The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[bmwrd0]

I always use zip ties. they work great for this, and you won't chew up your hands.

 

[genog]

I always use zip ties. they work great for this, and you won't chew up your hands.

I went into my zip tie box and found the perfect zip tie....
5/16" wide
Perfect fit
So, I removed each of the drawers (once again) on the ole Snappy cab using this method
I was able to get them out faster and is much easier than using a hacksaw blade
and indeed.....my hands didn't get chewed up

 

[Outlawmws]

I always use zip ties. they work great for this, and you won't chew up your hands.

I went into my zip tie box and found the perfect zip tie....
5/16" wide
Perfect fit

I'll have to remember this one. I had to grind the teeth off the hacksaw blade and give one end a slight "kick" to work.

 

[Patrickm82]

I tried zip ties on a box this weekend and it worked perfect! Way better than saw blades.

 

[bmwrd0]

I am pretty sure I learned the zip tie trick on this thread. But, that is a long thread to go through and find it.

 

[Etchase]

I really want one of these. I’ve never seen one before.

 

[jreb10]

Here is an interesting and apparently uncommon Kennedy chest. It is a Kennedy 515 based on the catalog entry below. It has unusual pulls that are brass beneath the paint, and a Corbin lock. It is described as a Machinist's Steel Tool Case. My limited research has it appearing in catalogs in the 1920s, sometimes with a bigger brother the 519. Perhaps these chests were the precursors to the 520.

At some point in time this chest was painted but fortunately the Kennedy sticker has been retained. The sticker is a "Patents Pending" version, although I don't know what that means in terms of dating this chest. Very little information comes up on this chest when I search. Here are some photos.

 

[RTM]

Here is an interesting and apparently uncommon Kennedy chest. It is a Kennedy 515 based on the catalog entry below. It has unusual pulls that are brass beneath the paint, and a Corbin lock. It is described as a Machinist's Steel Tool Case. My limited research has it appearing in catalogs in the 1920s, sometimes with a bigger brother the 519. Perhaps these chests were the precursors to the 520.

At some point in time this chest was painted but fortunately the Kennedy sticker has been retained. The sticker is a "Patents Pending" version, although I don't know what that means in terms of dating this chest. Very little information comes up on this chest when I search. Here are some photos.

My notes put the 515 in catalogs til 1924, also the last time the Oval pulls were listed as solid brass. Still Oval until 1930.

My smallest is a 516, dated at 1947 or so. The Oval and Hoop handles have both evaded me.

Nice get.

 

[Leviton]

From a distance, buried amongst other stuff at the thrift store, this box looked promising - metal handle, reinforced corners, appropriate size - was hoping for a WWII era box.

Unfortunately... not.
However, due to the sticker on the side, I had to at least take photos.







(It had writing embossed on the side that was mostly covered by the sticker. Attached is a reversed photo taken of the inside of the box - the embossing read:
"Don't Drill It... Drive It. )



You win some, you lose some.

edit: Originally typed "WWI", meant to type "WWII".

 

[RTM]

Attached is a reversed photo taken of the inside of the box - the embossing read:
"Don't Drill It... Drive It. )

First showing up in Google Books in 1949. Not awful, but not WWI.

 

[Leviton]

First showing up in Google Books in 1949. Not awful, but not WWI.

Oh. Thanks for catching that, I meant to type WWII, not WWI. And, thanks for the ... Drive It reasearch. Never thought that would have been as old as 1949.

 

[RTM]

Oh. Thanks for catching that, I meant to type WWII, not WWI. And, thanks for the ... Drive It reasearch. Never thought that would have been as old as 1949.

Surprised me too, the box looked older, like WWII, but didn't think the powder activated tools went back that far.

 

[Ryan]

Anyone know the model of this toolbox? I'm not at all up on this stuff, but the stainless side trim makes me think 1980s... but the old logo and full width pulls make me think a little older...

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone know the model of this toolbox?

It should have a model No. and year made on the back lower right corner from the back - use good light its often faint.

 

[Ryan]

It should have a model No. and year made on the back lower right corner from the back - use good light its often faint.

I don't have access to it unfortunately... Just word that it's available for cheap...

 

[four.cycle]

@Ryan, my Snap-on roller has that logo badge on the front, and it's a 1997, if I'm not mistaken. As Outlaw noted, the model number should be stamped on the back of the cabinet somewhere - mine is really difficult to read unless the light hits it just right.

 

[Tynee]

Anyone know the model of this toolbox? I'm not at all up on this stuff, but the stainless side trim makes me think 1980s... but the old logo and full width pulls make me think a little older...

It bears a striking resemblence to this KR557A from the 1980 catalog:

 

[Ryan]

Yeah, that's gotta be it... Thanks guys.

 

[Mintgrun]

It also looks like my KR-558 from '71.
It's stamped in the front lower left corner.



EDIT, I just looked up the difference between the 557 and 558 and it is the width.

From google:

The main difference between the vintage Snap-on KR557 and KR558 roll cabinets is their width and footprint, as they belong to different size tiers of Snap-on's classic 1970s and 1980s friction-slide tool storage lineups. [1, 2]

Key Comparisons

Feature	Snap-on KR557 (e.g., KR557B/C)	Snap-on KR558 (e.g., KR558B)
Width	~32-1/2 inches	~26-1/2 inches
Depth	~18 inches	~18 inches
Height	~38 inches	~37 inches
Typical Top Chest Companion	KR537 (approx. 35" wide)	KR533 / KR530 (approx. 26.5" wide)
Drawer Layout	7-drawer wider configuration	7-drawer narrower configuration

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Anyone know the model of this toolbox? I'm not at all up on this stuff, but the stainless side trim makes me think 1980s... but the old logo and full width pulls make me think a little older...

Late '70s up to 1980, KR 557. Worth an easy $250 in that condition.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

metal handle, reinforced corners, appropriate size - was hoping for a WWII era box.

Although there are a few references to suggest they started going metal as early as late 1945, most mfgrs of hip roof style boxes were still using leather handles through WWII, to the extent that a metal handle is still largely considered a postwar tell. Conversely, the ornate corner supports/feet started going away at the same time and the lack of them is typically a 1950s or later tell. The combination on that box strongly suggests late 1940s.

 

[FJ 432]

Spent the better part of 2-3 years looking for a KR1000 that didn't cost me over $2,000. I found this on Marketplace for $650, a 87 KR1000. IMHO the grandfather to the Epiq beauties sold today. Will be cleaning this up over the long weekend.

 

[Tynee]

Spent the better part of 2-3 years looking for a KR1000 that didn't cost me over $2,000. I found this on Marketplace for $650, a 87 KR1000. IMHO the grandfather to the Epiq beauties sold today. Will be cleaning this up over the long weekend.

What's going on here? Some kind of panel that flips open?

 

[FJ 432]

What's going on here? Some kind of panel that flips open?

Good eye. A unique feature (at least I know of no other model having this) is a flip up panel in the top that would remain hidden with a work surface added.

 

[Beerhippie]

Good eye. A unique feature (at least I know of no other model having this) is a flip up panel in the top that would remain hidden with a work surface added.

Is it big enough for a full-size 1911?

 

[FJ 432]

Is it big enough for a full-size 1911?

Not a gun expert but it's a narrow drawer. I would think not.

 

[Beerhippie]

Not a gun expert

Well, you know what a model 1911 is....

 

[Jgaz]

Good eye. A unique feature (at least I know of no other model having this) is a flip up panel in the top that would remain hidden with a work surface added.

Please post a more detailed picture preferably open. I’ve been around SnapOn boxes since the 70’s and have never heard of that feature.

 

[FJ 432]

Please post a more detailed picture preferably open. I’ve been around SnapOn boxes since the 70’s and have never heard of that feature.

Your wish...

 

[FJ 432]

Well, you know what a model 1911 is....

True but I don't own any guns. I think I owe that knowledge to the movie Ronin and my google search afterwards. Maybe not the smartest choice but a pistol I would like to own.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It's for a prybar

 

[DAustin]

Not a gun expert but it's a narrow drawer. I would think not.

Maybe for a torque wrench ?

 

[Ryan]

Picked up that box this evening. Damn thing looks near new. I don’t think anyone has ever really used this thing.

 

[Beerhippie]

It's for a prybar

Why, exactly, would you put the prybar in a separately locked, hidden compartment in the tool cart that would require a prybar to open if you didn't have the key?

 

[four.cycle]

Picked up that box this evening. Damn thing looks near new. I don’t think anyone has ever really used this thing.

^ excellent!

(* Meguiar's Cleaner Wax will work wonders on that red.)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Why, exactly, would you put the prybar in a separately locked, hidden compartment in the tool cart that would require a prybar to open if you didn't have the key?

When the snapon guy sold us those, he told us it was for the big prybar.

 

[Outlawmws]

Torque wrenches makes a lot more sense...

 

[Jgaz]

Your wish...

Very cool! Thank you

 

[Ryan]

Cleaned up pretty nicely with just some simple Green.






Slides are a little stiffer than I would like, so need to get some paraffin wax… otherwise, just add liners and this $150 toolbox is ready to go.

I’d really like to find another similar box to add to this one and build a workbench out of em…

 

[Outlawmws]

I’d really like to find another similar box to add to this one and build a workbench out of em…

Or add a Montezuma slant front top box and have a great tool cart!