The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[zkling]

Be VERY careful with acetone, it can take the original paint along with the grime...

Don't just mix them all together.
Car wash soap is the mildest, then dawn, both mixed with water. Rubbing alcohol is pretty handy, it won't harm the paint, but will take off more stubborn goo's in my expereince. I reserve acetone for those really stubborn spots. Put it on a paper towel or the like, don't pour it on the box. Gentle rubbing then wash with water after.

Simple green full strength is good for removing paint if a box has been repainted with some cheap paint. You really have to be careful with general cleaners like 409, simple gree, purple power, etc they can be pretty hard on factory paint if left to sit for some time.

 

[MoparTruck85]

KRA-53 that was my grandpa's. I'd like to restore it someday

 

[Kent_B]

KRA-53 that was my grandpa's. I'd like to restore it someday

Old toolboxes that stay in the family make me smile. While you're waiting for time and/or funds to restore it why not just give it a good clean, lube and wax? You might find you like it just as it its.

 

[MoparTruck85]

Old toolboxes that stay in the family make me smile. While you're waiting for time and/or funds to restore it why not just give it a good clean, lube and wax? You might find you like it just as it its.

Well I did clean it up and lube the slides as it was pretty greasy when I got it, but I hadn't thought about waxing it. I would like to get it to have at least a little bit of shine to it if possible I'll have to give it a try. All my boxes are either from my dad or grandpa I would take them over a new one anyday.

 

[beatcad]

ive been searching a while for an old kennedy for my taps&dies and the like. last month I found this 1980 snap-on. it was on CL less than 20 mins from me. it even came w/ the slide clip removal tools. i'd heard of these, but i'd never seen 'em before. I always used little(tool truck x-mas gift)screwdrivers. it was listed for........wait for it..... 50 bucks! yeah, I didn't even try to talk the guy down.

 

[crewchief888]

ive been searching a while for an old kennedy for my taps&dies and the like. last month I found this 1980 snap-on. it was on CL less than 20 mins from me. it even came w/ the slide clip removal tools. i'd heard of these, but i'd never seen 'em before. I always used little(tool truck x-mas gift)screwdrivers. it was listed for........wait for it..... 50 bucks! yeah, I didn't even try to talk the guy down.

nice condition too

 

[zkling]

last month I found this 1980 snap-on. it was on CL less than 20 mins from me. it even came w/ the slide clip removal tools. i'd heard of these, but i'd never seen 'em before. I always used little(tool truck x-mas gift)screwdrivers. it was listed for........wait for it..... 50 bucks! yeah, I didn't even try to talk the guy down.

$50? Yea, you ****, especially in that condition Did you also get the key with it? It's a KRA-58. I like the combination of long and split drawers.

 

[beatcad]

$50? Yea, you ****, especially in that condition Did you also get the key with it? It's a KRA-58. I like the combination of long and split drawers.

yup. it came w/ the key.

 

[SatisTraction]

and they are all full

 

[zkling]

yup. it came w/ the key.

Fantastic deal.

and they are all full

Very nice setup. What year is your KRA-59A? We have one that is a 1965 IIRC. I like the chrome badge and trim. Really a classy box. I really like your top mac box as well.

 

[SatisTraction]

Fantastic deal.



Very nice setup. What year is your KRA-59A?:

no idea. how do I tell?

I think I have a matching mac top box on the way. not sure what I will do then. it will be time to sell something off and I don't like doing that.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Here's my Simonsen cantilever box I got at an auction a couple of weeks ago for $4. The kicker was it was filled with tools, but that's a story I posted in the "Garage Sale" thread.

I have always wanted a cantilever box but they were either overpriced, beat to hell or a combination of the two. This one is in really good shape. It had a lot of surface rust, but not a ding on it. I put it in the molasses bath the day after I bought it, and here's the pic of it in its current shape. I'll still have to DA it before prime and paint, but I think it's going to look great when it's done. You can see in the pics the sludge line after the molasses bath. I couldn't fully fit it in the tote I use so you can see where it stops.

 

[nine4gmc]

Model and date is stamped into the left side panel, near the bottom rear.

 

[Lkdelta]

Old toolboxes that stay in the family make me smile.

My grand-dad's old Barn tool box, Kennedy
I've had it 25 years and it was in his barn probably 15 years before that

 

[beatcad]

I guess I've been holding out to get better pix but these are my vintage gerstners. I don't know how old they are, but I believe they're older than me(I was born the year we put a man on the moon)

and here are my 2 smaller ones

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

subscribed.... and one day, i'll catch up to all 81 pages that i missed

 

[1oldtimer]

Here's a few I've pickup over the last few years, the brown one I just picked up yesterday. Every tool and box I get goes back into use (some daily at work), I love old tools and they serve me well.

Part 1

 

[1oldtimer]

Part 2

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here's a few I've pickup over the last few years, the brown one I just picked up yesterday. Every tool and box I get goes back into use (some daily at work), I love old tools and they serve me well.

Nice taco wagon

Is that little silver carry box with the blue handle a Union? I've got one very similar.

 

[nine4gmc]

71 Snap On 531A that I scored at trade day, a monthly swap meet/flea market thing.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Great stuff, 1oldtimer!

 

[Test Pilot]

Just picked this set up from the estate of the guy that taught me how to build race engines !!!! >>>>.

 

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

Awsome....Racer Brown Cams sticker, hadn't thought about that in years. Love the old stuff!

 

[thundermug]

Forgot to put this one on here. Snagged it this summer at a garage sale for $20. About laughed when I heard the price.

I'm all for patina, but I think this one is a candidate for a repaint. On the fence about it. I've seen what this exact box looks like with crisp paint. Loads of character without the rust and scratches.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547034_654008944492_1102544497_n.jpg

 

[crewchief888]

Forgot to put this one on here. Snagged it this summer at a garage sale for $20. About laughed when I heard the price.

I'm all for patina, but I think this one is a candidate for a repaint. On the fence about it. I've seen what this exact box looks like with crisp paint. Loads of character without the rust and scratches.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547034_654008944492_1102544497_n.jpg

i think i'd clean it up, and keep it as is

nice score

 

[zkling]

Just picked this set up from the estate of the guy that taught me how to build race engines !!!! >>>>.

Very nice boxes, and cool history. I bet they bring back alot of good memories. What types of engines did he and you build? The top looks like a KRA-57 you don't see many of those compared to other boxes, they are a bit different.

 

[Revere Cycles]

I picked this early Snap-On combo with some Harris oxygen/acetylene gear a couple weeks ago. The bottom is a KR-300B Rolla-Bench and the top is a KR-57. The original owner passed and his son was liquidating the estate. He gave me a pretty generous deal, I have no complaints. I have since moved them to my shop and cleaned them thoroughly. They're keepers for sure.

 

[zkling]

Reverse, that is super sweet. Those roll front bottom boxes are really neat IMHO. Funny, on the same page two different people post a KRA-57, a not so common box. Small world. How many drawers does your KR-300 have? Mind if I ask what a "pretty generous deal" on a stack of those boxes is? Have any pics after cleanup?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

71 Snap On 531A that I scored at trade day, a monthly swap meet/flea market thing.

I just picked up one of those in July...also a 1971, and with the handtray!

I've nearly finished restoring it. Will try to post pics soon.

 

[rusty65]

Two Kennedy boxes a 520 and MC-22. I have just over $65 invested in both boxes and both bought from pawn shop. A little history on the top box it belonged to a caterpillar machinist who started out in caterpillar in 1948 and worked till retirement in the company and continued using the box till his death in 2002. I have no history on the mid box unfortunately but I did find some Bayer aspirin and a pair of nail clippers in the top drawer.

Sent directly from the Snap On Kool Aid factory.

 

[nine4gmc]

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv, can't wait to see the pics. Would you mind getting a close up of the lid support, mine is missing.

 

[Revere Cycles]

Reverse, that is super sweet. Those roll front bottom boxes are really neat IMHO. Funny, on the same page two different people post a KRA-57, a not so common box. Small world. How many drawers does your KR-300 have? Mind if I ask what a "pretty generous deal" on a stack of those boxes is? Have any pics after cleanup?

My KR-300B has the standard six drawer configuration, along with the rear electrical outlets and mount for the task lamp. I have seen others with the optional nine drawer setup, but I like the open area at the bottom; it is a great place to keep some of my power tools.

I paid $200 for the two boxes and the Harris torches. Just before I showed up, a relative called and said he would take the Rolla-bench if I didn't buy it. There was a third box, a smaller bottom with drawers that they asked $100 for (I think it was a K-77 or KR-377).

 

[Rom'S]

 

[emeraldcoupe]

guess i should post this here also. picked this up at an estate sale about two weeks ago. snap on box full of tools....cheap too

 

[HighwayTrout]

My junk...

 

[HighwayTrout]

Uhh.. Lets try that again.

My Junk.

Picked this lot up at an estate sale. All the tools had been sold and all what was left were the boxes. In a previous life the boxes served in a auto body shop. Notice the lack of casters. Made to sit where you want it. The main box has one shelf across the entire opening. Used for bigger tools and supplies. The side boxes are also an open design with only 3 small drawers on top. The rest is an open box.

 

[crewchief888]

My junk...

i'm going blind!!!

 

[HighwayTrout]

i'm going blind!!!

Didnt listen to momma???
Hahahaha.

Nearly broke my back trying to unload it all by myself.

 

[crewchief888]

Didnt listen to momma???
Hahahaha.

Nearly broke my back trying to unload it all by myself.

ah ok now i see them..

whew

 

[bobkentnova]

This is quite a piece. Restored, it would be phenomenal!