Craftsman tool chest - is it real?

[orca8589]

Well, we went from 101 degrees here Wednesday to 71 degrees today - which means that the morning temps were in the upper 50's. I almost didn't go to the flea market, but I did go anyway, and bought this Craftsman ten-drawer tool chest for $20. The bottom drawer wouldn't close, there were no drawer liners, the lock was missing (I have a spare anyway), and there was 'mystery crud' in a couple of the drawers. I figured for $20., if it's not usable, I could Craigslist it for $30. and make some beer money.


Here's the issue: I can't find any info on it - I keep coming up with the same box in red, and one in light grey. There's a Sears 100th Anniversary label on the front of it, but it looks like a cheapie you'd buy at the register for $0.25. or something. (Maybe a previous owner stuck it on there? Googling "Sears Anniversary Tool Chest" = zero results.)

After cleaning the junk out of it (I now have enough lug nuts for maybe a dozen trucks or more), I found a label in the upper right drawer with a Sears part number, #706.651810. Now, one would think that Googling this number would (finally) bring up some info - but no. I get a tool box manual that I can't read, and a site that wants me to join to get any info.


When I pulled the bottom drawer out, there was a pile of old tools and paper scraps crammed back behind the drawer. (Full set of spade bits, unopened. $15. score right there, so not a total disappointment.) There was also an old price-tag label with "10/27/86" on it - a manufacture date, perhaps?

I can't get on the Sears site for some reason - par for the course, as it's been a real pain to do anything online with Sears lately - so I figured I'd put this up here and see what you guys think. I've bought several toolboxes from this fleamarket in the past three years, and made out pretty well each time, but this time, maybe not. I just can't figure this box out.

So, what say ye? Did I score or not?

~Chris

 

[7th Kahuna]

I say you scored, even without the spade bits. I haven't tried looking up the number, but the color scheme is familiar, 1980's. I am pretty comfortable calling it a Craftsman box. I picked up a similar 1970 box a month or so ago for $40 and thought that was a pretty good deal.

 

[jim1987]

Had one just like it. Its a craftsman. Besides don't ya think craftsman is a little low to see a fake? I guess anything is possible though. But its real.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Well, we went from 101 degrees here Wednesday to 71 degrees today - which means that the morning temps were in the upper 50's. I almost didn't go to the flea market, but I did go anyway, and bought this Craftsman ten-drawer tool chest for $20. The bottom drawer wouldn't close, there were no drawer liners, the lock was missing (I have a spare anyway), and there was 'mystery crud' in a couple of the drawers. I figured for $20., if it's not usable, I could Craigslist it for $30. and make some beer money.


Here's the issue: I can't find any info on it - I keep coming up with the same box in red, and one in light grey. There's a Sears 100th Anniversary label on the front of it, but it looks like a cheapie you'd buy at the register for $0.25. or something. (Maybe a previous owner stuck it on there? Googling "Sears Anniversary Tool Chest" = zero results.)

After cleaning the junk out of it (I now have enough lug nuts for maybe a dozen trucks or more), I found a label in the upper right drawer with a Sears part number, #706.651810. Now, one would think that Googling this number would (finally) bring up some info - but no. I get a tool box manual that I can't read, and a site that wants me to join to get any info.


When I pulled the bottom drawer out, there was a pile of old tools and paper scraps crammed back behind the drawer. (Full set of spade bits, unopened. $15. score right there, so not a total disappointment.) There was also an old price-tag label with "10/27/86" on it - a manufacture date, perhaps?


I can't get on the Sears site for some reason - par for the course, as it's been a real pain to do anything online with Sears lately - so I figured I'd put this up here and see what you guys think. I've bought several toolboxes from this fleamarket in the past three years, and made out pretty well each time, but this time, maybe not. I just can't figure this box out.

So, what say ye? Did I score or not?

~Chris

It's legit, I saw someone else asking about this (actually it's a top and a bottom). I don't think it's an "anniversary edition" but probably one of the "limited edition" ones that they sell from time to time.

Saw another configuration box with the same style
http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mH-bDvC1h4PGaRtivM-ngbw.jpg
So the style does exist.

 

[softailgarage]

100 years would make it from 1986. This is the closest I could find in the '86 catalog...

 

[zkling]

Check the top compartment, left most divider in the front corner. It should be stamped.

Softailgarage, do you have an entire 1986 catalog?

 

[bluebolt]

It came right up in searspartsdirect.com, 10 drawer Craftsman chest. Slides are still available for $2.99.

 

[48fordnut]

I have the same 10 drawer box.
Got it off C/L about 3 yrs ago. Love it.

 

[ken w.]

I have found that when you type in Sears model numbers don't type in the period . If you type #706.651810 you may get a "not found" . If you type it in #706651810 it may come up.

 

[Flatintoone]

Looks like a Cman chest to me. I bet the badge fell off at some point (it looks pop riveted on). I see them around like that, though maybe not specifically with the 100 years badge.

Are you saying that temperatures in the 50s almost kept you away from the flea market?

 

[zkling]

Are you saying that temperatures in the 50s almost kept you away from the flea market?

Look at his location, that is parka and long johns weather out there

 

[jmm]

You did well! Those US made Craftsman boxes are hard to beat if they were taken care of. My last supervisor had one that'd been rolling around the production room floor for almost 40 years. The finish was in terrible shape (textile mill...dust, water vapor, grease), but he'd kept the functional components in pristine shape -- friction slides were clean and would slide easily, all hinges in perfect working condition.

He's about to retire in a couple months, and I tried to get him to sell me his stuff, but he wouldn't part with it. I ended up going with one from the early 1980s, exact same model as yours, and it's similarly well built. I'm using it everyday at work now.

 

[NUTTSGT]

It's real, I remember seeing them. For twenty bucks, I'd bought it too, in a heartbeat.

BTW,

YOU ****

 

[pauls_workshop]

OP, you scored! That is a good one! - Paul

 

[Joe B.]

I have found that when you type in Sears model numbers don't type in the period . If you type #706.651810 you may get a "not found" . If you type it in #706651810 it may come up.

I found it by dropping the last "0" in the number. 70665181

The first three digits are the manufacture's number. The next five are the item number you would see in the store. I think that last digit is sometimes used and sometimes not used. I think it might show up when there is a product change they want to track but don't want to make a true change in their inventory system. (I have seen this in lawn mowers where there were three versions of the items with the last digit was either 0, 1, 2 or 3. I think these would indicate slightly different parts changes but the same basic product in the stores.)

 

[PelicanPines]

Sweet find. I restored some older craftsman rollers in the past, each with a specific end task in mind. Never got lucky enough to score a top.

Congrats !!! Oh yea... and you **** for being lucky.

 

[orca8589]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I figured this would be the place to get a good evaluation in the box.

Looks like a Cman chest to me. I bet the badge fell off at some point (it looks pop riveted on). I see them around like that, though maybe not specifically with the 100 years badge.

Are you saying that temperatures in the 50s almost kept you away from the flea market?

The temps aren't that big of a deal for me, except for when we have a really radical weather change, then my arthritis acts up, and my allergies get to be pretty irritating.

Look at his location, that is parka and long johns weather out there

Yup - that about sums it up.

Check the top compartment, left most divider in the front corner. It should be stamped.

Yes, it is - I would never have seen it if you hadn't mentioned it. It's stamped, "MADE IN U.S.A." over "S1086".

 

[bobcatdan]

I want to say that is a heavy duty model that predated the ball bearing models that later became the griplatch boxes. Hope that makes sense.

 

[orca8589]

Well, in looking over this box again, I'm really excited that I got it - it's perfect for what I needed. I'll keep an eye out for a bottom unit too - I've seen a few different-colored version of rolling bases here at flea markets and garage sales that usually look like they've been run over or something. It didn't occur to me that my box might just be a top unit.

You did well! Those US made Craftsman boxes are hard to beat if they were taken care of. My last supervisor had one that'd been rolling around the production room floor for almost 40 years. The finish was in terrible shape (textile mill...dust, water vapor, grease), but he'd kept the functional components in pristine shape -- friction slides were clean and would slide easily, all hinges in perfect working condition.

He's about to retire in a couple months, and I tried to get him to sell me his stuff, but he wouldn't part with it. I ended up going with one from the early 1980s, exact same model as yours, and it's similarly well built. I'm using it everyday at work now.

This box is in pretty good shape, considering all the **** that was in it. I had to dismount five of the drawers from their slides to finally get to all the **** in it, then vacuum & wipe down everything, and it still needs a little more attention.

The slides work perfectly - just as smooth as the little Kennedy #520 I got at the same flea market last year. I've coveted Kennedy tool chests for years, and finally got one - and then inherited my father-in-law's Kennedy from his days of working in aviation in the Cold War (1950's-60's). As much as I love the Kennedy, I just couldn't fit all my most needed tools in it. (I popped the lock out to replace it.)


By the way - the Kennedy was only $20. as well.

It's real, I remember seeing them. For twenty bucks, I'd bought it too, in a heartbeat.

BTW,

YOU ****

Woo-hoo! My first "you ****!"

~Chris

 

[softailgarage]

Check the top compartment, left most divider in the front corner. It should be stamped.

Softailgarage, do you have an entire 1986 catalog?

I have every Craftsman/sears catalog up to 2005 on disc

 

[Lunchbun]

Chris - I know it has been a while but wanted to give you a little info on the tool chest you bought.
I own this chest, as well as the base rolling unit. These were a limited edition set sold to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sears as the (poorly made) label implied. I bought them brand new. By the quality of the times these were a steal at full price; very well made, an excellent size for a regular garage. Somewhere I still have my certificate of authenticity.
I can tell you from personal experience ;you got a steal. I came across your post while looking for some details on the chest (I have it at my woodworking shop) and was thrilled to see the same chest on your post. To date, I have never met anyone else who has even seen them.
These were a limited edition - there were not very many made. To the best of my knowledge they have never used this color before or since.
I certainly hope you get as much use out of your chest as I have out of mine. 30 years old and still going strong despite heavy use (for a non-pro) and frequent overloading.
So - to add to what you have already read...this is not a fake or some such. I look at this cabinet every time I go in my garage. This is a Craftsman from back when the name meant decent (if not good) quality. Enjoy!

 

[KMinAF]

Picked this one up last week and will post the "after" pics soon

 

[driftpin]

From my tool storage hunts, if you find a Craftsman top box w/the die-cast extruded side lift handles, they are usually a better build than the ones that have all-plastic side handles. The latter are often the 'homeowner' level, and the former are the 'professional' level.

I'll buy either if I can get them at the right price, and usually a bit of elbow grease, and some paint and lubrication, it's an easy sale on CL.

Here's the last one I bought (pic #1, before cleaning & paint), from a guy who has a thrift-store type business operating out of his house seemingly every weekend. I got the red Craftsman 5 drawer top box for $10. The top drawer was stuck shut. The other drawers had the usual assortment of orphan tools, fasteners of various types, but seemingly no 'jewels.' Ten smackers was the asking price, I didn't even try to dicker. The best thing was that apart from being weathered and rusty, I didn't see any rust-through and with the exception of the one stuck drawer, it looked like a cleaning & lube would get it sellable, w/a quick Rustoleum coat. That's what I did, and in the process, I got the top stuck drawer open and here's what I found, a LAN signal meter, to check on continuity for LAN wire jobs. Replacing the battery got it working perfectly, it came with a case, cables, directions, and the remote unit to 'accept' the signal generated. I put that on CL for $95, and sold it to the first guy who showed an interest, an IT wiring tech who showed-up w/his service van loaded w/equipment and a ladder on-top. He checked it out and handed me a $50 bill. I sold the tool box for $38, so a profit of $78 on my $10 purchase.

Here's another 6 drawer Craftsman box (pic #2) I recently flipped on CL for a $30 profit. Not getting rich, but it's $ I can use for buying supplies or other tools. For the two Craftsman boxes and the electronic LAN tool, a bit > $100 for a couple hours puttering-around in the garage, and then finding buyers on CL.

Good luck hunting for the matching base unit. I wouldn't be too-picky, if you find one in good shape that fits, buy it. You can always continue the search for the exact 100 year anniversary bottom box and sell your 'interim' bottom box if the exact one turns-up.

 

[dms1]

I have that exact same toolbox, bought it from sears in the 80s

 

[7avalon7]

Well, we went from 101 degrees here Wednesday to 71 degrees today - which means that the morning temps were in the upper 50's. I almost didn't go to the flea market, but I did go anyway, and bought this Craftsman ten-drawer tool chest for $20.

So, what say ye? Did I score or not?

~Chris

I been looking for a tool chest and in my book, Craftsman or not, at $20, you definitely score

Congrats!

EDIT: dang, I did not realize the date for the OP post

 

[lauver]

orca8589,

706 is the OEM code for Waterloo.

Waterloo made a lot of the Craftsman tool boxes for Sears over the decades.

There were other manufactures as well, but none have been specifically documented.

I have that same tool chest, but mine is sporting red paint, surface rust, and a 1979 date code. I like the 6 narrow top drawers as they are perfect for the smaller tool sets like drill bits, punches & chisels, hooks & picks, ignition wrenches, feeler gauges, precision screwdrivers, steel rules, and "other misc. smalls".

I think I paid $20 for mine, given it's "well worn" condition.

 

[Jtels85]

We have a booth at the local antique mall and another vendor just placed the same top chest model for sale this week. It's more of a brown/gray color, but the handles and riveted Craftsman badge are exactly the same. I did some research and that's how I stumbled upon this post. The box itself isn't in bad shape... there is some surface rust in the bottom drawer and that same drawer seems to get stuck half way out... give it a pull and it comes all the way out and closes. Someone also labeled all of the drawers with a permanent marker. There are locks, but no keys. They're asking $50. I'm sure the marker and rust will clean up. I'm wondering if you guys think it's worth buying or not?

 

[CPH628]

I have the same box. Bought it new. It is Craftsman 100th anniversary box. 1980's can't remember the year. Never any trouble with it. Still works like new.

cph

 

[Jtels85]

I have the same box. Bought it new. It is Craftsman 100th anniversary box. 1980's can't remember the year. Never any trouble with it. Still works like new.

cph

Everyone on here seems to agree that they're real good quality. I'm just on the fence whether or not it's worth the $50. I can buy a new one on sale for $120 at Sears. But by the time I pay for new locks, the supplies I need to repair it and the time invested, is it worth it?

 

[jkherd]

I bought mine new, the top and bottom and the middle chest a little later on. They have worked well.

 

[Firstgendodgegarage]

I bought mine new, the top and bottom and the middle chest a little later on. They have worked well.

I know this is an old post but it is as stated a sears 100th anniversary craftsman toolbox set. Sears started in 1886 as a watch sales company.
This 100th anniversary 1886-1986 two piece set is well built and solid with good tight ball bearing slides!
I just bought one in NEW condition and I mean new condition and I mean the foam pads were all there and in new condition not one scratch on it !
I gave the old retired military gentleman and steel stud residential pioneer.
$200 for it and I think I got the better of the deal ! It is dusty in the pics i will post new pics when I've blown the dust off of it and wiped it down !

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I know this is an old post but it is as stated a sears 100th anniversary craftsman toolbox set. Sears started in 1886 as a watch sales company.
This 100th anniversary 1886-1986 two piece set is well built and solid with good tight ball bearing slides!
I just bought one in NEW condition and I mean new condition and I mean the foam pads were all there and in new condition not one scratch on it !
I gave the old retired military gentleman and steel stud residential pioneer.
$200 for it and I think I got the better of the deal ! It is dusty in the pics i will post new pics when I've blown the dust off of it and wiped it down !

Awesome chest and deal.

 

[Doug MacG]

Just bought the top and roller this week. I paid $125 because I looked it up, including this site. All the same ones I saw on sales sites were all marked sold, so they seemed popular. If it was a plain toolbox combo, I may have overpaid, but it is unique due to the color combination and history, so it seemed like a good deal to me. The Craftsman gods awarded me with a 3/8 Flying V for $3.33 ($20 small toolbox buy + some sockets) on a purchase at another stop on the way home with these.

 

[Pexto]

Just bought the top and roller this week. I paid $125 because I looked it up, including this site. All the same ones I saw on sales sites were all marked sold, so they seemed popular. If it was a plain toolbox combo, I may have overpaid, but it is unique due to the color combination and history, so it seemed like a good deal to me. The Craftsman gods awarded me with a 3/8 Flying V for $3.33 ($20 small toolbox buy + some sockets) on a purchase at another stop on the way home with these.

Welcome aboard! How about some pictures of your toolbox?

 

[Doug MacG]

 

[Doug MacG]

 

[Doug MacG]

It is now the official overflow tool box.