The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[rmalkow2]

I guess I would consider this vintage as it appears to be home made and probably from a pattern available from any of the various home mechanic magazines over the years. I picked it up at a local ES over the weekend and it's exact twin brother was left there as I did not want two of these. But I like the simple design that a home craftsman could build and is probably representative of the 50's or 60's. Maybe newer but it's not dated so I may never know.
Sheet metal construction, with hinged top and front cover plate. Three drawers on simple "L" bracket slides. Nothing fancy but something my dad or grandpa would have made. Well built and very usable for the low budget guy back in the day.

 

[justinmc]

Picked up this KR555 over the weekend... I sold my giant Cornwell box in favor of two "smaller" boxes (first of which is this) for my new garage space.

Details..
Snap On KR555
Date on back 1978
Looked worse at night when I went to look at it... the top few drawers the slides are done for on... some of the middle slides the drawers will push in about 1/2 way then almost seem to "stick" and you have to really lean no them to get them to close... but still close smoothly just like the tracks are gunked up (imagine that?!).

The liners were/are in most of the drawers... so the drawers are in "ok" shape internally. Again a couple of the uppers have paint pretty much worn off the bottom but otherwise its just ugly.

I probably won't get to do any work on it until when warmer weather sets in and I can wheel it out in the driveway and pull the drawers and degrease the inside and outside and see how many slides need replacing. My plan is to probably CLR to remove any of the surface rust and then maybe clear the whole thing to keep any rust from building again on the bare metal.. otherwise I'll probably leave the "patina" on this one.

Oh yeah.. came with this Littlestown vise on top.. good shape... but will probably be coming off along with the 1/4" plate steel in the top. The previous owner had a Rick Mears obsession or something as there is a Rick Mears sticker on both sides along with a cool vintage "bullet train" Snap On sticker on one side.

<img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/garagejdm1/KR555/KR555-1_zps306296c4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo KR555-1_zps306296c4.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/garagejdm1/KR555/KR555-2_zpsf6e62489.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo KR555-2_zpsf6e62489.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/garagejdm1/KR555/840e7932-015a-4ff6-8a64-443ba990bb65_zpscfe3b066.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 840e7932-015a-4ff6-8a64-443ba990bb65_zpscfe3b066.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/garagejdm1/KR555/KR555-5_zps0d6c05aa.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo KR555-5_zps0d6c05aa.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b577/garagejdm1/KR555/KR555-6_zpsabfa456a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo KR555-6_zpsabfa456a.jpg"/>

 

[zkling]

I guess I would consider this vintage as it appears to be home made and probably from a pattern available from any of the various home mechanic magazines over the years. I picked it up at a local ES over the weekend and it's exact twin brother was left there as I did not want two of these. But I like the simple design that a home craftsman could build and is probably representative of the 50's or 60's. Maybe newer but it's not dated so I may never know.
Sheet metal construction, with hinged top and front cover plate. Three drawers on simple "L" bracket slides. Nothing fancy but something my dad or grandpa would have made. Well built and very usable for the low budget guy back in the day.

I think that is actually a VERY early (~30's) cornwell box.

Justin, mind sharing how much that KR555 was? That thing looks to have been around the block a few times. Hopefully all the slides need is a good degrease. Rick Mears was marketed very hard with that era of snap on boxes.

 

[justinmc]

Justin, mind sharing how much that KR555 was? That thing looks to have been around the block a few times. Hopefully all the slides need is a good degrease. Rick Mears was marketed very hard with that era of snap on boxes.

Sure I don't mind... it was on the cheap side or there is no way I would have picked it up. I have a plan for it that might see it get some grinding sparks, etc on it so I didn't want anything too nice. This one I know Snap On will send me slides for so I can mechanically make it sound and cosmetically I'll clean it up and leave it be.

Price paid... $100.. Then the guy let me pick through some of the tools that used to inhabit it (he inheirited it from an uncle he claimed and had already sold most of the tools what was left was mixed in with all his Chinese made junk)... I tossed him a $20 bill for a few older Snap On screwdrivers and some misc wrenches.

 

[taumac]

I guess I would consider this vintage as it appears to be home made and probably from a pattern available from any of the various home mechanic magazines over the years. I picked it up at a local ES over the weekend and it's exact twin brother was left there as I did not want two of these. But I like the simple design that a home craftsman could build and is probably representative of the 50's or 60's. Maybe newer but it's not dated so I may never know.

Sheet metal construction, with hinged top and front cover plate. Three drawers on simple "L" bracket slides. Nothing fancy but something my dad or grandpa would have made. Well built and very usable for the low budget guy back in the day.

That's quite interesting but you separated the twins? Sad sad sad[emoji23]

 

[rmalkow2]

That's quite interesting but you separated the twins? Sad sad sad[emoji23]

I thought about going back for the other one since it was half price but I can't buy them all. Er, maybe I can buy them all but then I'd be broke and get my 15 minutes of fame on the Hoarders show sooner than later.

 

[Outlawmws]

rmalkow2, How about a close up of the emblem on the cover? That may give a clue about it's origin.

 

[rmalkow2]

rmalkow2, How about a close up of the emblem on the cover? That may give a clue about it's origin.

Initially I had discounted it but here is a closer look. It looks like a glued on appliqué to me. Possibly the owners initials? The other twin box did not have this but it had never been painted either and was rusty all over from being stored bare metal in a damp basement. This one had the crappy green brush on paint job and this emblem but less rust to deal with.

 

[taumac]

I thought about going back for the other one since it was half price but I can't buy them all. Er, maybe I can buy them all but then I'd be broke and get my 15 minutes of fame on the Hoarders show sooner than later.

I hear ya. only reason I said that cause imo it was unusual and had a twin.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm, "MSC", is an industrial supply house but that looks older than their 1941 start date.

letters might not be in order either; maybe SCM?

 

[A E Numan]

Here's my vintage toolbox, can anyone tell me the year this was made? Rather than having square rear corners' the rear are rounded.

 

[jakemac]

The Heritage logo was in use from the mid/late-40's to around 1958 (with some overlap). Another member may know more about the handles to give it a narrower date.

 

[drivesitfar]

AE: probably 40's early 50's. i'm not positive how they date stamp these old Craftsman boxes, but the badge gives it a range if they don't.

are you wanting to keep it or maybe trade it or sell it? i have the top box i'm looking for a match or i might let it go if somebody needs it and has a nice trade. here's my Craftsman top box that would look pretty good on top of your box.

 

[nine4gmc]

That's a great box Numan, you too Drives, it would be nice to see them stacked!! I would love to find that setup local!!

 

[taumac]

Yep, those need to be matched up. I've seen a few Remline top chest locally but I like that big drawer in the center rather than off to the right. I never seen a bottom though around my neck of the woods.

 

[Orange_stang]

This is a box that was handed down to me after my Papaw passed away. I don't know any details on it other than its a Craftsman.

 

[A E Numan]

Those two would look beautiful together-a match made online.

 

[FJ 432]

Those two would look beautiful together-a match made online.

If you pull open the drawer that has the logo on it should read Advertising Display Company or something like that where the logo is placed. They sometimes stamp a two digit date.

 

[Outlawmws]

Here's my vintage toolbox, can anyone tell me the year this was made? Rather than having square rear corners' the rear are rounded.

Wow, I'd love to find that box local. I have the ten drawer mate to it...

The guys have the dates right, I could probably narrow it, but I'm short of time tonight..

And Ditto this:

If you pull open the drawer that has the logo on it should read Advertising Display Company or something like that where the logo is placed. They sometimes stamp a two digit date.

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: drives box won't fit that; it needs one capable of sitting on a wall sideways.

 

[senlow]

The lock says Chicago, not sure if that means anything.

That could be a Kennedy. They did use "file cabinet style" locks, made by Chicago Lock years ago. I have a Kennedy 5 drawer mid box with that lock. I'm guessing that mine was made in the late '40s to '50s.

 

[dschwarz]

Online auction score from today ($40). Thanks guys, I think I'm addicted
View media item 47262View media item 47263View media item 47264

 

[beatcad]

damn D that herbrand is a nice find.
and 40 clams?
you ****

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

That's sweet! I love the old Herbrand script logo stuff!

 

[bluebolt]

This is a box that was handed down to me after my Papaw passed away. I don't know any details on it other than its a Craftsman.

That's the lighter duty Craftsman box from the 1960's, I have the same bottom. It should have a date code on the front on the bottom right. Mine is 11-66 which is November 1966.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Probably the drawer pulls got replaced

and Chicago was (is?) a major lock Mfg. (Jeff?)

Yep, still around under the CompX Chicago lock brand.

 

[sgs236]

Hello, I have a chance to get this toolbox for 20 dollars. The pictures show a Kennedy 520 sticker, but the drawer pulls remind me more of a Union style toolbox. Plus I have never seen a Kennedy painted grey like this one. Can anybody else confirm that this is a Kennedy 520 toolbox.

 

[drivesitfar]

SGS: i can say what year Kennedy box that might be or if it actually is one, but i like those drawer pulls on that box a lot better than the rectangular plastic ones Kennedy usually has on their machinist boxes. for $20 i'd have thought you'd buy it and then ask, but maybe you don't need another box. hope you get it.

 

[beatcad]

SG- yes its a kennedy.
i'm sure your questioning it because it has the small round drawer pulls and pull on the front lid instead of the plastic rectangle ones we're most famillier with.
the "older" ones had those little round ones.
how old
maybe 60s? it does have the rounded top lid.
i had one like that but i believe it was 50s and the top lid had all 90* angle corners.

and for 20 clams? grab it.

 

[taumac]

Hello, I have a chance to get this toolbox for 20 dollars. The pictures show a Kennedy 520 sticker, but the drawer pulls remind me more of a Union style toolbox. Plus I have never seen a Kennedy painted grey like this one. Can anybody else confirm that this is a Kennedy 520 toolbox.

At $20. Its not in your garage yet? Get it even if not a Kennedy

Have a good one Gerard

 

[taumac]

SG- yes its a kennedy.
i'm sure your questioning it because it has the small round drawer pulls and pull on the front lid instead of the plastic rectangle ones we're most famillier with.
the "older" ones had those little round ones.
how old
maybe 60s? it does have the rounded top lid.
i had one like that but i believe it was 50s and the top lid had all 90* angle corners.

and for 20 clams? grab it.

If the older ones had the round pulls then why the newer lock style? I really wish we had timeline on these what pulls, handles, and locks where used when.

Have a good one Gerard

 

[sgs236]

SG- yes its a kennedy.
i'm sure your questioning it because it has the small round drawer pulls and pull on the front lid instead of the plastic rectangle ones we're most famillier with.
the "older" ones had those little round ones.
how old
maybe 60s? it does have the rounded top lid.
i had one like that but i believe it was 50s and the top lid had all 90* angle corners.

and for 20 clams? grab it.

Yeah the drawer pulls were confusing me. If I can, I'm going to meet up with the guy tomorrow and pick it up. Thanks everyone for all the replies.

 

[beatcad]

If the older ones had the round pulls then why the newer lock style? I really wish we had timeline on these what pulls, handles, and locks where used when.

Have a good one Gerard

yeah, i'm with ya man.
kennedy didnt date stamp their chests, so it's all up to the old timers, fans, and collectors to share approx dates/eras of these.

even tougher is trying to appox date a gerstner.
latches, locks, hinges,drawer pulls(w/ or w/o backing plates) and the list goes on.
i've been working on this for years, and still dont know it all.

 

[taumac]

You know my Kennedy built craftsman machinist chest Well just got a Kennedy with leather handle. Now the only difference I see besides the handle is the latch.

If there's one good thing is that didn't change much for many years so pretty much easy to find one to match.

Have a good one Gerard

 

[sgs236]

Meet up with the guy the other day and now I am the owner of my first Kennedy 520. Paid 20 dollars for it. Box is really straight with mainly just some scratches and faded paint. Slides and latches all work great. Liners will need to be replaced. I will have to read up on what is the best way to replace the liners.

 

[rmalkow2]

Meet up with the guy the other day and now I am the owner of my first Kennedy 520. Paid 20 dollars for it. Box is really straight with mainly just some scratches and faded paint. Slides and latches all work great. Liners will need to be replaced. I will have to read up on what is the best way to replace the liners.

That's a good deal for that Kennedy. Nice Score!

 

[A E Numan]

Here's another one of my Craftsman tool boxes. Is this a vintage box or something more modern? I haven't been able to find a date on it. If it's an old one it's in nice shape, must have led a sheltered life!

 

[nine4gmc]

Numan, that's the heritage logo so it's definitely vintage! I'd say 60's or older and great looking condition!

 

[bluebolt]

Numan, nice box! It might be from the early 60's but I am betting 1950's.

 

[A E Numan]

Wow I was leaning toward a later throwback kind of thing. One thing that had me confused is how heavy it is. I'll have to make sure that it stay's in good shape.