The vintage Blackhawk Thread

[blackie]

BlackHawk Wooden ToolChest

I had posted this to the vintage toolbox thread at first and it might be more helpful here. The numbering system in the drawers could solve the early toolkit confusion, or add more confusion ( a T7?). It was from an old hardware store and allowed you to buy piecemeal.
Let me know if you need more specific pictures or a breakdown of listed sockets ( Square & Hex) or accessories.

 

[Conductor562]

Re: BlackHawk Wooden ToolChest

I had posted this to the vintage toolbox thread at first and it might be more helpful here. The numbering system in the drawers could solve the early toolkit confusion, or add more confusion ( a T7?). It was from an old hardware store and allowed you to buy piecemeal.
Let me know if you need more specific pictures or a breakdown of listed sockets ( Square & Hex) or accessories.

That's pretty damn sweet man

 

[jakemac]

Here's a little Blackhawk #34830 3/8"dr Torque Wrench (only 10" long) that I picked up this weekend. This is the smallest torque wrench I've seen (not that I've ever looked before), it caught my eye and I just had to have it.

 

[beatcad]

Here's a little Blackhawk #34830 3/8"dr Torque Wrench (only 10" long) that I picked up this weekend. This is the smallest torque wrench I've seen (not that I've ever looked before), it caught my eye and I just had to have it.

sweet! looks like the one i got and posted one page back.

 

[1982fxr]

my old roller box

 

[83glt]

I just picked up a Blackhawk top box off CL that I'm hoping to get more information on from the experts here. It is the same top box as depicted in those posts over on the HAMB cited earlier. It's the box for a "Chief" wrench set with the lift out tray and 3 side drawers. It doesn't have a medallion or label on the cover, but the inside decal is there and near pristine condition. It says the wrench set is No. 100-W. I was hoping someone with access to old Blackhawk catalogs might be able to give me some information on that set?

Also, the box is not painted red. It's painted a dark olive green, almost what you would expect for a military box. The CL seller claimed it was originally his grandfather's but that he had used it as a kid. He painted over the green as a kid in crappy red paint that is now peeling. There is also surface rust in the top and side. But the way the inside decal appears, and the condition of the underlying olive green paint makes me wonder if it isn't original? Did Blackhawk ever offer boxes in olive green? If not, and only color ever offered was red, this means that the kid's grandfather "refinished" the box back in the day - way ahead of his time! The quality of the green paint speaks original to me - no overspray, no visible underlying red paint, and condition of the decal.

It came with bottom cabinet that appears homemade to me, unless someone here can identify it. Seems hand-crafted given the method of construction. Though interestingly, the inside is painted in the same olive green as the Blackhawk???

Here are some photos - any info. would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zkling]

I just picked up a Blackhawk top box off CL that I'm hoping to get more information on from the experts here. It is the same top box as depicted in those posts over on the HAMB cited earlier. It's the box for a "Chief" wrench set with the lift out tray and 3 side drawers. It doesn't have a medallion or label on the cover, but the inside decal is there and near pristine condition. It says the wrench set is No. 100-W. I was hoping someone with access to old Blackhawk catalogs might be able to give me some information on that set?

Also, the box is not painted red. It's painted a dark olive green, almost what you would expect for a military box. The CL seller claimed it was originally his grandfather's but that he had used it as a kid. He painted over the green as a kid in crappy red paint that is now peeling. There is also surface rust in the top and side. But the way the inside decal appears, and the condition of the underlying olive green paint makes me wonder if it isn't original? Did Blackhawk ever offer boxes in olive green? If not, and only color ever offered was red, this means that the kid's grandfather "refinished" the box back in the day - way ahead of his time! The quality of the green paint speaks original to me - no overspray, no visible underlying red paint, and condition of the decal.

It came with bottom cabinet that appears homemade to me, unless someone here can identify it. Seems hand-crafted given the method of construction. Though interestingly, the inside is painted in the same olive green as the Blackhawk???

Here are some photos - any info. would be greatly appreciated.

That's a really cool top box, another member and myself were eyeballing that setup.

I think the bottom is actually a late 30's snap on bottom box. RK-5 or something like that. If you can take a few more pics of the joints we can probably confirm or deny that. If you ever so carefully remove the red paint on the top rail of the bottom box, there should be a snap on decal in the middle of the top rail on both the front and back.

 

[CRTDI]

So, is this a whitworth sock. other side has 445. Blackhawk. is 1/2 drive. no size stamping. has lock pin.

I think it probably is. There is a seller on E-bay that has been trying to move a box with some of theses "W" prefix sockets for a while now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bla...75118926?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item461979bb4e

 

[83glt]

That's a really cool top box, another member and myself were eyeballing that setup.

I think the bottom is actually a late 30's snap on bottom box. RK-5 or something like that. If you can take a few more pics of the joints we can probably confirm or deny that. If you ever so carefully remove the red paint on the top rail of the bottom box, there should be a snap on decal in the middle of the top rail on both the front and back.

Hey thanks so much for the information. Sorry I sniped it, but I had to have it.

I would never have figured it was an old Snap-On box, but I think you're correct. It appears to be a RKP-5.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44873
http://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=572


It's a real shame about the red paint. I wonder if there's a way to remove it without removing the original finish underneath. Any thoughts?

When I get home tonight I'll take a close look to see if I can find the label on the front panel. But it appears to be a dead ringer for the RKP-5.

Did Snap-On offer boxes in green paint originally?

 

[Dust Devil]

If you say "Black Hawk" 5 times real fast your wildest dreams will come true.....

 

[jakemac]

Nope ..... didn't work.

 

[zkling]

Hey thanks so much for the information. Sorry I sniped it, but I had to have it.

I would never have figured it was an old Snap-On box, but I think you're correct. It appears to be a RKP-5.


It's a real shame about the red paint. I wonder if there's a way to remove it without removing the original finish underneath. Any thoughts?

When I get home tonight I'll take a close look to see if I can find the label on the front panel. But it appears to be a dead ringer for the RKP-5.

Did Snap-On offer boxes in green paint originally?

No sweat, glad it went to a good home, not just ebay. We were both many a miles away so, it was more of a "O, that's cool".

Yes that snap on box was originally greenish. Somewhere on here I have a picture of mine with the matching top, that is how I knew what it was when I saw it. It should have been green/grey ish. If you carefully soak the red paint with simple green and paper towels you should be able to lift it without removing the decal or underlying green paint. That is a handy trick I picked up from a member on here.

 

[83glt]

Cool, I'm going to give that a try. The seller was 15 miles away, so it was a no brainer. Not much like that turns up around here, so you gotta grab it when it does.

I had thought for the Blackhawk box I might strip the outside and repaint - the inside is excellent. The top of the box has no paint at all and has good surface rust. But I'm going to try the simple green method on the Blackhawk first.

Does there happen to be a tutorial on here anywhere on how to do it?

 

[jakemac]

The method is fairly simple, but can take time.

- Put some Simple Green in a spray bottle
- spray an area of the box
- lay down some paper towels on the wet spot
- make sure the towel is soaked, and remove any air bubbles
- let sit

- wait and watch

- check back every so often to see if the paint has softened yet (some paints can take a day)
- if so, start peeling paint (I recommend plastic utensils if you are trying to preserve a lower layer of paint)

- re-spray the towels when needed to keep them wet.
- replace the towels when needed

• be careful that the under layer of paint hasn't softened

• once the top layer of paint has been removed, try to keep the lower layer dry so that the simple green doesn't soften it.

• if the lower level of paint has softened, dry the area and wait for it to re-harden. It may take a few days.


A similar method can also be used with EvapoRust to strip a working surface of rust without damaging the paint.

 

[83glt]

You are correct, the lower box is indeed an old snap on. I was able to make out the oval decals, right where you thought they'd be. I'm going to try the simple green method to remove the red paint. We'll see how it goes and I'll report back.

 

[83glt]

BTW, from researching here at GJ, I found a thread with some old BLACKHAWK catalog pages showing the 100-W wrench set to be a 100-piece assortment of tools featuring:

"...3/8" and 1/2" drive socket wrenches in place of 7/16" drive Nuggets. They also include 1/4" midget socket wrenches, 3/4" heavy duty socket wrenches, plus selected open end, box-type, tappet and ignition wrenches."

So it looks like I'll have my work cut out for me (and my bank account) if I want to amass a period correct 100-W wrench set in the "Big Chief" Case!

I was hoping the Nuggets would have been part of it because they are so f'ng cool!

 

[83glt]

The method is fairly simple, but can take time.

- Put some Simple Green in a spray bottle
- spray an area of the box
- lay down some paper towels on the wet spot
- make sure the towel is soaked, and remove any air bubbles
- let sit

- wait and watch

- check back every so often to see if the paint has softened yet (some paints can take a day)
- if so, start peeling paint (I recommend plastic utensils if you are trying to preserve a lower layer of paint)

- re-spray the towels when needed to keep them wet.
- replace the towels when needed

• be careful that the under layer of paint hasn't softened

• once the top layer of paint has been removed, try to keep the lower layer dry so that the simple green doesn't soften it.

• if the lower level of paint has softened, dry the area and wait for it to re-harden. It may take a few days.

A similar method can also be used with EvapoRust to strip a working surface of rust without damaging the paint.

WOW! This method really works well! Here's a picture of round 1 on the Snap-On box. A few spots didn't soften b/c I didn't get all the air bubbles out. I'm going to start "another tool box restoration" thread at some point for both the Blackhawk and Snap-On. Thanks so much!

 

[jakemac]

Glad it's working for you. Good job so far.

 

[espyking83]

I'll have one of those Bullet Boxes one day, you bet your ***.

 

[beatcad]

I'll have one of those Bullet Boxes one day, you bet your ***.

i've been telling myself the same thing for a few years now.
i've only kinda given up on that

 

[83glt]

The old Snap On is going to be harder than I thought. The kid put a couple thick coats on and painted the entire box. I found that it also had a thin original coat, so I decided to back off and start on the Blackhawk.

Luckily for me, the kid only painted 3 sides of the Blackhawk, so I have less work to do with that one. Also, I'm sure this was a military box because the original paint is thick and tough as nails, so I've not had any issues scraping somewhat aggressively. Here's a before and after shot of the back:




Only 2 more sides to go! He never got to the top or bottom, and one side wasn't painted red either. Maybe he used all the red paint on the Snap On?
The top is nearly full surface rust. So I might try the evaporust papertowel technique on those areas with surface rust. Or maybe I'll just rub in some Gibbs into it and leave it as is.

 

[Steinmetz]

just grabbed this cool old mic off the bay. case is ruff but the mic looks barely used.

That looks like a micrometer made by the Central Tool Co. They made them for a variety of automotive tool suppliers, including Proto.

 

[Steinmetz]

Here's a little Blackhawk #34830 3/8"dr Torque Wrench (only 10" long) that I picked up this weekend. This is the smallest torque wrench I've seen (not that I've ever looked before), it caught my eye and I just had to have it.

It looks like a torque wrench made by Sturtevant. They made them for a variety of different tool suppliers. I have one just like that, and it was made by Sturtevant, and another labelled "Armstrong", also made by Sturtevant.

 

[83glt]

Update on the blackhawk box. Got all sides stripped of the red paint. Now I just have a few spots to go over. Came out really well.

 

[jakemac]

Lookin' good.

 

[beatcad]

83glt- looks good so far. keep on it and keep us posted.

 

[beatcad]

i got this tool cart sunday. i assume it was for their hydraulic ram set(porto-power)
its not as cool as the 50s model, but still cool.
i'll find something to do w/ it

 

[CRTDI]

i got this tool cart sunday. i assume it was for their hydraulic ram set(porto-power)
its not as cool as the 50s model, but still cool.
i'll find something to do w/ it

beatcad,

I believe this is from the late 40's. This would be a pretty exciting find for me personally as this is the only one that I've ever seen.

A very nice looking and a cool cart...

Looks like it was a part of a set. Now you'll have to find the other pieces to make it whole again...

 

[83glt]

Any thoughts on what product I can use once the Blackhawk box is stripped of all the red paint to protect the areas of bare metal? The top of the box is about 85% surface rust with very little original paint left. I was planning on trying the evaporust on a papertowel to clear up the rust and reveal the bare metal. Then what can I use to keep that rust from coming back? Also, the original paint is a flat army green, so I don't know how wax would affect that finish. Could I wipe it down with a Gibbs-type product or something like that?

Once I've restored the original finish as best as I can I'd like to do whatever possible to preserve it.

Thanks.

83glt- looks good so far. keep on it and keep us posted.

 

[3baygarage]

Found part of a 6" extension (missing the female end) ::

1/2" drive #T6.

AA dates these as 1919-1921. The one on AA doesn't appear to have so many dimples and stops around the male end, so I'm not sure if they were factory done someone added them.

The last pic shows the end where the female drive square would have been. Once again, not sure if the dots are original.

 

[Askme42]

This looks like something this group might like.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice display.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Just got these from CL

 

[Cope]

Does anyone know when Blackhawk hand tools were merged into New Britain?

 

[Cope]

Here's a little Blackhawk #34830 3/8"dr Torque Wrench (only 10" long) that I picked up this weekend. This is the smallest torque wrench I've seen (not that I've ever looked before), it caught my eye and I just had to have it.

Back in 1969-70 I bought a Blackhawk like that in 1/4" drive/inch pounds to adjust the bands on Mopar transmissions. Unfortunately, I sold it 25 years ago after acquiring a Snap On ratcheting model. Somewhere I have a couple of old 3/4" drive sockets, and my road box has a Blackhawk hose clamp pliers.

 

[beatcad]

Just got these from CL

oh, hell no!
as cool as that is it would drive me nuts probably spending to much money and a couple years trying to fill every slot
i would be on a new mission

right now i might be able to fill a 10th of those gaps.

 

[beatcad]

Does anyone know when Blackhawk hand tools were merged into New Britain?

i was thinking 60s to the 80s, but i'm a little off.
according to wiki it was early 50s.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackhawk_(tools)

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

oh, hell no!
as cool as that is it would drive me nuts probably spending to much money and a couple years trying to fill every slot
i would be on a new mission

right now i might be able to fill a 10th of those gaps.

Yeah, I've got to resist trying to fill the boards especially since some of them are odd ball things like pullers or hacksaws. Maybe I'll try the combination wrench one or the 3/4 set one, but I'm not going to make it my life's mission. I thought it'll look good on a wall.

 

[Cope]

i was thinking 60s to the 80s, but i'm a little off.
according to wiki it was early 50s.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackhawk_(tools)

I knew it was before 1963, just didn't know exactly when. Thanks.

 

[jakemac]

Yeah, I've got to resist trying to fill the boards especially since some of them are odd ball things like pullers or hacksaws. Maybe I'll try the combination wrench one or the 3/4 set one, but I'm not going to make it my life's mission. I thought it'll look good on a wall.

Famous last words. Dude, you're doomed.