Outlawmws
Well-known member
Exactly the same principle. I used wood as its plentiful as short cutoff/leftovers, and IMO less likely to scratch/mark than a metal piece.
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
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Exactly the same principle. I used wood as its plentiful as short cutoff/leftovers, and IMO less likely to scratch/mark than a metal piece.
Oldtuleguy
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It's possible someone put newer logo on it
Oldtuleguy
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CGarage
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Oregon rock crusher
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TheRealZeus
Well-known member
I’ve seen that box with the distinctive hinged face plate, badged as craftsman before. I’ll look.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Of course, may be wrong. Lock seems in different spot.
Pics from worthpoint for comparison/reference;
Pics from worthpoint for comparison/reference;
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
As others have alluded to, box is craftsman.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
1949 PG 4
…
Maybe
…
Maybe
Craftsman Mechanics' Tools : 1949 : Sears, Roebuck and Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
52 p., illus., 22.5 cm, trade catalog
archive.org
Mintgrun
Well-known member
Except the box in question has dubble pulls.
Cruzan80
Well-known member
I think the 1948 had sdouble pulls, then the 49 went to single (but not certain).
Oldtuleguy
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Private Lugnutz
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I found this E-Z-TOTER at the flea market this morning.
I couldn't resist the look or the name. Cleaned up pretty well, except for the alien symbols somebody unfortunately applied with a brush and green paint on each end. The convex design of the compartment keeps most of the bottom off the ground - which I assuming was the point, but I don't think they foresaw it also collecting moisture in the gutters inside, which attracted some rust that needs more serious addressing.
I couldn't find much on the company (Laube Steel, Chicago, Ill.) or its Metal Fabricating Division other than court hearings.
See attachments for more.
I couldn't resist the look or the name. Cleaned up pretty well, except for the alien symbols somebody unfortunately applied with a brush and green paint on each end. The convex design of the compartment keeps most of the bottom off the ground - which I assuming was the point, but I don't think they foresaw it also collecting moisture in the gutters inside, which attracted some rust that needs more serious addressing.
I couldn't find much on the company (Laube Steel, Chicago, Ill.) or its Metal Fabricating Division other than court hearings.
See attachments for more.
Attachments
Mintgrun
Well-known member
I really like the rolled lip on top and the arch on the round cornered bottom. That green paint might loosen up with a soaking of simple green. You could stand it on end and the soap would pool nicely in that indentation. Sometimes, I lay a little scrap of rag where I pour the puddle. Usually, the added paint lifts before the factory paint is affected. YMMV. (I'm sure you're well aware of that process, but that's what I'd try).
I picked up a similar no-name tote recently. It'd been dropped in the Habitat scrap bin, due to dusty rust inside and some dents, I suppose. I used it as my shopping tote, while rescuing other tools and stuff from the bin. It's very light gauge steel, but still intact. It was full to the top with hammer handles, before I dumped them out for photos. It's plenty sturdy for stuff like that.
I picked up a similar no-name tote recently. It'd been dropped in the Habitat scrap bin, due to dusty rust inside and some dents, I suppose. I used it as my shopping tote, while rescuing other tools and stuff from the bin. It's very light gauge steel, but still intact. It was full to the top with hammer handles, before I dumped them out for photos. It's plenty sturdy for stuff like that.
RTM
Well-known member
Founded 1948, moved HQ to West Coast in 1961. Founded by Walter Ising.
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JustVicingIt
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awesome graphics thereI found this E-Z-TOTER at the flea market this morning.
I couldn't resist the look or the name. Cleaned up pretty well, except for the alien symbols somebody unfortunately applied with a brush and green paint on each end. The convex design of the compartment keeps most of the bottom off the ground - which I assuming was the point, but I don't think they foresaw it also collecting moisture in the gutters inside, which attracted some rust that needs more serious addressing.
I couldn't find much on the company (Laube Steel, Chicago, Ill.) or its Metal Fabricating Division other than court hearings.
See attachments for more.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Also a little unintentionally funny, too, I thought. How many old boxes do you find with paint spattered on them? They figured they'd just put this splotch on at the factory!
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Yeah,...
But always keep the good ideas comin'!
The rag trick is also a good one. I will even soak rags in SG (as well as ER) and wrap them around parts that are too big or awkward to dip and then I use a syringe to keep them moist with it. I have a couple very long narrow rag strips I made out of an old tee shirt that I wrap like electrical tape around handles.
They could be cousins! Different shape indentations, flat bottom, otherwise very similar design.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Thanks. I probably should've been more specific to save you some time from also running a search. The 'E-Z Toter' (or any other products) not showing up in the typical trade mags or business directories is what I was referring to. I plan to keep looking.
Did you see the June 1960 Popular Mechanics article?
Mr. Ising (no "l") was quite a character. In 1960 he bought 536 tanks in a surplus auction from the Rock Island Arsenal. Hmm. Now what would the president of a steel company want to do with 536 tanks?!
Full story here.
Teaser photo here...
Old Radar
Well-known member
Interesting read!
Mintgrun
Well-known member
I found this E-Z-TOTER at the flea market this morning.
This Hand-E-Toter is listed for sale on FB MP in Seattle ($25).
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The graphics are boring, compared to yours. I'm sharing it to show the sliding tray. The embossed end panels are a little bit different too.
Tom
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
^ Thanks, Tom!
If I was there, or if it was here, I'd probably buy it just for the tray, but this gives me the idea to cannibalize an orphan to fit.
Note that the mfgr's name is different, too. What does that say? Amsco? Clearly the same design. This will be interesting to research later today.
If I was there, or if it was here, I'd probably buy it just for the tray, but this gives me the idea to cannibalize an orphan to fit.
Note that the mfgr's name is different, too. What does that say? Amsco? Clearly the same design. This will be interesting to research later today.
four.cycle
Well-known member
It may have been that the previous owner was a big fan of Easco tools.
Try a bit of Meguiars cleaner wax. I've used it to remove countless paint splotches from boxes.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
They came off very easily after soaking for just a few hours in SG...., but, in the 'you can't win' category, it left behind two alien symbols in a very clean shade of blue-green that is probably very close to the original color and therefore slightly darker than the rest of the box exposed to the environment all these years.
I'm sure we've all experienced something similar with paint spatter or tape or whatnot. I don't like the looks of the rust, anyway, so I may try to touch this box up with a rattle can.//// BREAK ////
For the ******** toolbox guys who may not venture too far from the Megathread, cross-linking a Walden BX-20 that I found and posted earlier today in the Walden thread.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Yes. the old "You can't fix UV damage" thing.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Maybe rubbing compound to get past the oxidation?
four.cycle
Well-known member
nope. nothin' to be done for paint that's faded out. UV damage is quite permanent.
Mintgrun
Well-known member
I spotted a Disston My Buddy X116 tote on FB MP and it looks just like mine.
(the $50 asking price seems optimistic)
Tom
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I'm glad you got it identified. It's strange to see the Disston name on something like that, although it was made long after H.K. Porter bought them out and moved the operations to Virginia.
Finally made some time to do some research on this look-alike.
AMSCO is American Metal Specialties Company and they were located in Hatboro, PA.
They sure had a thing for the whole -E- naming scheme!
I still don't know when Laube Steel Co's Metal Fabricating Division made the sea-green E-Z-TOTER, or which came first, and who copied whom, or if there was any relationship between the two, but Amsco TM'ed the Hand-E-Toter name in 1956, claiming first use in 1954.
RTM
Well-known member
Well heck, seems there are more names in play.
Simonsen marked EZToter. Even the same paint splotch on the EZ part. Wonder if they bought out Laube. More later if I find anything intelligent.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
On the fence. I should probably know better, but I'm getting sucked in to the vortex.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wow,
Not sure what the door hinges are for. did they convert the "hiding" doors to hinged?
Not sure what the door hinges are for. did they convert the "hiding" doors to hinged?
Patrickm82
Well-known member
Yeah that looks like an awfully janky setup!
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
Yeah, a fridge door. Top left keeps it closed.
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
That box has a lot of character.On the fence. I should probably know better, but I'm getting sucked in to the vortex.
Maintyre88
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- Nov 3, 2025
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I just received this one. Might be for sale when I figure out the year and value of it. Says Williams on it.
Attachments
FJ 432
Well-known member
Snap On k60 top and K200 bottom aka as the Snap On set K260. Highly desirable. Just beautiful.
Maintyre88
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Thank you. Any idea of the value of it?