Vintage Snap On Box Find/Restoration

[briandrex]

Picked this up today. From my research I think this is a KRA-58C. The previous owners looked to have done some touch up painting so I've yet to find the model number or born date. Everything is solid except for the second drawer down on the left which someone cut and installed a lock. Is there anyway to find a replacement drawer? I know one may pop up on ebay but I'm not looking to buy another box.

Unfortunately these are my before pics from the CL ad today as I've already taken the drawers and slides out. Very little rust and no dents I can find. Planning on sand blasting and repainting it but would like to replace the drawer or repair it if possible.

Also what have others used as far as spray cans for Snap On red color. I may buy a cheap spray gun from somewhere but haven't decided yet. I have a dewalt stand up compressor from Home Depot and I'm not sure if that's enough to paint with. Really enjoy the restoration threads on here and will continue this one with pics as this happens. May be awhile with work and everything but I'm following through this time! lol

 

[BLACK DEATH]

I found one here like that but he wants $100.

 

[briandrex]

I picked this up for $65. Not a you ****...but not bad. Looking forward to making this as perfect as I can. Going to research paint and how to get another drawer...lol

 

[I can fix anything]

I just bought this kra-55 for $10. I'm gonna customize this one. Are you going to remove the 2 hinges to prop the lid?



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[briandrex]

I just bought this kra-55 for $10. I'm gonna customize this one. Are you going to remove the 2 hinges to prop the lid?



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What do you mean by remove the hinges to prop the lid? If there is a benefit I'm open to it. Wow $10 is a sweet deal, I feel like I got ripped off!

 

[MoToys]

I have a 58 that is missing one of the full width drawers.
What is the measurement of the drawer you want to fix/replace?

 

[briandrex]

I have a 58 that is missing one of the full width drawers.
What is the measurement of the drawer you want to fix/replace?

MoToys,

I just measure and it's 10 1/2" long by 8" wide on the face and its 2" deep inside.

Thanks for checking!

 

[CaseyJoes.]

Looks like a perfect candidate to NOT restore. Looks cool and in nice original condition

 

[briandrex]

Looks like a perfect candidate to NOT restore. Looks cool and in nice original condition

Yes but the PO sprayed black paint in the top holder and the lids is missing about 25 percent of the the paint once I wiped it down. No rust but it will over time if I don't paint it.

This is a keeper so I'd like to take it back to close to looking new. I do like the old used but cared for look as well.

 

[MoToys]

MoToys,

I just measure and it's 10 1/2" long by 8" wide on the face and its 2" deep inside.

Thanks for checking!

I'll take a look tomorrow and let you know.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

You can fix that drawer if you have any experience at all with mig welding.

See the thread in my signature for tips on how to restore that box.

 

[briandrex]

You can fix that drawer if you have any experience at all with mig welding.

See the thread in my signature for tips on how to restore that box.

Lookin4 I'm hoping mine turns out as well as yours did. So far I'm in the process of sanding it down. Started the top yesterday with a dewalt 4 inch grinder and tiger paw sanding disk. I noticed it was leaving the metal uneven so I've changed over to the dewalt palm sander with emery sanding metal paper to take off the paint.

Couple of questions. For the most part the paint is not bad and there is little if any rust other than inside the box. If I sand everything smooth can I just use the original paint as a good base for the new Rust Oleum to stick too? I'm planning on using Rustoleum Sunrise Red probably 8 cans like Lookin4 did in his thread.

After I'm done sanding what is a good product to wipe everything down with to make sure everything is clean? I know prep is 95 percent of the game so I don't want to skimp on anything. I'll take it down to bare metal if it makes it look better in the end.

Right now I'm thinking of only lightly hitting the bottom so it has good coat of paint for rust proofing and lightly sanding the inside so that I can get a coat or two in there (where the drawers go).

The top tray will have more time spent on it and be treated like the outside of the box since it will get seen during use. I also need to replace the lock as there is no key and one of the rods on the locking mechanism is bent which I can hopefully straighten.

Before I commit to sunrise red are there any thoughts on mixing it up with a different color. I've kinda been bouncing around a cub cadet or john deere theme in my head but like the classic Snap On look. Here are some in progress photos.

 

[chris fresh]

do what YOU want,when i did my resto,a lot of guy's said stay red,i went blue and silver two tone.i'm very happy with it.

 

[Dwn Cam]

I have a circa early 70's rolling snap on tool box that my grandfather left me when he passed away. I'd like to do a resto someday but would like to make it like factory. Is there a color code or pantone that is called out on these old snap on boxes? Also where can I find some of the original stickers that are on the box, they are old and peeling off.