The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[zkling]

Late 80's into the mid 90's I think. Looks like a nice little box.

 

[ryan141]

Here is mine, I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but it was originally black with red drawers before i painted it.

 

[stage20]

there are ZERO boxes in my area that are vnitage. i want an old one so bad. dont even have room for it. but i want something. lol.

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks great! any inscriptions on the handles? look sa bit like an older Remline design. did RL make an 11 drawer roller? Anyone?

ZK will ask for a shot of the slides to try to get a manufacturer.

 

[beatcad]

stage20- i wish i(or anyone) could date kennnedy chests.
the rule/spirit(from the orig post) of this thread is a tool box that is at least 20 years old.
i think yours is right around there.

 

[Outlawmws]

stage20- i wish i(or anyone) could date kennnedy chests.
the rule/spirit(from the orig post) of this thread is a tool box that is at least 20 years old.
i think yours is right around there.

Beat, we keep telling you guys that want to date these things to try dinner and a movie...

 

[taumac]

Beat, we keep telling you guys that want to date these things to try dinner and a movie... [emoji14]impflash

Even then they still won't tell us their correct age. LOL. Only thing we know is there experienced.

 

[beatcad]

Beat, we keep telling you guys that want to date these things to try dinner and a movie...

yes, i understand, but if their under 18 YO i really shouldnt be touching them

 

[beatcad]

ryan- i dont want to run ya off.
the re-paint on yer box looks great. you either drilled out the rivets on the handles and replaced them w/ screws or replaced the screws(nuts/screws).
but really
you couldnt remove the lock cylinder instead of painting over it?
its held on by a thin nut or a horeshoe clip.

if i came across a as a **** i didnt mean to. i would say the same thing to my best friend.
welcome to GJ

 

[Outlawmws]

yes, i understand, but if their under 18 YO i really shouldnt be touching them

I'm sure they would be of age, look at all them wrinkles!

 

[taumac]

Here is mine, I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but it was originally black with red drawers before i painted it.

I can't think of brand with that color/ drawer combo off hand cause I would think boxes of that construction would be all one color. When you painted it did you find any markings or stamps anywhere? Nevertheless, its a great looking box with great drawer layout imo.

 

[dodge610]

I can't think of brand with that color/ drawer combo off hand cause I would think boxes of that construction would be all one color. When you painted it did you find any markings or stamps anywhere? Nevertheless, its a great looking box with great drawer layout imo.

I am thinking looks like it has Remline drawer pulls. But could be a montgomery ward box looks like a wards box that I had way back when.

 

[taumac]

I am thinking looks like it has Remline drawer pulls. But could be a montgomery ward box looks like a wards box that I had way back when.

I thought that too but I don't know if came black with red drawers. I thought they where all red.

 

[Outlawmws]

M/W had them made them black with red drawers. I have two three drawer units bolted back to back supporting my 12" RAS that started out that schema.

 

[ZRX61]

there are ZERO boxes in my area that are vnitage. i want an old one so bad. dont even have room for it. but i want something. lol.

Pensacola?? hit the salvage yards by the Navy base.

 

[taumac]

Pensacola?? hit the salvage yards by the Navy base.

Man, that would be cool place to pick through. I see some cool stuff over by the space center on CL. I'm sure with the military bases up there would be more available. I live of nature coast and vintage boxes are like once in a blue moon. Even less when looking for one brand and era like I am. Happy hunting.

 

[Cope]

M/W had them made them black with red drawers. I have two three drawer units bolted back to back supporting my 12" RAS that started out that schema.

They also had gray and tan.

 

[taumac]

there are ZERO boxes in my area that are vnitage. i want an old one so bad. dont even have room for it. but i want something. lol.

http://montgomery.craigslist.org/tls/4776236286.html

 

[coleman10]

http://montgomery.craigslist.org/tls/4776236286.html

I think that's vintage +. Very nice.

 

[bluetool]

This was once a flimsy $40 (on sale) Craftsman cart. After beefing it up considerably, it is now great for rolling out to a car. Incredibly sturdy. Was it worth the time, YES. I wanted a narrow cart because I have limited space in garage. I do not overload the drawers, they still work great. 15 years of use, it works fine for me.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I picked this Kennedy 520 Machinist Chest up at an Estate Sale. It was dirty, grimy and had a splash of red paint across the front of it.

It's an older model based on the square corners of the top/lid and the reinforcement on the inside of the lid.

I scrubbed the majority of the stains and paint off of it - some of the red paint is in the "krinkles" and isn't coming off without bringing some original paint with it.

Here is a before and some after shots.

Cheers

Jim

Before Closed:

After Closed - Still a bit rough but a user:

After Open - showing the re-felted drawers.

 

[bluetool]

I believe this is a Rolla-Bench K300, I'm not sure. Bought it off Craig's list about 12 years ago for $100. Can not find a model number or part number anywhere on box. All drawers work fine. The sliding door works too. No lock or electrical. Do not use it everyday. Keep in storage, full of tools.

 

[stage20]

stage20- i wish i(or anyone) could date kennnedy chests.
the rule/spirit(from the orig post) of this thread is a tool box that is at least 20 years old.
i think yours is right around there.

it was in such good shape i didnt know if it was an old box but i thought that it might be from the 80's era.

 

[taumac]

Here is mine, I'm not sure who the manufacturer is, but it was originally black with red drawers before i painted it.

Outlaw, is correct is a W/M. I just thumbing thru the G/S thread and saw this.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice job re-felting Jim!

 

[rmalkow2]

I picked this Kennedy 520 Machinist Chest up at an Estate Sale. It was dirty, grimy and had a splash of red paint across the front of it.

It's an older model based on the square corners of the top/lid and the reinforcement on the inside of the lid.

I scrubbed the majority of the stains and paint off of it - some of the red paint is in the "krinkles" and isn't coming off without bringing some original paint with it.

Nice job on the clean up and felting. I just recently acquired the exact same box but have yet to clean up and also need to replace the original felt. Now I know what mine could look like.

 

[taumac]

This was once a flimsy $40 (on sale) Craftsman cart. After beefing it up considerably, it is now great for rolling out to a car. Incredibly sturdy. Was it worth the time, YES. I wanted a narrow cart because I have limited space in garage. I do not overload the drawers, they still work great. 15 years of use, it works fine for me.

Nice, I also find a small cart works better.

 

[zkling]

This was once a flimsy $40 (on sale) Craftsman cart. After beefing it up considerably, it is now great for rolling out to a car. Incredibly sturdy. Was it worth the time, YES. I wanted a narrow cart because I have limited space in garage. I do not overload the drawers, they still work great. 15 years of use, it works fine for me.

What are the dimensions? Is it not a standard 26x18" bottom box.

I believe this is a Rolla-Bench K300, I'm not sure. Bought it off Craig's list about 12 years ago for $100. Can not find a model number or part number anywhere on box. All drawers work fine. The sliding door works too. No lock or electrical. Do not use it everyday. Keep in storage, full of tools.

Yes, 40's-50;s roll a bench. They didn't stamp them back then.

I picked this Kennedy 520 Machinist Chest up at an Estate Sale. It was dirty, grimy and had a splash of red paint across the front of it.

It's an older model based on the square corners of the top/lid and the reinforcement on the inside of the lid.

I scrubbed the majority of the stains and paint off of it - some of the red paint is in the "krinkles" and isn't coming off without bringing some original paint with it.

Good job on the refelting. I like the red over the brown or even green. IIRC starrett used red in their branded boxes.

 

[dale500]

Here is my recent Craigs list find. I've seen a lot of old craftsman boxes but never one with a combination lock. It needs new paint but is solid.

Anyone have a thought on how to figure out the combination. Previous owner just bent the locking bars out of the path of the lock but everything is still there if I can figure out the combination.

 

[taumac]

Dale500, nice craftsman. That's the years I collect myself. I never seen that lock either. I don't know how that even locks/unlocks the lid cause normally the turning of the key moves the hook that lock the top. More pics are needed.....

 

[dale500]

Here is what the backside of the lock looks like and the catch on the lid. I have not pulled it down to see if I can find a date code on it yet

 

[Outlawmws]

That little button/switch should allow you to reset the combo to what you want it to be...

Google "setting Samsonite briefcase thumb wheel locks" for probable directions

 

[dale500]

So hold the slide over, spin the numbers to my choice, and then release it to reset the combination? That sounds easy enough.
Dale

 

[taumac]

Here is what the backside of the lock looks like and the catch on the lid. I have not pulled it down to see if I can find a date code on it yet

Wow, that's interesting. I have same box a few years older with your basic lock and key.

I was gonna say that that can't be original but the surface rust is all the same. I wonder if that something you could have ordered that way or something someone added. Its sure different.The date stamp for the box is in the left front in top compartment.

With that box you can lift the top fully pull the drawers out and close top and be able to use drawers with no issue.

 

[dale500]

I'm thinking it's all original. There is no sign of any mods to the box and like you said it is weathered the same everywhere. I have one other box I am currently restoring to complete before I start on this one.
Dale

 

[kcirwilliams]

Some weak additions that I'm not sure count
A little My Buddy carry box

and another old unknown carry box

If anyone can help identify the last one it would be greatly appreciated

 

[drivesitfar]

Williams: sure those old boxes count. if you want my 2 cents i'd say the red one was home made. can you post pictures from all 4 sides as well as the top and insides on another post and maybe some of the experts might see something that tells them different.

welcome to the forum since it looks like you are new member and happy to have you learning and teaching us what you know.

 

[nomonkeybus]

Love the old boxes.

 

[Outlawmws]

So hold the slide over, spin the numbers to my choice, and then release it to reset the combination? That sounds easy enough.
Dale

Did it work?

 

[taumac]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/tls/4833863089.html