The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[taumac]

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:

Nice box I just picked up one this weekend.

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

 

[Bill Ramsey]

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.

Lots of work to save that one. They key for me would be whether the metal integrity is still good in the critical areas (joints, the bottom near the casters, the drawer support areas). But if it's not going to get restored, PLEASE salvage the handles and the emblem, and the drawer slides if they're OK. There are other restorers that I'm sure could use those parts - please for the love of GJ, don't let them go to the dump.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

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:

I got one that would go perfect with your box. I don't have it for sale, but if you were close I'd sell it to you.

 

[Outlawmws]

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.

David, In current condition its not worth much. is it restoreable? I would say yes, unless the rust is too deep in that top section. but it's a labor of love and even restored it is far from a gold mine. I have turned several of that class of toolbox into tool stands and in one case a rolling welding bench (with 1/2" plate on top...) with some storage, because as a tool box, it's just not worth much.

But keep digging, there is bound to be something in your friends shop worth something.

 

[ZRX61]

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.

I have it's twin, It didn't look like this when i was given it :

(see post #306)
View media item 8881

 

[taumac]

I have it's twin, It didn't look like this when i was given it :

(see post #306)
View media item 8881

I believe you started off better than one he showed.

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

 

[hemifalcon]

..that box doesn't look that bad... Blast it--powdercoat it.. She'll be a beauty.. Hardware looks decent--save it.. or ship it to me for $10 and I'll thank you later..

 

[ZRX61]

I believe you started off better than one he showed.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

Yup, no rust, just dents & grime.

 

[jholder]

Just wanted to share my recent CL acquisitions. Normally I don't see much in the way of these down here, but its been decent this past week.

I picked up what appears to be a Waterloo machinist toolbox (looks like their logo, what is left of it), though I've seen some similar pics on google, and it looks a lot like several of the Sears boxes. No idea of the age though. $30 seemed like a good deal.

The next set of Select-a-Spring boxes, I don't know if I'd call them toolboxes, more like they're going to be screw, nail, and small part storage, but I thought I'd throw them in here. $35 for both, seemed good, really needed some lithium grease, all the drawers slide smoothly now.

Then one generic picture of my othe kennedy's. (Well two kennedy's and a *great* condition JC Penney box (by Kennedy).

So for both the latest purchases, I've got pretty good condition paint, with some heavy scratches which have rusted. Normally I'd strip these down, and powdercoat them, but I'm really liking the whole vintage vibe here. What is the best way to arrest the rust on those scratches, while not ruining the rest of the paint?

 

[jakemac]

So for both the latest purchases, I've got pretty good condition paint, with some heavy scratches which have rusted. Normally I'd strip these down, and powdercoat them, but I'm really liking the whole vintage vibe here. What is the best way to arrest the rust on those scratches, while not ruining the rest of the paint?

Give the rusted spots a light scrub with a nylon kitchen scrubby to knock off any loose rust, then rub some paste wax onto the rust spots. Let the wax dry, then buff with a clean soft cloth. Repeat. Then go over the whole box (including rust spots) with paste wax two or three times. Make sure you let the wax dry overnight and buff between coats.

Car wax - Furniture wax - won't matter. Both will do the job, but I prefer to use furniture wax.

BTW - I'm diggin' the Select-A-Spring boxes. Nice find.

 

[Paulcurtis]

Finally got around to getting some more pictures of my MBC box setup


Also found a old goodie in the bottom of one of the drawers...

Any info or knowledge on the box or the decal would be awesome. It was my grandfsthers box, he said he has had it since the mid or early60s...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Outlawmws]

Jholder, what Jake said, but you can also use ordinary rubbing and polishing compounds on the general painted surfaces, as sometimes the paint gets rust stains that can also detract, but will come out with elbow grease.

 

[Outlawmws]

Paul, do you know which MBC box you have? Is it the Century? (How wide is it?)

Most stacks that era are 27 inches wide give or take. The Century series was wider and the top box was deeper instead of the std 12 or 12-1-2" depth.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I just scored this over the weekend, but was wondering if you guys know the maker? It's heavy duty, but I cannot find a name stamper/embossed/stenciled anywhere on the box.

Here's few pics. As soon as the owner pulled the front cover up and I saw the drawer pulls I knew I had to have it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

No idea what that is, but it sure is cool looking

-Sam

 

[drivesitfar]

TooMany: those hinges on the top lid look like a Huot, but I've never seen one with those drawer pulls. I do like the box and the Smokey the Bear sticker is pretty unique. nice find.

 

[Paulcurtis]

Paul, do you know which MBC box you have? Is it the Century? (How wide is it?)

Most stacks that era are 27 inches wide give or take. The Century series was wider and the top box was deeper instead of the std 12 or 12-1-2" depth.

The top and bottom boxes are el dorado's and the intermediate 3 drawer box is a century. The century is a touch wider, but they seem to have the same depth, tho they seem to have the same outsside dimensions...

 

[Outlawmws]

The top and bottom boxes are el dorado's and the intermediate 3 drawer box is a century. The century is a touch wider, but they seem to have the same depth, tho they seem to have the same outsside dimensions...

So 18" depth give or take. Full depth, that is a LOT of storage! How wide?

 

[FJ 432]

I just scored this over the weekend, but was wondering if you guys know the maker? It's heavy duty, but I cannot find a name stamper/embossed/stenciled anywhere on the box.

Here's few pics. As soon as the owner pulled the front cover up and I saw the drawer pulls I knew I had to have it.

TooMany,

That box is awesome! I wish I had something to trade. My guess is Cornwell. I think I remember an old one of theirs with the same handles.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

My new-to-me 24 drawer CMan stack. Bottom is stamped 10-79, haven't found the stamp on the top yet. Any idea of model numbers?

 

[taumac]

My new-to-me 24 drawer CMan stack. Bottom is stamped 10-79, haven't found the stamp on the top yet. Any idea of model numbers?

Nice stack. Stamp is in top compartment front left.

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

 

[toomanytoyzz]

TooMany: those hinges on the top lid look like a Huot, but I've never seen one with those drawer pulls. I do like the box and the Smokey the Bear sticker is pretty unique. nice find.

My Huot is nowhere near as stout as this box, but it's possible that they had higher end ones to choose from.

The pulls did it for me. The Smokey sticker was what made me look over there in the first place. It was covered under some other "stuff".

TooMany,

That box is awesome! I wish I had something to trade. My guess is Cornwell. I think I remember an old one of theirs with the same handles.

I thought Cornwell as well.

On a side note, FJ, I just picked up a 1 owner 1987 Toyota 4Runner from a guy south of Baltimore. It's rough around the edges, but definitely worth dumping a few bucks into. I have a rear from a 1983 mini just screaming to take place of the IFS junk.

 

[zkling]

My new-to-me 24 drawer CMan stack. Bottom is stamped 10-79, haven't found the stamp on the top yet. Any idea of model numbers?

I really like those bottom boxes, would love to find one in the red/grey scheme. Does that one have the black retainer clips on the slides?

 

[taumac]

I really like those bottom boxes, would love to find one in the red/grey scheme. Does that one have the black retainer clips on the slides?

They should. The next generation is when they removed them. Easy way to tell is where drawer pull is. If its in middle of drawer its just like the older red/ gray ones just different color scheme. If the pull at top i of the drawer Its next generation of craftsman without the clips.

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

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

yes it does, the bottom drawer needs a new right side, pretty rusty

 

[beatcad]

nice combo rick. i hope you got it at a good price.
you found the stamp on the bottom box. on the right side; right?
that's a waterloo built box.
the stamp on the top box may be on the floor of the till(inside the top) on the left side.

 

[taumac]

nice combo rick. i hope you got it at a good price.
you found the stamp on the bottom box. on the right side; right?
that's a waterloo built box.
the stamp on the top box may be on the floor of the till(inside the top) on the left side.

Yep he should find it here.

I do have a question. Where all those boxes made by waterloo? My 67 to 73's just have a date stamp but my 86 has a W in the date stamp. I assume that the 86 I have was made by Waterloo cause of the W but where the red/ and gray ones made by them also?

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

 

[Outlawmws]

I just scored this over the weekend, but was wondering if you guys know the maker? It's heavy duty, but I cannot find a name stamper/embossed/stenciled anywhere on the box.

Here's few pics. As soon as the owner pulled the front cover up and I saw the drawer pulls I knew I had to have it.

TooMany,

That box is awesome! I wish I had something to trade. My guess is Cornwell. I think I remember an old one of theirs with the same handles.

My Huot is nowhere near as stout as this box, but it's possible that they had higher end ones to choose from.

The pulls did it for me. The Smokey sticker was what made me look over there in the first place. It was covered under some other "stuff".



I thought Cornwell as well.

On a side note, FJ, I just picked up a 1 owner 1987 Toyota 4Runner from a guy south of Baltimore. It's rough around the edges, but definitely worth dumping a few bucks into. I have a rear from a 1983 mini just screaming to take place of the IFS junk.

Confimed Cornwell; 1920's :

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21806



So you ****!

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Confimed Cornwell; 1920's :

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21806

So you ****!

Thanks Outlaw!! Looks like Smokey is staying with me.

 

[ZRX61]

scored this today, 10x10x22.5in. Original color looks like Battleship Grey.

 

[ZRX61]

 

[ZRX61]

Cleans up well...



And that dent in the left end of the top isn't there any more

 

[wintermute]

Just found this Proto box at Skagit Building Salvage today. I'm not in the market for a "new" toolbox, but I figured somebody here might want it. I didn't see a price either.

 

[rmalkow2]

Cleans up well...

That's a very cool old CM box. Nice find!

 

[ZRX61]

Anyone want to take a stab at the date that box I just scored was made? Couldn't find a date on it.

 

[stage20]

i just picked all this up. not sure what i want to keep or what can make me a buck.
2 metal tackle boxes unknown brand
2 craftsman one with metal tote, one with plastic
park manufacturing cantilever
craftsman machinist with the front cover. the craftsman is the one i am most interested in the date. i think this will be the biggest profit for me.

 

[Outlawmws]

Anyone want to take a stab at the date that box I just scored was made? Couldn't find a date on it.

ZRX, I'd say early 50's; the '49 catalog has the three drawer version, the '54 catalog has neither.

 

[Outlawmws]

Stage, same date range as ZRX's, the marker is the round knobs. by '54 they looked like the std Kennedy rectangular knobs.

 

[ZRX61]

ZRX, I'd say early 50's; the '49 catalog has the three drawer version, the '54 catalog has neither.

Mucho grassy ***

 

[ZRX61]

& now with BLO on the top: