The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[posaune]

It doesn't look like the paint was patterned like that to me; it looks like something splattered on there. But what do I know?

I thought so too, but it really is quite even on all sides, including the edges of drawers and top under the mat. It is also the same gloss as the base paint.

You are very luck. You should restore, If you do post pictures. I love restored vintage boxes.

Was that for me? If so, I think I'm just going to clean it and see what I get. I could never match the paint anyway and at this point I think it looks too nice to strip. I have a couple other really ratty looking boxes in line for that treatment anyway.

Dude, that is an absolutely awesome find, and a steal of a price! It's even got the factory task light/outlets, right? Those look possibly original.

I have seen a few Herbrand boxes in pics on here, in more than one color I think, and they were also splattered like that.

Was the seller some old codger?

Yep, the light and outlets look original. At some point the owner had taken them off though so I need to check to see what hardware I'll need to reattach.

The seller was retired (and moving from Litchfield, CT to FL) but wasn't the usual old tool guy I'd expect. I'm not even sure how he got this. He estimated the build date at pre-'40s, which I think is way too early (I'd have estimated '60s but I'm kinda dumb). What I found extra crazy was that he decided to keep the tiny and poorly built Craftsman homeowner set that he had instead of this one. Not that I'm complaining of course....

 

[Hoby]

Lazarus Long , called Sears main office they asked for measurment of box, drawer sizes and drawer layout and thats the date they gave.

 

[Bull]

I thought so too, but it really is quite even on all sides, including the edges of drawers and top under the mat. It is also the same gloss as the base paint.



Was that for me? If so, I think I'm just going to clean it and see what I get. I could never match the paint anyway and at this point I think it looks too nice to strip. I have a couple other really ratty looking boxes in line for that treatment anyway.



Yep, the light and outlets look original. At some point the owner had taken them off though so I need to check to see what hardware I'll need to reattach.

The seller was retired (and moving from Litchfield, CT to FL) but wasn't the usual old tool guy I'd expect. I'm not even sure how he got this. He estimated the build date at pre-'40s, which I think is way too early (I'd have estimated '60s but I'm kinda dumb). What I found extra crazy was that he decided to keep the tiny and poorly built Craftsman homeowner set that he had instead of this one. Not that I'm complaining of course....

I am willing to bet he was pretty close on that build era. I sold all my Herbrand catalogs, but I had some from the 30s that had boxes just like that in there. I would say no later than the '40s.

We have one or two Herbrand experts in here.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lazarus Long , called Sears main office they asked for measurment of box, drawer sizes and drawer layout and thats the date they gave.

Well based on measurements and drawer sizes alone, I doubt that it would be possible to date it as that size/config of machinist box has been in production in both wood (probably first in wood) and metal for something close to 100 years?

Secondly as I mentioned, they did not even use that /craftsman Trademark until about 1930, and not extensively until the mid thirties.

Most importantly unless someone placed that tag on the box at a later date, that style tag was solidly 50's.

I think someone was just blowing smoke at the main office.

 

[Outlawmws]

Some early logos:

This one is from the 31 catalog and only a couple of saws and a gas welding outfit were marketed "craftsman"

This one iwas cliamed to be 1927, but I have not been able to verify the Craftsman name was actually that early.

The "Long C" logo; this one probably ran longer in one form or another than any other logo except possibly crown logo of the sixties.

And the 50's logo; Identical to yours with the exception of the red and blur are reversed, which is rare but not unknown.

 

[jusridin]

Here is a pic of my purple herbrand, just in agreement that herbrbrand did some different stuff, I love the originality of this box and I would never restore it. I think yours could be original.... lol but I have been wrong before.

 

[posaune]

Here is a pic of my purple herbrand, just in agreement that herbrbrand did some different stuff, I love the originality of this box and I would never restore it. I think yours could be original.... lol but I have been wrong before.

Nice!

I attached the light today- it worked perfectly!

 

[jusridin]

Too ******** cool, I want the top box in a bad way for mine. That light is a very cool feature.

 

[bobkentnova]

The chest below was my Grandfather's. It's a Kennedy. My guess is that it's from the 1930's. About 18 years ago I painted the exterior a dark red; originally it was a dark-dark red. Last fall I replaced the casters and caster sockets. The old casters looked horrible and had seized; consequently the caster sockets had deformed. This Kennedy is a solid piece that functions quite well. My grandfather used it daily in his shop for decades, where I use it just for household/automotive DIY jobs.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That is very coo!! Never seen a toolbox like that.

 

[M-technik-3]

Came across this one today.

But at 700 obo for craigslist I'll pass.

 

[Outlawmws]

What a great Kennedy box! and with family history too!

 

[Outlawmws]

Came across this one today.

But at 700 obo for craigslist I'll pass.

Taco wagon, but make a visit and make an offer. (after you can actually see it and point to any deficiencies... I hate loballers that make silly offers sight unseen... Last week I had a woman ask me to drop from $65 to $50, AND deliver said item at a fuel cost to me of $10... )

 

[M-technik-3]

Taco wagon, but make a visit and make an offer. (after you can actually see it and point to any deficiencies... I hate loballers that make silly offers sight unseen... Last week I had a woman ask me to drop from $65 to $50, AND deliver said item at a fuel cost to me of $10... )

Was tempted but my garage is full now.

 

[Flatintoone]

M-technik-3,
That looks familiar. Is it somewhere in Wisconsin? If so, I think it's been on and off CL for at least a couple of months...

 

[M-technik-3]

M-technik-3,
That looks familiar. Is it somewhere in Wisconsin? If so, I think it's been on and off CL for at least a couple of months...

No CT it's on the Hartford CL list.

 

[Nebraska03]

This past Tuesday, April 17th, I picked up a Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest for $10 at a former plumbing/re-use store that was closing. It's in pretty good shape, but it's been repainted before and has some rust around the bottom, obviously spent some time outdoors in the rain. The old paint is flaking off, and the drawer liners are sort of rough and need cleaning.

I don't think it was originally that Kennedy brown color, and the liners appear almost black. It looks to have been originally gray. Also, I've never seen one with the round knobs on the drawers instead of the rectangular ones. I plan to keep it in my trunk to organize my tool set better. Here's some pics!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962319528/" title="Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/6962319528_e1cdfa799f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962321216/" title="DSCN2730 by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6962321216_5e0ac02714_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSCN2730"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962319632/" title="DSCN2731 by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/6962319632_55acb7a48a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSCN2731"></a>

 

[jeffmoss26]

10 bucks?!!! wow!!

 

[ford guy]

I picked this up last month on Craigslist. I bought it from the deceased owners son, & he estimated the build date to be around the early 1970's It is a little banged up and really greasy...at least the drawers open & close smoothly. I couldn't pull the $40.00 out of my pocket fast enough and the base roller had to hang out of my trunk to get it home! It is currently under restoration.

Bob

 

[Outlawmws]

This past Tuesday, April 17th, I picked up a Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest for $10 at a former plumbing/re-use store that was closing. It's in pretty good shape, but it's been repainted before and has some rust around the bottom, obviously spent some time outdoors in the rain. The old paint is flaking off, and the drawer liners are sort of rough and need cleaning.

I don't think it was originally that Kennedy brown color, and the liners appear almost black. It looks to have been originally gray. Also, I've never seen one with the round knobs on the drawers instead of the rectangular ones. I plan to keep it in my trunk to organize my tool set better. Here's some pics!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962319528/" title="Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/6962319528_e1cdfa799f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Kennedy 520 Machinist's Chest"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962321216/" title="DSCN2730 by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6962321216_5e0ac02714_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSCN2730"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neplains2/6962319632/" title="DSCN2731 by neplains, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/6962319632_55acb7a48a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSCN2731"></a>

Hard to tell in the pics for sure, but that Kennedy looks to be hammer tone silver or gray. No evidence of a wrinkle finish? The black was almost certainly sprayed on by a PO, not Kennedy.

Great deal at $10!

 

[CRTDI]

Today was a happy day. In my usual CL checking, I ran across an ad with no pic for a "HerGrand tool box." Thanks to GJ, I was pretty sure that this was actually going to be a Herbrand, which I was quite interested in seeing.

Unfortunately, since my wagon was totaled recently (tree/snow storm/insurance company/bad luck), I had to wait for my wife's to be available. Finally, I had the car this morning before she woke up so I called the guy. He still had it, so this is what I brought home for $25:

I know my phone pics aren't the best, but I think you can see the paint in the pic of the badge. It is sort of a splatter effect - lighter red on bright red. I wonder if this is how it came. Everything is like that and it is evenly done over the whole box and the light attachment. A better view (of the back):

I have RemLines and Huots that I've picked up for cheap and painted to match each other, but I think this is staying as-is. It is too good to strip and repaint! I was pretty happy for $25.

Truly an awesome score!! I'm no expert, but I think the paint splatter effect is an original finish:

 

[jeffmoss26]

ford guy, what is the manufacturer? I can not read the emblem.

 

[jusridin]

Thanks for the reference page Cry, now I must get the top box!

 

[ford guy]

ford guy, what is the manufacturer? I can not read the emblem.

It is a Rem-Line brand. I also just got some drawer locks modified to lock the top box.

Bob

 

[jeffmoss26]

Looking forward to seeing restoration pics!

 

[SquirrelSOMD]

Been lurking for a while and thought it would be a good time to finally post. This was a my great grand father's box. I got it when my grand parents moved from their last house and they were just going to leave it in the shed.

Any clue who made it? Almost looks like a Herbrand, judging by the catalog page posted up above. I know its been around from the early 60's because on the inside of the lid there is old texaco oil change stickers from 63' and 64'.

 

[Outlawmws]

It could be Herbrand, RemLine or Huot pretty easily.

 

[CouchSpring]

I'll vote Rem-line.

 

[TruckJunkie]

I inherited the Proto top box from my Grandfather along with some tools. Have not seen another Proto box like it, but have seen the same box with the Snap-On brand on it a couple times. Have it sitting on a Kennedy roll-around I picked up at a military surplus sale a while back.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Both of those boxes are sweet!!

 

[jusridin]

I am loving that Proto box!

 

[sneakyfast]

I submit my grandfathers box. he was an aviatioin mechanic in the Air Force followed by NASA.

Still use his tools and this box is my only one. it has his handscratched name plate and NASA sticker.

Damn I love this box....it's my one and only.

 

[Hearselover]

Don't know if anyone can shed any light on this box. Old toolboxes are not something i've come across in the UK a great deal so when I saw this at a retro show thought I would buy it and think it would look good on the passenger seat of an old pickup etc. It has Union Utility Chest and Union Steel Chest Corporation stamped on the handle and lock. I only paid £13 for is but not really interested in value as I just thought it looked cool.

 

[Outlawmws]

Been lurking for a while and thought it would be a good time to finally post. This was a my great grand father's box. I got it when my grand parents moved from their last house and they were just going to leave it in the shed.

Any clue who made it? Almost looks like a Herbrand, judging by the catalog page posted up above. I know its been around from the early 60's because on the inside of the lid there is old texaco oil change stickers from 63' and 64'.

I played with one of the cover pics a bit to see if I could get the shadowed name to come up a bit more. Limited success... You might try some more pics under different lighting and pic angles and play with the contrasts and such in MS Picture manager or photo shop..

Is that original paint or someone's rattle can attempt?

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have a small toolbox made by Union Steel Chest Corp. too. It also says 'UTILCO' on it. Yours is a much brighter shade of green, mine is more like an army color.

 

[snapmom]

Its a Snap on box.

I played with one of the cover pics a bit to see if I could get the shadowed name to come up a bit more. Limited success... You might try some more pics under different lighting and pic angles and play with the contrasts and such in MS Picture manager or photo shop..

Is that original paint or someone's rattle can attempt?

 

[bissonj]

I just make it in too! Bottom is 87, top 88, just finished this weekend washing (3 times) with simple green. First 2 times 50/50 solution there was a ton of grease dirt and oil in this thing. Changing around damaged drawer slides, so now the drawers in the bottom section all work and have to replace the 4 sets in the top. next steps full sanding and rustoluem red. Although I may go to the auto store and look for a cranberry color I kinda like that Snap On color. Have to match up the locksets too. Not too shabby for 300, by the time I'm done I figure to have 450 invested. I do plan on sending the old owner pictures of what he couldn't wait to get rid of

 

[softailgarage]

Posted this in another thread, but thought I would add to this one as well. Found it on Craigslist for $40.00. Picked it up from a Marine on Camp Pendleton.

 

[Harwinton]

I don't see a lot of folks here with old oak tool boxes!

 

[bobadame]

There should be a few here.


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