The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Marc Benjamin]

So I started picking up Vintage Snap-On tool boxes this July and here's what I've come up with so far. I've never even owned an actual upright toolbox before all of this.

I've been fortunate to have come across folks who worked with me to get these in my garage.

July: KRA-59, 1961 & KRA-377B, 1970 - $50 both really full of sockets/wrenches/ratchets
August: KRA-59G, 1985 - $150 empty though
September: KRA-56, 1948 & KRA-378A, 1970 - $60 full of passable tools


So I pretty much need a box from the 50's and the 90's to compete a last half of the century junky box collection!


Anyways, it's probably gonna take me a while to fill these with quality stuff but here's a sampling of quality stuff that I have in them so far:







Sigh, those darn long wrenches (Matco SRFBZLM102TA) cost more than that entire box collection.

 

[chopper1]

Well, another GJ member is always welcome. You know there's not a lot of old stuff down here as I see in other parts of the US. I think a lot of ppl sell before moving down. Warning many things that come to FL don't leave this includes ppl. Once they move down they don't leave. Its like the melting pot of ppl.

I am amazed at the amount of vintage tools I find at the garage and estate sales I hit when we winter in Florida. I would guess that probably more than half of my Plomb/Proto Los Angles tools were bought there. The stuff is usually pretty cheap with the kids selling off their parents stuff who have passed and they want to hurry up and get back up north. And there are a lot of estate sales....after all Florida is God's waiting room.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Since you asked so kindly, here you go.

 

[taumac]

I am amazed at the amount of vintage tools I find at the garage and estate sales I hit when we winter in Florida. I would guess that probably more than half of my Plomb/Proto Los Angles tools were bought there. The stuff is usually pretty cheap with the kids selling off their parents stuff who have passed and they want to hurry up and get back up north. And there are a lot of estate sales....after all Florida is God's waiting room.

Gods waiting room.... LMAO I havnt hear that in awhile but its so true. I try to hit as many sales as I can. I check cl a lot but when I find something its usually on other side of state which is a 2.5 or 3 hour drive one way.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[taumac]

Well, another added to the craftsman family. LOL

This ended up being a really cool buy. It was a CL ad and called him and said interested and he said I want $50 don't bring $49. So went down with wife and meet guy at house. His wife brings me into the shop and ole man this guy had a stilt home with bottom all shop with Kennedys and tool boxes EVERYWHERE. I chatted with him for alittle but he got tired cause he had been fighting cancer. After 30 mins I walk out with box only to see my wife and his talking her garden of plants. His wife gave mine few cuttings and they both had fun. I know I said FL is this and that but every once in a while you come across folks like this that it means so much more than the $50 I spent.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I like that, seems like a good buy @ 50

 

[rmalkow2]

Well, another added to the craftsman family. LOL

This ended up being a really cool buy. It was a CL ad and called him and said interested and he said I want $50 don't bring $49. So went down with wife and meet guy at house. His wife brings me into the shop and ole man this guy had a stilt home with bottom all shop with Kennedys and tool boxes EVERYWHERE. I chatted with him for alittle but he got tired cause he had been fighting cancer. After 30 mins I walk out with box only to see my wife and his talking her garden of plants. His wife gave mine few cuttings and they both had fun. I know I said FL is this and that but every once in a while you come across folks like this that it means so much more than the $50 I spent.

5 Stitches Garage

Not bad for $50 on a classic old box. I can't wait to read your thread and see how you fit this one in the garage.

 

[taumac]

I like that, seems like a good buy @ 50

Thanks, in condition its in probably worth less than what I paid. Top it pitted alittle on one side and a lot of dirt and grime. I don't see just those chest sold too often around my parts. I really wanted one bad for some time now.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[drivesitfar]

Taumac: sounds like you might be back to that place again with your bride. bring a quality bottle or half case this time to let him tell you some stories and you can share some of yours while the gals get aquainted. nice box by the way.

 

[taumac]

Not bad for $50 on a classic old box. I can't wait to read your thread and see how you fit this one in the garage.

Thanks, that's a good question? Gonna have to moved stuff around again but that's fine. Been looking for this one for some time and finally got it.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[taumac]

Taumac: sounds like you might be back to that place again with your bride. bring a quality bottle or half case this time to let him tell you some stories and you can share some of yours while the gals get aquainted. nice box by the way.

I got his number. Kinda a strange character but awesome old shop. He got tired and I didn't want to overstay my welcome. While out his wife she told me he gets tired real quick and they just got back from Texas cause he's fighting cancer. If he was up to it I would have stayed all day. Im only 40 but I love hanging out with the old guys just learning and listening. The whole shop smelt like machine old and so does the box.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[alinc100]

Since you asked so kindly, here you go.

Now that is just plain awesome. I don't know if I could put it in my shop but I'd try like hell to keep it on the coffee table or the fireplace mantel in teh house. Not sure SWMBO would agree.

 

[burke1]

That's Nice!

 

[jakemac]

Since you asked so kindly, here you go.

Thanks for the pictures, now I envy you even more !

 

[Bill Ramsey]

...every once in a while you come across folks like this that it means so much more than the $50 I spent.

That's, for me, part of the fun of finding these things. I enjoy the chance to visit with some of the older folks who are parting with this cool stuff. At a recent drill press buy, I got to hear about the high school my daughter attends from a gentlemen who went there back when it was still a very small community (it's now the third-largest high school in the state).

Nice Craftsman box! I really like those and have been looking for one. Came across one just like it recently, but in poor condition and seller wanted way too much for my taste (north of $100). I hope to find one eventually.

 

[taumac]

Bill, I agree its much more. Those boxes are out but very rarely have I seen them personally sold by themselves. I see them as a stack. I did see one for 70 but was a 6 hour round trip to get.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
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[70CopperZ28]

Nice boxes! I bought this from a retired Chevy mechanic about 20 yrs ago for $100 with tools!

How do I go about aging the boxes? My guess that the boxes are from the 1960's.

 

[JIMBETHYNAME2]

I am going to pick up a 1950s blackhawk chief box tomorrow

 

[Marc Benjamin]

Nice boxes! I bought this from a retired Chevy mechanic about 20 yrs ago for $100 with tools!

How do I go about aging the boxes? My guess that the boxes are from the 1960's.

They might have a model stamp on back of the box. I'm not sure when they started doing it though. I have a 1961 box that has it and a 1948 one that does not.

Go look at the vintage catalogs on Collecting Snap-On website.

I want your mid box.

 

[zkling]

Nice boxes! I bought this from a retired Chevy mechanic about 20 yrs ago for $100 with tools!

How do I go about aging the boxes? My guess that the boxes are from the 1960's.

Nice stack. They are from the very late 50's to very early 60's. Check the back they should be stamped on each one model and year. Top should be a KRA56 (6 drawer) or KRA58 (8-9 drawer), KRA429 middle and something like KRA352 bottom.

 

[70CopperZ28]

They might have a model stamp on back of the box. I'm not sure when they started doing it though. I have a 1961 box that has it and a 1948 one that does not.

Go look at the vintage catalogs on Collecting Snap-On website.

I want your mid box.

Thanks for the tip, according to the CSO website it looks a 1960. I could not find any stampings on the boxes. I'll check tonight.

 

[70CopperZ28]

Nice stack. They are from the very late 50's to very early 60's. Check the back they should be stamped on each one model and year. Top should be a KRA56 (6 drawer) or KRA58 (8-9 drawer), KRA429 middle and something like KRA352 bottom.

Thanks!

 

[zkling]

Thanks!

Welcome. How many drawers does the top box have? I'm almost positive they are stamped. Snap On started stamping their boxes in the late 50's. It can be hard to see at times but they should all be stamped on the back panel of each box. Grab a flash light and hit the box at different angles to see if you can catch the stamping.

 

[Project_shadow]

I don't consider this "vintage" since I'm older than the box is - but here's the $20 early 80's (before they started turning to ****) Craftsman roller I picked up at the flea market this morning.

Ignore my dad's stuff
The toolbox I got from my neighbor for free
Not sure of the age
But it's been a good toolbox besides the bottom panel is broke in the left side and hangs out when it's down

 

[taumac]

Ignore my dad's stuff
The toolbox I got from my neighbor for free
Not sure of the age
But it's been a good toolbox besides the bottom panel is broke in the left side and hangs out when it's down

Its a late 70's early 80's there should be date on bottom right just above that right caster. There are solid boxes.

5 Stitches Garage
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Florida GJ Group
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[beatcad]

I am going to pick up a 1950s blackhawk chief box tomorrow

WTF!
where do i start w/ that post?! i'll try to put it in order..from least important to vital.
4) you should do a proper intro. you:hello i'm jim and i have a tool problem. us: hello jim. ..although i'm not a stickler on this point.
3) what the hell kinda tease is that!
2) you better show pix of that bad boy when you get it!
1) most important! NEVER EVER talk about a score until it's in your hands or truck! you will jinx yourself.

that said, welcome to the GJ and i hope you do get it. show it here and the vintage blackhawk thread

 

[taumac]

+1 on beatcad number 1 rule.

5 Stitches Garage
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Florida GJ Group
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[David Jackson]

Can this toolbox be saved? Is it worth saving? A good friend died a few years ago and I am trying to help his daughter raise a few much needed bucks. This is the remains of an old Craftsman; I expect there once was a cover for the bottom part; long since gone. Anyway look at pics and let me know. Thanks.

 

[zkling]

Can this toolbox be saved? Is it worth saving? A good friend died a few years ago and I am trying to help his daughter raise a few much needed bucks. This is the remains of an old Craftsman; I expect there once was a cover for the bottom part; long since gone. Anyway look at pics and let me know. Thanks.

Can it? Sure, but unless you REALLY liked that box and or had a sentimental attachment to it, I highly doubt it would be sensible. It's not that rare of a box and it is going to take quite a bit of work to get it going. I'd salvage it for parts. Just my 2¢, but I'm not as ambitious as some of the box restorers on here.

 

[taumac]

Ill have to agree with zkling. You can wire brush some of rust of and slap some paint on and use it or sell it for few bucks but not gonna get much. To fully restore it to get some money for it it really doesnt make sense. It needs alot of work to get it where to get some decent money. Time, effort, and products involved to do resto would almost cost the amount you'll make. IMO.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

 

[70CopperZ28]

Welcome. How many drawers does the top box have? I'm almost positive they are stamped. Snap On started stamping their boxes in the late 50's. It can be hard to see at times but they should all be stamped on the back panel of each box. Grab a flash light and hit the box at different angles to see if you can catch the stamping.

It's a 9 drawer.

 

[gotmud13613]

 

[Smokeshow69]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/16/98094a463efa945f363697bee6cc4123.jpg[/IMG[/QUOTE]


Dude, not cool!! You can't post a teaser pic and not load the rest of the pictures:bowdown: Post up the rest of the info! Don't know what you paid for it but you ****!

 

[zkling]

Dude, not cool!! You can't post a teaser pic and not load the rest of the pictures Post up the rest of the info! Don't know what you paid for it but you ****!

Hope you don't mind me posting the image. You were missing a "]" in your image code. Cool box, looks like you have some work ahead of you.

 

[RedVise]

Latest box is a SIPCO. Needs a little attention.


Brian

 

[Outlawmws]

RedVise, that box looks like it should clean up great! Nice find!

 

[beatcad]

gotmud-cool blackhawk. i'm jealous, but i reminds me od a dumb old joke.
what did the dog say when he sat on some sandpaper? ruff!

redvise- very cool i have the smaller version sipco, but dont feel to bad. min is in worse shape.

 

[My Junk is Stuff]

Can this toolbox be saved? Is it worth saving? A good friend died a few years ago and I am trying to help his daughter raise a few much needed bucks. This is the remains of an old Craftsman; I expect there once was a cover for the bottom part; long since gone. Anyway look at pics and let me know. Thanks.

Sure, it can be saved, it's a lot of work though depending on how you go about it. I, personally, would love to get my hands on that box. That said, I would not be willing to spend very much to get it, maybe somewhere in the $20 to 50 range tops. There are some that would not waste their time on it as well, so maybe the market is not that big... I dunno. Where your at may play into what you could ultimately get for it as well.

Good luck, I hope you can help your old friends daughter out, and I hope someone will be willing to save that old box!

 

[My Junk is Stuff]

Latest box is a SIPCO. Needs a little attention.


Brian

Nice box, I bet that will clean up really well!

 

[kool_BOY8323]

anyone got any lines on a mid 70's silver and red craftsman lower? preferably all drawers need to find a mate for this bad boy: