The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[bagged89s10]

Can anyone identify this old Stanley tool chest.


I'm trying to find out what price is a good deal .

 

[Outlawmws]

ALL: i picked up another cool carry box that i really didn't need. when has NEED ever been a factor though. is this one homemade or any ideas? it looks old and weighs a ton. any ideas of who made it or did i find another John Doe toolbox??

having issues with my laptop loading pictures so will post pictures soon. BTW should i start a thread with just old carry boxes or should we just keep posting them in this thread?

Drives, the box itself looks factory made to me, but the drawers and try were either shop made, or "leaned on heavily" with mods/abuse...

If its a vintage box, I'd keep them here...

No Huot machinist's chest yet?

Tim, What is the front to back depth on that one? looks like a Mechanics box to me...

not bad.
show a close up of the unknown(maybe star) and i can maybe tell ya what ya got

I KNEW beat would weigh in sooner or later!

 

[Joan@ManzanitaMercantile]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235697497/kennedy-kits-toolbox-vintageantique

 

[jakemac]

Can anyone identify this old Stanley tool chest.


I'm trying to find out what price is a good deal .

Stanley and Vidmar were tied to the hip. That looks like it might have been a medical cart.

 

[bagged89s10]

Stanley and Vidmar were tied to the hip. That looks like it might have been a medical cart.

The seller says a vp at Stanley was the owner. Hopefully I can go look at tomorrow. Is $250 too much?

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: those vidmar (Stanley) carts go for big money around me so much so that i have pretty much scratched them off my list of items i want to own. that price doesn't seem too bad at all if the drawers are all working ok. also nice that it has wheels because a lot of them are just cabinets.

 

[bagged89s10]

If I end up buying the Stanley box, I will have to get rid of one of my other boxes

 

[timdp]

Tim, What is the front to back depth on that one? looks like a Mechanics box to me...

Its 12" deep, 26" long and 14.5" tall.

T

 

[Outlawmws]

Its 12" deep, 26" long and 14.5" tall.

T

Yep 12" is a mechanic's box depth for a top. 9" is more typical for a machinist box.

 

[taumac]

Yep 12" is a mechanic's box depth for a top. 9" is more typical for a machinist box.

Wonder why machinist boxes where always 9in and under? I wonder if got to heavy to carry around so they always kept them small?

 

[timdp]

Yep 12" is a mechanic's box depth for a top. 9" is more typical for a machinist box.

OK, thanks! Learn something new on GJ every day. I guess the 26" length is also a giveaway.

Wonder why machinist boxes where always 9in and under? I wonder if got to heavy to carry around so they always kept them small?

Probably. The Huot mechanic's chest is quite heavy without anything in it. Can't imagine picking it up with tools in it...

T

 

[bagged89s10]

Picked this Park 86666 2 drawer machinist toolbox for $6. Pretty clean other than a little paint spilled in on it.


I was able to scrape most of the paint off without damaging the original finish too much.. And she cleaned up pretty nicely!

 

[bagged89s10]

Picked up another toolbox this week. $9

And was full of machinist tools


Now I have the heritage logo box and the matching crowntop logo box

 

[safariknut]

Two more vintage tool boxes for the accumulation. First is what appears to be an old hand made box with a severe pent roof. The tray was an addition by me.A gift from a friend.
The second one is a bit unique. No maker's name but a patent number stamped into the tray cover(have to research). What is unique about this box is when you set it down on a surface and gently push on the handle the trays open. When you pick it up they automatically close.This one cost $2.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A box like that one above was recently posted in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275308&page=24 He indicated it was a military item.

 

[Outlawmws]

Didn't Snap-on also have one similar to that before WWII?

 

[safariknut]

A box like that one above was recently posted in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275308&page=24 He indicated it was a military item.

Thanks for posting that! I'll check the patent #'s but it looks almost identical although the one I have has a raised design on the top that almost looks like large letters( D W C).Maybe it stands for Duplex. Thanks again.

 

[drivesitfar]

Safari: more nice old boxes. is the one that has a huge peak pretty heavy? looks stout like one i posted last week that might weigh 40 pounds which is a lot for a carry box.

 

[safariknut]

Safari: more nice old boxes. is the one that has a huge peak pretty heavy? looks stout like one i posted last week that might weigh 40 pounds which is a lot for a carry box.

Yes that box is VERY heavy! I just checked the patent numbers on the Duplex military box and it is the same as the one I have. Mine might possibly be a civilian version as it does not say Duplex on it but has an impressed design that looks almost like the letters D-W-C across the tops of the trays. I am in the process of de-rusting it and will try and post some clearer pics when I am finished.

 

[bagged89s10]

What do you guys use for lube on the slides of the older craftsman boxes? I was thinking of using dry graphite lube.

 

[nine4gmc]

Beeswax bagged


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[jn50308401]

What do you guys use for lube on the slides of the older craftsman boxes? I was thinking of using dry graphite lube.

Hey there, I did some experimenting with friction slides on my Snap on box and found that parrafin wax was the winner. The dry graphite made a mess, didn't slide great and ultimately was voted off the island[emoji14]

For the ball bearing drawers in my Harbor frieght box I used Super lube in the aerosol can. It's awesome lube, goes on wet and then dries. It's great on car doors and the like too.

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[jakemac]

I've been using Door-Ease on my friction slides.

 

[bagged89s10]

Hey there, I did some experimenting with friction slides on my Snap on box and found that parrafin wax was the winner. The dry graphite made a mess, didn't slide great and ultimately was voted off the island[emoji14]

For the ball bearing drawers in my Harbor frieght box I used Super lube in the aerosol can. It's awesome lube, goes on wet and then dries. It's great on car doors and the like too.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I'll try the parrafin wax as I think my wife might already have some in the kitchen. Thanks

 

[drivesitfar]

Bagged: if you don't have a local guy selling honey that has Beeswax you can buy Doors Ease that is mostly beeswax for your slides on all your drawers. the group and i like it better because it doesn't get grease on everything or collect dust as much.

Safari: what do you put in all your cool old carry boxes? any idea how many you have now or have you sold a few?

 

[jn50308401]

I'll try the parrafin wax as I think my wife might already have some in the kitchen. Thanks

Yep the the stuff I bought was with the canning supplies. For 3 bucks I think I have enough for the rest of my life now!

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[bagged89s10]

Yep the the stuff I bought was with the canning supplies. For 3 bucks I think I have enough for the rest of my life now!

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Yeah I know we have the stuff that is in sticks or blocks. Did you just run it along the slides? Did you have to warm it up a little first?

 

[jn50308401]

Yeah I know we have the stuff that is in sticks or blocks. Did you just run it along the slides? Did you have to warm it up a little first?

I ran the wax on the slide channels and on the slides. Heating the wax really isn't needed, the friction of rubbing it on the slides warms the wax enough.

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[taumac]

Does the paraffin wax work just as good as the beeswax?

 

[Project_shadow]

Quick question, I have a box that looks older, and showed the signs but upon looking at the front bottom cover it has a knob, I seen a box the other day that was brand new with the same knob, my box says made in USA, any idea if it is older? I couldn't find a date anywhere and I took it to metal to repaint it

I'm not sure if new boxes are made in USA, never have looked

 

[Outlawmws]

Does the paraffin wax work just as good as the beeswax?

Not in my experience; Paraffin wax (candle wax) is way harder Beeswax is softer

 

[safariknut]

Safari: what do you put in all your cool old carry boxes? any idea how many you have now or have you sold a few?

I usually wind up using them as paint boxes for awhile and then they are relegated to the shop.I've donated a few of them to be auctioned off for charity events. I should probably put some up for sale but the two down sides to that are:I don't know what to ask for them and:If they have to be shipped anywhere the cost is really prohibitive. I shipped five of them to the West Coast once and it was almost $200 just to ship them.Maybe i'll put up a few in the For Sale forum and see what happens.
Several of the really old boxes are filled with vintage tools I've picked up over the years.
I use white grease to lubricate tool box drawer slides and it seems to work fine. Very little mess if properly applied(sparingly).Door-Ease is good for lubricating sticky wooden drawers and doors and little else in my opinion.Beeswax is good for lubricating heavy thread when sewing leather goods.

 

[taumac]

Not in my experience; Paraffin wax (candle wax) is way harder Beeswax is softer

Ok so a softer wax goes on better or helps drawers slide better. Would climate make a difference being I'm in Florida with high heat and humidity? I know door ease is suppose to work well but buddy ran around to 3 stores and nobody had it. Just trying to find something I can get local.

 

[bagged89s10]

i tried the paraffin wax and more seems to flake off than go on the actual slide. I'll use it for now until i find beeswax or door ease.

What about johnson's paste wax? it's very soft. can you just put that stuff on and not buff it off?

 

[zkling]

Door ease is actually paraffin based IIRC with a few others thrown in. What gives the different waxes a different viscosity is what and the amount of other things (primarily petro distalats) are blended in.

You need to rub it in hard, then gently wipe off the large chunks, but leave the smaller pieces. The wax fills the pours in the slides.

 

[taumac]

i tried the paraffin wax and more seems to flake off than go on the actual slide. I'll use it for now until i find beeswax or door ease.



What about johnson's paste wax? it's very soft. can you just put that stuff on and not buff it off?

That's good info. I know this is something I've been meaning to do for some time. I never thought of wax until I've seen threads to do so. I always just used this or bearing grease.

 

[Outlawmws]

The issue with grease IMO is it is a grit magnet, as is oil of most any viscosity. Door-Eaze/Beeswax is less likely to accumulate it so easy/quick.

I can't remember if it was Kennedy or Snap on that recommended Beeswax.

Bagged, Where are you looking for door-eaze? Walmart and auto parts stores should have it. Beeswax can be had at sewing supply/fabric centers and hardware stores.

 

[jn50308401]

The issue with grease IMO is it is a grit magnet, as is oil of most any viscosity. Door-Eaze/Beeswax is less likely to accumulate it so easy/quick.

I can't remember if it was Kennedy or Snap on that recommended Beeswax.

Bagged, Where are you looking for door-eaze? Walmart and auto parts stores should have it. Beeswax can be had at sewing supply/fabric centers and hardware stores.

Outlaw the owners guide I found in the bottom of my Snap On KR557F (6 friction slides, one ball bearing) mentions paraffin wax as a lubricant for the slides.

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[bagged89s10]

So I'm picking this vidmar cabinet up tomorrow. Apparently owned by a former VP of Stanley. I hope it's not too heavy to load into my vehicle by myself once the drawers are out.

 

[zkling]

Outlaw the owners guide I found in the bottom of my Snap On KR557F (6 friction slides, one ball bearing) mentions paraffin wax as a lubricant for the slides.

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What year is your 557? Do the drawers have dividers welded in?