The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
MBC top and bottom boxes dated 1971. Purchased pair off of Indy CL for $80. Had been on there for 3-4 weeks and seller said only 5 people had contacted with 0 coming to look at boxes. Lower box is 31-1/2 wide and 19 deep.
You stole those MBC's!
crewchief888
Well-known member
You stole those MBC's!
i'm calling the ISP to report some stolen boxes
tinkergeek
Well-known member
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- Dec 26, 2012
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- 107
Similar question for those with the info...
Looking at a Kennedy Machinist tool box - 7 drawer plus top catchall in vgood condition
Is $60 a good price?
Thanks
Looking at a Kennedy Machinist tool box - 7 drawer plus top catchall in vgood condition
Is $60 a good price?
Thanks
Outlawmws
Well-known member
if you are talking about the 20" wide top box, its a fair price in good to V good condition. it's probably the most common Kennedy around, and better deals (condition varies) may be found.
If it's a bottom roller, why isn't it in your garage?
If it's a bottom roller, why isn't it in your garage?
tinkergeek
Well-known member
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- Dec 26, 2012
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Thanks very much - yes it is the machinist top box.
Yes if roller box would have found a way to squeeze it in. Missed a kennedy roller box for 150 a little earlier but am just learning about toolboxes like this. Was second in line for a Gerstner WWII era leatherette (65) - really wanted that one for the history.
My current "toolbox" is a couple of drawers in a dresser and a folgers can - lol.
Yes if roller box would have found a way to squeeze it in. Missed a kennedy roller box for 150 a little earlier but am just learning about toolboxes like this. Was second in line for a Gerstner WWII era leatherette (65) - really wanted that one for the history.
My current "toolbox" is a couple of drawers in a dresser and a folgers can - lol.
sfriesen
Well-known member
A couple of weeks ago, I came across a month-old post on CL for an old Snap-On box. I figured it just hadn't been removed, but I asked. It was still available. Took a couple weeks before I could connect with the seller.
This is the best pic from CL:
I googled around a bit and decided it probably was a snap-on but I wasn't sure. The strips on the drawers didn't look right. I had wanted to take my full-size pickup when I went to look at it, but it was a haul out to get it and I had measured and realized it should fit in the hatch of my car. It was going to cost me $35 more to drive the truck, so I didn't.
I get there and the first thing the lady selling does is hold her hands out wide and says "You're going to need a truck to get this. Its huge and really heavy." I started to say no, I should be fine. Decided to go with "Ok, maybe we can go look at it and I can see what I'll need."
We go out the open shed where they are storing it. I look it over. I am told it was used in a body shop, her hubby is a bodyman. It's rougher than advertised, which was that drawers and wheels worked well and that it needs paint. Several drawers are hard to open, the wheels are not very smooth, no Snap-On badges, and the paint is very rough. I did find a working Y key (replacement, not snappy, and the lock more or less works) in one of the drawers but I cannot find the Snap-On stamp. It has these shiny covers on the drawer pulls that look out of place to my eye, and I'm not sure that it is a Snap-On. I make what I felt was a good offer and we talk some more before it is accepted.
Here it is in my car. Fits fine!:
Dark when I unload it at home. Finally found the stamp:
KRA-377D from 1972
It is pretty rough. Probably a grease problem with a couple drawers, the slides don't seem to be broken. A little bit of an odd gap around the top drawer. Don't think those drawer edge protectors are right.
I couldn't find my drawer removal tool thingies last night, but peering in under the bottom drawer I think I see the panel for the bottom drawer recess. Hope to find something better in there, maybe a name badge or random wrench or something.
Not as good as Rennebew did, but what kind of storage do you get at the big box store for $80? I have an older round-cornered cab and the round-corners just feel better to me. I need to clean it up and then I'll figure out whether to do more to it or not. I'm a patina guy, but if I'm going to redo it I'll want to mod it. All in all a fine time.
Thanks for playing along
This is the best pic from CL:
I googled around a bit and decided it probably was a snap-on but I wasn't sure. The strips on the drawers didn't look right. I had wanted to take my full-size pickup when I went to look at it, but it was a haul out to get it and I had measured and realized it should fit in the hatch of my car. It was going to cost me $35 more to drive the truck, so I didn't.
I get there and the first thing the lady selling does is hold her hands out wide and says "You're going to need a truck to get this. Its huge and really heavy." I started to say no, I should be fine. Decided to go with "Ok, maybe we can go look at it and I can see what I'll need."
We go out the open shed where they are storing it. I look it over. I am told it was used in a body shop, her hubby is a bodyman. It's rougher than advertised, which was that drawers and wheels worked well and that it needs paint. Several drawers are hard to open, the wheels are not very smooth, no Snap-On badges, and the paint is very rough. I did find a working Y key (replacement, not snappy, and the lock more or less works) in one of the drawers but I cannot find the Snap-On stamp. It has these shiny covers on the drawer pulls that look out of place to my eye, and I'm not sure that it is a Snap-On. I make what I felt was a good offer and we talk some more before it is accepted.
Here it is in my car. Fits fine!:
Dark when I unload it at home. Finally found the stamp:
KRA-377D from 1972
It is pretty rough. Probably a grease problem with a couple drawers, the slides don't seem to be broken. A little bit of an odd gap around the top drawer. Don't think those drawer edge protectors are right.
I couldn't find my drawer removal tool thingies last night, but peering in under the bottom drawer I think I see the panel for the bottom drawer recess. Hope to find something better in there, maybe a name badge or random wrench or something.
Not as good as Rennebew did, but what kind of storage do you get at the big box store for $80? I have an older round-cornered cab and the round-corners just feel better to me. I need to clean it up and then I'll figure out whether to do more to it or not. I'm a patina guy, but if I'm going to redo it I'll want to mod it. All in all a fine time.
Thanks for playing along
I picked this up the other day with the intention to repaint it and put it on my work bench. I think I'll fix it up and give it to my future son-in-law since it's a full sized 26" top chest. I'm thinking of a smaller machinist chest for my work bench now. At any rate, the quality is probably that of an older Craftsman box. My question is....does anyone know what brand this is? I've pulled the drawers and looked it over fairly well and I can't find a makers mark anywhere.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Whatever it is, there's sure to be a lot of history in that box!
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I would say SO or MBC, basically the same box if it is old as I think it is, late 50's, early 60's. If it is way newer then I think and it is just that rough, maybe a remline from the 80's. I'm more so think the first.
ianguilly
Well-known member
This is my snap on KR 550 & Kr 555B from 1985 next to that is my KRA 59k From early 90's along with my dad's early 90's craftsman homeowners box.
This box isn't mine, a co worker has this box that he bought new in 1972. he was a mechanic up until the 90's now he just help around the other shops but his box stays in one of our back buildings.
This box belongs to my boss & founder of my company, he keeps this one at his barn and rarely uses it. It appears to be an early 80's KRA roll chest with 9 drawer top box. Has a late 70's side cabinet on it as well
This box isn't mine, a co worker has this box that he bought new in 1972. he was a mechanic up until the 90's now he just help around the other shops but his box stays in one of our back buildings.
This box belongs to my boss & founder of my company, he keeps this one at his barn and rarely uses it. It appears to be an early 80's KRA roll chest with 9 drawer top box. Has a late 70's side cabinet on it as well
yjWrangler
Well-known member
I wish I could find a vintage Snap-On top box for sale nearby. Seems impossible to find around here.
SteveL
Well-known member
Can someone let me know what the demensions are on the old Cradftsman handles like the ones shown below? I'm in the middle of building a cart with a couple of dawers and would like to duplicate them.
Thanks!
Thanks!
paultorino
New member
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- Jan 20, 2013
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- 1
Was given Herbrand tool box. Know its at least 64 plus years old.Color is blue.Herbrand is in script Fremont,Ohio since 1881. Anyway to tell exactly how old it is.ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATThinking of sending to Ricks Restorations to have professionly done. Feedback on this please
Outlawmws
Well-known member
11/16 wide, 13/16 deep (To the inside) 4-1/8 Center to center on the mounting holes and about 1/16 thick material. (Al I had handy was a tape measure)
Darrin88
Well-known member
FJ 432
Well-known member
I have some that I recovered from a Power Kraft I couldn't save. They are the same size but are not etched like the craftsman chest if you're interested.
If you could supply a couple of good pics, I'm sure somebody here could help you.
Darrin88
Well-known member
pics and I can give you a idea.....
SteveL
Well-known member
Thanks for the offer but I've already got them made. Was actually pretty easy after making a two part die/jig that I put in a vise to press them in to shape. Will try to post some pics this week.
Thanks for the info on the demensions.
Does anybody know the max weight the each drawer will handle on the rollaway ?
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I would say propperly lubed, the drawers should easily handle 50 lbs. That vintage of craftsman boxes are built everybit as good as a SO of that sizes.
I love to see these old tool boxes. Very Cool! I love the metal art and design of some of the toolboxes!
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That is good to hear. The box seems sturdy. Now I got to figure out how to unlock the drawers on the one I picked up.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I used to have that top box and had it so loaded down that two strong men could not pick it up at all...
Catamount
Well-known member
I picked up this 1976 Snap On Bicentennial road chest (58C) today off of Craigslist. Pretty cool colors on the front, and inside things that may very well be from 1976 (pens from restaurants in my city I'd never even heard of). Full of "stuff". Old Craftsman wrenches, random sockets, taps... it looks like someone's junk drawer.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
That is neat!!
Jeep Monkey RTR
Well-known member
Help! This monster has Snap On badges and is red but that's about all I can
tell you about it other than its built like a battleship with 1/8" steel everywhere.
Some kind of cool,but weighs a ton empty. My guess would be a purpose built
deal for manufacturing or rebuilding. Any ideas appreciated.
Overhead florescent fixture is on a trolley that rolls side to side.
All the doors are lockable (or were). Bench top shows signs of some hard rubber or linoleum covering at one time.
receptacles seen here on the lower bench edge are mostly 2-prong,but one or
two have grounded outlets. (possibly replacements).
All the doors below the bench tops have jamb switches for florescent lights
hidden underneath the bench tops.
screen covers the florescent lights
Another neat feature,swinging trays are located behind the left side door.
Overkill comes to mind here...
storage everywhere.
no idea on this round deal that opens to the back seen in these next two pics.
Some sort of hotplate on the top with cloth covered cord.
plumbed for air too.
Ok, this ain't funny anymore. Did you ever get more info on this box.
brockwaykid
Member
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- Jan 27, 2013
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- 8
jayjay9002
Active member
so still new to this site but I've got an old Waterloo box I picked up I'm 21 box is well past my age I'll try to post pics...if I can figure it out
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jayjay9002
Active member
https://imageshack.us/a/img705/3739/resizedimage95135820067.jpg
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jayjay9002
Active member
jayjay9002 said:
the box is at my work now threw out the mdf top which was as old as the box and was basically useless... want to get this thing painted thought about lime green and black drawer pulls? or leave it?
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Joseph36
Active member
At least 50 years old , covered in rust, and it's still better than any of the new ones. The beauty of it overall , the lighting of the compartments, the outlets, the swinging trays. Too heavy , I don't think so, puts the new stuff to shame. Ramblur , please let us know when you find out who made it.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
That's the last place I would send a tool box to have it "professionally done". The only thing that will be done to a professional standard is how far he inserts it before he breaks it off in your ***.
Any sign place can duplicate the decals etc, a sign writer could do it by hand from pictures/scans & just about any powdercoat shop can handle a toolbox.
Guess I'll add my recent acquisition. The bottom roll cab is an MB920. I couldn't really make out the stamps/roll marks on the top/middle/side chests. They were just too faint even with a flashlight looking from different angles. Also tried tracing with a paper and pencil but no dice. Anyways, I did measure the interior dimensions of all the drawers and the top cavity. Total capacity is 28,494 cubic inches. This box could definitely do with a restore due to grime build up, but it's fully servicable as is. One set of the drawer slides is a little off though. The drawer worked fine, but I pulled it out to move and it doesn't want to insert back in since one of the slides is slightly bent/separating. I'm happy with it overall though.
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Patrick123
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- May 31, 2012
- Messages
- 229
AL` wish I I could find a top box like yours. Still searching