Snap-On KR557 Restore Question

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Just picked up this SO KR557 box for $150. Made in 1983. I plan on sanding and repainting it, but can't figure out how to get the trim off the corners. There is pop rivet at the bottom on each side that I removed, but the trim still won't come off. It will slide up and down a bit, but I can't get it off. Any help?

 

[Evan(CA)]

I can't help with your problem but YOU ****! Here I am about to buy a cheapo HF cart for 150

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Then you'll really be pissed that I got this Waterloo box for $25! The SO is replacing this one.

I love estate sales...

 

[toddacimer]

Most likely the material around the rivets deformed causing the trim to still feel stuck. Try prying it slightly and sliding it up.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Tried prying on it a bit and still can't seem to break it free. Didn't want to pry on it more and bend it up, so I stopped and posted this thread.

I was hoping there was a trick to it that I wasn't getting.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Take a rubber mallet and a piece of wood that's a little thicker than a scraper and tap it from the side. Eventually it will start moving and you can continue to tap it off.

See the thread in my signature.

 

[469 runner]

Yes, should just slide off.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Got them off. The trim is a square u-channel shape and the inside edge is rolled over and flattened. The lip of the metal that is rolled over snaps over another metal edge on the box. The outside side just sits flat on the outside of the box.

I ended up using a pick with a 90º bend at the end to get behind it and lift the edge up while using a putty knife and hammer to tap it off. Once about 1/2 of it was off, it pulled off the rest of the way by hand.

 

[zkling]

Nice box, good/great price. Is it all friction or a mix of friction and BB slides? If you can find the matching top for the same or less you will be in business.

Thanks for putting a border on the pics, that is just O so spiffy.

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

They are all friction slides. I have no interest in finding the matching top box. My Clarke upper box is a very nice box and is plenty big enough along with this lower box.

 

[zkling]

Cool. That Clarke box does look nice. The matching top for that bottom is just kinda iconic and different hence my comment. I wasn't sure when they started to mix friction and BB slides in those boxes. It was some time in the mid 80's. Later than 83 I guess. Post some pics when you get it all cleaned up

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Cool. That Clarke box does look nice. The matching top for that bottom is just kinda iconic and different hence my comment. I wasn't sure when they started to mix friction and BB slides in those boxes. It was some time in the mid 80's. Later than 83 I guess. Post some pics when you get it all cleaned up

zkling, my '85 KR 560 is all friction except for the largest drawer. My KR 655/650 combo is all ball bearing except for the smallest 7 drawers on the 650 top chest. The KR 537 and KR 557 from 1984, and KR 537 and KR 547 I have from 1983 are all friction slides.

Not sure when they switched to all ball bearing slides on everything.

 

[zkling]

Not sure when they switched to all ball bearing slides on everything.

Lookin' I'm still confused by your new picture.

Yea I'm not sure either when they started adding bottom drawers BB to the KR557. Must have only been for a few years in the mid to late 80's? I'm pretty sure all KR6XX boxes were all BB throughout, barring any tiny drawer. My 87 or 88 KR657 is all BB.

 

[fatfillup]

Well let me say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,YOU ****!!!!!


Nice looking box.

I realize pics can be deceiving both to the good and to the bad. Your box looks decent. Why repaint? Clean, lube and enjoy.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Clean, lube and enjoy.

So much could be said here...

 

[DieselSaves]

On that 557 box, how do you get the push handle off the side to paint it separately?

 

[Wine-o1]

The handle on the side is two halves that slide together horizontally with the outer part overlapping the inner part. A few taps with a hammer should be enough to free the halves or you may be able to just pull them apart.

 

[DieselSaves]

The handle on the side is two halves that slide together horizontally with the outer part overlapping the inner part. A few taps with a hammer should be enough to free the halves or you may be able to just pull them apart.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[zkling]

Thanks for the tip.

Just be kinda gentle with the hammer taps. The screws are long and you can end up inducing a pretty good torque on the weld nuts on the box.

 

[NedNorton]

That box looks pretty good from the picture you posted. Unless your going to have the re-finish done with 2 part auto material, I would clean it up and use it as is.

The Snap-On friction slides require a little more care but are bomb proof. All my boxes have them. Both the KR550 and KR560. The 80's generation boxes are heavy duty and will last more than a lifetime.

$150 gets a big YOU ****!!!!!!