New/First Tool Box!

[Alex in Canada]

Hi Everyone!

So, last Thursday I found an older Mac roll cab/S.O. side locker on kijiji. I went to take a look at it with my dad, and it was in pretty rough condition. As usual, the pictures made it look a lot better. So, we offered the guy $200 cash, and after pointing out more flaws, he finally said yes.

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So, I have a couple questions. First off, the roll cab doesn't have a lock, it only has the cylinder:

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What does it need, and where can I get it? I'm not sure the Mac Truck makes house calls

Also, what model do these look like? From my (limited) research, its a 900 series Mac box. There's a sticker in the Snap-on locker:

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Any advice when it comes to restoring it? My dad and I plan on pressure washing it, then priming, and painting.

Oh, and its missing a couple slide clip things. Any idea where to get those?

It certainly is a big step up from my little mastercraft toolbox! Now I just need tools to fill it with. Anyone want to donate? :bounce

Thanks for everything!
Alex

 

[zkling]

Nice box. More pics of the side box please.

The lock for the middle drawer is a security drawer lock. As in you should turn the lock and a tab should extend down to lock the drawer. I'm pretty sure that is a 5 series box. 27" wide? Should be something like MB520, it should be stamped on the back. The cheapest place to get drawer slide clips is through a company called waterloo. Just tell them you need the "little black slide clips" and they will know what you are talking about. ~$1 each. While you have them on the phone, give them the number to the lock and see if they have a key. Mac also has the parts, but at a higher cost in my experience.

What do you mean by "It only has the cylinder"? There should be a actuation rod that goes from the lock to the back locking mechanism for the drawers.

The snap on side box is most likely a KR274, 3 drawers and a shelf? It is stamped on the back, model and date.

 

[Burgerkong]

Yikes, which part of Canada are you in? I'm looking to sell my KR61 to make way for my Lista.

 

[zkling]

I'm looking to sell my KR61 to make way for my Lista.

What, say it ain't so. That and Lookin's Rick Mears box are the boxes that got me into vintage boxes in the first place. O I wish you were closer, I'd give it a loving home. Seriously, you're getting rid of that?

 

[Alex in Canada]

Nice box. More pics of the side box please.

What do you mean by "It only has the cylinder"? There should be a actuation rod that goes from the lock to the back locking mechanism for the drawers.

The snap on side box is most likely a KR274, 3 drawers and a shelf? It is stamped on the back, model and date.

I tried to show with the picture, but it only has the actual lock in which the key goes into. No actuation rod, no tab that goes to the drawer below.

The side cab it 3 drawer and a shelf. I can get more pics tomorrow. Do you want anything specific?

Yikes, which part of Canada are you in? I'm looking to sell my KR61 to make way for my Lista.

I'm in Hamilton, I actually bought the box from a guy in Markham.... why yikes?

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi Everyone!

So, last Thursday I found an older Mac roll cab/S.O. side locker on kijiji. I went to take a look at it with my dad, and it was in pretty rough condition. As usual, the pictures made it look a lot better. So, we offered the guy $200 cash, and after pointing out more flaws, he finally said yes.

[/URL][/IMG]

So, I have a couple questions. First off, the roll cab doesn't have a lock, it only has the cylinder:

[/URL][/IMG]

What does it need, and where can I get it? I'm not sure the Mac Truck makes house calls

Also, what model do these look like? From my (limited) research, its a 900 series Mac box. There's a sticker in the Snap-on locker:

[/URL][/IMG]

Any advice when it comes to restoring it? My dad and I plan on pressure washing it, then priming, and painting.

Oh, and its missing a couple slide clip things. Any idea where to get those?

It certainly is a big step up from my little mastercraft toolbox! Now I just need tools to fill it with. Anyone want to donate? :bounce

Thanks for everything!
Alex

That looks like corrosion (of some form) so I don't think you can use a pressure washer to clean it up, you'll need to grind it off (well...depends on how long you want it to last).

Most of the parts you're looking for can probably be found through the manufacturer or on ebay (like everything else).

 

[Burgerkong]

I tried to show with the picture, but it only has the actual lock in which the key goes into. No actuation rod, no tab that goes to the drawer below.

The side cab it 3 drawer and a shelf. I can get more pics tomorrow. Do you want anything specific?


I'm in Hamilton, I actually bought the box from a guy in Markham.... why yikes?

There are better deals on nicer condition Beach or Mastercraft boxes all the time, not so much on truck brands I find. Hell, even Herbrand boxes pop up occasionally as well as Proto. But if you're looking for MAC, Snap On or Matco in good condition for a decent price, be prepared to wait for a while.

What, say it ain't so. That and Lookin's Rick Mears box are the boxes that got me into vintage boxes in the first place. O I wish you were closer, I'd give it a loving home. Seriously, you're getting rid of that?

It's still being decided so I may keep it after all. I don't have space to store a top chest all by itself sadly, it'll use up valuable workbench space in the garage, whereas with the Lista it's freestanding and stores a lot more in less space. We'll see.

 

[Alex in Canada]

That looks like corrosion (of some form) so I don't think you can use a pressure washer to clean it up, you'll need to grind it off (well...depends on how long you want it to last).

Most of the parts you're looking for can probably be found through the manufacturer or on ebay (like everything else).

The pressure washer is only going to be used with simple green to get all the grease/grime off. It might take some paint off though

 

[Alex in Canada]

There are better deals on nicer condition Beach or Mastercraft boxes all the time, not so much on truck brands I find. Hell, even Herbrand boxes pop up occasionally as well as Proto. But if you're looking for MAC, Snap On or Matco in good condition for a decent price, be prepared to wait for a while.

Did I overpay then?

 

[Burgerkong]

Mine was greasy as well, the slides were full of hard grease. I went to town with a brush and Simple Green. It took a while, but I managed to get it squeaky clean without affecting the finish much. I don't think you should use a pressure washer on it. Be prepared to disassembled everything for cleaning though.

 

[ZRX61]

I've got a MAC box about the same age. The paint is absolute garbage quality. Rather than sanding it, it's much easier & a LOT faster to just wipe it off with lacquer thinner. You'll have it to bare metal in minutes.
I tried sanding mine at first, the paint gummed up the sanding discs pretty much instantly.
The handles are easy to remove.

You did just fine on price, but don't bother with pressure washing before wiping the paint off... & as you will have bare metal to start with you get to decide what paint & primer to use. (I had mine powdercoated)

 

[zkling]

I tried to show with the picture, but it only has the actual lock in which the key goes into. No actuation rod, no tab that goes to the drawer below.

Hum, that blows. There should be a long rod that goes from the lock to the back of the cabinet. Said rod should have threads on one end to screw into the lock and a bend on the other to actuate the rear, spring loaded locking bar. The secondary locking device is a tab that mounts to the tumbler, it swings down to lock the middle drawer. It wouldn't be too hard to make, but may take a few tries to get the dimensions correct. Again try waterloo and then Mac.

The side cab it 3 drawer and a shelf. I can get more pics tomorrow. Do you want anything specific?

That is OK, it is a KR274, the most common SO side cabinet.

It's still being decided so I may keep it after all. I don't have space to store a top chest all by itself sadly, it'll use up valuable workbench space in the garage, whereas with the Lista it's freestanding and stores a lot more in less space. We'll see.

O man, I think you will regret getting rid of that box. Why limit it to the garage? Storage for utensils in the kitchen? Use as a dresser or mans jewelery box? So many other options.

 

[DandDMachine]

Did I overpay then?

No you did good in my opinion. I sold that same Snap On side box on ebay a year or 2 ago. Got $350 for it.

 

[Alex in Canada]

Hum, that blows. There should be a long rod that goes from the lock to the back of the cabinet. Said rod should have threads on one end to screw into the lock and a bend on the other to actuate the rear, spring loaded locking bar. The secondary locking device is a tab that mounts to the tumbler, it swings down to lock the middle drawer. It wouldn't be too hard to make, but may take a few tries to get the dimensions correct. Again try waterloo and then Mac.

If you could find a pic somewhere, maybe I could fab up one? And then as a plan b and c contact waterloo, then mac

 

[Burgerkong]

Did I overpay then?

Naw, you paid pretty much the average price due to the name and all. Still a good deal. Stuff like this comes up fairly frequently:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...TERCRAFT-BEACH-TOOLBOX-SET-W0QQAdIdZ530630068

 

[zkling]

If you could find a pic somewhere, maybe I could fab up one? And then as a plan b and c contact waterloo, then mac

It is a rod with a bend at one end and threads at the other. Not rocket science. Play with that bar that goes across the top back to see how it works.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Did I overpay then?

You did okay. That's a lot of tool storage for $200.

 

[Alex in Canada]

It is a rod with a bend at one end and threads at the other. Not rocket science. Play with that bar that goes across the top back to see how it works.

I already have seen how it works, all the drawers had to be unlocked somehow after an hour trailer ride on its back.

Also, I didn't mean to sound commanding... Just thought if you had one easily accessible.

 

[zkling]

No worries, I just get tired of people that don't want to put any effort in finding a solution. If I had one to take a pic of I would, but I don't. Actually can you post a up close pic of that opening? I think you are missing more than just the rod. There should be a tab with a hole through it to suspend the rod from. When you turn the lock, the rod turns, and the bent end lifts up on the spring loaded angle piece in the back. I'm looking on google, but am not having much luck.

 

[Burgerkong]

O man, I think you will regret getting rid of that box. Why limit it to the garage? Storage for utensils in the kitchen? Use as a dresser or mans jewelery box? So many other options.

Store my Hot Wheels collection?

 

[rsanter]

I think you did fine on the price. Yes it is in rough shape but it will also give you many years of service wether you paint it or not.
Keep in mind that at some time when you upgrade to a better or bigger box you can still keep this one as a service cart, storage for bolts and misc, or storage of little used tools

Bob

 

[Alex in Canada]

No worries, I just get tired of people that don't want to put any effort in finding a solution. If I had one to take a pic of I would, but I don't. Actually can you post a up close pic of that opening? I think you are missing more than just the rod. There should be a tab with a hole through it to suspend the rod from. When you turn the lock, the rod turns, and the bent end lifts up on the spring loaded angle piece in the back. I'm looking on google, but am not having much luck.

I'm missing that part too. There's only two mounting holes where the rod holder is supposed to be

 

[zkling]

I'm missing that part too. There's only two mounting holes where the rod holder is supposed to be

Take the middle drawer out and take a picture of the inside opening. Also take a picture of the top center. I'll do some thinking and digging for ya'. Do you really need them to lock?

 

[Alex in Canada]

Take the middle drawer out and take a picture of the inside opening. Also take a picture of the top center. I'll do some thinking and digging for ya'. Do you really need them to lock?

I'll get the pic tomorrow. And no, I don't really need them to lock, I'm just OCD about things sometimes

 

[Alex in Canada]

Ok. So, as requested, I got more in depth pics.
Here's the top middle drawer gone:

Here's another view:


I know you guys know how the top drawer looks, but here it is anyway:


And, in other news, I found a part that was missing:


My dad said that this piece was most likely spot welded on, and eventually came off.... so somebody very crudely bolted it on

Guess where it was

Thanks you guys for all your help!

 

[zkling]

Great you are 1/2 way there now. It was either spot welded or riveted on. I don't remember. Where was it? In the bottom of the box? If you haven't pulled the bottom drawer, you may want to. Sometimes you will find lost treasured below the bottom drawer.

 

[cburnscrx]

I can't wait to see the final result, you've got a LOT of work ahead of you! Didn't realize it was a friction slide box until the final few pics. Good luck.

 

[Alex in Canada]

Great you are 1/2 way there now. It was either spot welded or riveted on. I don't remember. Where was it? In the bottom of the box? If you haven't pulled the bottom drawer, you may want to. Sometimes you will find lost treasured below the bottom drawer.

Haha, you guessed it! I'm going to be going to a local Ackland-Grainger to see if they have parts. I didn't even know they had Canadian locations! If not, me and my dad are going to fab up the rest. We already got ideas

I can't wait to see the final result, you've got a LOT of work ahead of you! Didn't realize it was a friction slide box until the final few pics. Good luck.

Yea, its going to be a fun little project. Can't do much during week, but I plan to clean it all up this weekend.

 

[Gregg33]

Naw, you paid pretty much the average price due to the name and all. Still a good deal. Stuff like this comes up fairly frequently:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...TERCRAFT-BEACH-TOOLBOX-SET-W0QQAdIdZ530630068

I have the center chest in equally good condition, but man I want that Beach "road box". I actually had one, but it was really rough so I sold it.

But back on topic with this thread. $200 is very fair for that set-up, considering they are truck brands. Used tool boxes in general I find are pricey. Although all the ones I bought were a fair price, only 1 bordered on a "you ****" deal.

 

[Outlander]

Nice thread! Nice to see you (and your Dad) restoring an old box. I always figure that when something like that was brand new, somebody was all excited about getting it home to use. Now that box gets to experience that feeling all over again

There are tons of threads on here about restoring boxes. I know because I think I spent 5 hours one night reading them all.

Please continue to post pictures of your progress, or even of the hiccups you will encounter. You will inspire others (like me) to grab an old box and give it a new home.

 

[Alex in Canada]

So, after a really busy week a little bit of progress has been done. These are all older pictures, newer ones coming up soon.

First, slides and drawer pulls came out:



Then, these were found:


and



Then the cleaning began:



That's all for now. Any idea what the numbers are for? They're done by permanent marker.

 

[zkling]

That reminds me I, will get you a pic tonight. The inside looks good, grimey, but not rusted out.

See if any of these help. The first ones are off a waterloo box, very similar. The last are off a snap on box. IIRC, the tricky thing about your box is the lock rod is threaded into the lock cylinder. You will need to put a nut or two on the locking rod before screwing it into the tumbler. The nuts will allow you to position the lock rod then tighten the nut so that the rod won't spin while you actuate it. It took me some time to get it together, but in the end they work good. I use to have a box just like yours, but have since gotten rid of it. There should also be a spring on both of those vertical locking bars at the bottom, pulling them down. When you turn the lock, which will rotate the rod that will in turn lift the back horizontal bar, you will be going against the spring tension. Locking will be aided by the spring tension.

 

[Alex in Canada]

Thanks for the pics! It doesn't look too hard to fab up. On the part that lifts the bar, for some reason I had a off center drilled circle in mind... These are much simpler however.

 

[Alex in Canada]

So, a bit more was done this weekend. Old Bosch angle grinder in hand, prepping began.
The top needed a fair bit of sanding:


The back was in better shape:


And the sides were in great shape!


A wurth flap disk was used, and worked wonders! Some places in the pics don't look like they've been cleaned, due to the lighting.

Next up: The drawers!

Comments, or advice are always appreciated!

 

[malibulvr]

Looking great, at least there doesn't seem to be a ton of dents or dings.

 

[Alex in Canada]

So, after a cold winter of zero work being done, I was getting sick of my tool box not being done, and decided to fix the problem.

The drawers needed a lot of work, and will still need to be bondo'ed. An angle grinder with a sanding disk was used for the most part, as well as a drill with a rust removal disk to get all the rust out.
I still need to make the whole drawer locking system, prime and paint. I am also planning on making a frame to hold the Mac box, and the Snap-on side box.

I have a feeling the next update will come sooner than this one did

EDIT: Wow, the picture makes the drawers look terrible. I assure everyone they are cleaned up well, my dad is a bodyman by trade and was overlooking the job

 

[Alex in Canada]

Just a quick update.

Drawers are primed and ready to paint. The box is almost ready to be primed. If all works out well, it will be painted in the coming week.

 

[Outlander]

Keep it up, you are on a roll!

 

[gipraw]

Nice to see the progress. It will be worth the work when you are done.

 

[Alex in Canada]

And the painting begins!

Couple small drawers after coat #1


Here's a picture of our set-up. The compressor (20 gal) on the right, connected to the galvanized air tank on the left.


Before:


During, included is my farmer-tanned dad, and the box is in the distance:


After, looks a lot better


The drawers drying after their final coat:


Note the weights that were used:


Pistons and rods from a 198* GM 6.2 diesel

And lastly the box was painted. I didn't get any process pics, but here's the final result:


Note the paint spill in the background