INSP380
Well-known member
Here’s a 19” Union box….But none of these have the same pattern of lines in the box…
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Hmm. Yeah, probably not 3/4 then a 3/4" set is like 50 Lbs or so.. (I made a boxed set)
Ultradog MN
Well-known member
I don't need, use or even want carry boxes but if I saw that one I would be reaching for my wallet. That is a beautiful piece you got there. Great score!
d42jeep
Well-known member
I checked all of my Dunlap boxes and the oval logo is invariably in the middle of the box, not off to the side like that. Huot was my next thought but that doesn’t really seem right either. 
-Don
-Don
Mintgrun
Well-known member
The rounded corners and raised ribs on the sides of the box are what suggest Simonsen to me. Image searching using google and ePay didn't turn up an exact match, but this one has an offset oval logo and ribs.
I really like Simonsen boxes. I posted a Tool Caddy I found last summer in this thread and then another turned up on FB MP for the same price, but not nearly as nice. It hasn't been marked sold yet, so I am still tempted to chase it, but don't have space for it. It'd be fun to have a pair of matching boxes though. Unfortunately, someone gave it a nasty paint job and it's missing the 'backsplash' and one of the three drawers. In spite of all that, it's still tempting!
I really like Simonsen boxes. I posted a Tool Caddy I found last summer in this thread and then another turned up on FB MP for the same price, but not nearly as nice. It hasn't been marked sold yet, so I am still tempted to chase it, but don't have space for it. It'd be fun to have a pair of matching boxes though. Unfortunately, someone gave it a nasty paint job and it's missing the 'backsplash' and one of the three drawers. In spite of all that, it's still tempting!
INSP380
Well-known member
I think you’ve convinced me! That’s the closest match yet. I’m going to match it up to my Simonsen tonight and check the similarities. I did blast (lightly glass bead) the box this afternoon and it was in fact all red underneath. There was no trace of a decal, or aThe rounded corners and raised ribs on the sides of the box are what suggest Simonsen to me. Image searching using google and ePay didn't turn up an exact match, but this one has an offset oval logo and ribs.
I really like Simonsen boxes. I posted a Tool Caddy I found last summer in this thread and then another turned up on FB MP for the same price, but not nearly as nice. It hasn't been marked sold yet, so I am still tempted to chase it, but don't have space for it. It'd be fun to have a pair of matching boxes though. Unfortunately, someone gave it a nasty paint job and it's missing the 'backsplash' and one of the three drawers. In spite of all that, it's still tempting!
Ny other markings. The latches were brass plated, one is in really poor condition. I think I can save them. I’ll post pics later, I’ll be starting some metal finishing then on to paint.
Steve
INSP380
Well-known member
Thank you! It’s growing on me. I never set out to buy it nor the Wizards. I was out picking up a small Kennedy and the guy had those as well. We agreed on $20 for the Wizard set & box. I had every intention to toss the box. After sitting in the shop waiting it’s turn I guess I grew fond of it. Time to see if I can bring it back…
Steve
Mintgrun
Well-known member
Here's a small Simonsen box I keep half inch router bits in.
It only came with one of the movable dividers.
It only came with one of the movable dividers.
INSP380
Well-known member
Ding!!! Simonsen for the win…!!!
Here are a couple of shots with my Simonsen as a ref. I never made the leap due to the hardware, handle and overall gage( .140 vs .119) of the metal. The tray… is the tell. By design note the corners of the tray and the hinges. Exact. Round decal vs oval, 4 ribs vs 5 on the front. My blue box is newer in comparison.
Thank you all for your help and driving me to the right conclusion. I need to continue the metal work snd prep for paint once we get a warm day.
Steve
Here are a couple of shots with my Simonsen as a ref. I never made the leap due to the hardware, handle and overall gage( .140 vs .119) of the metal. The tray… is the tell. By design note the corners of the tray and the hinges. Exact. Round decal vs oval, 4 ribs vs 5 on the front. My blue box is newer in comparison.
Thank you all for your help and driving me to the right conclusion. I need to continue the metal work snd prep for paint once we get a warm day.
Steve
INSP380
Well-known member
Added some new pulls to my old wooden chest today. My cousin made these boxes for guys in the shop around 1962. I have a pair, this one for tools and my Grandfathers I keep my collectables in.
Steve
Steve
Mintgrun
Well-known member
Speaking of Simonsen, this little film reel box is on FB MP an hour from here for fifteen dollars. (Gig Harbor, Wa.)
That's Niki the dog on the decal. I could make room for this one, but it's too far from home.
That's Niki the dog on the decal. I could make room for this one, but it's too far from home.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Speaking of Simonsen, this little film reel box is on FB MP an hour from here for fifteen dollars. (Gig Harbor, Wa.)
That's Niki the dog on the decal. I could make room for this one, but it's too far from home.
Got any other good excuse to drive out there? Date night with the SO?
Mintgrun
Well-known member
Nope. I'd spend more on gas than the box and I really don't need it. I just thought it was cool, so I shared the photos.
There's a very similar one on ePay, but the hasp only has two rivets on the lid. The triple rivet design is much nicer. This one still has the reel divider in the bottom. It's nice that they made that piece removable.
Here's a 12 reel box with a very cool handle and an interesting hasp.
This one appears to be made out of aluminum.
There's a very similar one on ePay, but the hasp only has two rivets on the lid. The triple rivet design is much nicer. This one still has the reel divider in the bottom. It's nice that they made that piece removable.
Here's a 12 reel box with a very cool handle and an interesting hasp.
This one appears to be made out of aluminum.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
You need an excuse to drive to Gig Harbor? Tell the SO it's a date night!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Mintgrun
Well-known member
That little box is getting expensive! I drove as far south as Belfair and Port Orchard today, so I was over half way there, but not inspired to acquire it.
I pulled this little Simonsen box out of a Habitat scrap bin and had fun knocking most of the dents out.
No tray, or signs of it having had one; just a shell of a box that's currently housing my FULLER wrench assortment. A friend once said they were his favorite wrenches, so I started bringing them home and now this little box weighs 20 pounds!
(I don't know what I'd do without homemade innertube rubber bands).
I pulled this little Simonsen box out of a Habitat scrap bin and had fun knocking most of the dents out.
No tray, or signs of it having had one; just a shell of a box that's currently housing my FULLER wrench assortment. A friend once said they were his favorite wrenches, so I started bringing them home and now this little box weighs 20 pounds!
(I don't know what I'd do without homemade innertube rubber bands).
TheRealZeus
Well-known member
Win win! 
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Waahl, ain't he just the cutest lil' thang!
(If you're unfamiliar with Southern US English, that's southern Church lady speak for "That has to be the ugliest baby I've ever seen.")
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INSP380
Well-known member
I got to add a coat of paint on the Simonsen this week. I made a quick reproduction vintage decal to go with it. I’m gonna let it harden up, rub it out and polish the hardware. The decal is not stuck yet…but fits the impression perfectly. Think I saved a pretty cool old box.
Steve
Steve
Toward the end of last year, I traded for this antique wooden machinist chest. It is a Model 01C by C.E. Jennings & Company, New York, New York, c. 1904-1912. It is made of chestnut with wire loop drop handles and wood drawer slides. I just started to clean it up a bit, but have yet to replace the felt. I will keep the finish and the patina. It looks like the original (?) owner was an electrician whose name began Frank W. H… by the sticker inside and the carved “H” on the top. The locking feature works as expected when the top is closed (no key or plate, although I may have both).
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Fred, what size is that box? That styling almost seems like a men's jewelry box than a tool box to me.
Hey Outlaw: Check out the ''Guide for 20th Century Wooden Machinist Tool Chests". It is a great resource.
Scroll down a little on the hyperlink below:
sites.google.com
Scroll down a little on the hyperlink below:
'The' Guide for Wooden Machinist Tool Chests - Pg 14 - C.E. Jennings & Co.
Pg 14 - C.E. Jennings & Co.
sites.google.com
bazzz
Active member
Ok, here’s my oldest box. It was my grandfather’s box that was on his work bench when I was a kid. I don’t remember it ever having a front on it but it looks like it did at some time. A handle was on top at some time also but I’m sure it got in the way to pile stuff on top.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Bax, with **** Joints on the drawer fronts, and finger holes for pulls, I'd guess your grandfather may have made that box..
Nice looking box!
Nice looking box!
bazzz
Active member
I was thinking the same thing, he was a carpenter.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That makes it an even more important acquisition!
Jay__Dub
Well-known member
I've upgraded my 2 parts chests, much easier to move aroundMy best/most useful toolbox, has my vice restore parts and tools in it.
Rota, made in Wangaratta,, Victoria, Aus - 1960's ?
A NOS one, including cardboard box, sold for $350 AUD - I did like and want- actually was a 'Me likey' hadn't seen one before but couldn't justify the price as I wanted to use it, think I was the third highest bidder.
A couple of months later stumbled across these 2, incorrectly listed, no watchers, had been advertised for 3 weeks, ooh, in that case I'll make the seller a offer $200 for both-which was accepted
1960's Rota, made in Aus, it has a simple locking mechanism which you can also padlock and handle, only the 3 I've seen, I also had the correct paint which was a nice bonus for when I track down a drawer.
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Storage/users so I can throw out the cheap nasty cantilever box I've been using outside.
I may attempt to uncover the original orange paint under the crappy red, I'll leave the blue as is, last 2 (unpictured) are just a common 16 drawer parts chest and a small toolbox.
All these are in good working condition after 60ish years.
I may attempt to uncover the original orange paint under the crappy red, I'll leave the blue as is, last 2 (unpictured) are just a common 16 drawer parts chest and a small toolbox.
All these are in good working condition after 60ish years.
Omg, in that first Rota ad is a pix of a mini work station. When I was younger, broke and living in an apartment, I dug a tv stand out of the apartment complex dumpster just like that except for the middle tray. I used that as a sub for a B&D Workmate until many years later when I could buy a used workmate at a rummage sale. Great memory jogger to see that ad. Cheers, jimdon
LOL, yes I've added that to the memory bank and been searching, but your memory's are as close as I'm likely to get to one.
I posted these while I was waiting on a auction to finish, had a bit of interest but only one other bidder. Paid for 4 of the larger chest of drawers, with one drawer per row, the imprinted Rota and ribbed draw handles- have a feeling I'll be refunded thou-the seller wants to alter the postage now, I may work with him but I just may tell him to go jump.
They also had some larger tool chests, but have never seen any ads for them.
Rota was around for approx 40 yrs, 1957-97, I think Stanley bought them in 1990 and shut them down like they do (what I think of Stanley and there monopoly isn't printable here)
Rota was around for approx 40 yrs, 1957-97, I think Stanley bought them in 1990 and shut them down like they do (what I think of Stanley and there monopoly isn't printable here)
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INSP380
Well-known member
Well more info has come to light on this little box! Turns out we were very close, but no cigar. It was made by Simonsen for sure, but branded by Wizard! Makes sense now why the Wizard set was in the box. Found this crusty box listed for sale and this is what sealed it for me. Glad I didn’t glue the decal down just yet. Time to make a new one. Decal is from a different box from the first pic, but the same time period.I got to add a coat of paint on the Simonsen this week. I made a quick reproduction vintage decal to go with it. I’m gonna let it harden up, rub it out and polish the hardware. The decal is not stuck yet…but fits the impression perfectly. Think I saved a pretty cool old box.
Steve
Steve
