The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Farmer J.]

I had previously posted a picture of this box.... here are two more pictures...





I have tried to find some information about this box with no luck... it seems to be an odd ball. I've also never seen Kennedy use a logo that resembles the font on this box. I finally found a listing on ebay for a three page advertisement that included a listing for a similarly designed box...



...however, the description doesn't match. The box that I have measures 19 x 8 x 7 inches...

So... I sent these pictures to Kennedy Mfg in Van Wert, OH. This was their response...



So now we know... I thought someone here may find this interesting.

-Bear

It looks like one of those Kennedy UK ones to me, I think one of Cousins has a box like it I recognise the embossed name.

 

[Mintgrun]

The box appears as unmarked for any known maker. Union, perhaps?

We discussed a similar box I found in this thread and in the Plomb thread. Here are a couple of links in which the different makers were discussed, as well as clues to use to tell them apart.

The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

That looks just like my Union box. Mine was made after the company moved to Arizona. Lightly built, but OK for home use.

www.garagejournal.com

Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Hey, I found a little 1/4" breaker bar and a few other Plomb things.... Mine is probably too small to break lug nuts :ROFLMAO: The drive piece of the breaker looks the same size as that 5270 above it...optical illusion or is it a 3/8?

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Smokeshow69]

Inside tray is best part and I can't get the pic to load!!

He didn’t post
A picture of the inside tray to show if there is an oil can hole or not ?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Turned up this (what I believe to be) a WW2 GMTK box in pretty darned good shape. I reckon all the lead in the paint held the finish together. I was told by the seller that his grandfather served in the war in the Navy. Was full of a random assortment of Cad-plated & linseed oil coated sockets by Snap-On, Bonney, & Craftsman respectively. The box appears as unmarked for any known maker. Union, perhaps? As I think they used paper labels in those times rather than any embossed markings.

Nice box! Searching for the gmtk thread and you will find more info on it

 

[Outlawmws]

Inside tray is best part and I can't get the pic to load!!

Try reducing the size of the pic slightly.

 

[d42jeep]

outofbounds box is probably a Union GMTK style box. It looks a lot like mine with the same tray supports.
-Don

 

[outofbounds]

He didn’t post
A picture of the inside tray to show if there is an oil can hole or not ?

Yes to the oil can hole. For some reason pictures of the tray are difficult to load.

 

[outofbounds]

outofbounds box is probably a Union GMTK style box. It looks a lot like mine with the same tray supports.
-Don

No evidence of any label on mine but sure feels like the same box.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this Kennedy cantilever carry box at a NV yard sale yesterday. It’s one I didn’t have.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice find!

How well does the cantilever mechanism work? Mine always seem to have a bind point.

 

[d42jeep]

This one seems pretty smooth. I haven’t put much weight in it yet.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

This followed me home the other day:


Absolutely filthy. Paint overspray, grease, grime, **** in all the drawers, no casters or keys, you name it. But it was cheap, and came with all the tools that were in it as found, two buckets worth. It is a Blackhawk 100DS, and shows up in the 1941 catalog. I will post more images on the Blackhawk threads.

 

[930dreamer]

Who made boxes for Caterpillar?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Langenau was making them as far as know

 

[Shelbylex]

930Dreamer - notice the similarity to Blackhawk

I missed one of these boxes (Blackhawk version) in much better condition during COVID in Maine. DPH allowed driving through the state. I called and asked about going in, single stop and going back. Got a hard NO.
… why did I bother being law obiding citizen??? Did not see another in good condition for good price since then…

 

[Tarnished]

Picked up this Gersner O42 at Flea Mkt this weekend, and I'm trying to date it. I believe it's an early box due to the disk behind the drawer pulls. Think I read this somewhere but can't find it. Will need a good clean up and new felt and to remove then red paint PO put on the lid, but over all in pretty nice condition. Unfortunately Gerstners site seems to be down so I was hoping to get a little help with dating it from you all. Thanks in advance.

 

[toolboxted]

Here's the site everybody uses - https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/home

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Toolboxted, but that sight doesn't talk about the draw pulls and I know I read about them somewhere. Hopefully here. I believe that the comment was that only older boxes had the plate behind the pull.

 

[Outlawmws]

Gertner is still in business, try contacting them?

 

[Tarnished]

Thanks Outlamws, but their site is down for some reason. As I live near Dayton, I will be contacting them for some parts. But I was hoping someone could help me date it before I started restoration.

 

[tombell572]

I bought this Beach carry box used about 20 years ago. It was in beautiful shape then and I've tried to keep it that way. I've always been curious about its age and I'm asking if anyone knows if these boxes had a date or code stamped into the sheet metal somewhere. Any input would be appreciated.

Tom B.

 

[Tynee]

I bought this Beach carry box used about 20 years ago. It was in beautiful shape then and I've tried to keep it that way. I've always been curious about its age and I'm asking if anyone knows if these boxes had a date or code stamped into the sheet metal somewhere. Any input would be appreciated.

Tom B.

Sorry I'm no help, but that is definitely a beautiful box. Do you use it, or is it strictly a collector piece?

 

[Old Radar]

Picked up this Gersner O42 at Flea Mkt this weekend, and I'm trying to date it. I believe it's an early box due to the disk behind the drawer pulls. Think I read this somewhere but can't find it. Will need a good clean up and new felt and to remove then red paint PO put on the lid, but over all in pretty nice condition. Unfortunately Gerstners site seems to be down so I was hoping to get a little help with dating it from you all. Thanks in advance.

Here's the site everybody uses - https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/home

Thanks Toolboxted, but that sight doesn't talk about the draw pulls and I know I read about them somewhere. Hopefully here. I believe that the comment was that only older boxes had the plate behind the pull.

Tarnished--

The site @toolboxted provided should be all you need to date your box--specifically, page 74, Gerstner Hardware Period Dating.
The drawer knob back plates are depicted on this page also, and a statement below the table indicates the diamond back plates were used between 1919 and 1925, so they're older than the round ones.
I was able to date my O42 from 1942-1948 using this page. You can compare your box to mine here--they look pretty close.

Good luck on your restoration!

 

[jywilli69]

I received these tool boxes today.

 

[Tynee]

Nice. I almost bought a Craftsman like that several years ago, but it had a bad repaint on it, and the guy wanted about $20 more than I was willing to give.

 

[toolboxted]

Here's the site everybody uses - https://sites.google.com/site/theguideforwoodmachinistchests/home

Your O42 has Lid restraint hinges. Using ‘The’ Guide, Pg 74, check to see if the hinges have a centerline or not.

No centerline means your chest was manufactured in 1942 – 1948.

If they have the centerline then it dates 1948 or later. Being that your front panel has the rectangular relief, the chest was made prior to 1953. The chest’s manufacturing date would be 1948 – 1953.

Have a good one.

 

[JDunigan]

Downsizing from their home up north moving in here in Florida, a neighbor put this out on the curb. It's missing the handle, the lock, and the emblem, but the price was right. I don't know much about Snap-on tool chests. There is a stamp on the back but I can't decipher it (I googled but could not find any resource). Can you help identify the age, which emblem it had, whether the handle was curved or square? I think I can find a lock that on Amazon that will work. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tynee]

It's a model # KRA-53 built in 1971 (hence the "71" beside "USA"). The 7-digit # at the bottom is a serial number, I THINK. If I'm mistaken, someone will be along presently to correct me.

The badge would be this one. I stole the image from Etsy:

There's a whole world of Snap-on information available at collectingsnapon.com
Your box can be seen on page 119 of the 1971 catalog on that site:

1971 Catalog CA - Collecting Snapon

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Downsizing from their home up north moving in here in Florida, a neighbor put this out on the curb. It's missing the handle, the lock, and the emblem, but the price was right. I don't know much about Snap-on tool chests. There is a stamp on the back but I can't decipher it (I googled but could not find any resource). Can you help identify the age, which emblem it had, whether the handle was curved or square? I think I can find a lock that on Amazon that will work. Thanks for your help.

Where does your neighbor live? lol. Very cool.

 

[Shelbylex]

Welcome to the site, JDunigan

Nice box for a great price! Congratulations!

Look for a parts box for an emblem or on ebay. I think you can use a handle from old metal tall cabinet used in the offices for it (not sure which member posted that many years ago - people periodically through them away). Put couple of extra stickers if you want to cover dents
If the drawers are not working well, clean and lubricate with Wax

… and run away from this site. : )

I came looking for information for a tool chest… Now my house is slowly being filled with tools and old boxes. Tool Collectors Anonymous is in the future. : )

 

[Tarnished]

Your O42 has Lid restraint hinges. Using ‘The’ Guide, Pg 74, check to see if the hinges have a centerline or not.

No centerline means your chest was manufactured in 1942 – 1948.

If they have the centerline then it dates 1948 or later. Being that your front panel has the rectangular relief, the chest was made prior to 1953. The chest’s manufacturing date would be 1948 – 1953.

Have a good one.

Toolboxted and Old Radar, thanks for the help. Needing to pickup a couple of parts for the restoration, I stoped by Gerstner's in Dayton and was able to confirm that my box was probably made between the 42' to 48' period as stated. Picked up the missing pull and the backplate as well as a new key. Can't say enough about the friendly people at Gerstner. Always happy to talk to you about your restoration and offer parts and advice. Their redesigned showroom is amazing and will make your mouth water with all the goodies! Defiantly a stop to see in the Dayton area if your ever near.
Thanks for the help dating the box. I will repost more pics when I get into the restoration.

 

[1982fxr]

ATTN

Old Plomb, Craftsman, S-K Boxes

These are not the boxes that I am looking for. Pay what you can afford. Just remember the post office is 20 miles and I have to walk in 2 feet of snow.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[bugnut]

Okay folks need some help identifying this box. Picked for $2 at a garage sale. I have searched pretty hard under bright lights and see nothing. I am guessing a socket box, biggest clue is the numbers on the end 2444. so please tell me what it is. TIA

 

[d42jeep]

Other than the additional piece in the socket channel it kind of resembles a slightly larger version of my New Britain made Sparta box.
-Don

 

[La2vegas]

I saw this advertised for sale. I haven't seen one like this previously. Does anyone have some info on such a piece?

 

[Mintgrun]

Other than the additional piece in the socket channel it kind of resembles a slightly larger version of my New Britain made Sparta box.

Here's an even smaller 1/4" Sparta box for comparison.

 

[1982fxr]

I saw this advertised for sale. I haven't seen one like this previously. Does anyone have some info on such a piece?

I had one. I believe that gray on the bottom shelf is the original color. Someone found it in a catalog, early or mid 1940's I think?

 

[Outlawmws]

If 40's, very late 40's with the heritage logo.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I saw this advertised for sale. I haven't seen one like this previously. Does anyone have some info on such a piece?

Ohhh, that’s a major you ****! Fairly rare piece that’s not often seen. I would hop on that! They appear in the catalogs but didn’t have a long run. They were also made with the long c logo so check catalogs around the logo transition time period.

 

[MShaw]

This is a 1974 era Husky equivalent.