How old is the tool box your still using?

[Alchymist]

Pic of the square top Kennedy next to a more modern one. Repainted in the '80s, handles not original. Was told the flat tops came out in the 1920's.

 

[zkling]

Pic of the square top Kennedy next to a more modern one. Repainted in the '80s, handles not original. Was told the flat tops came out in the 1920's.

Were the side handles something you added?

 

[Alchymist]

Were the side handles something you added?

Yes, they were added after the repaint job. Top handle was broken, and these were available, so on thy went. Paint was rattle can over Rustoleum primer, has held up good for the last 20 or so years. Box was cosmetically horrible when I got it, but mechanically sound. Looked like it had a losing battle with a demonic can of paint stripper.

 

[justanengineer]

I could be mistaken, but Im fairly certain I only have one box thats younger than me (30), and thats almost 15 years old, bought brandy new by me.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

Thanks, fellas. Kool_boy you might not like to know that I paid $500 for all the boxes without the newer intermediates. There's another lower, not pictured, as well.

I do have a little room left but, otherwise, they're pretty much full. I'm probably at 75%. So, I've got a little real estate left.



That intermediate has 3 drawers.

is that lower the newer black drawer on red cab or the older red drawer on silver?

i just got an 05/73 ten drawer upper with the original removable tray up top and im looking for a lower unit for it..

 

[bobemmerich]

Wish I could say I still do. My "Original" box was a Craftsman 4 drawer, got it somewhere back in about 85/86. Got stolen out of my car. I then bought a 3 drawer, that I still have. My original Snappy was a 30th Mustang anniversary edition. Sold it about 10-12 years ago to buy a car. Wish I never did that, but hey, it is what it is...Since then I've bought/sold a number of boxes. The one I wish I didn't sell(other than the Snappy) was my 17 drawer Williams combo. UGH!

 

[kool_BOY8323]

a link to the box thread, specifically my newest addition:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3661612&postcount=11235

 

[Alchymist]

Here's the Cman from 1970 or thereabouts. Those two silly stick on stripes are that old!

 

[nuklbstr83]

All of my boxes are bought 2nd hand as I avoid the SO truck like the plague!

do i see a patriotic pig phucker on the top right of that box?

 

[tommied]

I think I'm the 3rd owner so do not know real age but I figure around the 50's. Good old RemLine.

tommie

 

[foreverfalcon40]

do i see a patriotic pig phucker on the top right of that box?

SIR YES SIR!

As you guys can see I have an addiction to anything with screams AMERICA!
That is fork figure given to me by one of my customer's holding the American Flag. It has a Cape (consisted of me ripping my uniform pocket off while working) and the pig just appeared and my co worker's like to position it everyday.

Oh and I just picked up another Vintage SO Box to add an 7th one to my collection.

I had my two C-Man Road boxes **** ON ME...well one exploded.

I got one of top boxes for $100 IMO to nice to make it a road box! GRRR

 

[thinman]

Bought new SO in late 1970's: KRA380 Roll Cab, KRA429 Drawers, KRA59 Top Box. Used in a shop about a year, then moved them home when I took a road job. Boxes are still in great shape except for a few dings from moving to different houses. Don't remember what I paid for SO but have never regretted the investment. After 35+ years they don't owe me anything and will outlast me.

Old 26" boxes were big enough until metric became a necessity, along with a proliferation of screw driver types.

If I were buying now, I'd go with wider rather than tall like the old box setups. I have a few tools like big pry bars that won't fit in the 26" box.

 

[slip knot]

I bought my Proto roller in 86. still using it today, along with a few additions over the years.

 

[spacedoutbob]

My oldest Snap-On box is from 1976, it's a KR537, the newest box I have is a MAC Rollaway and Hang On Cabinet from around 1985. So I guess I can say from 28 to 37 Years.
I still use them, even though I'm Semi Retired.

Bob

 

[bimmerZ5]

My hammerhead box from costco is still holding up great after 11 yrs this year...

 

[-Brent-]

is that lower the newer black drawer on red cab or the older red drawer on silver?

i just got an 05/73 ten drawer upper with the original removable tray up top and im looking for a lower unit for it..

Hmm, I'm confused by your first sentence but maybe my explanation will help.

With the red/black boxes (style made in early-mid 80s) the tops and bottoms are from 83/84. The intermediates, which still have the newer logo attached (eventually I'll remove them) are from the last couple years. I'd buy one when a good deal popped up. One of them I got for $50 since it was sitting alone on a shelf since they sold a floor model and the manager wanted it gone. The others I got 20-25% off by following sales and such. They're ball bearing units.

I've got some other lower units in different configurations that are around the garage serving as bases for tools like my bench grinders. I keep drill press items, grinder and polishing consumables, and some other stuff for tools in the vicinity.

 

[sberry]

I would go wide today in a real working box, not so much for long tools but to be looking down on the top instead of standing on toes to find anything and as a place to sit tools I am using.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

Hmm, I'm confused by your first sentence but maybe my explanation will help.

With the red/black boxes (style made in early-mid 80s) the tops and bottoms are from 83/84. The intermediates, which still have the newer logo attached (eventually I'll remove them) are from the last couple years. I'd buy one when a good deal popped up. One of them I got for $50 since it was sitting alone on a shelf since they sold a floor model and the manager wanted it gone. The others I got 20-25% off by following sales and such. They're ball bearing units.

I've got some other lower units in different configurations that are around the garage serving as bases for tools like my bench grinders. I keep drill press items, grinder and polishing consumables, and some other stuff for tools in the vicinity.

im looking for the older red drawers on silver box mid 70's era lower to put my new top on. craigslist, ebay, and local sources have failed me i was honestly hoping you had one that you would part with or knew of someone who did. wishful thinking!

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I would go wide today in a real working box, not so much for long tools but to be looking down on the top instead of standing on toes to find anything and as a place to sit tools I am using.

my HF 26" at work is just tall enough that i only struggle a small amount to see whats in the very top under the lid. i only keep a few larger items up there and receipts so its not a problem.

i use the 5 drawer HF cart with a 7 drawer cab modded to it for my 'work bench'.

between the two i have more than enough space for my tools, and im portable enough to be all over a 6 bay shop all day long.

if i had an assigned bay or two, id go for the larger 56" + units and id have at least one with a butcher block top for a bench. since i dont, the top of the 7 drawer cab is my table, and i just get it done off that.

 

[BigAl62]

My work box is 26 years old and my home top box is 32 years old. My home mid section is only about 20 years old and my home bottom box I have no idea how old, I bought it from a guy I used to work with, but I'd guess it to be about the same age as my top box. I also have a small bottom box that I bought 33 years ago and I use it for assorted junk.

I am not interested in replacing any of them, though I saw a new box in the Mac tool catalog that I really like. It's a 2 bay and has a small drawer for a laptop. I can't link it right now, but I'll try when I'm on my real computer (I'm on my Nook HD+ right now).

Update: Here are the links for the Mac box: http://www.mactools.com/ShopOnline/Product/tabid/120/productid/331526/variantid/322287/Default.aspx
http://www.mactools.com/catalog/2013/pubData/mobile/index.htm#/14/

 

[torqueman2002]

For the these CM Grey/Red & Red/Black box lovers; here's a shot from the 1972 CM Tool catalog.

Other catalogs, here --> http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id116.html

Anyone have a mid box (7) they want to part with?

 

[sixleaker]

Damn this thread makes me feel old. I remember buying this thing like it was yesterday turns out it was 12 years ago i just "had to have it" at work now its in the garage at home. Unfortunately not getting nearly as much use as it should

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[hayhauler71]

For the these CM Grey/Red & Red/Black box lovers; here's a shot from the 1972 CM Tool catalog.

Other catalogs, here --> http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id116.html

Anyone have a mid box (7) they want to part with?

at them prices I would like to place a order please

 

[Kent_B]

KRA-380 and KRA-59C 1978 & 1979. They're in my avatar. No need to part with them yet. My son will inherit when I can't use them anymore.

 

[softailgarage]

Tool boxes...jeez where do I start? I currently have 15 and thats not including the ones that were sold, traded, given away or stolen. The smallest is a Craftsman portable from the 60's I had as a kid and the largest being a KRL1022 & KR562A taco cart. The oldest is a Gerstners that Dad bought after WWII (machinist by trade), Then a Remline stack from the 50"s and a Kennedy bottom roller from the 70's both of which were bought by him. Except for the Taco Cart, which I'm restoring, all 14 are full and get used every day.

 

[theknurl]

pussies....

my Grandfather's Union machinist's box ~1895........

 

[jakemac]

....my Grandfather's Union machinist's box ~1895........:

Pics, or it didn't happen !!!!!!

 

[Alchymist]

pussies....

my Grandfather's Union machinist's box ~1895........

Pics, or it didn't happen !!!!!!

^^^What he said!^^^

 

[GH85Carrera]

I have an OLD tool box I used to dig tools out of as a kid. It belonged to my grandfather. My father used to dig tools out of it when he was a kid. My grandfather talked about how my dad would get something out that the box and to work on his bike and leave the tools in the yard to rust.

It is made of wood and has a sheet metal clad shell. The thing is old for sure, it is made with handmade nails and looks rather homemade.

I just keep some large items in it and some of the same tools I got from grandpa.

I know my great grandfather sharpened saw blades and a local mill. It may have been his tool box.

 

[-Brent-]

For the these CM Grey/Red & Red/Black box lovers; here's a shot from the 1972 CM Tool catalog.

Other catalogs, here --> http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id116.html

Anyone have a mid box (7) they want to part with?

So cool! Thanks for sharing that. Pretty neat.

 

[Jim C.]

I'm not a pro, so I can say that there's not much chance that I'll wear out a box. I have Craftsman boxes that are fine for my purposes. I got my first one in the early 1980s, so it's probably about thirty years old. It's my hope that I'll have it for many more years to come.

Jim C.

 

[jakemac]

The 1980's boxes were still solidly built. It was later that they started to decline. That box should last for quite some time.

 

[Jim C.]

The 1980's boxes were still solidly built. It was later that they started to decline. That box should last for quite some time.

Hey jakemac,

Is there a date of manufacture stamped somewhere on the Craftsman boxes?

Jim C.

 

[jakemac]

Uncertain - If so, it would be stamped either in one of the drawers, or more likely on the right front column. IIRC

 

[kool_BOY8323]

mine are right front column near the bottom for the lower cabs, and top left lower corner under the lid for the top chests.

i have no experience with the mid chests, sadly..

 

[STANIMAL]

I have a Craftsman that was used as a crash cart prior to me . I am guessing its 35 years old .

 

[pepi]

The top box is a Kennedy got that 1967, Mid box 1988 believe it's a Craftsman, Lower box 1987

 

[zkling]

The top box is a Kennedy got that 1967, Mid box 1988 believe it's a Craftsman, Lower box 1987

Pepi, is the image showing up for you? It gives me a error message.

 

[JMacD92]

1977 for all three snapon, then 1965 for the two mac boxes

 

[Matt_Paul]

Not sure but I think my mb1500 was made in the 80s?

It's been repainted by yours truly.

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