The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[stage20]

never seen a box with 2 trays and a bottom. not mint, but very solid and can be put in use.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Very cool, never seen one quite like it

 

[bagged89s10]

I had to say yes to these vintage CM boxes on a recent estate sale search.

This is a box, that a tool came in; so, I guess it is a tool box.

Those are very nice!

 

[smschriefer]

Zollner Pistons... I'm guessing the previous owner was from the Ft. Wayne area. The company used to have a basketball team that eventually moved to Detroit. Nice box!

 

[JewelRay]

OTC - Owatonna Tool Co - Toolbox. I'd like to clean this guy up for my Pop for Father's Day but I don't want to do anything that might ruin it. It's in pretty good shape just some light rust and the drawers get stuck a little when sliding from dust and grime. Any suggestions....I have read a lot about the full restoration process but I don't want to hurt any value it might have, being a piece of American Made History.

 

[Outlawmws]

First OTC box I can recall ever seeing! Very cool!

 

[JewelRay]

Thanks Outlawmws. That's why I don't want to hurt it or let it get any worse for wear. Don't know much about it other than the info on the company and tools. Very little info about their boxes. If anyone knows more I would be grateful for information. I would hate to abuse this American Beauty.

 

[stormking]

Nice OTC box JewelRay. There are identical boxes from other tool companies, Herbrand for one, just different badges. You can try cleaning it with diluted Simple green and then try some very fine rubbing compound (Meguires swirl remover works well) on the worst spots. Rub it down with Howards feed and wax. Let the feed and wax set for a day and then buff. Works for me. Be careful around the OTC badge. Good Luck

 

[JewelRay]

Thanks Ell. That sounds better than some of the products that change the surface. If I get it cleaned up I'll repost.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

OTC - Owatonna Tool Co - Toolbox. I'd like to clean this guy up for my Pop for Father's Day but I don't want to do anything that might ruin it. It's in pretty good shape just some light rust and the drawers get stuck a little when sliding from dust and grime. Any suggestions....I have read a lot about the full restoration process but I don't want to hurt any value it might have, being a piece of American Made History.

Very cool box! As others said, diluted Simple Green (or mild liquid soap) and water does wonders to de-grime these old boxes. Start gently. I like to use microfiber cloths, and recommend you start with a cloth before thinking about brushes...especially on that label. Better that the label still look a little grimy than to scratch it off. Gentle toothbrush work gets into corners and crevices. Disassemble and clean the drawer slides and channels as thoroughly as possible (a toothbrush is useful here). Dry thoroughly and wax or otherwise protect the painted/rusty surfaces to prevent rust from continuing. Lubricate and reassemble the slides, and you'll be amazed at how much smoother they'll operate. There have been lots of discussions here at GJ on drawer lubes and I've tried most of them. I've settled (for now) on a wax product called Door Ease, but there are pros and cons to oil, grease, or wax based lubes, or even the spray-on dry lubes. They all lubricate - it's mainly a matter of how long they last and how much/quickly they attract new grime. Add some new drawer liner and you'll have something your Dad will really appreciate.

And post up some "after" pictures!

 

[JewelRay]

Thanks for the Great advice guys. I knew someone on here could lead me in the right direction. Thanks for being so helpful. Glad you guys are enjoying it.

 

[bagged89s10]

Not sure if this is vintage but my dad picked this up from a tag sale or somewhere and gave it to me to sell. Kennedy Kits 1017

 

[rmalkow2]

Not sure if this is vintage but my dad picked this up from a tag sale or somewhere and gave it to me to sell. Kennedy Kits 1017

That's real nice. Plastic handle so I would guess 60's to 70's era or maybe 80's. It's been kept in good condition. Should be a good box to sell.

 

[torqueman2002]

Not sure if this is vintage but my dad picked this up from a tag sale or somewhere and gave it to me to sell. Kennedy Kits 1017

Nice! What a super Dad.

Now, Father's Day is on it's way!

You can get him something special with the $$.

 

[bagged89s10]

Nice! What a super Dad.

Now, Father's Day is on it's way!

You can get him something special with the $$.

Yeah. I used to make fun of him for going to tag sales and buying stuff. Now I'm pretty much him. You should see all the other tools he gave me today. There was a giant wooden crate/box full of old tools and he told me to just take what I want.

 

[dngrmse]

That's a nice box, it would make a good freshwater tacklebox.

 

[LagunaSeca]

Hi, Can anyone help me price my box?
wondering if I should sell or keep to use?
I am in San Francisco Bay Area. I have the keys to the top, but the bottom I do not have the key; but it is unlocked.
Everything works well all sliders are smooth like butter. Only some scratches on the rear from moving around the garage, made in 1985.

 

[stage20]

Kra128. I looked on ebay and ones worse shape than this are selling for more than I would have paid. Was going to make a 1/4dr kit up and toss in there but im going to sell. It

 

[taumac]

Lagunaseca.

That's a nice super clean box. Not gonna find to many of those in that original condition. IMO I would keep it and use it.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Hi, Can anyone help me price my box?
wondering if I should sell or keep to use?

I don't understand your predicament. If you can use it, why are you considering selling it?

btw, it's not worth all that much

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't understand your predicament. If you can use it, why are you considering selling it?

btw, it's not worth all that much

Pretty much this ^^^

It's use value beats it's selling value.

 

[zkling]

Hi, Can anyone help me price my box?
wondering if I should sell or keep to use?
I am in San Francisco Bay Area. I have the keys to the top, but the bottom I do not have the key; but it is unlocked.
Everything works well all sliders are smooth like butter. Only some scratches on the rear from moving around the garage, made in 1985.

Was that top box repainted?

 

[LagunaSeca]

None of the boxes were repainted.

The reason I am deciding if I should sell is I am not sure if the newer ones have higher quality, and if I should get a newer one instead? I am new to this tool stuff so hope you can bear with me. what is the difference in quality from an older chest vs a new one with ball bearings etc?

 

[bluebolt]

Laguna, in my opinion that is among the last of the good non-roller bearing Craftsman boxes. The earlier version in grey with red drawers is probably more collectible. Use it and enjoy it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have an 84 and an 86 Craftsman and prefer them to the 2010 ball bearing chest I have. Older ones have thicker steel and as long as the slides are kept clean they work smoothly.

 

[bagged89s10]

None of the boxes were repainted.



The reason I am deciding if I should sell is I am not sure if the newer ones have higher quality, and if I should get a newer one instead? I am new to this tool stuff so hope you can bear with me. what is the difference in quality from an older chest vs a new one with ball bearings etc?

Keep that one. The older craftsman slides are very high quality. My craftsman boxes I bought in 2004 have ball bearings, but my 1960s box without ball bearing slides just as smooth. The older one actually opens evenly while my newer box is wobbly. Hmmm, Now I think I should sell my newer upper/lower box set and look for an older box.

 

[jakemac]

None of the boxes were repainted.

The reason I am deciding if I should sell is I am not sure if the newer ones have higher quality, and if I should get a newer one instead? I am new to this tool stuff so hope you can bear with me. what is the difference in quality from an older chest vs a new one with ball bearings etc?

KEEP IT !
The new boxes are made with a thinner steel and the framing isn't as sturdy as the older boxes. Yours is from the period just before the quality started to slowly degrade. In comparison, yours is built like a tank while the new stuff is built like a Yugo (SmartCar in today's terms).

If properly cleaned and lubricated, the friction slides on your box could outlast the newer ball bearing slides. Once again, the steel is thinner on the new stuff.

 

[lowbucktruck]

KEEP IT !
The new boxes are made with a thinner steel and the framing isn't as sturdy as the older boxes. Yours is from the period just before the quality started to slowly degrade. In comparison, yours is built like a tank while the new stuff is built like a Yugo (SmartCar in today's terms).

If properly cleaned and lubricated, the friction slides on your box could outlast the newer ball bearing slides. Once again, the steel is thinner on the new stuff.

Ditto to what jakemac says. Laguna, if you get rid of that 1980's era Craftsman box and buy a similar, new toolbox set from Sears, the steel will be MUCH thinner! (think tinfoil and you won't be able to load up the drawers like that classic box you have).

I have that same top chest, by the way... and I was happy to pay $60 for it used (the guy I bought it from had purchased it new and he had the bottom roller box, but wasn't ready to part with it yet).
The friction slides on that box will slide real nice if you hit them with Liquid Wrench silicon lube for garage doors.

 

[bagged89s10]

Accidentally found this for sale for $50. I don't need it but hope the seller responds. It matches one of my boxes except it has 2 handles per drawer. Mine only has 1 handle per drawer.

 

[zkling]

None of the boxes were repainted.

The reason I am deciding if I should sell is I am not sure if the newer ones have higher quality, and if I should get a newer one instead? I am new to this tool stuff so hope you can bear with me. what is the difference in quality from an older chest vs a new one with ball bearings etc?

Depends what "newer" box you are getting. For some reason the up close pic of the top box looked like the paint was redone.

 

[bagged89s10]

Depends what "newer" box you are getting. For some reason the up close pic of the top box looked like the paint was redone.

Yeah the picture with the patent no does like like it was re painted at one point.

 

[Outlawmws]

What the others said; Very few new boxes will be better than what you have. NOTHING in Sears will be IMO. Not even close...hem as needed re-lube the slide (DoorEase works very well) and use them.

Clean

 

[bagged89s10]

Anyone need a mint condition felt liner for a Kennedy or craftsman machinist box. I found this underneath another liner in my Kennedy 526 version Craftsman box. 2 must have been installed accident from the factory.

Fits in the 8-3/4"x7"x1" drawer.

 

[LagunaSeca]

Thanks for all the responses, I will go ahead and use it myself! There is a possiblilty it was repainted, but the previous owner that gave it to me said it wasn't; so I can't confirm for sure...

I blasted the sliders with some WD40, is that okay? or should i wipe it off and use the DoorEase and LiquidWrench that was mentioned here?

Thanks for helping a newb out =D

 

[jakemac]

Wipe it down an use DoorEase instead. WD40 wasn't designed as a lubricant. It was designed as a water repellant. It works ok as a penetrant, but evaporates too fast to be used long term.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

...I don't need it but hope the seller responds...

Dude, you are flying down the slippery slope at Warp 9.

 

[zkling]

About anything but grease is a good choice.
I've found a good wax to be the best, followed by a dry on type spray and lastly a heavy high pressure oil. Just not grease, you will deeply regret it down the road.

 

[taumac]

Dude, you are flying down the slippery slope at Warp 9.

LOL, I agree.

I don't remember needing all the ones I have but somehow they ended up in my garage. LOL

 

[ZRX61]

None of the boxes were repainted.

The reason I am deciding if I should sell is I am not sure if the newer ones have higher quality, and if I should get a newer one instead? I am new to this tool stuff so hope you can bear with me. what is the difference in quality from an older chest vs a new one with ball bearings etc?

The new ones are junk. I have the same bottom box as you & it's used for all my welding stuff. New one would have folded up like origami from the weight. I use candlewax to lube the slides.

 

[bagged89s10]

Dude, you are flying down the slippery slope at Warp 9.

Well why does a matching vintage box have to show up for sale? I committed to pick it up tomorrow. Lol this also makes it easier for me to make my rolling workbench with 2 same height boxes. I have to get my bandsaw moved from its wooden stand to the tan crowntop box I have to make room.