The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[bobcatdan]

That is a really cool setup 3baygarage. I don't think I have ever seen a williams tool box before. What is the story behind williams tool boxes? Were they a division of snap on like the modern hand tools? I see alot of similarities in that box and the older snap on boxes? Are they date stamped or anything? Would you mind taking a picture of one of the drawer slides? I wonder if that would tell us who the maker was.

Either way, cool boxes, I like that drawer setup. Safe to assume they are 27" wide?

I'm pretty sure Williams boxes were made by MBC, hence the similarities to SO. A customer's shop I go to has an old as hell Williams box and it is very SOish. I don't think SO bought Williams until the 90's.

 

[Outlawmws]

Those Williams look a lot like MBC built boxes, (Who also made SO boxes back in the day)

Any markings on the back (it will be faint so look hard...)?

 

[Outlawmws]

Beat by a minute!

 

[bobcatdan]

Gota be on your toes

 

[blacksuit99]

My snap on k55r.. Love the old stuff!


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[zkling]

I'm pretty sure Williams boxes were made by MBC, hence the similarities to SO. A customer's shop I go to has an old as hell Williams box and it is very SOish. I don't think SO bought Williams until the 90's.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info.

 

[nine4gmc]

It's pretty impressive how that box traveled back and forth from East Coast to West Coast. Looks like it was right near me in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. I know Trico left here for Mexico a while back though.[/QUOTE]


That is a serious cool factor there!!!

 

[matt stott]

Thanks everyone- I am definitely fascinated by the history of this Gerstner. He worked through WWII in NY (or served and went back to the same co), went to CA for one year, then back to NY for one year, then back to CA for the rest of his career. Making some guesses- if he started at 18 years old, and retired at 65, he would have worked until 1984, but there is no retirement date on the box. This is what I find strange- someone took the time to record EVERY job start and finish, but neglects the biggest finish of all- retirement. The box was in too good of shape to think he just walked away/neglected his tools, either.

Anyway- glad I could share this one, I am a big fan of the old machinist boxes.

Love that Snap-On box above, Blacksuit and Beatcad- your Gerstner looks to be in REALLY good shape. The felt in mine was mostly gone, and what was left was 99% oil sponge. Someone took very good care of that one!

Matt

It's pretty impressive how that box traveled back and forth from East Coast to West Coast. Looks like it was right near me in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. I know Trico left here for Mexico a while back though.[/QUOTE]

 

[Revere Cycles]

Here's an old Williams box with some character to it that I picked up recently.

That's very cool! Yours is the first Williams combo I have seen in a long time. My grandfather left me the top box after he passed, and I have been searching for the matching bottom box for several years.

 

[3baygarage]

Those Williams look a lot like MBC built boxes, (Who also made SO boxes back in the day)

Any markings on the back (it will be faint so look hard...)?

Thanks for the responses and info guys, I will try to look it over for any markings and get back to you all.
.

 

[Mumbly00]

You made the right choice. Great buy!

Got any more pics?

Good to see all the love for the snap on combo. i bought it with the hopes of moving out of my 26" that i have had for 3 years and outgrew the day i bought it, the lady friend has been patient and understanding about the increasing number of tools that were migrating inside. having a small box i was only allowed the luxury of buying new tools if i needed them to do the job.

of course i have more pictures (i hope this works)

This is the CL ad i responded too,

since i bought it i have been cleaning the years of dust and grime off of it, putting in new drawer liners. prior to my purchasing it i was thinking i would restore it. but I have since grown to love the "patina" and i know there are a lot of patina guys on here. sorry about the bad picture lighting in the "her" garage is hopeful at best.

while in the little box i thought i had a ton of sockets. so i decided to get them organized. turns out i dont have nearly as much as I thought. I was worried about the divided top, but have since found it useful, my Hex sockets and specialty i keep in the little tray, and the metric tray fits nicely in the front.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Beautiful Williams set up 3baygarage. I also think it was made by MBC and would guess it is a MB-228.

Thanks for showing

 

[bobemmerich]

Here's an old Williams box with some character to it that I picked up recently.

NICE! I had the same set up, only my bottom was 9 drawers. I couldn't find any info on them. I sold it a few months back to make room, and regret it ever since!

 

[malibulvr]

It's pretty impressive how that box traveled back and forth from East Coast to West Coast. Looks like it was right near me in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. I know Trico left here for Mexico a while back though.[/QUOTE]

Wow, that is to o cool. I work with a couple guys who worked at trico. Such a small world.

 

[rippered]

I was lucky enough to be the first caller on this. The seller was even offered 100 more for it by some ******* trying to snake it from me.
This will make a great Xmas gift for my BIL who is starting his own weld and machine shop.

 

[blackhawkdriver]

here's my 1950's craftsman:

 

[zkling]

I was lucky enough to be the first caller on this. The seller was even offered 100 more for it by some ******* trying to snake it from me.
This will make a great Xmas gift for my BIL who is starting his own weld and machine shop.

O that is too cool. Early 40's K-55 setup. I'd love to find one of those top boxes. Looks to be in really good condition. Did it come with any tools? So if someone offered $100 more, mind if I ask what it set you back or was listed for?

 

[rippered]

O that is too cool. Early 40's K-55 setup. I'd love to find one of those top boxes. Looks to be in really good condition. Did it come with any tools? So if someone offered $100 more, mind if I ask what it set you back or was listed for?

I paid $150 It is cool. I love the wrinkle paint. Shouldn't there be a middle box ? Or is it made for short people ?

 

[zkling]

I paid $150 It is cool. I love the wrinkle paint. Shouldn't there be a middle box ? Or is it made for short people ?

I think that is a very fair price considering condition and completeness. Did it come with the tools pictured?

No there is no middle box for that set. The middle box that "fits" came out later and is not really designed for that set. Yea I think the average American was shorter and thinner back in the day. I have the box before that one and they are very short compared to modern boxes. I bet your BIL will be thrilled.

Are those keys original? Would you mind taking a pic of them? If they are original I'm amazed that they haven't been lost over the years.

Here is a catalog scan of that box. Early 40's K-55-W and RK-50-W

http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs-large/1942_Catalog_P/1942-Catalog-P-p43.jpg

 

[bluebolt]

Rippered and Blachawkdriver, nice scores on the Snap On and Craftsman boxes! Rippered, $150 for that setup is a "U ****" in my opinion!

 

[johnnybentwrench]

PLVMB Tool Mobile

 

[jes_si]

I think this is a vintage Snap On box, not sure on the model # but it loos 80's to me. This box was given to me by my father I think Ill do a small resto on it, Paint still looks good just needs some degreasing and some wax and I think it will shine





The tab broke off on the back so I need to source one. So I can put it back on the bottom chest


I found these along with my dads EC payment plan.



drawers are a little hard to pull any suggestions on how to lubricate the slides?

 

[rmalkow2]

Nice job bringing back to life a worthy old box.

 

[road]

I love old tool boxes.
I missed this one off Kijiji a few months ago .

It's friggin Cool !

 

[rmalkow2]

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

I agree with you 1oldtimer. I am always on the lookout to re-purpose old boxes. Just tired of the cheap plastic mentality today.

 

[ZRX61]

here's my 1950's craftsman:

I have its twin.

 

[jakemac]

I love those Cman boxes. I keep looking, but haven't run into one yet.

 

[Mumbly00]

I think this is a vintage Snap On box, not sure on the model # but it loos 80's to me. This box was given to me by my father I think Ill do a small resto on it, Paint still looks good just needs some degreasing and some wax and I think it will shine





The tab broke off on the back so I need to source one. So I can put it back on the bottom chest


I found these along with my dads EC payment plan.



drawers are a little hard to pull any suggestions on how to lubricate the slides?

Love it, I know there is a thread of someone restoring that top box. Look a couple posts up I have the same (mine isn't a special edition) top and bottom.

 

[zkling]

I think this is a vintage Snap On box, not sure on the model # but it loos 80's to me. This box was given to me by my father I think Ill do a small resto on it, Paint still looks good just needs some degreasing and some wax and I think it will shine

drawers are a little hard to pull any suggestions on how to lubricate the slides?

Very cool box. An iconic snap on box. They are stamped on the back date and model. That is a KR537 (top) rick mears edition and a KR557 (bottom). Probably mid 80's? IDK, and exact date will be on the back.

Should have all friction slide drawers, I use a waxy product called "Door Ease" super cheap and much better than grease, just pull out the slides, clean straighten, clean again and apply the door ease like a chap stick. Grease will gum up over time and act as a lapping compound if grit ever gets in the slides.

Love it, I know there is a thread of someone restoring that top box. Look a couple posts up I have the same (mine isn't a special edition) top and bottom.

Yep, ol' Lookin's famous KR537 rick mears resto.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38758

 

[jes_si]

Love it, I know there is a thread of someone restoring that top box. Look a couple posts up I have the same (mine isn't a special edition) top and bottom.

Im going to have to look for that resto thread to help me get some ideas thanks

Very cool box. An iconic snap on box. They are stamped on the back date and model. That is a KR537 (top) rick mears edition and a KR557 (bottom). Probably mid 80's? IDK, and exact date will be on the back.

Should have all friction slide drawers, I use a waxy product called "Door Ease" super cheap and much better than grease, just pull out the slides, clean straighten, clean again and apply the door ease like a chap stick. Grease will gum up over time and act as a lapping compound if grit ever gets in the slides.



Yep, ol' Lookin's famous KR537 rick mears resto.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38758

Door Ease got it ill shop around for it thanks

 

[rippered]

I think that is a very fair price considering condition and completeness. Did it come with the tools pictured?
No good tools, just some punches and misc ****


Are those keys original? Would you mind taking a pic of them? If they are original I'm amazed that they haven't been lost over the years.
The seller says they are original











Here is a catalog scan of that box. Early 40's K-55-W and RK-50-W

http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs-large/1942_Catalog_P/1942-Catalog-P-p43.jpg

Thanks !

 

[BFBOB]

My snap on k55r.. Love the old stuff!


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Nice box! I have one just like it, tote tray and all (but with less "patina" so it's worth less).
Is yours stamped with the model / date? I've looked all over mine and can't find it. Maybe if I knew where to look it would help.
Thanks

 

[blacksuit99]

There isn't a model/ date stamped on it. They didn't start doing that till later.


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[zkling]

Nice box! I have one just like it, tote tray and all (but with less "patina" so it's worth less).
Is yours stamped with the model / date? I've looked all over mine and can't find it. Maybe if I knew where to look it would help.
Thanks

Post up a pick of your BFBOB As blacksuit said, they didn't stamp the boxes back then it is a model K-55R or W (R for red, W for wrinkle grey). Early to late-ish 40's. I personally think they re pretty cool, a good mix of neat yet practical.

 

[BFBOB]

Post up a pick of your BFBOB As blacksuit said, they didn't stamp the boxes back then it is a model K-55R or W (R for red, W for wrinkle grey). Early to late-ish 40's. I personally think they re pretty cool, a good mix of neat yet practical.

Ask and ye shall receive:
It's dirty, but really in quite good usable condition. Everything works except for the lock and there's no major rust or dents. The previous owner even left me a couple of vintage cartoons. I think I'll not "clean" those off.
It strikes me as odd that there are two different styles of logo on this box. Both have to be original; the front cover doesn't fit any other box, and the box one is riveted, clearly with factory rivets.

 

[Flatintoone]

jes_si, Like others have said, there's a thread out there of a restoration of one of those boxes. I'd guess that it was '84 or '85, to celebrate Mears' 2nd Indy win.

 

[blacksuit99]

Bfbob, thank you for posting pics of that. My box didn't have a lock when I bought it and I have been curious to see what the original locked like. I had to buy a lock from ace hardware and do some cuttin and bending to make it work...


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[BFBOB]

Bfbob, thank you for posting pics of that. My box didn't have a lock when I bought it and I have been curious to see what the original locked like. I had to buy a lock from ace hardware and do some cuttin and bending to make it work...
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I guess I'll carry it around with me until I see a Snap-On truck, and then we'll see just how good that warranty really is!

 

[zkling]

Ask and ye shall receive:
It's dirty, but really in quite good usable condition. Everything works except for the lock and there's no major rust or dents. The previous owner even left me a couple of vintage cartoons. I think I'll not "clean" those off.
It strikes me as odd that there are two different styles of logo on this box. Both have to be original; the front cover doesn't fit any other box, and the box one is riveted, clearly with factory rivets.

Excuse me for a minute. , beautiful box. Yea they did use a combo of logos on the box. That box was a transition box shall we say. They made that drawer config well up into the 90's, but changed it to a drop down front. I think the removable panel is cool, plus the drawer slides. Actually I'm pretty sure the panel is the same one that fits the box prior to that, so maybe they just used the same dies, would make sense from a manufacturing economical stand point

That's a shame on the lock, I guess someone really wanted in the box.

 

[BFBOB]

I can hear the chorus of "Yeah, everybody knows that." Well it's new to me and I've just got to pass it along: collectingsnapon.com. That's where I found this 1941 catalog shot of my K-55-R. Fantastic site!