The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[drivesitfar]

ZR: did you do any prep before the Boiled linseed oil? i do like that old Craftsman box.

 

[ZRX61]

Scraped it with a razorblade, then gave it a quick scotchbriting & wiped the dirt off it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

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.

How much did you score this box or did you not buy it?

 

[alinc100]

Found this today thanks to a fellow GJer and Craigslist.
It's got a couple rust spots and bruises but the date code in the front left corner puts it at Jan 1969 mfg date so it looks good for 45 years old. Will need a new lock ,(which I may have). Slides look alot like Kennedy to me.
I did ask the seller if he happened to have any of the tools that may have been in the box but sadly he said no : (

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

How much?

 

[wintermute]

How much did you score this box or did you not buy it?

I didn't buy it. But I thought somebody here might be interested in it.

 

[chopper1]

aline, nice score. Is that a 22" or 26" box?

 

[alinc100]

aline, nice score. Is that a 22" or 26" box?

Thanks!! It is 26 in wide x 11 1/2 in tall x 10 in deep.

 

[jim]

aztec tool box??

i bought a aztec tool box at a garage sale in red that is 26" wide, 12" deep, and 14 1/2" tall closed. it has 3 8" drawers on top and 3 24" drawers after that. built like a tank. very heavy. it has a flip top hinge cover that covers the drawers when closed. it has a aztec logo on the lower right of the flip top. in the logo it says made in the united states of america. 4" by 1/2 " chrome handle on the flip cover. handles on both sides in red. drawer pulls are also in red, no aluminium or chrome handles. it has drawer liners that say armstrong nc 711 on the bottom of the liner. need info please!!!

1) is there any date code on this box that i can find? did not see any.

2) how do you get the drawers out and back in? (most important!!!!)

3) any paint code or brand of paint that would match the red?

4) who made this box? looks like a snap on.

5) any info would be great. no pix at this time.

6) you guys are great. please help me out!!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Pics might help; Not familiar w/Aztec... We may need pics of the slides as well.

 

[jim]

sorry, forgot to say that there are not any clips in the friction drawer slides. just solid on the slides. thanks jim

 

[hemifalcon]

Stupid lucky score... Crown-era 10-drawer Craftsman chest--dirty but almost perfect shape for $52 at a local auction....


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[ZRX61]

$8 for a lockset from the local locksmith

 

[chopper1]

Thanks!! It is 26 in wide x 11 1/2 in tall x 10 in deep.

thanks, I've never seen a Wayne box like that.

 

[jim]

here are the pictures of the atzec box i bought at a garage sale. any info would help. date code? how to get drawers out and back in. no clips. paint code or color match. see post above. thanks much for your help. jim

 

[jim]

atzec tool box more pix

a few more pictures. very cool drawer edges. anyone know who made this box? how old? thanks jim

 

[beatcad]

cant say i've ever seen an aztec tool box before, but that is a cool piece.
i've been wrong before, but here goes.....

try looking on the left side of the box on the lower left corner for a make & date stamp.
to me it looks like a 60s maybe 70s MBC(metal box & cabinet)made box.

 

[snowpro90]

I have a similar tool box made by JH Willams.It was produced in 1965. When I needed to remove the drawers I used a hacksaw blade that I filed an end to a point and pushed it between the drawer and the slide to release it from its tab.Kind of a pain but with a little patients it can be done.

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[Outlawmws]

Hemi, that box should be marked " Metal Advertising Display Co. " somewhere. try indside the drawer behind the crown logo.

I have it's older brother, with the (centered) oval logo. I'm guessing yours will have a elbow support arm for the lid (min had a chain...). Does it still have the removable socket tray and the mini slider tray in he top center drawer?

57 catalog has it with the oval logo, 60 catalog does NOT have it at all (different boxes); so yours is 58 or 59, likely the Latter IMO.

 

[Outlawmws]

Jim, I agree with Beat, almost certainly an MBC. (And that Williams was probably made by them also...)

Under strong light see if there are any marking on the back if there are they will be VERY faint. likely the lower right corner as viewed from the back. I'd hazard a guess at early to mid sixties.

 

[taumac]

ZRX61 I'm loving that old Craftsman.

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]

Ill agree with all above with it being a MBC. I've also seen them as snap on but since MBC made boxes for snap on during a length of time and probably others I would assume it could have been rebadged with different names. Its all depends on what's stamped on box.
Ifs it a MBC as other side check here

No matter what's it is is sure a cool and stout 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

 

[hemifalcon]

Hemi, that box should be marked " Metal Advertising Display Co. " somewhere. try indside the drawer behind the crown logo.

I have it's older brother, with the (centered) oval logo. I'm guessing yours will have a elbow support arm for the lid (min had a chain...). Does it still have the removable socket tray and the mini slider tray in he top center drawer?

57 catalog has it with the oval logo, 60 catalog does NOT have it at all (different boxes); so yours is 58 or 59, likely the Latter IMO.

Thanks Outlaw--I can always count on you guys to be experts in this area.. This is just like the oval one that I had a few months back--and in about the same condition.. I'm sure you're right as it seems the Metal Advertising Display Co seemed to be the stamping company making most of these--as I've also seen the oval-"heritage" era boxes missing badges with those markings.. It DOES have the red socket tray up top and the small slider in the center drawer still-lucky as this auction was online and there were no pictures better than the backseat pic above.. It was a shot in the dark--there's only one dent in the left side--barely noticeable. Crappy original paint job allowed for poor paint adhesion and surface rusting.. I think I'll hold onto this one due to the cheap price I got it for--wishing I would have kept the last one which still had the keys.. I love these old boxes..

Thanks again- I'll put more pictures up soon.. The other one I had is still in my album.. Here it is again-- (I'm working on finding a whole set of these old C-man designs..)

View media item 38036

 

[Rickster55]

Jim - love your red nail polish!

 

[ecotec]

Thanks Outlaw--I can always count on you guys to be experts in this area.. This is just like the oval one that I had a few months back--and in about the same condition.. I'm sure you're right as it seems the Metal Advertising Display Co seemed to be the stamping company making most of these--as I've also seen the oval-"heritage" era boxes missing badges with those markings.. It DOES have the red socket tray up top and the small slider in the center drawer still-lucky as this auction was online and there were no pictures better than the backseat pic above.. It was a shot in the dark--there's only one dent in the left side--barely noticeable. Crappy original paint job allowed for poor paint adhesion and surface rusting.. I think I'll hold onto this one due to the cheap price I got it for--wishing I would have kept the last one which still had the keys.. I love these old boxes..

Thanks again- I'll put more pictures up soon.. The other one I had is still in my album.. Here it is again-- (I'm working on finding a whole set of these old C-man designs..)

View media item 38036

I would have guessed Rem-Line.

 

[jim]

atzec tool box

thanks rickster 55. that's funny, i don't care who you are!!!
i am looking for a cover support for the right side. went to my local big and very helpful hardware store and they did not have anything close. any help on this?
more to follow. will look again for a stamp but did not see one. thanks again. jim

 

[Outlawmws]

I would have guessed Rem-Line.

That observation has also been made. I'm not sure what if any association if any Metal advertising had with Rem-Line, maybe they are the same company and names changed?

 

[zkling]

Re: atzec tool box

thanks rickster 55. that's funny, i don't care who you are!!!
i am looking for a cover support for the right side. went to my local big and very helpful hardware store and they did not have anything close. any help on this?
more to follow. will look again for a stamp but did not see one. thanks again. jim

What is the CTC distance on the hinge support you need? Be careful holding the top lid/front cover up like that as it puts alot of stress on and will distort the hinge between the two, usually pulling the spot welds inward.

 

[hemifalcon]

Here's a few more..


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[jim]

aztec tool box

zkling, the support is 8 1/2 " hole to hole centers. it has a 3/8" kink in it and the holes 3/16". still could not find any stampings anywhere. got 3 of the big drawers out. what a pain in the ***!!!! any suggestions on getting the drawers out would be great. used a ground down hacksaw blade but took 2 1/2 hours to get 3 drawers out. thank jim

 

[taumac]

Jim I gotcha. Here's what I use.

Its a barq skewer.
Pull drawer all the way out.
Push back in few inches put the rod in and I push rod and slide back pass the catch.

Forgot to add this. Rod or whatever using needs to have bend. When put the rod in push it pass the catch. You'll feel it if you hit it. After got the rod in pass that. Push slide back pass the catch. Repeat on other side.

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]

Here's a few more..


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Wow, Outlaw was right. I'm loving the patina on that 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

 

[zkling]

Re: aztec tool box

zkling, the support is 8 1/2 " hole to hole centers. it has a 3/8" kink in it and the holes 3/16". still could not find any stampings anywhere. got 3 of the big drawers out. what a pain in the ***!!!! any suggestions on getting the drawers out would be great. used a ground down hacksaw blade but took 2 1/2 hours to get 3 drawers out. thank jim

Can you post a picture of the inside of the box slide channels? To get the drawer out, use that slightly bent hacksaw. Pull the drawer all the way out. Insert the shim tool. Push the drawer in a inch or so and then push the shim tool in, you should be able to feel it slide over the hump. Then push the drawer slide back into the box while holding the drawer. You can do both sides at the same time and just pull the drawer straight out.

 

[Honest Bob]

Picked this up the other day for $15 at a yard sale. The hing was frozen and broken away from the hinge box and lid, and the lock is locked with no sight of a key. Anyone know where I can source another lock?

 

[jim]

aztec update

got around to do some cleaning of the atzec box. used water and some simple green and some dawn dish washing soap. need to go over some spots with some wd40 and other degreasers to get some really nasty grease spots out. during my cleaning i did not find any date or manufacture stamps. i guess there is none on this box. could someone please tell me if the company m b century metal box and cabinet is still around? if not, did the company change names? looked some more for a right hand cover support with no luck at all. any info on where to get a support would be great. like i said in one of my posts above, 8.5 center to center of holes. thanks guys. jim

 

[drivesitfar]

Jim: i'm not sure when MBCentury went out of business or was bought by another company, but guessing late 60's. they were i think the first manufacturers of Snap On's tool boxes and maybe a few other companies too.
i'm curious to hear more from those that know too.

by the way i didn't get a chance to tell you that is an awesome looking tool box and not easily replaced. good luck with the restoration.

Honest Bob: Again nice Union machinist box and for all those wondering this box is not a cheaply built box in case you find one in the wild.

 

[zkling]

Re: aztec update

got around to do some cleaning of the atzec box. used water and some simple green and some dawn dish washing soap. need to go over some spots with some wd40 and other degreasers to get some really nasty grease spots out. during my cleaning i did not find any date or manufacture stamps. i guess there is none on this box. could someone please tell me if the company m b century metal box and cabinet is still around? if not, did the company change names? looked some more for a right hand cover support with no luck at all. any info on where to get a support would be great. like i said in one of my posts above, 8.5 center to center of holes. thanks guys. jim

8.5" ctc is standard and lots of places sell them. Many box manufactures used that size. Post a picture of the hinge support that is still good to show style. That would help to narrow it down. And like I said in my other post, take a picture of the drawer channels inside the box with the drawers removed.

Also take a picture of the bottom of the box.

 

[jim]

atzec tool box

zkling, here are some more pix. went to menards, sears hd and the local hardware store to see what they had. most supports now connect to the floor of the top tray instead of the side or use struts. if they go side to cover they were not anywhere close to what is in the aztec box. went to the hardware and menards and a few other places and the only supports they have are the ones that go from the floor of the top tray to the cover. the brands were national and hillman that would not work. thanks jim

 

[zkling]

Those pics help alot. I'm ~99.9% sure that is not a MBC box. Thinking either waterloo under contract or remline. It doesn't have the build style of a MBC box. Those hinge supports are exactly like the old matco boxes (waterloo build). You need to source them from a real hardware store, online or even a cabinet shop. Those are also used in suitcases and briefcases.

Also check the top compartment, far left hand side towards the front for a stamp. Somewhere inside that small rectangle.

 

[jakemac]

Looks like it might be easier to bust out some flat stock and get busy being creative. The hardest thing about making your own will be creating the detent stops and tensioning the rivets so it isn't too stiff.