simonsen boxes, since that's the hot topic at the moment. Here's the larger version, set next to the aluminum one for comparison.

​

I haven't put that one to work yet, but it'll hold quite a bit of stuff. The double-covered top trays are different than the Kennedy version I have. That box only has one side covered.





While the covers will help keep stuff in place, they won't allow you to pile tall stuff up there to fill out the top of the box. I suppose you could set stuff on top of the covers or maybe just leave the lid loose. It'll probably bee heavy enough without filling every cubic inch.

​

They added some skid-straps to the bottom of the box, which is nice. Mine's a bit rusty down there. Here's the embossed Specification Information.



This box was pretty beat up and painted bright red, but I painstakingly chipped most of that paint off, revealing a very pretty blue.


It didn't have a tray, but that's okay. My hole saws moved in when they outgrew their old box.



Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Maybe I am reaching and the wings were just a way to outdoorsy or fish-and-game the tackle boxes up a little.

 

[WagonHo!]

Thank you, Allfast. I've had it sitting on a shelf for maybe ten years and just recently put it to work. I'm trying to be gentle with it, because I'm sure it will dent very easily.



I don't know the answer, but there are a few variations.

These are googled images.

I’m liking that - inverted design a lot.

 

[Beerhippie]

Okay, I went up an snapped photos of two more Simonsen boxes, since that's the hot topic at the moment. Here's the larger version, set next to the aluminum one for comparison.

​

.....

This box was pretty beat up and painted bright red, but I painstakingly chipped most of that paint off, revealing a very pretty blue.


It didn't have a tray, but that's okay. My hole saws moved in when they outgrew their old box.



Tom

Gee, thanks--now I need to find a good box for my hole saws and arbors!

The quest never ends....

 

[Ducky]

I like how you saved the Kennedy logo. Great job!

Thanks, I like to save the identity if possible.

That looks great!

Thank you, it has come out better than expected. I thought the crinkle effect would become too muted but its still there.

 

[Outlawmws]

It'll probably bee heavy enough without filling every cubic inch.

Those suckers are heavy empty!


On another Note - two left behinds today were a pristine Starrett Wood Machinist's chest ($150) , and a well used Hout cantalevered styled box with a drop front, hinged on the lid, exposing two drawers, - but missing the tray, so the top drawer was exposed. If the tray were there I might have asked if they would sell it separate from the tools inside.

Got my hands full with a pair of Aluminum Tackle boxes and removing the battle damage the PO's did to them.

The first one is 90% done - this one needs some work (and a new handle -I hate the drawer pull"solution") - I've found a coupe of pieces of wood and a bog C-Clamp works wonders:



I need to decide if this one stays tackle, replaces the other one for Coleman parts, or what... Only one plastic insert left - I kind of like that for a parts box.