Kennedy 520 Tool Box resto questions

[Pupuhd]

This weekend picked up at a yard sale a Kennedy 520 tool box for about $35. Structurally sound, felt lining in rough condition and handle needs to be replaced.

Questions I have: purchased green felt and started scraping the old one out of the drawers. Can I use spray adhesive on the back of the felt to apply to the inside of the drawers. Or any recommendations for a brush on adhesive (available locally) to the inside of the drawers first?

I want to touch up the paint, brown. Sand down lightly some of the surface rust on exposed metal. I plan to spot prime the bare areas. Does any one a rattle can color match for this vintage brown? Rustoleum or Krylon.

Lastly, any online sources for the handle and the style of rivets holding down the hardware?

Btw, based on the images below, any idea on year on this one?

Thanks for any information and tips. David

 

[Pupuhd]

Look up flocking on Rockler.com

If you're going to use it go ahead and do what you want.
a poor (not depainted entirely) restoration cuts the value to $10.

I thought about the flocking. However, gluing down the new felt would be easier to install. Yes, I plan to use it on top of my metal bench to have my frequently used hand tools. Thanks.

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[Adam.C]

Use wall paper paste to glue in felt. Drawers need to be clean and dry and painted. Brush it in with a chip brush, put in the felt, then smooth and align the felt using a credit card as a squeegee. You can resize the felt slightly, so your cutting doesn't have to be perfect.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Hey, I got the very same one a while back, in a bit worse shape than yours with a few dents in it. What are these worth unrestored? Why not restore or paint again? I'd like to know a good paint match to use too. Thx- Paul

 

[Pupuhd]

Hey, I got the very same one a while back, in a bit worse shape than yours with a few dents in it. What are these worth unrestored? Why not restore or paint again? I'd like to know a good paint match to use too. Thx- Paul

In my area, Delaware Bay tri-state area, both Craigslist and EBay are asking for $75-100 for one in this condition. Too rich for my blood. The other day at a yard sale, I bundled this tool box with other items. Figured it cost me around $35. He was asking $50 for it by itself. Still not a bad price for current condition.

These are all over ebay for around $100 with shipping, plus or minus. So it may not pay to restore one to sell, unless you got it for free. I'm restoring mine to spruce it up to use on my metal bench.

Still looking for an answer for a close color match.

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[Adam.C]

I tried all the off-the-shelf browns from lowes and home depot. None were close enough for touch up. A couple were close enough for a repaint, but they'll never match other Kennedy boxes. Could try flat black, and not bother try for Kennedy brown. Gray green might look cool too. Also, Kennedy couldn't have picked uglier felt colors.

If you are looking for a paint finish you will never regret, there's no choice but buy Kennedy spray paint. I think I paid almost $20 for a large spray can. But I reconditioned a 40" base cab.

To tell the truth, I think I'd buy the Kennedy paint if I thought I might want to buy another box, a riser or base roller so ebay in the future. If this is you one and only kennedy box, paint it whatever color you want.

I recommend building up the characteristic wrinkle finish with something other than the top coat.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah, I got my box off craigslist for all of $25. It isn't as nice as the one shown here but if I un-dent it, it won't be that different. A bit more corrosion on it. I have to replace all the felt in mine too. I can either clean it up and derust a bit and leave it alone or else do that and then paint it nice. I'm tempted to paint it nice, as I intend to use it the rest of my life and pass it on after that! I like Kennedy stuff. - Paul

 

[Retrosmith]

You can get a decent color match with Ace Hardware Rust Stop paint in Satin Dark Bronze. It only comes in quarts and rolls/brushes on fairly well.

The wrinkle finish can be recreated with VHTs wrinkle plus spray paint.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Thanks! Will likely give that paint a try!