The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[mikefromme]

The guy I bought it from was a dentist, said it came from his practice originally. The top is a neat little compartment with a stainless removable tray.

It is 48" tall by 30 wide and 16" deep. Perfectly sized to fit between my garage doors if I decide to keep it.




The color is cool and original but everything in my garage is red so might paint it since it clashes with everything.

 

[zkling]

Can you take a picture of the drawer slides? How much was it? Looks like it would be a nice cart/mobile work bench. Any maker marks?

 

[Mumbly00]

That is an awesome deal and will make a nice roll around box. Or clean it up and sell on to find the next project.

Once we buy our first house, I plan on using it as a roll around cart/work surface. Putting my ratchets, wrenches, and drivers in it. So I can just wheel it to wherever I need it, without having to constantly go to my big box

 

[mikefromme]

Can you take a picture of the drawer slides? How much was it? Looks like it would be a nice cart/mobile work bench. Any maker marks?

Haven't found any maker marks yet. The guy put it on CL for $65 OBO so I emailed him immediately to set a time to buy it... Thought I might get it for $50

The next morning I get a response that there had been a lot of interest -- would I be willing to make an offer above the asking price? Thought about making an offer of something ridiculous and stringing him along for a while (and then banging his wife)

But thought better of it because the box was cool. Offered him 75 -- got another email back saying that I could have it for $80... so I paid the man.

 

[nine4gmc]

TThe color is cool and original but everything in my garage is red so might paint it since it clashes with everything.

Have someone professionally pinstripe it with black and red to blend in with your garage and still keep it's style

I've had waterloo medical cabinets before but they were stamped, look all over for a light stamp in the steel if there are no stickers in the drawers.

 

[Outlawmws]

Mike, I'm reasonably certain that roller of yours was made by Pressteel. I have a Pressteel 2 drawer roller with the exact same slides, as well as a 1954 Craftsman 5 drawer roller with the same slides. That box was marketed as their best roller in '54.

Pressteel also made boxes for Plvmb in the 40's and those also used the same slides.

I'd guess the roller was made in the early 60's?

 

[Outlawmws]

Have someone professionally pinstripe it with black and red to blend in with your garage and still keep it's style

I've had waterloo medical cabinets before but they were stamped, look all over for a light stamp in the steel if there are no stickers in the drawers.

This; and I'd have been all over that for $80!

 

[Steve V.]

This; and I'd have been all over that for $80!

Like white on rice!!!!

Steve

 

[drivesitfar]

Haven't found any maker marks yet. The guy put it on CL for $65 OBO so I emailed him immediately to set a time to buy it... Thought I might get it for $50

The next morning I get a response that there had been a lot of interest -- would I be willing to make an offer above the asking price? Thought about making an offer of something ridiculous and stringing him along for a while (and then banging his wife)

But thought better of it because the box was cool. Offered him 75 -- got another email back saying that I could have it for $80... so I paid the man.

I agree with everyone that you scored on that old dentist cart. If you are close and would rather have an old red snap on roller just say the word. Probably wouldn't work if shipping involved. Very nice

 

[mikefromme]

I'm from Maine so shipping would be a problem...The more I think about it, though, the more I like it. Might use in the basement for reloading supplies.

But the wife saw it and thinks it would be good for arts and crafts supplies in the rec room.

 

[Outlawmws]

Get it greasy, NOW!

 

[ZRX61]

Identical drawers handles to my MAC, but shorter.

Just got home with this gem $40 and 40 years old, only $1 per year of age

 

[drivesitfar]

I'm from Maine so shipping would be a problem...The more I think about it, though, the more I like it. Might use in the basement for reloading supplies.

But the wife saw it and thinks it would be good for arts and crafts supplies in the rec room.

Darn it. You couldn't be farther from Seattle so let your bride enjoy it because happy wife, happy life and maybe she'll let you buy a red old classic to replace it. Or follow Outlaw's advice and get it a little dirty and maybe hide a drawer until you find her something else. How cool is that to find an old classic box that has never been in a garage.

Good luck

 

[fullthrottle24]

In my never ending search for vintage colored paints I've stumbled upon this, dark charcoal gray. My question is has anyone used as a match for 60-70's Craftsman gray? It seems to be between dark bronze, which is somewhat close, and silver which is way off. Of course after calling Krylon, no one in Ohio carries it.

 

[madison069]

Rustoleum makes a gray hammerite spray paint that matches real good.

I sprayed my box with it and the untouch section matched the new paint,

 

[fullthrottle24]

Rustoleum makes a gray hammerite spray paint that matches real good.

I sprayed my box with it and the untouch section matched the new paint,

Looks great! I never see rustoleum gray in stores either. I hate having to special order them. I still think the later boxes are a darker gray. I trying to do a touch up job also.

 

[Outlawmws]

In my never ending search for vintage colored paints I've stumbled upon this, dark charcoal gray. My question is has anyone used as a match for 60-70's Craftsman gray? It seems to be between dark bronze, which is somewhat close, and silver which is way off. Of course after calling Krylon, no one in Ohio carries it.

Rustoleum makes a gray hammerite spray paint that matches real good.

I sprayed my box with it and the untouch section matched the new paint,

I've done the same...

 

[madison069]

Looks great! I never see rustoleum gray in stores either. I hate having to special order them. I still think the later boxes are a darker gray. I trying to do a touch up job also.

I can't remember but I had to go to different stores to get it, I think I got it at Home Depot but not sure.

But i went to autozone, advance auto, home depot, lowes, and walmart to hunt this paint down.

 

[rmalkow2]

I can't remember but I had to go to different stores to get it, I think I got it at Home Depot but not sure.

But i went to autozone, advance auto, home depot, lowes, and walmart to hunt this paint down.

Its a good match and I've got two Craftsman boxes to restore. Thanks for the paint tip.

 

[drivesitfar]

I love this old tool box that I bought from a 93 year old ex-farmer. his grandson told me that he remembered it sitting on the back of his granddad's tractor 40 years ago. i'm not sure if I will paint it or leave it as is, but I am going to use it as my daily toolbox in my SUV because it is built like a battleship.

anyone know who made this box or is it a homemade one and one of a kind???

 

[Outlawmws]

DIF, If it is shop made it was made multiple times. I have one identical right down to the bottom reinforcement straps. It COULD be an apprentice program box made from the same plans, but I now doubt it.

Nice carry boxes, super beefy, looks primitive but are not, when you really look as the details, like the reinforced edging. They haven't made those since probably before WWII, maybe WWI!

 

[drivesitfar]

Thanks Outlaw. I wonder if Jeff might have the appropriate lock that I can buy from him for it? Even though it's a bit rusty there are not any really bad spots and I like the patina so it may stay this way for a while and i'll just put some lining material inside it.

 

[454ragtop]

CL alert http://worcester.craigslist.org/tls/4336072747.html

ON edit and another http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/tls/4333586361.html
strange add, note 3 boxes

 

[jakemac]

Roll around cabinet - $45

I'd be all over that if I could get out that way. Unfortunately it won't happen.

 

[BoilerDuc]

anyone know who made this box or is it a homemade one and one of a kind???

DIF, If it is shop made it was made multiple times. I have one identical right down to the bottom reinforcement straps.

Well, it's at least three of a kind. I have one just like it as well (attached pic). I like mine too...very unique and well built.

 

[drivesitfar]

that's awesome Boiler. looks like you are selective when you post and glad you did this time. I wonder if Outlaw's is the same patina? I was thinking of painting it, but I may not yet or ever. if we are the 3 amigos with these cherished relics that are now residing in Washington, Indiana and the part of the US yet to be included into statehood where Outlaw resides then these tough little boxes should maybe stay the same.

any chance you can show us the inside of yours since I am debating what tools i'm going to place in mine?

thanks for sharing

 

[Amitygravel]

I'm wondering if that box came from a tractor manufacturer.
The color looks an awful lot like the old Fordson that were gray.

 

[zkling]

I'm wondering if that box came from a tractor manufacturer.
The color looks an awful lot like the old Fordson that were gray.

That is what I thought initially. It screams supplied kit tool box to me.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mine was residing on the back of a tractor in the early 70's and maybe a lot longer than that because that was where the 40 some year old grandson of the original owner remembered seeing it.

I do remember my gramps having tool boxes that sat on the donkey's (not sure of the real name of a cable pulling machine that brought logs to the landings). the toolbox just sat out in the rain on the running board and that is where he stored those HUGE wrenches. i'm betting a lot of these got rusted out if they sat out in the weather even ad stout as they are.

 

[Outlawmws]

You guys talking about the CL roller 454 posted? it's a Kennedy, regardless of who it may have been made for.

 

[Amitygravel]

Yup , the lid would be perfect for shedding rain just like a roof.
Saved loading a toolbox onto the tractor all the time when it went to the field , it was left on the tractor.
5 bucks says those rails on the bottom of the box fit in between something on the tractor to keep it in place too.

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: it's the WWII or WWI little tool box built like a battleship you said you had one like mine that Boiler also has. I'm sorry I can't grab a picture quick, but maybe you have one of yours to post and is yours grey also?

 

[Amitygravel]

Outlaw ,
The box Boilerdoc , drivesitfar and you have.

 

[zkling]

You guys talking about the CL roller 454 posted? it's a Kennedy, regardless of who it may have been made for.

No I was talking about the small carry box Bolier posted. Agree though the CL box is definitely a Kennedy, they made boxes in that color for a while.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here is mine full "Patina": Currently housing the bulk of my PEXTO tools.

I think mine is probably the worst of the three. I do plan to paint it eventually not enough of the original paint to be concerned with.

 

[Amitygravel]

Quick search on Fordson boxes showed all flat top and a lot of them were embossed with the logo.
Hmm.
Massey Ferguson was also listed as being grey too.

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: thanks for sharing and even though yours has had a little more weathered look it doesn't look rusted through and holds a ton of tools.

Nice

i'm sure one of us will figure it out and maybe even find another owner of one that resides on GJ.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks DIF.

And no mine is rust and remains or primer near as I can tell. Probably rattle can painted at some time.

 

[BoilerDuc]

that's awesome Boiler. looks like you are selective when you post and glad you did this time. I wonder if Outlaw's is the same patina? I was thinking of painting it, but I may not yet or ever. if we are the 3 amigos with these cherished relics that are now residing in Washington, Indiana and the part of the US yet to be included into statehood where Outlaw resides then these tough little boxes should maybe stay the same.

any chance you can show us the inside of yours since I am debating what tools i'm going to place in mine?

thanks for sharing

I don't have anything in mine. I wrestled with the same thing as you. Whether to refurb or not. Mine also has the faint lettering of what I assume to be a previous owners name painted on (see pic) which I find intriguing. I couldn't bring myself to change it. I wouldn't change yours either.

When I opened it up to take the photo I did notice a slot and hook on the on the underside of the lid that look to hold a specific tool. I'm with the others...I bet these boxes are for a tractor or some other equipment's tool kit.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well, you made me look: Mine does not have those hooks. It looks like the hooks on yours would make whatever was on them hit the lid brace as well?