The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[HubbaBubba]

A PowrKraft I picked up today.

Score! Good job on that box!

 

[superautobacs]

nice looking blue box and looks like all the red Snap On boxes so is it their custom ordered blue one??

thanks for sharing

I don't know what colors they offered besides red, but this is definitely original paint.

Par-x, which IIRC is a snap on economy line. Probably MBC made.

Bingo. I guess it wasn't too hard.

My PX-1 appears to be from 1963:

Full story here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55797

 

[MC1983]

I am thinking about selling my vintage boxes. I moved to Indy and am planning on integrating a bigger tool chest into my workbench.

What do you guys think is a fair price for them?

SnapOn KR-558C that was used in a family owned shop in Maryland. Box is still solid but shows wear.

The second box is a Mac Tools top box. Box was repainted poorly at some point in time. I stripped the paint on the box and liked the rugged look so I didn't bother to repaint.

 

[drivesitfar]

Super: did you see in the catalog page you posted that that box was shipped as a red box?? i do like the blue and are you thinking of selling or trading it?

MC: if you spend some time with a rag and some simple green to clean up the bottom box you might get $150 or in that range or maybe $100 or less as is. the top box is unique and a good looking box so if i was you i'd keep it or if you need the money start at $200 and it should sell.

 

[Snappy]

Picked up this Mac middle box tonight from Craigslist. I cleaned / lubed the slides and put a coat of wax on it when I got home. Only had to drive a mile to get it. The guy threw in a clock & a breaker bar with it too. $100.00 for everything. One on Ebay sold for $360.00 recently so I guess I did ok. It even came w/ a key.

 

[drivesitfar]

Snappy: nice find on the middle Mac and since he won't be able to get along with the others in your garage/shop you might want to PM me for my address to ship him out before you have an uprising in your existing Snap on grouping.

breaker bar too? not sure how bad it was when you picked it up but it's shining now and looks great.

 

[Snappy]

I don't know if they're going to get along or not. I plan on sandwiching the middle box between the Snap-on roll cab & the Mac top box

 

[Outlawmws]

Nah, sending that Mac box to DIF would be a bad idea. He has a bunch of SO boxes too, and there could be a gang war.

PM me and I'll give you a safe house for that mac box to assume a quite life under the witness protection program...

 

[drivesitfar]

Snap: your handles are all wrong to put that new Mac in the middle so we'll work on a trade when i find you the right middle box for your group which might be an off brand to keep the peace.

Since my handles are closer to your Mac's and my MBC almost has the same lettering it would do better up here. i know our tools and boxes can listen well, but can they read?

Outlaw: i'll keep in mind the witness protection program and still working on that box to ship your way soon.

 

[zkling]

I am thinking about selling my vintage boxes. I moved to Indy and am planning on integrating a bigger tool chest into my workbench.

What do you guys think is a fair price for them?

The bottom is a 27" cabinet and the top is a 33" box, no? IMHO ~$100 +/- a bit each depending on true condition. The missing lock and badge on the bottom hurts a good bit. The no paint on the top is really going hinder the value. Is it clear coated? If not I'm amazed it has stayed that rust free for so long. If you did some work to them to increase value that number could go up. But as is they are kinda rough boxes.

Picked up this Mac middle box tonight from Craigslist. I cleaned / lubed the slides and put a coat of wax on it when I got home. Only had to drive a mile to get it. The guy threw in a clock & a breaker bar with it too. $100.00 for everything. One on Ebay sold for $360.00 recently so I guess I did ok. It even came w/ a key.

Very nice. I love middle boxes. Your non matched stack is great

I don't know if they're going to get along or not. I plan on sandwiching the middle box between the Snap-on roll cab & the Mac top box

What is the model and age of that top Mac box? I've not seen any Mac boxes with those style drawer pulls. :

 

[upgrading]

The second box is a Mac Tools top box. Box was repainted poorly at some point in time. I stripped the paint on the box and liked the rugged look so I didn't bother to repaint.

Looks very good like that.
How do you protect the metal from rust ?

 

[MC1983]

Thank you for the replies.

As for the top box, I did not clear the box. I just wipe it down with wd40 from time to time and so far it had held up pretty well.

 

[zkling]

I don't know what colors they offered besides red, but this is definitely original paint.

Bingo. I guess it wasn't too hard.

Nah, I'm just that good.

Thank you for the replies.

As for the top box, I did not clear the box. I just wipe it down with wd40 from time to time and so far it had held up pretty well.

If you spent the time to clean, install locks, keys drawer liners and possibly paint the top. You could get a good bit more for them. Just depends on how much time, effort and resources you want to put in. You will also get more if you sell separately seeing has how they are not a matched set.

 

[MC1983]

I plan to list them separately. I might clean up the top box a bit more and repaint it. Who knows, I may even keep the top box if I can find space for it on the bench

If I can get $100 for the bottom as is, I'd be happy. It just doesn't work too well with the space I have.

 

[Snappy]

What is the model and age of that top Mac box? I've not seen any Mac boxes with those style drawer pulls. :[/QUOTE]

It is a MB210, under that is 1381 , also Made In Usa 72. So I'm assuming it's a 1972 model. Middle box is a '73 I like the small drawers for storing chisels, punches, allen wrenches,etc.

 

[zkling]

Thanks for getting the model number. Mac made so many different boxes it seems new model numbers pop up all the time. For the era it was produced the drawer pulls are very different than most I have seen.

I have an 83? That looks just like that construction and drawer layout wise, but it has the bolt on pulls like your middle box. Think it is a MB310 IIRC.

 

[softailgarage]

Awesome boxes and nice find on the recent acquisition! I've got that same set - top and bottom - from my grandfather. My top box doesn't have a handle on the lid and no ribs for the craftsman logo... My top box is getting cleaned up now - it's in decent shape compared to the bottom box. The bottom will need lots of work and new casters... Any suggestions where to get those?

Home Depot or HF for the casters. I don't even mess with the bottoms anymore, it's just easier to get a piece of sheet metal and weld it to the underneath of the cab.

 

[Cameronl]

Awesome boxes and nice find on the recent acquisition! I've got that same set - top and bottom - from my grandfather. My top box doesn't have a handle on the lid and no ribs for the craftsman logo... My top box is getting cleaned up now - it's in decent shape compared to the bottom box. The bottom will need lots of work and new casters... Any suggestions where to get those?

Summit Racing has Waterloo Casters in 4" and 3" for $5 A SET, and only $5 shipping!

They're lower end plastic casters, but they work for me on the small cart I got. (see my restoration a few posts above).

 

[CLar]

Late 40's early 50's Craftsman top, shop made middle/bottom

I know this is an old post but do you have any info about the blue Craftsman top in the picture? I believe I have the matching bottom and was looking for any specs. Thanks



Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk

 

[tncumminsguy]

TCummins: i think i own the bottom to that Snap On so either try to find one for yours or if you don't need yours i have a nice spot for it. nice find and post another picture after you clean it up if you keep it.

I'd be interested in selling it, don't really "need" it. Was planning on just storing it and maybe restoring it one day when I build a classic car.

 

[tncumminsguy]

Might be interested in selling this box, it's pretty heavy and shipping might cost a pretty penny.

 

[tedsters]

well heres a Lyon i picked up never seen one nor did i know they even made it till two night ago its a good built box and heavy theres no model# or any other name on the boxes that i can find

 

[ZRX61]

Anyone want to throw a date at this Craftsman?

 

[zkling]

Anyone want to throw a date at this Craftsman?

O wow, that is interesting. Looks like a waterloo built, matco spec box. Late 70's to mid, possibly late 80's. Look at how beefy the frame is compared to a standard box. It should be stamped, like all the others. I'd be interested in more pics, especially of the slides.

 

[ZRX61]

O wow, that is interesting. Looks like a waterloo built, matco spec box. Late 70's to mid, possibly late 80's. Look at how beefy the frame is compared to a standard box. It should be stamped, like all the others. I'd be interested in more pics, especially of the slides.

Well damn, I had the entire thing apart for moving yesterday, lol. Where would it be stamped? There's nothing on the back of it at all

 

[zkling]

Well damn, I had the entire thing apart for moving yesterday, lol. Where would it be stamped? There's nothing on the back of it at all

Check the bottom frame rail on the front. Is it a 27 or 33" box?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Check the bottom frame rail on the front. Is it a 27 or 33" box?

My '94 Craftsman roller made by Waterloo is stamped at the bottom right underneath the bottom drawer.

 

[ZRX61]

Check the bottom frame rail on the front. Is it a 27 or 33" box?

28.5in wide, 18in deep, 32.5 tall

 

[zkling]

28.5in wide, 18in deep, 32.5 tall

Interesting. Maybe it is just the picture, but the frame rails look extra thick compared to the standard box with those style drawers. I'm curious if it has dual slides on the bottom drawer(s).

 

[-Brent-]

Here's a peek at the lettering I got done on one of my vintage boxes. It's a Cman machinists box. Small, heavy ******.

View media item 39788

 

[nine4gmc]

Brent!

 

[ZRX61]

Interesting. Maybe it is just the picture, but the frame rails look extra thick compared to the standard box with those style drawers. I'm curious if it has dual slides on the bottom drawer(s).

Nope, just single slides.

 

[Outlawmws]

Interesting. Maybe it is just the picture, but the frame rails look extra thick compared to the standard box with those style drawers. I'm curious if it has dual slides on the bottom drawer(s).

ZK, that box has the "I" beam frame and were amongst the best boxes Sears had made under the Craftsman brand. That is why the sides looks so thick from the front. From the sides they are recessed after about 4-5" or so. Some real beef in those chassis.

 

[ZRX61]

I may upgrade the castors, it's a bear to move with the 220lb+ of lead sat on top of it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here's a peek at the lettering I got done on one of my vintage boxes. It's a Cman machinists box. Small, heavy ******.

View media item 39788

Your pic link failed:

 

[-Brent-]

View media item 39788

And now it's at home, ready to get put back to work.

 

[Outlawmws]

ZK here is the catalog page for 1973 with that style roller; That one is later as it has the later tag on it:

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

ZK here is the catalog page for 1973 with that style roller; That one is later as it has the later tag on it:

Thanks for posting. I have the roller (B) and top chest (E). Think the roller is from '72 and top chest from '74

 

[zkling]

ZK here is the catalog page for 1973 with that style roller; That one is later as it has the later tag on it:

Yes I am familiar, but those were the commercial models that were 33" wide. They were pretty much equivalent to the Mac/Matco 8 drawer 33" bottom boxes, dual slides on the bottom drawers and all. I didn't know they made them in a 26" version like zrx61 has. That looks like one stout box.

 

[ZRX61]

I didn't know they made them in a 26" version like zrx61 has.

Except mine is 28.5in wide......