The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
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taumac
Well-known member
you ****.....
keen
Well-known member
Rescued these ($50 including the tools in them and a couple of bags of others - the box of a few hundred clecos was worth the price of admission...) back in May, finally got them sorted through and emptied (and tucked away for later review) earlier this month...
That top chest is -seriously- beat. I'll probably tweak it a bit, weld some more bracing in, fix some slides, and roll it like it is (...if I find anywhere to put it!)
That top chest is -seriously- beat. I'll probably tweak it a bit, weld some more bracing in, fix some slides, and roll it like it is (...if I find anywhere to put it!)
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Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Just posted in the garage sale thread too, just picked this guy up. Need to track down the date code and decide if I should just use it or do some sort of restoration. It is pretty rough so I will probably just use it. It is missing the roller door and the lower section has a piece bolted on to it for what appears to be reinforcement.
Approximately 1953-55.
I picked this one up a few months ago.
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Drake9
Well-known member
Lookin---Yours looks in way better condition and looks great. After seeing your photos I really really wish mine had the roll up door. Wonder if I can come across one some day, not likely. Thanks for sharing
79silverado
Active member
taumac
Well-known member
That top seen some better days. Looks like top compartment got smash downward forcing all slides for the upper drawers down. I like that bottom craftsman with the patina. That other chest looks solid. My in my book you did damn good for $50. [emoji106]
Have a good one, Gerard
taumac
Well-known member
I just found that Kennedy and wanted to show you how to fix the slides. I use a old square shaft screwdriver.This seems like the place to ask about old boxes, so here goes. Maybe I can move it if its not right. I've bought three recently. I'd like to use them, and don't need them to look shiny and new, but would like them to last. I'd like to interrupt rusting if possible.
The first is on old Kennedy ($5) that is identical in every way to a box on the first page of this thread, except the little plastic handles are a tad lighter shade of brown and I have Kennedy rather than Craftsman badging.
It is mostly straight but really rusty on the bottom--one small spot of rust-through doesn't show up on the pic.
Most of the drawers have some rust on the front, and the front plate covering the drawers is the worst--looks like it sat open on the floor for years, so the rust is considerable. I've wire-brushed most of the loose rust off, but didn't know what to do next. The slides work great, pull like butter, except for those on one small drawer that must have been hit while it was half way out--the slides are slightly bent and inhibit full opening/closing. Can I replace these slides? My experience rebending bent metal is that it never works right, but I'm willing to take suggestions.
Also, I removed old brown felt from the insides of the drawers and there is rusting everywhere it was glued. Don't want it to continue rusting--can it be stopped? And what are people using for drawer liners?
I'll do the others on another post just to keep things in hand.
It fits the slide channel great.
Just tap it with a hammer to straighten and if slide is bent down then use one in each side and use vise NICELY to bend back in shape.
Hope this helps you out.
Have a good one, Gerard
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there was a link to a craftsman stack on CL earlier. the ads been pulled so i cant show a pic of it.
i said it looked just like my dads.
while at my folk today for thanksgiving my dad and i went out to the garage like we always do. and i snapped a pic. he said he bought it new in '72. he said he only remembers the year 'cause it was when my sister was born.
i said it looked just like my dads.
while at my folk today for thanksgiving my dad and i went out to the garage like we always do. and i snapped a pic. he said he bought it new in '72. he said he only remembers the year 'cause it was when my sister was born.
taumac
Well-known member
Very nice and the intermediate is too. Your dad would be right. Those are 70's by badge location and if look at the bottom roller there not a extra piece of metal between the drawers and the bulk area. That CL ad is first time I saw that extra piece and bottom door painted silver. I guess the kept that from the 50's era
Have a good one, Gerard
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My father-in-law bought a top and bottom just like your new in the early 50's. I got it when passed on in 98 and i gave it to my son a couple of years ago when he got a house.
I have a craftsman set from the 60's and a kennedy set from the 50's I think. So I gave him the snap-on set.
John
HunterMike
Well-known member
Beatcad, I am re-finishing an identical top box, dated 12-69. Hope to finish soon and post pics
Rescued these ($50 including the tools in them and a couple of bags of others - the box of a few hundred clecos was worth the price of admission...) back in May, finally got them sorted through and emptied (and tucked away for later review) earlier this month...
That top chest is -seriously- beat. I'll probably tweak it a bit, weld some more bracing in, fix some slides, and roll it like it is (...if I find anywhere to put it!)
I'd love to have that lower box! Love the Lockheed sticker.
yjWrangler
Well-known member
Really cool stickerRescued these ($50 including the tools in them and a couple of bags of others - the box of a few hundred clecos was worth the price of admission...) back in May, finally got them sorted through and emptied (and tucked away for later review) earlier this month...
That top chest is -seriously- beat. I'll probably tweak it a bit, weld some more bracing in, fix some slides, and roll it like it is (...if I find anywhere to put it!)
red top box. black pulls with the deep middle drawer....is that snap on?
saw on the in the pawn shop today loaded with china tools for 150. in good shape just extremely greasy. there was a cursive "S" on each end of the cabinet up top. not sure if someone drew on with a marker or this was somthing snap on did. im anxious to go back and get it but leary. friction slides due to its age.
i took a pic and i have a triangle when i try to upload it. i can view it on my phone but when i try to insert i get not available. wtf???
still has the removable tray in the top. i was shocked. if its snap on i may snag it if its worth anything. figure i can get 50 or 60 back out of the tools. lot of big chrome and impact, just not my brands
thanks.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Revere Cycles
Well-known member
That is very clean! I have the same one, but mine is missing the lamp.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I think I was pretty lucky to find one with the original Masonite top, side handle, and the lamp. I believe I'm the third owner, the original owner had it until his death, it was in a auto repair shop in Pontiac, MI. Which is where I grew up. The guy I bought it from was the original owners son in law.
keen
Well-known member
not sure - I'm not an SO expert, and there was nothing obvious on it at this stage in it's life...and I haven't tried to look closer yet.
79silverado
Active member
dngrmse
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thetool
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toolman9w
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taumac
Well-known member
taumac
Well-known member
Ok, I starting to prepare to finally dig into my 1965 MBC. I looking for a example of the lock that was used. Its the type that would lock the center drawer and then turn to lock the top.
I don't need anything special or period correct just someone that would do the job.
Have a good one, Gerard
I don't need anything special or period correct just someone that would do the job.
Have a good one, Gerard
drivesitfar
Well-known member
ToolMan: like i said in the other thread you had pictures of that box. it is awesome and cool and pretty rare unless the guys here can tell us otherwise. any chance you can post a few more pictures of it with the top open and the trays in place inside the box? and a few others from all sides? nice and again welcome to the forum. 
Taumac: nice looking box and i like your handles a lot better than my MBC's pulls. mine has the front cover, but I'm posting a few pictures in case the lock might help you. i'll take more close ups if you need some of the lock.
Taumac: nice looking box and i like your handles a lot better than my MBC's pulls. mine has the front cover, but I'm posting a few pictures in case the lock might help you. i'll take more close ups if you need some of the lock.
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toolman9w
Well-known member
I will try and get more today. Thanks.
taumac
Well-known member
I really like that bottom.[emoji106] The place I found this I think they had the bottom a week earlier but I couldn't get there in time. I think it was all drawers without a bottom storage like yours. I much rather have a bottom t roller than the chest. I've decided to build a mobile service cart using this chest. Imagine a HF service cart either the black or red one. I almost picked up the black one this weekend for $99 but thought cooler to build same idea with this MBC chest since I had it not doing anything.
Your correct its the lock that could lock the center door than turned to lock the top.
Have a good one, Gerard
toolman9w
Well-known member
That is really unique. To me it screams old blackhawk box. What are the external dimensions?
Gerard, do all the drawers lock when the lid is closed or is the middle drawer still free to open? I'm not sure if that is a security drawer orjust a regular drawer without locking provisions in the middle.
I have a similar matco and it is not a security drawer. You will need a ~1/8" piece of flat stock, slightly rounded on both ends and the top needing a hook to grab the lid catch. Is the engagement points of the top lid and middle drawer in the same plane?
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Just took these pictures today while I was doing some organizing, this was my Dad's he used it on his boat in the 60s-70s no markings on it I could find, its pretty beat up, but still usable. Does anyone know the brand?
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79silverado
Active member
I think i have the matching top to your boxHanded down from my dad:
This one came from the maintenance guy at my old job. Not sure of age but it says Union on it and *looks* old.
sent from my HTC ONE using tapatalk
drivesitfar
Well-known member
ToolMan: i think Zkling might have the maker if Blackhawk actually made their boxes because I have one very similar. i don't have all the cool trays or drawers like yours has, but mine is built like a tank which I'm assuming yours is. I don't think I've posted mine on this thread because i posted it on the Blackhawk thread so here's mine.
i think mine is missing the front cover, but guessing mine weighs close to 80 pounds and maybe a bit more.
ALL: just curious if i wanted to clean out the crud in my Blackhawk box how do i get to the inside of the double wall or what do you do to get any dirt or rust out of that area?
Edit: All: my Blackhawk is 9.75 inches tall, 12.5 inches deep and 22 inches wide and heavy.
i think mine is missing the front cover, but guessing mine weighs close to 80 pounds and maybe a bit more.
ALL: just curious if i wanted to clean out the crud in my Blackhawk box how do i get to the inside of the double wall or what do you do to get any dirt or rust out of that area?
Edit: All: my Blackhawk is 9.75 inches tall, 12.5 inches deep and 22 inches wide and heavy.
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