The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Outlawmws]

AE, that is a nice one! you don't see many from the 40's or earlier, and that is one! Nice save!

 

[drivesitfar]

AE: is that black electrical tape on the handle? it was originally leather i think and that tape job actually looks pretty decent just like the box.

 

[A E Numan]

Yes the tape was on there when I bought the box, no doubt the leather is in sorry shape. Having the tape there made it nice to carry, since I had to walk some distance to my car. Maybe at some point I will tear it off just to satisfy my curiosity. I have to stop "saving" this stuff!

 

[bagged89s10]

Appears to be loaded with junk..... & a few tools

Might be worth getting a quote to have it stripped & powder coated. I had a somewhat larger MAC done & was quoted $200 for one color, $240 for two. In the end it cost me $80 for materials & 250 rounds of Remington Golden Sabers in .40 S&W (which I got for free)

Yea a lot of junk but it looks like some useful tools in there. I'm not looking to spend money to powdercoat. I'm buying it because it's so cheap, and I like vintage tools, etc.

I painted another cabinet last year, which was a freebie, which came out almost perfect with just a rattle can. Just one bad spot where the cabinet fell over in the grass before drying because I was rushing. Lesson learned.

I have some other metal cabinets I'm planning to paint so I will spray everything at once with a spray gun, if this purchase does indeed goes thru. Obviously a lot more work, but I'm cheap and it's more rewarding doing it myself. Just depends how rusted it is. We will see.


~Veeps

 

[A E Numan]

That looks like a nice stout chest. Really like the orange' and it looks like it's in good usable shape. I vote you should fill it with vintage Williams tools.

 

[taumac]

I would put it on a shelf but fold the front panel under the lid so you can use the drawers. Unfortunately, you lose use of top compartment but that's better than losing work bench space.

Here's a idea I came up with that might work for you. I made a bracket from bed frame.



One setup I used.

And another

I made bracket to hold a old MBC chest but used my craftsman chests instead. The last pic shown I had a big 6 in Chinese vise that I used.

 

[taumac]

Here's are some more pics I found

 

[Mopar-Scooby-Doo]

Here's a nice old road chest I've had for a long time. Just like a Snap-on KRA-57, but by Williams. I used it as a long time until I outgrew it, and replaced it with a 26" stack set with base, intermediate and top chest.

Not sure what I should do with it now, top chests take up important workbench space to use. The hinge lid makes it impractical on a shelf. I've thought about sorting out and assembling a Williams nostalgia set out of tool lots I buy, but really don't need that exercise! Might put road chest stuff i it, that I have in a Snap-On KRA 21D now. But, this is a few pounds heavier than that one, and it's about all i can carry now.

Here's a link to the 1958 Popular Mechanics that has this chest advertised, with a set of tools in it. Would be great to assemble that set for it.

https://books.google.com/books?id=5t0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA272&lpg=PA272&dq=williams+superchest+2001&source=bl&ots=f1jCpmlh8j&sig=evJnDq_bbMA--T_XUDqIPS2FwRQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2Xc0VfzGHcj6sAWwwICwCg&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=williams%20superchest%202001&f=false

Here's a jpeg of that ad:

dave

That is a great looking box. I would love to get my hands on one of those. If you where closer I would be willing to take it off your hands for you.

 

[sonvolt]

Here's a nice old road chest I've had for a long time. Just like a Snap-on KRA-57, but by Williams. I used it as a long time until I outgrew it, and replaced it with a 26" stack set with base, intermediate and top chest.

Not sure what I should do with it now, top chests take up important workbench space to use. The hinge lid makes it impractical on a shelf. I've thought about sorting out and assembling a Williams nostalgia set out of tool lots I buy, but really don't need that exercise! Might put road chest stuff i it, that I have in a Snap-On KRA 21D now. But, this is a few pounds heavier than that one, and it's about all i can carry now.

Here's a link to the 1958 Popular Mechanics that has this chest advertised, with a set of tools in it. Would be great to assemble that set for it.

https://books.google.com/books?id=5t0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA272&lpg=PA272&dq=williams+superchest+2001&source=bl&ots=f1jCpmlh8j&sig=evJnDq_bbMA--T_XUDqIPS2FwRQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2Xc0VfzGHcj6sAWwwICwCg&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=williams%20superchest%202001&f=false

Here's a jpeg of that ad:

dave

Wow ! Never seen one of those, cool !

 

[ssdave]

Nice bracket Taumac. Only problem is on my workbench, pegboard space is a real premium. I might put it out in the garage and offload the 3/4" drive stuff from my main box into the bottom two drawers, and put some specialty stuff in the little ones. Won't have to use the top till, and can put it on a shelf there.

dave

 

[taumac]

You can always build a riser for it instead of a shelf. I used that bracket for awhile but I changed things around. Now I working with a traditional stack again.

My newest crazy idea is to build brackets for each chest and have the ability to roll that tall bottom roller and and use it as a mobile work table.

Anything is possible and you'll find something that works.

 

[CRTDI]

That is a great looking box. I would love to get my hands on one of those. If you where closer I would be willing to take it off your hands for you.

X2....Very cool looking box..

 

[JeremyBurke]

Made a quick stop on my lunch break today and met up with a nice guy selling his dad's old machinist box. I hope to have better pictures later but this is what I have for now.










Not bad for $40 with the keys and all the felt in great shape. Honestly I didn't know Park made this style of box.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Here's a idea I came up with that might work for you. I made a bracket from bed frame.

I'm going to swipe that idea for sure.

 

[safariknut]

Made a quick stop on my lunch break today and met up with a nice guy selling his dad's old machinist box. I hope to have better pictures later but this is what I have for now.

Not bad for $40 with the keys and all the felt in great shape. Honestly I didn't know Park made this style of box.

Nice score! I have a couple of Park boxes but nothing like that.

 

[CommanderCarry]

Picked this up recently at a sale. Has been sitting outside for some time, price was $5, including contents. Some usable items including drill bits, taps, files, amongst the mouse turds and shredded insulation. Everything functions as it should, I plan to prep and paint this box.

I believe that it's from the late '50's to early '60's, as this was when Kelsey Hayes took over Helbrand, if I am correct.

 

[beatcad]

CC-5 bucks
50s maybe. 60s likely.

 

[Outlawmws]

Picked this up recently at a sale. Has been sitting outside for some time, price was $5, including contents. Some usable items including drill bits, taps, files, amongst the mouse turds and shredded insulation. Everything functions as it should, I plan to prep and paint this box.

I believe that it's from the late '50's to early '60's, as this was when Kelsey Hayes took over Helbrand, if I am correct.

CC-5 bucks
50s maybe. 60s likely.

suckage indeed...

 

[harleybuilder]

Here are a couple of boxes I got of my dad's after he passed away last year. The Kenedy machinest box he bought early 60's (he was a machinist by trade).

The craftsman crown top I have no idea what year he would have bought it brand new.

 

[taumac]

$5????? YOU ****!!!!!

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

 

[CommanderCarry]

suckage indeed...

$5????? YOU ****!!!!!

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk

Gee, thanks guys!

I did hafta clean the mouse turds out of it, tho.

Scott

 

[Wayne_In_Akron]

Good luck on your project.

I love your idea of passing the box to the next generation.

In the past month I got from my dad his Craftsman box (3 drawer, not a fancy 6 or 10 drawer version) to which I associate my very earliest garage memories of him.

It turns out that the date code of that box is same month and year as my wife's birth... so hopefully she'll enjoy a bit of a connection with it as well.

In the future, I'd love to pass it along to my son for a 3rd generation.

P.S.

The original Craftsman booklet that dad still had with his box states something to the effect of:

'We have built our Craftsman tool boxes to provide 20 years of service'

I'd say for many of us, they've provided double that time frame, and continue to do so.

Thats right, i'm replying to my own post. I found the date, 7/69.

Box is in relatively good shape. I removed all the drawers and slides. Bottom of the box is a little rusted but nothing all the way through the metal. Going to soak the bottom in an e-bath and see what happens. When i can get everything down to metal, i will prime and paint.

 

[bagged89s10]

Gee, thanks guys!



I did hafta clean the mouse turds out of it, tho.



Scott

I just picked up a mouse turd tool box too. I'll post pics later.


~Veeps

 

[Joe Dailey]

I found this today...it's an sp277 file box. Snapon never sold them only supplied them to the sales reps. 1976...some surface rust but not a dent or ding on it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Here's my $40 rusty craftsman toolbox.



Took the drawers out for easy transport. Decent number of useful tools. Also s box full of tools from the bottom cabinet.


And the nest


And the top has some original paint thanks to the oilly mat.


I'm going to try paper towels soaked in evaporust for rust removal after degreasing it.


~Veeps

 

[WNYflyer]

If I get it I will repaint it and it looks to be in very thought shape. It will match my small craftsman box perfectly.

Here is my small vintage craftsman box my Dad gave me. He got it from a tag sale.
Looks like it was made for a drill. Anyone know?

~Veeps

bagged89s10,


Looks familiar !

Box with the drill

 

[bagged89s10]

bagged89s10,





Looks familiar !



Box with the drill

Yes is that yours? I think I saw that same pic online when googling for it yesterday .


~Veeps

 

[drivesitfar]

SSDave: I really like your old Williams top box and if you were closer i'd make a trade with a bottom roller of a different brand. since we are not maybe you can find a spot for it because it's not exactly common.

cheers and welcome to our group

 

[bagged89s10]

I would put it on a shelf but fold the front panel under the lid so you can use the drawers. Unfortunately, you lose use of top compartment but that's better than losing work bench space.

Here's a idea I came up with that might work for you. I made a bracket from bed frame.



One setup I used.

And another

I made bracket to hold a old MBC chest but used my craftsman chests instead. The last pic shown I had a big 6 in Chinese vise that I used.

That's a good idea. I actually thought about doing that with one of my top boxes that I have sitting on my workbench. But I'm short and mounting a box too high above my workbench surface would make it difficult for me to reach the top drawer.


~Veeps

 

[ssdave]

SSDave: I really like your old Williams top box and if you were closer i'd make a trade with a bottom roller of a different brand. since we are not maybe you can find a spot for it because it's not exactly common.

cheers and welcome to our group

Thanks, glad to be here.

That box has been a favorite for a long time, that's why it's taken up precious space in my shop long past it's usefullness.

I think I'll try to make up a set of original tools to fill it. I posted a new thread asking for some help identifying the year, and the tool list that is correct.

dave

 

[bagged89s10]

Here's better shots of the toolbox. Had to unload the drawers his morning from my car so I cleaned it up a bit and threw out the complete junk.




Chisels, files, drill bits, hole saws, mills, craftsman and sk sockets, snap or screwdriver, soldering iron, slide hammer, broken Mac tools air ratchet, clamps, hacksaw, shears, bunch or air fittings, random wrenches, craftsman breaker bar.

Other random tools. Not even sure what most of these are other that the tap holder, the monkey wrenches, and the puller.

Then the stuff that is most likely junk. Some pullers with missing pieces and again I don't know what some of these tools are.


Then again there was a box of junk I tossed.

So I think if I find a large plastic storage container I can probably do electrolysis on half of the box at a time. Won't be getting into this thing for a while though.



~Veeps

 

[ssdave]

Your random tools include 2 cylinder ridge reamers for removing the ridges from an engine block cylinder to allow removal of the pistons. Worth about $15 on ebay, maybe a bit more depending on maker and condition. Also a valve spring compression tool, to facilitate changing valve seals.

 

[jpickar]

Here's better shots of the toolbox. Had to unload the drawers his morning from my car so I cleaned it up a bit and threw out the complete junk.




Chisels, files, drill bits, hole saws, mills, craftsman and sk sockets, snap or screwdriver, soldering iron, slide hammer, broken Mac tools air ratchet, clamps, hacksaw, shears, bunch or air fittings, random wrenches, craftsman breaker bar.

Other random tools. Not even sure what most of these are other that the tap holder, the monkey wrenches, and the puller.

Then the stuff that is most likely junk. Some pullers with missing pieces and again I don't know what some of these tools are.


Then again there was a box of junk I tossed.

So I think if I find a large plastic storage container I can probably do electrolysis on half of the box at a time. Won't be getting into this thing for a while though.



~Veeps

DO NOT throw anything away until you know what it is. I have thrown things away and then later learned I could have used it or sold it!!
A voice of experiance.
John

 

[bagged89s10]

DO NOT throw anything away until you know what it is. I have thrown things away and then later learned I could have used it or sold it!!

A voice of experiance.

John

Yes that's why I put all the unsure stuff in the box. I only three away real garbage like a broken grease gun. And some rusty nails.


~Veeps

 

[Outlawmws]

Other random tools. Not even sure what most of these are other that the tap holder, the monkey wrenches, and the puller.

Then the stuff that is most likely junk. Some pullers with missing pieces and again I don't know what some of these tools are.

Then again there was a box of junk I tossed.

So I think if I find a large plastic storage container I can probably do electrolysis on half of the box at a time. Won't be getting into this thing for a while though.

clsm

~Veeps

Obviously the steering wheel puller needs long bolts of different sizes and thread pitches, but that is easy. Under it is an adjustable pin spanner, to it's left is a Body Dolly, - well worth wire wheeling and keeping, Top right is an old valve spring compressor, probably for a flathead, The other "clamp" below it may be more of the same.

The bottom pic is harder due to size and Jumble:

There is most if not all of a gear puller, a battery clamp puller in the top right, A soldering Copper under one of the gear puller jaws, Soldering tip from a Nernz-O-Matic, in the lower right...

 

[taumac]

The pullers are worth keeping and I don't see rest of it but the big fine threaded bolt is to a big puller of some sort. It's at bottom of pic next to side. And think that knob is to a pipe cutter.

 

[zeet]

The pullers are worth keeping and I don't see rest of it but the big fine threaded bolt is to a big puller of some sort. It's at bottom of pic next to side. And think that knob is to a pipe cutter.

I dunno... That knob-lookin' thing in the lower right-hand corner sure looks like part an old Plomb or Proto rocker-arm adjuster. Does it have a shaft sticking out of it with a slotted screwdriver tip on the end?

 

[bagged89s10]

I dunno... That knob-lookin' thing in the lower right-hand corner sure looks like part an old Plomb or Proto rocker-arm adjuster. Does it have a shaft sticking out of it with a slotted screwdriver tip on the end?

You are correct.


~Veeps

 

[taumac]

I dunno... That knob-lookin' thing in the lower right-hand corner sure looks like part an old Plomb or Proto rocker-arm adjuster. Does it have a shaft sticking out of it with a slotted screwdriver tip on the end?

Damn your good. I thought this.

Damn cell phone LOL

 

[mdbeck1]

The pullers are worth keeping and I don't see rest of it but the big fine threaded bolt is to a big puller of some sort. It's at bottom of pic next to side. And think that knob is to a pipe cutter.

I see the arms to a gear puller in there (long silver colored pieces) and the bolt for the center appears toward the bottom. Also appears to be a harmonic balancer puller in the upper right corner (needs some bolts) but it might be a steering wheel puller.

Why don't you take all of that out and spread it out on a workbench and take some better photos? We can help you identify it. If you put a number with each piece it will be easier to match identification.

Note: These are the kind of jigsaw puzzles I like.