The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Junky pic but I recently put my last two boxes to work. I'm thinking about making them match by using butcher block on both.
I sold off a box that was of the same vintage but worn, dented and dinged. Now all the boxes I own are pretty decent and nearly all full.
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FJ 432
Well-known member
I believe the crown logo for craftsman was in the 1970's. Danny you have some cool boxes and great prices. Where are you located?
60s possibly 70s. craftman (of course) made by kennedy.
model 526
they usually sell in the $100 range
in better shape possibly more.
i paid $200 for mine, but it was full of tools.
upgrading
Well-known member
Good stuff.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
That's older than '84. Looks more like 1974. Did you find the manufacturer stamp on the back?
softailgarage
Well-known member
Crown logo began 1960 to I believe '79
DannySr, welcome if not mentioned already 
You have some very cool boxes.
How many drawers does the Snap on under the bench have? 9? What is the story on the one odd drawer on the smaller snap on top out of curiosity? Looks like a nice box then a random non painted drawer.
As for the Craftsman machinist box, that does look like a nice box. The market for those is a bit different than a more standard 26" top box. If you can take a picture of the slides that would help to narrow down the maker. Some were made by kennedy and some by waterloo.
You have some very cool boxes. How many drawers does the Snap on under the bench have? 9? What is the story on the one odd drawer on the smaller snap on top out of curiosity? Looks like a nice box then a random non painted drawer.
As for the Craftsman machinist box, that does look like a nice box. The market for those is a bit different than a more standard 26" top box. If you can take a picture of the slides that would help to narrow down the maker. Some were made by kennedy and some by waterloo.
That's a pretty nice looking box. If I were close I would give you a Benjamin LOL. I bought mine for $200 full of vintage Craftsman Machinst Tools from the pawn shop from Cajun Pawn Stars.
Crown logo came out in 1958 and was pretty much gone by late 70's altough there is no exact end date and it is possible some squeeked by in early 80's.
There should be a date code on that Craftsman bottom roller right above the right front caster.
Zkling
About the random non painted drawer. I bought it from a guy who left it outside for a year, so both were rusty inside and out. I thought I had painted all the top drawers at once, but one was hiding in the bottom that I didn't see. The snap on bottom doesn't sit at an 90 degree, so I'm going to need a friend to weld some supports inside, before I take on the task of painting it. The top was extremely time consuming, and I wasn't satisfied about the outcome.
Yes the 84 snap on top has 9 drawers it's a couple inches wider and taller than the other top.
Here is a pic of the drawers.
About the random non painted drawer. I bought it from a guy who left it outside for a year, so both were rusty inside and out. I thought I had painted all the top drawers at once, but one was hiding in the bottom that I didn't see. The snap on bottom doesn't sit at an 90 degree, so I'm going to need a friend to weld some supports inside, before I take on the task of painting it. The top was extremely time consuming, and I wasn't satisfied about the outcome.
Yes the 84 snap on top has 9 drawers it's a couple inches wider and taller than the other top.
Here is a pic of the drawers.
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Ah, gotcha. The big one looked like a KRA59 from the front, just wasn't sure. Other is probably a KRA-58. That machinist box is definitely a rebaged kennedy 526 like beatcad said. I don't know when the cutoff was but craftsman changed from kennedy to waterloo on those and they had very minor external changes.
thanks man, but...now that I saw the side pic. im having my doughts.
I've had 2 kennedy 526s (and a craftsman 20" kennedy)
a kennedy has squared side handles and the bracket that holds them is riveted on.
that side handle in his pic looks like a tapered head bolt on like many 70s waterloo made proto, mac, and craftsman boxes I've owned.
They can't just slap on a badge and call it a day,
they have to try and fool the customer. The slides are the giveaway though. Kennedy uses a very specific design for their friction slides (patented?) it is very different than other makers. So throw on a new set of clothes (paint) change the side handles, add a emblem, center of drawer, different color drawer pulls and bam you have a different box. Out out of curisoity, I wonder which was more expensive at the time. A kennedy 526 or a craftsman edition 
It's just like the snap on and MBC boxes. Pick a box then pick a name.Otot
Active member
Well, no offers yet on the old craftsman, and the longer i wait, the more flash rust occurs. Im just gonna give it the time it deserves and restore it. Ill update with pics along the way.
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Otot
Active member
Are you going to restore it? Looks like mine except my drawers only have one handle in the middle.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
Take it to a media blast place & have then hit it with plastic beads.
Otot
Active member
For those of you who have restored boxes using rattle cans, which brand do you prefer? Ive read many bad things about rustoleum taking too long to dry and their cans clogging. Krylon seems to dry faster but harder to find the rust protector formual.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Otot: i have yet to paint a tool box with spray paint and hope to do so soon. I've painted a lot of items with spray paint because i don't own a big compressor so here's what i would recommend.
get the $10 per can Rustoleum at McClendons or other local hardware or online if you find a better deal. usually will get a manager's discount of 10% if you ask and if you are buying more than 6 cans at a time. this is not the cheapest cans on the shelves and also comes in Hammered finish which i like for some projects.
now we live in the same climate so here are a few tips. i found that the spray paint applies and dries best when applied in 50 to 75 degrees. so a heated garage is great, but since i don't have a heated garage or shop i am waiting for a little warmer weather to strip and paint my projects. now I've learned since joining GJ that making a temporary spray booth is a great idea. a cardboard appliance box or some other method to contain all the overspray would be great. i have sprayed outside on warm dry days during the summer, but as you may know that even if only a little wind that paint usually doesn't end up on your project.
so to recap:
1) good spray paint and the one i mentioned has the rust preventive added
2) good clean dry surface and maybe a light sanding if it is very smooth so paint adheres
3) 50 to 75 degrees
4) temporary spray booth (big cardboard box or even hanging plastic or tarp)
5) getting the talent to spray big flat areas with a spray can is a talent and once learned it will turn out great. try a couple of test pieces before you spray your sandblasted box if it's been a while since you have sprayed some
6) they sell a nice trigger handle for spray cans that might help too
good luck
get the $10 per can Rustoleum at McClendons or other local hardware or online if you find a better deal. usually will get a manager's discount of 10% if you ask and if you are buying more than 6 cans at a time. this is not the cheapest cans on the shelves and also comes in Hammered finish which i like for some projects.
now we live in the same climate so here are a few tips. i found that the spray paint applies and dries best when applied in 50 to 75 degrees. so a heated garage is great, but since i don't have a heated garage or shop i am waiting for a little warmer weather to strip and paint my projects. now I've learned since joining GJ that making a temporary spray booth is a great idea. a cardboard appliance box or some other method to contain all the overspray would be great. i have sprayed outside on warm dry days during the summer, but as you may know that even if only a little wind that paint usually doesn't end up on your project.
so to recap:
1) good spray paint and the one i mentioned has the rust preventive added
2) good clean dry surface and maybe a light sanding if it is very smooth so paint adheres
3) 50 to 75 degrees
4) temporary spray booth (big cardboard box or even hanging plastic or tarp)
5) getting the talent to spray big flat areas with a spray can is a talent and once learned it will turn out great. try a couple of test pieces before you spray your sandblasted box if it's been a while since you have sprayed some
6) they sell a nice trigger handle for spray cans that might help too
good luck
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Otot
Active member
Drive, do you mean rustoleum pro? Ive never seen a rustoleum can that cost $10. Do you have a link for an example?
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Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I've used Krylon and Rustoleum. For a longer more durable finish, I prefer Rustoleum. They've improved their spray nozzle a lot over what they had a few years ago. I spray outside, preferably in 60-80 degree temp range. I give it three days to dry in between coats, and give it a good week or two after the final topcoats before I start using the box. I've had good results that way.
I do like to use Krylon for black glossy paint. Their nozzles are good too.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
I don't have a can handy to shoot a picture of and i think they changed the can's design since i bought some last fall. here is a link to what i think you will need if you can't find a McClendons up near you or another quality hardware store that carries this.
I use their Renton store if you happen to get down my direction.
http://www.hardwarestore.com/rustoleum-spray-paint-628268.aspx
the Hammered grey has worked great on some projects i have used and they have a light and dark one that might be great for your tool box or red if you want that color.
PM me if you need any more help or advice and happy to help if I can.
I use their Renton store if you happen to get down my direction.
http://www.hardwarestore.com/rustoleum-spray-paint-628268.aspx
the Hammered grey has worked great on some projects i have used and they have a light and dark one that might be great for your tool box or red if you want that color.
PM me if you need any more help or advice and happy to help if I can.
My Junk is Stuff
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- Jun 27, 2013
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Here's my new find. A 60's(ish) Hout 3-drawer bottom box. (Ignore the Kennedy) Currently it's painted yellow, possibly powder coat. I'm hoping I can carefully strip it and save the original blue hammer finish. I paid $115 for the pair.
Oddly, I've been looking for 40's-50's Craftsman boxes to line up under a bench, but these Huot's keep popping up instead. While Cman's don't seem to be showing up near me at all.
Dang, I'd love to run into a Huot Bottom like that in my parts... it would go great with this top I got last year for $13 and rerstored.
During
After
Well, I need to finish the door still
My Junk is Stuff
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Free is a great price!! I'd been happy to cart that one home as well!! Good pick!
Otot
Active member
jakemac
Well-known member
Hey Junk -
That box looks great. You did a nice job of bringing it back.
So far, I've had the opposite problem than yours. I've only seen two bottoms (both mine now) and no tops. I tried to remove the yellow on the last box without ruining the original paint, but no luck. The yellow paint (powder coat) is too stubborn, and the original paint just wants to jump off the box if you look at it wrong. I'm going to have to strip the whole box to bare metal.
I don't think I can save the decal, I may have to make a new one. (clear decal paper w/ black ink, applied to foil tape, then sealed)
I'm thinking about using Hammerite (Kilz) brand paint in Dark Blue hammered finish to paint the box. Unfortunately, no one in my area carries it, so I'll have to take a chance and order it off the internet. I've never used it before. It looks like a better match to my box than the Rustolium Light Blue. I'm limited to using rattle cans, as I don't have a place or the gear to set up a paint booth.
What color and brand did you use to paint your box? It looks great, but may be too light to match my box.
sasquatch12
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Wow, great looking resto on that Huot!!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Otot: nice start. a couple pointers. make sure you taped off the craftsman emblem and if you didn't you should clean the paint off it now and then tape before painting again. i wouldn't use the clear coat unless you are planning on keeping for youself, but i might consider getting a red paint pen and maybe pin stripping the fake emblem and lines on the pull down cover. hopefully you understand what i'm talking about.
also remember to maybe hit with a heat gun a little before it gets too cold in your garage tonight to help it adhere.
good luck
also remember to maybe hit with a heat gun a little before it gets too cold in your garage tonight to help it adhere.
good luck
My Junk is Stuff
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Thanks for the compliments guys! I didn't do anything special, it's just the standard rattle can Rustoleum Hammertone silver on the drawers and light blue on the box. I agree that the Rustoleum Blue is a little lighter than the original based the original paint left inside box. I've been tempted to email Huot and ask if they could provide a replacement decal for the door. Think I spent about $25 on the paint for a $13 box
