The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[snowpro90]

My Williams tool box,before and after .

 

[snowpro90]

After some paint work.

 

[Rickster55]

Nice job snopro!

 

[zkling]

Picked this up with a decent amount of SK, snap on, husky and craftsman tools in it for 200$.

Bottom box numbers are hard to make out but year is 74

Top box is a mb80 (see tag)

Any info anyone can provide on these boxes is appreciated




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice setup, sounds like it came with some good stuff as well. Those were a very common 26" box back in the day. They should be stamped date and USA, I'd guess ~70's. I think the top might be older from the early 70's to late 60's. IIRC the rounded pulls predated the squared off pulls like on the bottom box.

 

[drivesitfar]

CD:Nice boxes and may not be a perfect match, but close enough and i like that style a lot.

Shadow: not sure those awesome Snap On hanging tool sheds are the best use of space, but they are cool and i want some. plus you can spend the rest of your life finding the right tool to fit the spot they designed for it.

Snowpro: nice restore. just asking how you were able to take off all those stickers and where can you buy a snap on sticker like that?

 

[77ford502]

This is my first, but had to share a old cornwell tool box I got from my grandpa. I was hopping that someone might be able to tell me how old the box is.....

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Shadow: not sure those awesome Snap On hanging tool sheds are the best use of space, but they are cool and i want some. plus you can spend the rest of your life finding the right tool to fit the spot they designed for it.

I'm not sure yet how I'm going to use them, I was thinking of putting a small (removable) shelf or pegboard in them. Any ideas where I can get a lock cylinder for them? They didn't come with keys, but I just noticed that they drilled the locks out and they're sort of ugly.

 

[nine4gmc]

Shadow, good score on those cabinets. I have two from the state auction as well but mine were stripped down, no boards inside and one is missing the lock assembly. What thickness is the original board in back? I was trying to decide whether to put custom boards in or just peg board them.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not sure yet how I'm going to use them, I was thinking of putting a small (removable) shelf or pegboard in them. Any ideas where I can get a lock cylinder for them? They didn't come with keys, but I just noticed that they drilled the locks out and they're sort of ugly.

Almost any hardware store should have replacement cylinder locks and keys, the trick is getting the right locking pawl. (assuming your pawls are missing)

 

[jeffmoss26]

Any good locksmith will be able to set you up with new locks. Just take the old ones with you when you stop in.

 

[snowpro90]

Drivesitfar- I used a razor blade to remove all the stickers.Scuff pads on my angle grinder removed all the paint.
After the paint was complete I upgraded some of my old and worn tools with some snap-on ratchets and found this vintage sticker on Flea bay. It has a reflective back ground and I thought it looked great. I am looking to replace the Williams sticker that was originally located on the lower left front cover in the recessed oval

 

[Cdstahlman]

Nice setup, sounds like it came with some good stuff as well. Those were a very common 26" box back in the day. They should be stamped date and USA, I'd guess ~70's. I think the top might be older from the early 70's to late 60's. IIRC the rounded pulls predated the squared off pulls like on the bottom box.

Yea the top box doesn't have a days code. It seems more uncommon as I can't find jack on a mb80 series.

The bottom is date coded 74 with the MAC handles. I believe it's a mb520 after I've cleaned it off a little.

I'm going to clean, scuff any rough areas, re grease the slides, and put some vintage automotive decals on it, as I like the patina look. I'll also line all the drawers.

Thanks for the input. I'll post some pics after the "restore"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cdstahlman]

This is my first, but had to share a old cornwell tool box I got from my grandpa. I was hopping that someone might be able to tell me how old the box is.....

I can't tell you anything about it, but nice score!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

Yea the top box doesn't have a days code. It seems more uncommon as I can't find jack on a mb80 series.

The bottom is date coded 74 with the MAC handles. I believe it's a mb520 after I've cleaned it off a little.

I'm going to clean, scuff any rough areas, re grease the slides, and put some vintage automotive decals on it, as I like the patina look. I'll also line all the drawers.

Thanks for the input. I'll post some pics after the "restore"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the top is older. Take a picture of one of the drawer slides. I'd be willing to bet it is stamped. Sometimes they are really hard to see, even when super clean. I spent a good 1/2 hr the other day trying to find a stamp on a old Mac middle box. Finally found it. Mac and Matco made a bunch of obscure model boxes. Unfortunately they are not as well followed as older Snap On boxes, so unless you are looking for info on one of the 510/503/520 or 900 series boxes it can be pretty challenging. I'll have to add that MB80 to my database. I don't think I have come across that one yet. Although it looks very similar in design to the MB510 :

Someone that knows more about the history of Mac/Matco would probably be able to give you a pretty narrow date range for that box given the badge.

 

[Cdstahlman]

I think the top is older. Take a picture of one of the drawer slides. I'd be willing to bet it is stamped. Sometimes they are really hard to see, even when super clean. I spent a good 1/2 hr the other day trying to find a stamp on a old Mac middle box. Finally found it. Mac and Matco made a bunch of obscure model boxes. Unfortunately they are not as well followed as older Snap On boxes, so unless you are looking for info on one of the 510/503/520 or 900 series boxes it can be pretty challenging. I'll have to add that MB80 to my database. I don't think I have come across that one yet. Although it looks very similar in design to the MB510 :

Someone that knows more about the history of Mac/Matco would probably be able to give you a pretty narrow date range for that box given the badge.

I'll be sure to check the slides and other areas this week when I pull it apart for cleaning.

I just found another huge lot of Mac boxes for sale relatively close with a similar top box, a different 520 bottom, side cabinet, and middle section, as well as a old snap on top.

I'm tempted to go get them all, but my wallet says otherwise given the money I just dropped on my t-type.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sloppy]

I picked this up this weekend Have not found any markings yet supposed to be snap on looks like a snap on. Missing two of the top drawers but I have a idea for that..

Has about 50 layers of paint on it..

Paid $25 for it Might have been about $20 to much...

 

[Outlawmws]

SO or MBC, (MBC made boxes for SO back then...) marking one way or the other on the back probably low but also probably buried under those layers of paint.

I wouldn't complain about $25 for that...

So whats your idea for the missing drawers?

 

[sloppy]

SO or MBC, (MBC made boxes for SO back then...) marking one way or the other on the back probably low but also probably buried under those layers of paint.

I wouldn't complain about $25 for that...

So whats your idea for the missing drawers?

I was just planning on making the drawers "double depth" Shouldn't be to hard to bend up drawer extension to pull that off.. It sure is a heavy box for its size..

 

[sloppy]

Looks like a KRA 59A 1971

Man its got some paint on it..

 

[zkling]

Yep, and old KRA59. Good box. I'll be interested in seeing what you do with the missing drawers. Maybe make deep drawers out of the bottom ones, sounds like a good plan.

Did you get the badge or front handle with it? If all the other drawers work I probably would have bought it too at that price. Man those middle upper drawer slides look really messed up.

 

[sloppy]

Yep, and old KRA59. Good box. I'll be interested in seeing what you do with the missing drawers. Maybe make deep drawers out of the bottom ones, sounds like a good plan.

Did you get the badge or front handle with it? If all the other drawers work I probably would have bought it too at that price. Man those middle upper drawer slides look really messed up.

No badge or front handle. And locking mechanism is gone(which I dont really care about any way for this..)

All the other drawers are super smooth except the bottom which was a little stiff but It looks like the slide is fine just filthy.. some of the slides actually look to have been replaced.. those top two drawer slides are totally gone I had a hell of a time getting them out..

Someone must have just been having a bad day and just destroyed the slides..

 

[zkling]

No badge or front handle. And locking mechanism is gone(which I dont really care about any way for this..)

All the other drawers are super smooth except the bottom which was a little stiff but It looks like the slide is fine just filthy.. some of the slides actually look to have been replaced.. those top two drawer slides are totally gone I had a hell of a time getting them out..

Someone must have just been having a bad day and just destroyed the slides..

Yea I wonder what the drawers looked like or where they went. If it was me I'd probably just lightly weld a open box around the perimeter of the drawer to raise the height and not move the drawer pull. That way in the future if you ever did come across a donor box or drawer it would be easy to convert back. It will look good with 2 in the middle and one on each side, like a smaller box they made. Just my 2¢

 

[sloppy]

Yea I wonder what the drawers looked like or where they went. If it was me I'd probably just lightly weld a open box around the perimeter of the drawer to raise the height and not move the drawer pull. That way in the future if you ever did come across a donor box or drawer it would be easy to convert back. It will look good with 2 in the middle and one on each side, like a smaller box they made. Just my 2¢

That is exactly my plan..

 

[GrapplingWookie]

I have Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft two piece rolling chest toolbox (at least 60 yrs old).

Installing new casters on the bottom (rolling) piece, I turned the chest upside down. Now the drawers are all locked and I can't figure out how to unlock them.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jakemac]

Turn it upside down again, you should hear the locking bars clunk open. Pull the drawers out slightly, then turn it right side up again with the drawers pulled out. Let the locking bars drop, then push the drawers in.

I have a similar problem with a Monkey Ward bottom. The garage door doesn't push the locking bar up without help. I keep it open until I have time to degrease the box and fiddle with the locking mechanism.

 

[GrapplingWookie]

Thanks for the response. I just read it after returning from the garage for one last examination before "not being able to sleep all night because it's bugging me." I actually figured it out, finally.

On my box, the guide that the bottom 'garage door' rides in MOVES a little to engage & disengage the bars. Didn't notice it before. My bars are on a spring set to ENGAGE the bar locks when the door is pulled out and dropped.

What happened was, after doing the casters, I removed the door, ('cause I never use it and it was bent and rusted). I left the door out to work on it later.

My first thought was that it should be a related to the door, but I couldn't see any mechanism to do that. The springs made it a default lock up, even with the door completely out. Being upside down had nothing to do with it.

I can't seem to locate an emoticon for 'me so stupid'. This will do

 

[jakemac]

I did the same thing when I brought mine home. I laid it on it's back in the truck and when I rolled it into the shop, I couldn't get the drawers to open. I flipped it over, adjusted the garage door in it's slot, and that did the trick.

 

[ecotec]

I have Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft two piece rolling chest toolbox (at least 60 yrs old).

You should post a couple pictures.

 

[DWise]

My latest $25.00 CL find from a fellow GJ member. Very nice guy (Mike) and he even delivered it. I think it is 1956-57. I don't know his GJ members name.

 

[torqueman2002]

My latest $25.00 CL find from a fellow GJ member. Very nice guy (Mike) and he even delivered it. I think it is 1956-57. I don't know his GJ members name.

Nice vintage CM wall box.

Now you can fill it with vintage CM tools.

I'll check back for pictures in 20 mins.

 

[DWise]

I have a few but not many. I do have a few sources for a lot of Craftsman tools, but most are 1960's not 1950's. My neighbor has offered an empty, correct 1/4" drive box for the upper right corner. It will take a while to clean it up and get it painted. I'll probable just paint the outside and clean the inside the best I can. It will have to get a lot warmer here in central Ohio before I start on it. When I get to 100 posts maybe I can start trading/selling some vintage Snap-on and other miscellenous stuff for Craftsman.

 

[tedsters]

heres rem line i just picked up don't know wether to clean it up and use it or restore it

 

[nine4gmc]

Just clean it up Tedster!

 

[Mavawreck]

Anyone have any knowledge of these boxes?



They are similar in design, handles fold together for carrying or provide a flat surface to stack another box on when laid flat.

One has a sticker that I cant quite make out. The carrying totes are slightly different. Both are OD green, one is a brighter green inside.



Flat tote handle, flatter green



Round tote handle, brighter green



Remnants of sticker



Neither are stamped so that I've seen so far. I need to empty them before I can see the bottom.

 

[Outlawmws]

Better pic of the sticker please?

 

[JimDon]

Mav,
I have the green box with the flatter tote handle. sticker on mine says Porter. Made in USA and Dandy Tool Boxes, Dandy is on very top of sticker, and tool boxes is on very bottom. Porter Made in USA in middle. Sticker on mine is oval in shape with faded red and mostly green color. Hope that helps. I have seen these boxes labeled everything from SK, Sherman Klove, to even Kennedy, IIRC. And a couple other labels that escape me. Mine has four metal corner protectors on the bottom. Thing is built like a tank and heavy, even without tools. Mine accidently fell out of back of my truck one day when I opened the lift gate and did not realize is was against it. Went right down (fully loaded) to the concrete driveway. Thought it was a goner as it hit. Dented the corner protector slightly. Banged on it couple times with a body hammer and everything was straight again and good to go. I have read these were standard issue Jeep tool boxes in WWII, but that is not to be taken as gospel. That's what I've heard and read. From their appearance, I would guess they could easily be from the 1940s to 1950s. Bought mine for a song on Flea Bay and use it as my traveling (go) box. I love it.
Jim Don

 

[Mavawreck]

Mav,
I have the green box with the flatter tote handle. sticker on mine says Porter. Made in USA and Dandy Tool Boxes, Dandy is on very top of sticker, and tool boxes is on very bottom. Porter Made in USA in middle. Sticker on mine is oval in shape with faded red and mostly green color. Hope that helps. I have seen these boxes labeled everything from SK, Sherman Klove, to even Kennedy, IIRC. And a couple other labels that escape me. Mine has four metal corner protectors on the bottom. Thing is built like a tank and heavy, even without tools. Mine accidently fell out of back of my truck one day when I opened the lift gate and did not realize is was against it. Went right down (fully loaded) to the concrete driveway. Thought it was a goner as it hit. Dented the corner protector slightly. Banged on it couple times with a body hammer and everything was straight again and good to go. I have read these were standard issue Jeep tool boxes in WWII, but that is not to be taken as gospel. That's what I've heard and read. From their appearance, I would guess they could easily be from the 1940s to 1950s. Bought mine for a song on Flea Bay and use it as my traveling (go) box. I love it.
Jim Don

Jim Don, thank you! That was really helpful. I especially liked the flat handle feature for stacking.

 

[LiveWire64]

Finally dug out my old Kennedy 620 box. It has the hammertone finish on it. Also only has the single latch.Anyone know what year it might be?

 

[LiveWire64]

Here is a recently purchased SK-Tools 1/2" drive set.
My dad had this same set but it was stolen in the 90's.
I had a few of the pieces and was lucky to find fairly complete set.
It is missing the long breaker bar. Is in the garage somewhere,lol.
I am going to restore this box as it has a few dents and has been repainted.
Is the dark green wrinkle finish correct for this box? Is there a paint that is close? Any idea on what vintage it might be? Thanks.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

just clean it up tedster!

+1