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Restoring a vintage 40s? Blackhawk tool chest

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tradrodncustom

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Needed another vintage box in the hot rod shop. Was able to nab this one for 150. Good deal? 1000060998.jpgI mainly jumped because it had all handles and badges and only seems to be missing a? Light? 1000061030.jpg
Found some neat notes in the drawers including one on an old tb flyer dated 1949! 1000061032.jpg
So far. Pulled handles, nickel plated one and satisfied with results so will proceed. Also got lucky and with a pin was able to flake all of the white paint off of the badge1000061021.jpg
Can anyone tell me a manufacture date range? Model name? Show me a pic of the light? Thanks!
 
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Shelbylex

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NICE!
Great deal!!!

Read through the first page and look at the ads which I placed for reference - they have an ad for your box
 
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tradrodncustom

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Shelbylex said:
I wish I could get this box with original light and preserved wheel covers!!!
Somebody is really lucky to have it!!!


Tradrodncustom, please put me as #1 if you ever decide to part with your box within next 100 years!!!

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Mine has the wheel covers/skirting. I am doing a full restoration video on youtube as well.
 
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Shelbylex

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This is great! Please put a link for the video in this thread and also in the Blackhawk / Caterpillar Welcomed thread.

I wish somebody still produced old boxes - I would buy them...
 
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y'sguy

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I have one also. I also had the light at one time,` but that was over 60 years ago. all the info is on this website about the model specs. Yours is now the third or fourth one I have ever seen.
 
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tradrodncustom

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y'sguy said:
I have one also. I also had the light at one time,` but that was over 60 years ago. all the info is on this website about the model specs. Yours is now the third or fourth one I have ever seen.
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I am a y block fan myself! Yeah it seems to be a fairly rare old box. Feeling more and more like I hit the lotto everyday
 
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y'sguy

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Blkhwk Box 1
 
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tradrodncustom

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Pulled the skirting and wheels today and started sanding. Going to paint the underside first. That way I can stand it upright and just mask off the bottom.20260315_133348.jpg20260315_133338.jpg
Not really sure how far I want to take this restoration. Dont want to take out the inner box. Cpl dents wont be addressed for that reason. Will sand, prime, sand and paint the entire box. Straightened drawer slides and greased em. Going to clean up the top. That will probably be the extent of it. It will still be getting used regularly in a shop so perfection isnt really the goal.
 
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tradrodncustom

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y'sguy said:
looking great!. It's weird every time I see your pictures, I think Hey! wait a second, that's…
The roller parts look good; mine doesn't have those.
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Yeah I get it! I had no idea this thing was so rare. Makes me wish I was taking the restoration to a higher level but honestly if I did I would be scared to use it
 
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y'sguy

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Nope, you are doing a fine job. Yeah, I didn't know either about rarity. When my Dad first got this one another mechanic AV mechanic got one too. I'm not sure if they got them used or new. I am also don't know exactly when that was. The other guy's used to kid them and say, "here comes the ice cream man"
I use mine all the time, I don't baby it, but I'm not a regular mechanic either, so it has a pretty easy life at this point.
 
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y'sguy

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I wanted to advise you, too, that the paint I used was not a cool white but warm. Wimbeldon white or colonial white like FORD had in the 50's. Use whatever you like of course. I don't care much for the cool refrigerator white? I don't know what shade the first ones were. Sherwin-Williams, Marshmallow is what I used.
 
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tradrodncustom

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y'sguy said:
I wanted to advise you, too, that the paint I used was not a cool white but warm. Wimbeldon white or colonial white like FORD had in the 50's. Use whatever you like of course. I don't care much for the cool refrigerator white? I don't know what shade the first ones were. Sherwin-Williams, Marshmallow is what I used.
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I just used a basic rattle can white. I also just had a mental breakdown. My phone managed to delete the entire 41 minute restoration video. Cant even tell you how many hours I have in it. Major bummer. Have another short version I was able to throw together but its not the same.
 
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Shelbylex

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Nice! Sorry that you lost the video, but life happens. Let it be the worst thing that ever happens to you!

Looking forward to the completion of the restoration video
 
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tradrodncustom

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Outlawmws said:
Is that top SS? or just cleaned up cold rolled?
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Its magnetic so not ss although it REALLY should be. I sprayed clear on it. Y block guys was shiny too and I liked the look so I copied. From the finish I removed I think they were originally black like the wheel skirting
 
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y'sguy

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tradrodncustom said:
Its magnetic so not ss although it REALLY should be. I sprayed clear on it. Y block guys was shiny too and I liked the look so I copied. From the finish I removed I think they were originally black like the wheel skirting
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IThe tops I believe are plated, either chrome or nickle or ??. I was surprised to find this out as mine is peeling off in one area. It does seem unlikely but ???
 
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