The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Itinerant]

Here’s a New Britain six drawer 26” top box I picked up last month as a spare-time project, the date code shows it was manufactured in July 1970. It was in rough shape, rusty and filthy, and I had to push in and hold the left side of the bottom drawer in order to close the lid and lock the drawers but it had the lift out tray and a key for the lock so I paid $30 for it. When I got it home and took the drawers out I immediately saw what the problem was with the bottom drawer and locking bars. Apparently something had fallen behind the drawer and it had been forced shut damaging the back of the drawer and bending the locking tab inward, both easy fixes.

I stripped the entire exterior of the cabinet and most of the interior as well down to bare metal and the rougher drawers got the same treatment. Primed and painted Rust-Oleum Cherry Red.

Before pics:

 

[Itinerant]

And after:

 

[zkling]

And after:

Great job, that is a classic layout.

 

[tedsters]

I forgot i even had this all i did to it was took some mean green and cleaned it up, I don't think this box ever had any tools in it its all the original paint there is a code stamped number on top i did not get a pic of.
I have never seen a crown logo that was plastic on a tool box before and its a commercial box seems kind a strange they would put a plastic tag on it especially being a commercial box but this is a very clean tool box.
dimensions are 24Wx10Dx9-1/2H

 

[zkling]

That is awesome Ted. Do you think the build quality is THAT much better than the standard boxes? The catalogs seem to go on and on about it being better built.

 

[Itinerant]

Here's a Craftsman wall cabinet I haven't put to use yet. It's 32" tall and 19" wide. The body is 3.5" deep and the doors are 2".

 

[nine4gmc]

 

[nickb]

I just bought a snap on kr562 off of craigslist for $400. looking to find a stainless steel top for it. already got a wilton vise i am going to mount on it. going to clean it up and use it.

 

[tedsters]

That is awesome Ted. Do you think the build quality is THAT much better than the standard boxes? The catalogs seem to go on and on about it being better built.

to be honest this thing is heavy and really sturdy i would rate it above a standard box but it would be cool to have one the same size that was not commercial to really see what the difference is if any

 

[JeremyBurke]

Got this little guy from grandmas place this weekend.




It's a leather handle Kennedy kits. It was my grandpas.

 

[Geurt]

My Hazet Assistent 162 was overflowing with tools already so I have been on the hunt for the bigger 172 HD. This one will also accommodate the Hansen socket trays more easily. Found a nice one this weekend

(my 162 looks empty, but I took a lot of tools out already)

It still has the tray, although it has some damage in the back

The rolling shutters work nicely, but a previous owner broke the lock

Plan is to clean it up (remove stickers and other ****), wax it, put some cork liners in, fix the lock, mount a restored York 60 vise and use it! It will house my common tools. The other Hazet will be filled with less used tools.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Those Hazet carts are very cool.

 

[zkling]

Those Hazet carts are very cool.

Love the roll up garage door type cover.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I'm 90% sure this isn't a Hazet (I think it's the wrong color and no piano hinges on the top) but I have about 2 hours that I can still get it if you guys think it's worth grabbing.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm 90% sure this isn't a Hazet (I think it's the wrong color and no piano hinges on the top) but I have about 2 hours that I can still get it if you guys think it's worth grabbing.

I can't tell for sure but it looks like it may be a Derby, made in Poland. Here are a couple photos of one I bought a few years ago. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169950

 

[egnorant]

Gotta put in my latest find!

Better pics and info in this thread...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245925

Bruce

 

[youngridge]

Nice!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Remline I just picked up.

 

[zkling]

Remline I just picked up.

No deep middle drawer and it has the key. Is that a craftsman middle box with front cover I spy sitting below it?

Gotta put in my latest find!

Better pics and info in this thread...

Bruce

That is really cool. When you get a chance can you post a few more pics, particularly of the slides? I'm curious as to who actually made it. I guess it's safe to say the bottom cover wasn't close much, as evidence by the paint coloration.

 

[organ]

Thinking of buying these boxes

Any idea of a fair price for their condition?

 

[ZRX61]

thinking of buying these boxes

any idea of a fair price for their condition?

$25.00

 

[8nford]

Says Hamilton on front? Anybody here of it? Works for me drawers are deep.

 

[smschriefer]

Looks like a blueprint file, also called a map cabinet, or flat file cabinet. Cool! Hamilton is still in business in Cincinnati (Hamilton County), Ohio.

 

[8nford]

It has really good ball bearing drawer slides,came with a lot misc. tools mostly newer,some older. Paid 100.00

 

[egnorant]

That is really cool. When you get a chance can you post a few more pics, particularly of the slides? I'm curious as to who actually made it. I guess it's safe to say the bottom cover wasn't close much, as evidence by the paint coloration.

Put some more stuff on the other thread about the Bonney box.

Bruce

 

[drivesitfar]

8nFord: i love that Hamilton cabinet you bought and $100 is a great price for it. what are the dimensions and how heavy is it empty? also i like the labeling did you do that and how did you make them?

 

[taumac]

Got a couple of questions... I recently got this 1965 MBC chest.

I've been slowly fixing some of the flaws here and there. I already got some dents out but there's some I cant do cause of the double wall construction. Can someone point me in a direction for parts. I need one drawer handle but if cheap enough ill replace all.

A lock which looks like it locks top and that big center drawer. A possibly a MBC badge.

I need some opinions on the restoration. I would like to do nice restoration with correct handles and paint but being this a vintage box and parts might be hard to come by. For those in the know what would this chest go for restored? How much does it hurt value if I can't find missing parts and go with something close? Granted I like this chest but also I do see its value as a restored piece. Never know if someone on GJ looking for that box to complete a collection just as I'm looking for certain boxes to further mine.




Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[Mr.Ric]

Those inner/outer style handles are the same one's snap on used from @ 1962 through 1980, or later, on several different boxes. But even if you went with the sturdier and heavier handles from an older box, the C to C spacing would match perfectly to your MBC, which was the maker of some but not all of those boxes for snap on. Like a beat up snap on kr 55, 56, 58, 59 0r 61 would have at least 1 and 2 on some of the 61's. and if you found a 300 roll cab, you'd get at least 8 of them, along with slides and other useful paraphernalia.

 

[rmalkow2]

Got a couple of questions... I recently got this 1965 MBC chest.

I've been slowly fixing some of the flaws here and there. I already got some dents out but there's some I cant do cause of the double wall construction. Can someone point me in a direction for parts. I need one drawer handle but if cheap enough ill replace all.

Have a good one, Gerard

On the double wall dents have you tried the old hail dent sheet metal repair trick? Heat the dent pretty warm with a hair dryer and then hit it with cold from an upside down can of spray air. Or, use ice or other really cold source to shrink the metal back to original. If the dent is shallow it sometimes works.

Otherwise it looks like a really cool restoration. Great job!

 

[taumac]

Thanks Mr. Ric

Rmalkow, Actually I tried that on top with little success. I got out the propane torch and heated it up and tried to cool it with ice but didn't work. I seen that done with hair dryer and can of compressed air on cars but would it work on this thickness metal? I gonna get some air this weekend or sooner and try that cause I was interested on doing some spots on my truck.



Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[jakemac]

That style of handle was used on many different brands of boxes from the 60's to the 70's. I've even found them on cheap metal upright cabinet doors from that period. Check the local scrap yards, yard sales, etc for old cabinets. You might get lucky.

 

[taumac]

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

Remline I just picked up.

I like both of these.... I gotta start looking for these.





Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[taumac]

That style of handle was used on many different brands of boxes from the 60's to the 70's. I've even found them on cheap metal upright cabinet doors from that period. Check the local scrap yards, yard sales, etc for old cabinets. You might get lucky.

That's good idea. I did stopped in at Lowe's today. While there looked at pulls but didn't have one with to match. I havnt checked HD yet. I guess if find something close I can get all new and if sell or trade box I can give old originals to new owner.



Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[taumac]

Here's a Craftsman wall cabinet I haven't put to use yet. It's 32" tall and 19" wide. The body is 3.5" deep and the doors are 2".

That's cool. I never seen one before.



Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[zkling]

It has really good ball bearing drawer slides,came with a lot misc. tools mostly newer,some older. Paid 100.00

Good deal. Yep, that is an old blueprint cabinet. Technically it uses a ball bearing roller system not ball bearing slides. A much better design IMHO. As Drivesitfar asked, what are the dimensions? The came in a few different standard sizes from med to massive to fit the different ansi paper sizes.

That style of handle was used on many different brands of boxes from the 60's to the 70's. I've even found them on cheap metal upright cabinet doors from that period. Check the local scrap yards, yard sales, etc for old cabinets. You might get lucky.

I'm pretty sure these are a bit different and more beefy than what came on the old metal cabinents, or at least the ones I have ran across. To me they seem cheap. Snap on still sells them and even the more modern squared off versions (which IIRC are a different CTC dimension than the rounded ones) for ~$5 a pop. I can't stand those sheet metal style and fixing them is a royal pain. Everyone one I have ran across has been tweaked in some fashion. I just weld up a basic one out of aluminum or steel round stock.

Got a couple of questions... I recently got this 1965 MBC chest.

I need some opinions on the restoration. I would like to do nice restoration with correct handles and paint but being this a vintage box and parts might be hard to come by. For those in the know what would this chest go for restored? How much does it hurt value if I can't find missing parts and go with something close? Granted I like this chest but also I do see its value as a restored piece. Never know if someone on GJ looking for that box to complete a collection just as I'm looking for certain boxes to further mine.

My opinion? It is not going to be worth the time to properly restore it if $ is your goal. If you want a useable box, by all means go ahead, but from what I have seen old MBC boxes don't have much if any of a collector following. It's missing some critical parts like badge and handles so collectors will probably shy away.

The badge is going to be the hard one. I'm pretty sure snap on still sells handles that will fit for ~$5 each. What is the CTC on the mounting holes of those handles? A lock can be fitted and or fabricated. That is a cool box, I like the drawer layout.

 

[413dan]

hi, I've been coming to this site for a while, and recently became a member so i could read and see more photos. i posted my boxes in the show me your thread and another member noted that i should post these in the vintage thread, although i'm not sure of the age.
these 2 middle corn well boxes were my grandfathers(I'm 22 and he's 86 if helps at all) he doesn't remember when he got them so i'm not sure of the age or if they qualify for the "vintage" thread at all. they're 26in wide, both top and bottom are the same, top is just shown with door shut…
looking forward to finding out, cheers, dan

 

[zkling]

Those are awesome boxes Dan. I want to say they are from the 80's Check the back they should be stamped year made. Also post a pic of the drawer slides, that would help to narrow it down.

 

[taumac]

Good deal. Yep, that is an old blueprint cabinet. Technically it uses a ball bearing roller system not ball bearing slides. A much better design IMHO. As Drivesitfar asked, what are the dimensions? The came in a few different standard sizes from med to massive to fit the different ansi paper sizes.



I'm pretty sure these are a bit different and more beefy than what came on the old metal cabinents, or at least the ones I have ran across. To me they seem cheap. Snap on still sells them and even the more modern squared off versions (which IIRC are a different CTC dimension than the rounded ones) for ~$5 a pop. I can't stand those sheet metal style and fixing them is a royal pain. Everyone one I have ran across has been tweaked in some fashion. I just weld up a basic one out of aluminum or steel round stock.



My opinion? It is not going to be worth the time to properly restore it if $ is your goal. If you want a useable box, by all means go ahead, but from what I have seen old MBC boxes don't have much if any of a collector following. It's missing some critical parts like badge and handles so collectors will probably shy away.

The badge is going to be the hard one. I'm pretty sure snap on still sells handles that will fit for ~$5 each. What is the CTC on the mounting holes of those handles? A lock can be fitted and or fabricated. That is a cool box, I like the drawer layout.

I can measure the ctc tonight. What would properly restore a toolbox involved. Is that taking down to all bare metal, primer, paint, and bringing back to as new? Actually, the inner box where slides are and outer parts of drawers are good but slightly faded. Its really outer of box, drawer fronts and top lid area which need some paint. I don't think I'm going to find that badging so 2 out of 3 not bad in my book. Its a solid, heavy box.
I never really have been one to flip stuff for money and probably won't in this case. Instead of rustoleum, I was thinking would engine paint work? Ive had mixed results with regular spray paint. I have no paint shop so looking for a strong can paint.



Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[zkling]

I can measure the ctc tonight. What would properly restore a toolbox involved. Is that taking down to all bare metal, primer, paint, and bringing back to as new? Actually, the inner box where slides are and outer parts of drawers are good but slightly faded. Its really outer of box, drawer fronts and top lid area which need some paint. I don't think I'm going to find that badging so 2 out of 3 not bad in my book. Its a solid, heavy box.
I never really have been one to flip stuff for money and probably won't in this case. Instead of rustoleum, I was thinking would engine paint work? Ive had mixed results with regular spray paint. I have no paint shop so looking for a strong can paint.

Just a good cleaning stripping and scuffing of all areas. Remove handles, lock, etc prior to painting. Mask over hing supports. Basically don't paint anything that wasn't painted from he factory. Have you ever seen a box on CL with over spray on the wheels or painted over emblem, handles or even slides? That is what I'm talking about.

I usually spray rustoleum thinned with acetone from a compressor powered spray gun, as it is more economical and even than the spray cans. I have quite a bit of painting to do ATM and think this time I may actually roll or brush it on. In the little bit of experimentation I've done with brushed rustoleum, you need to put it on pretty thick and then cut it back with paper and then cutting compound to get a smooth surface. It just takes forever to dry in our humid climate. The thinned quarts dry much faster than the spray cans.

I'm not sure about the engine paint. I've used the engine and BBQ paint on exhausts and blocks before, but it seemed like they needed to be cooked to get the paint to stop rubbing off. Not sure if it would be the right thing for a box

Like welding, most of the work is in the prep.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

Why's everyone so obsessed with restoring awesome boxes that are in fine condition, and look really cool with their original wear?