The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[JunkNstuf]

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.

No, the Beach boxes had no date code . I would guess its late 70’s, early 80’s.
Newer versions had extruded aluminum drawer pulls.
Yours is sure in immaculate shape!

 

[tombell572]

Thanks, Junk. Appreciated.

Tom B.

 

[JunkNstuf]

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.

Here you go, Tom. Beach made so many models through the years,constantly changing & updating.
With no date stamp on any, its not possible to pinpoint exactly when it was manufactured.

 

[4lug39]

This is an old Hout that I picked a few weeks ago.

 

[4lug39]

This Proto was going to be thrown out so I had to take it home.

 

[4lug39]

This is the middle box. Someone else grabbed the top box.

 

[tool_scrounge]

This Proto was going to be thrown out so I had to take it home.

Nice box. It has characteristics than make me think Waterloo. But Proto did buy Beach of Canada, who made my intermediate box like yours. Is the lower marked made in Canada?

Did Beech Canada make tool boxes for Proto?

I have been looking for another intermediate tool chest to put on a bench at work to hold hold misc small tools. I ran into a Proto 44106 intermediate (middle) 4 drawer tool box for sale today. I was surprised to see it stamped on the back "Made in Canada". I did find that model in an undated...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[4lug39]

I couldn’t find anything on either box about where they were made. I did find the model numbers. The bottom is 44111 and the middle is the same as yours.

 

[MZC2]

What year would this box be?

 

[RTM]

What year would this box be?

This might be a good place to start.

New Sears/Craftsman timeline chart

I know there is a thread for some of this info http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807, put up and maintained by Gary Lauver, but I made this up as a way to easily visualize both the Code on the hand tools for the first 50 years, as well as various non-Craftsman trademarks...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Outlawmws]

What year would this box be?

It shows in the 1941 catalog, some that style have brass logo plates -some decals. I think very few were name branded Craftsman during the war, possibly a few years earlier, maybe someone with more catalogs can say?

Friction slides, or no?

 

[Smokeshow69]

What year would this box be?

Ohh that’s pre war. During the war they went to water slide decals instead of the aluminum plate. That’s a good box!

It shows in the 1941 catalog, some that style have brass logo plates -some decals. I think very few were name branded Craftsman during the war, possibly a few years earlier, maybe someone with more catalogs can say?

Friction slides, or no?

See my comments above. Basically it’s pre/early war or post war

 

[MZC2]

Ohh that’s pre war. During the war they went to water slide decals instead of the aluminum plate. That’s a good box!

$50 and a 2 hour drive one-way, good?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Pretty good

 

[Outlawmws]

$50 and a 2 hour drive one-way, good?

I would.

 

[Smokeshow69]

$50 and a 2 hour drive one-way, good?

Yes. That’s a good deal on an uncommon box as others have said!

 

[MZC2]

Yes. That’s a good deal on an uncommon box as others have said!

I tried. After sending message 2 days in a row I find out the guy "decided not to sell them".

 

[JustKarg]

Hello All,
I am hoping the combined knowledge of this forum may be able to help me. My dad was a mechanic for over 45 years. He passed away and I've ended up with his Snap-On box. It's just about as old as I am and I'm having trouble figuring out what model it is. I believe it to be mid to late '80s but it's lived a life that is making finding the code on it difficult. I'm posting a few pics of it and I'm hoping maybe someone recognizes it or can point me in the right direction? My goal is to get some new drawer glides for it and get it back to good working condition. Thanks in advance, Justin

 

[VolksWomble]

Usually with SO boxes it will be engraved into the back surface of the box - model number, country of manufacture and year. I can’t zoom in enough in your picture to make anything out and it will be fairly small so worth a good clean and going over the back with a torch or similar.

this is what you are looking for…



in this case from this box, a 1996 vintage KRL651, which is a similar vintage to yours on looks alone.

 

[JustKarg]

Usually with SO boxes it will be engraved into the back surface of the box - model number, country of manufacture and year. I can’t zoom in enough in your picture to make anything out and it will be fairly small so worth a good clean and going over the back with a torch or similar.

this is what you are looking for…



in this case from this box, a 1996 vintage KRL651, which is a similar vintage to yours on looks alone.

Thanks very much. I've looked for the number on the back, but next step will be cleaning it well and trying again with a light.

 

[bmwrd0]

Each box, the top side and bottom, will have it's own number and marking. I am not enough of a Snap-on guy to just look at them and tell you, but there will probably be someone who comes along soon who can.

 

[JustKarg]

Each box, the top side and bottom, will have it's own number and marking. I am not enough of a Snap-on guy to just look at them and tell you, but there will probably be someone who comes along soon who can.

Thanks, I figured they should have their own markings, but have been having trouble finding them. I know he bought the boxes off the truck he used so, unless he somehow got scammed by the driver, they have to be there somewhere.

 

[RTM]

Thanks very much. I've looked for the number on the back, but next step will be cleaning it well and trying again with a light.

Try a very low angle flashlight, or torch if you’re overseas. It will highlight the shadows, make it easier to find.

 

[JustKarg]

Try a very low angle flashlight, or torch if you’re overseas. It will highlight the shadows, make it easier to find.

I will definitely try this.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I tried. After sending message 2 days in a row I find out the guy "decided not to sell them".

That’s super irritating

 

[ZRX61]

Thanks very much. I've looked for the number on the back, but next step will be cleaning it well and trying again with a light.

When he said *torch*.. he meant a flashlight...

 

[Ducky]

Hello All,
I am hoping the combined knowledge of this forum may be able to help me. My dad was a mechanic for over 45 years. He passed away and I've ended up with his Snap-On box. It's just about as old as I am and I'm having trouble figuring out what model it is. I believe it to be mid to late '80s but it's lived a life that is making finding the code on it difficult. I'm posting a few pics of it and I'm hoping maybe someone recognizes it or can point me in the right direction? My goal is to get some new drawer glides for it and get it back to good working condition. Thanks in advance, Justin

I have the bottom one. Mine is a 1989 KR 660 B with roller slides. Looks identical to yours.

 

[Tynee]

I tried. After sending message 2 days in a row I find out the guy "decided not to sell them".

Be on the lookout for him to change his mind in a few days, and the price will likely be higher. A guy on FBMP told me I should do that with a truck he thought I had underpriced.

 

[VolksWomble]

Try a very low angle flashlight, or torch if you’re overseas. It will highlight the shadows, make it easier to find.

When he said *torch*.. he meant a flashlight...

indeed, I did… going over the back with a blowtorch would seem to be counter productive!

 

[MZC2]

Look what followed me home. Sold between 1953-59.
The chest is really nice. Only minimal rust and the felt in the top center drawer is still intact. The grey on the inside is pristine, check out the inside of the cover.
The cabinet has rust inside and out but is still solid.

I got it home and played with it (opened all the drawers) and found the tag, which still has the original string. Then I took the photos. Now the bottom drawers are locked! Luckily the bottom cover is up. There are no keys so I never engaged the lock on the bottom.

I plan on inhibiting the rust and giving it a very light cleaning. I like the look of it. Of course I will clean and lube the casters and drawer slides too.

 

[Outlawmws]

Now the bottom drawers are locked!

If you mean the bottom roller IIR the "garage door" has to be fully pushed in to disengage the sliding travel lock in back.

tha'ts a nice find!

 

[MZC2]

If you mean the bottom roller IIR the "garage door" has to be fully pushed in to disengage the sliding travel lock in back.

tha'ts a nice find!

Thanks.
Yup, I figured out the locking mechanism. It was a cool little puzzle. Rust and zero lube left on the slides and the lock slide made it tougher. Now I also understand why the have the "garage door" on the 5 drawer model.

 

[Garagegho5t]

Picked up a KR-56 today, with the KTA-3 tote tray, for $50. Not sure whether I will refurbish or restore.
I plan on doing the project with my 16 yo son and will probably gift him the box.

I'm looking for guidance regarding the rivets. The logo plate is riveted to the top. I have no problem removing them, but I don't know what type of rivets (or tools) I would need to replace the steel rivets.

Thanks,
Moe

that is such a clean example. For the love of God do not respray it. You just need to drill out those rivets and pop rivet it back. super easy. Same thing with the hinge, pop rivet it back in. you can paint the rivet before you set it.

why do you want to remove the logo? Probably best to just leave it alone and give everything a good cleaning with microfiber cloth and nothing that will scratch the paint.

 

[Old Radar]

Look what followed me home. Sold between 1953-59.
The chest is really nice. Only minimal rust and the felt in the top center drawer is still intact. The grey on the inside is pristine, check out the inside of the cover.
The cabinet has rust inside and out but is still solid.

I got it home and played with it (opened all the drawers) and found the tag, which still has the original string. Then I took the photos. Now the bottom drawers are locked! Luckily the bottom cover is up. There are no keys so I never engaged the lock on the bottom.

I plan on inhibiting the rust and giving it a very light cleaning. I like the look of it. Of course I will clean and lube the casters and drawer slides too.

Great find! I found a '58 Crown version with the smaller top box but the same roller. Mine had a load of documentation, too! Here's my post from 2020.

 

[MZC2]

Very cool find. Somebody loved it.

 

[12vx2]

Usually with SO boxes it will be engraved into the back surface of the box - model number, country of manufacture and year. I can’t zoom in enough in your picture to make anything out and it will be fairly small so worth a good clean and going over the back with a torch or similar.

this is what you are looking for…



in this case from this box, a 1996 vintage KRL651, which is a similar vintage to yours on looks alone.

Not certain what you mean to look for- model numbers, most if not all have them. Now apparent bullet holes, that is not as common.

 

[VolksWomble]

Not certain what you mean to look for- model numbers, most if not all have them. Now apparent bullet holes, that is not as common.

Sadly, nothing so exciting… just a hole drilled by the PO to screw/bolt it to the wall.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Picked up this toolbox today for $5. I've been looking for a low tombstone toolbox for a socket set I have. There are no markings anywhere. The green color makes me think of SK, but I don't think it's SK either. I'm going to sand it down & paint it. Should I paint it like it's original green or Craftsman grey? It seems old. Well made & has square nuts on the bolts securing the metal handle to the top. Any ideas on who might have manufactured this one?

 

[AntiqueBen]

Upon closer inspection, I found a stamp on the end of the inside tray (pic below). It is stamped JAPAN. I was a little shocked to see this because of how heavy & well made it is. I'm sure they made quality stuff too. I'm not seeing much online about vintage Japanese toolboxes. Are they uncommon?

 

[ALLFAST]

Upon closer inspection, I found a stamp on the end of the inside tray (pic below). It is stamped JAPAN. I was a little shocked to see this because of how heavy & well made it is. I'm sure they made quality stuff too. I'm not seeing much online about vintage Japanese toolboxes. Are they uncommon?

Deleted my first attempted reply which stalled out, then reappeared after the one below posted