The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[jakemac]

Did you check under or behind the drawers ?

 

[bagged89s10]

So this is not a conventional toolbox, but it's a box, and holds a tool.


Then I got these Wilco metal boxes which are perfect to hold a saber saw or sander.


Also got this Union utility chest.


So I guess you can call them vintage tool boxes.

 

[torqueman2002]

So this is not a conventional toolbox, but it's a box, and holds a tool.


Then I got these Wilco metal boxes which are perfect to hold a saber saw or sander.


Also got this Union utility chest.


So I guess you can call them vintage tool boxes.

Cool - CM Crown Top!

 

[TruckJunkie]

Did you check under or behind the drawers ?

Yes, I sure did, the only markings I can find on it are on the locks, which are from Eagle Lock. Thought some may be interested in the construction of it so included some pics with all the drawers out.

 

[TruckJunkie]

Found a couple new little boxes at a garage sale today that I thought might be good to go with my old Proto mechanic's top box. The 3/8" Challenger set is missing the rachet and the extensions are Stanley, otherwise it is all original, did not think it was too bad for $10. The Proto tubing cutting/flaring set I have little use for, but figured it was worth $5.

 

[spongerich]

Have not posted anything on here in a while but have been following along so figured it was time to post again. This is another of my Grandfather's boxes, he always said it was a Gerstner

I'm fairly certain that all of the Gerstners have their stamp on the bottom inside the casing. Contact Gerstner and they'll tell you for sure.

 

[jakemac]

Found a couple new little boxes at a garage sale today that I thought might be good to go with my old Proto mechanic's top box. The 3/8" Challenger set is missing the rachet and the extensions are Stanley, otherwise it is all original, did not think it was too bad for $10. The Proto tubing cutting/flaring set I have little use for, but figured it was worth $5.

You might be surprised. Last spring I picked up a flaring set, figuring "what the hell". I threw it in my plumbing kit thinking that I'd never use it. The last time I needed one was 10yrs ago and I didn't have one. I ended up fighting with a screwdriver to flair the tubing instead. It took me three tries to get it right.

When I went to open my camp this summer the feed line to the toilet had split and I had to replace it. Crawling all the way under the camp with the flaring tool was much easier and faster than doing it with a screwdriver again. I now own 3 flaring tools (just to increase my odds of finding one when I need one next time).

Definitely worth the fiver. Keep it handy, you never know ............

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Yes, I sure did, the only markings I can find on it are on the locks, which are from Eagle Lock. Thought some may be interested in the construction of it so included some pics with all the drawers out.

looks like it has some things in common with a box I have, it is shown on post #3625

 

[r_olson_06]

Picked this box up yesterday, again full of SO, Bonney, MAC, and a bunch of other oldies but goodies.

Is that a wizard 1/2" Dr. Ratchet?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[TruckJunkie]

looks like it has some things in common with a box I have, it is shown on post #3625

It sure does, with the Eagle latches, similar corners, and the leatherette covering. I have a box similar to yours that I store game calls in, without the Eagle latches or corners and a bit smaller. It was picked up at a garage sale a few years ago.

 

[TruckJunkie]

Have not posted anything on here in a while but have been following along so figured it was time to post again. This is another of my Grandfather's boxes, he always said it was a Gerstner, but I'm not so sure it is. I do not know when he acquired it but know he went to the Henry Ford Trade School during the depression and worked in shops during WWII. In the third pic, with the top open, there is a pic of him in his shop in 1946 and the box is on the bench behind him.

I think the mystery has been solved, did a little bit of searching around the net and found some pics of very similar boxes made by Wedell and Boers in Detroit, MI. Some had different drawer pulls, while others looked the same, all had the same lock and way of attaching the front cover, as well as the mahogany drawer fronts. All the other boxes I could find were 7-drawer units though, while my Grandfather's is an 8-drawer, don't know if that means anything or not.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Saw this picture for an upcoming sale. Never saw a craftsman crown intermediate box before.

 

[twertsy]

Is that a wizard 1/2" Dr. Ratchet?

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Yes, it's a 1/2" Wizard

Sent from my SM-P905V using Tapatalk

 

[BlueBomber]

Saw this picture for an upcoming sale. Never saw a craftsman crown intermediate box before.

Like they say on American Pickers, if you've never seen one before, buy it!

 

[southern_tango]

Hi,looking for some advise ,the other day got an old Rota toolbox ,it's small but like the design and thought that could be a good present for my son after restoring it,from the top didn't look that bad but when had a look from the bottom it is rusted out with some holes starting to appear.
Now the question is do you think is it worth to fix or is it going to finish being a waste of time because won't come up alright ?Regards.

 

[taumac]

Hi,looking for some advise ,the other day got an old Rota toolbox ,it's small but like the design and thought that could be a good present for my son after restoring it,from the top didn't look that bad but when had a look from the bottom it is rusted out with some holes starting to appear.

Now the question is do you think is it worth to fix or is it going to finish being a waste of time because won't come up alright ?Regards.

It's a interesting box for sure. Well depends on skill level as a welder and your metal working is. How bad is bottom? Few holes that can be welded shut or we talking patch panels ?Anything CAN be done it just a matter if you want to and worth your time. IMO there are a lot of carry boxes out there in better overall shape for a better starting point and customize it for your son.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

If it is just pin holes I would just use a thick paint like POR15 to coat the bottom and just use it, and find anther to restore.

 

[twertsy]

Little help with ID? Very similar to the Plomb boxes, but they are in the Bonney cats as well as Herbrand ('41). Who's color was that blue? Looks original plus there are remnants of a decal on the underside of the lid. Any help appreciated! I put the Plomb chest on top to show similar style/design. Of course, I think the Plomb is older. I was thinking Herbrand but I thought their blue was lighter.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

That looks like a Herbrand blue that I've seen before, but not the logo shape that I've seen.

 

[bagged89s10]

I'm selling this toolbox if anyone is looking for a 1950s box, PM me .

I'm selling my PARK Tool box. If anyone is interested, PM me.

 

[Bigplum]

Hi,looking for some advise ,the other day got an old Rota toolbox ,it's small but like the design and thought that could be a good present for my son after restoring it,from the top didn't look that bad but when had a look from the bottom it is rusted out with some holes starting to appear.
Now the question is do you think is it worth to fix or is it going to finish being a waste of time because won't come up alright ?Regards.

Be easy to save , do you know anyone with a metal shear or guillotine ?
Get a panel cut to size and plug weld it in after cutting out the bad , if the base is too bad , fold the sides up on the new panel and replace the lot, just take it slowly with the welder
it'll be a good practice piece and another box saved

 

[Rickster55]

Just bumping this thread back to the top. I'm missing everyone's new old boxes!!!

 

[wout]

Mine have wheels

gr
Wout

 

[JeremyBurke]

Mine have wheels

gr
Wout

Sweet Mary. You may have a problem or a wonderful collection. Eye of the beholder I guess.

 

[taumac]

mine have wheels :d

gr
wout

damn

 

[jakemac]

Mine have wheels

gr
Wout

Good Lord !
If those were cats, they'd be hauling you away and declaring a Health Emergency.

 

[nine4gmc]

Mine have wheels

gr
Wout

Oh my!! Save some for the rest of us!!


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

Mine have wheels

gr
Wout

I've seen your posts on the other forum. Don't you also have one of the mini assi/ 160s?

 

[wout]

Thanks for the kind replies .
Have now a few more, have to make a new photo some day

@zkling
Yes, I have 2 a blue one and a yellow popular.
(Tried to reply on your question about the 166 but wasn't allowed)

gr
Wout

 

[ZRX61]

Hi,looking for some advise ,the other day got an old Rota toolbox ,it's small but like the design and thought that could be a good present for my son after restoring it,from the top didn't look that bad but when had a look from the bottom it is rusted out with some holes starting to appear.
Now the question is do you think is it worth to fix or is it going to finish being a waste of time because won't come up alright ?Regards.

First I'd blast it all clean: plastic bead for the painted parts, glass bead for the handle & latches (leaves a nice satin finish). Then coat the bottom with some sort of rust killer or hammertone to seal the metal. I'd weld a new bottom for it (externally) with the edges bent up maybe 1/2in around the outside. Either spot or plug welded into place. Paint it (already appears to match an easily available hammertone) Then cut a piece of thin plywood (1/8-3/16th) to fit inside the bottom.
Add yoga mat the color of your choice to line it.
Sorted

 

[wout]

@zkling
Made some pictures of the "mini's", as you can see the assi popular is a bit smaller than the normal mini assi 160. There's also a mini assi with a grey top (still looking for such one ).
Also some pictures together with a 803TA box (smaller than a normal one).

gr
Wout

 

[wout]

@ Zkling

Picture to compare the size:
172HD, 171, 166TS and the mini assi...

Sorry if it doesn't completely fit the 'vintage toolboxes theme'.

gr
Wout

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice Wout, thanks for posting!

 

[ckadams00]

(Not my photo - because of time, but almost identical condition). Picked this up tonight for $18. Surface rust but no real damage/holes. Badge a bit scratched up, missing the tool tray (of course). I don't see these all that often, and never for what I have in my wallet . . . .

I know this is from the '47/'49/'52 era and is called a "Mechanic's Tool Box" - if anyone has anything more specific I'd love to hear. If anyone is sitting on a tool tray, well PM Me! LOL.

 

[Moose2367]

@ Zkling

Picture to compare the size:
172HD, 171, 166TS and the mini assi...

Sorry if it doesn't completely fit the 'vintage toolboxes theme'.

gr
Wout

I had never heard of these before and picked one up yesterday for $10. Will take a pic later and post it up, it's in pretty poor condition and has stickers all over it.
Looks like they are worth a bit more than $10 though. Also got a small power hacksaw for $80.

 

[Moose2367]

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[wout]

@moose2367
Sorry to tell you but you got a fake one .
If you put yours next to a real Hazet Assistent you'll see it's smaller and maybe only half as heavy.
Anyway it will probably look awesome in your garage/shop and that's the most important .

gr
Wout

 

[wttwoa]

@moose2367
Sorry to tell you but you got a fake one .
If you put yours next to a real Hazet Assistent you'll see it's smaller and maybe only half as heavy.
Anyway it will probably look awesome in your garage/shop and that's the most important .

gr
Wout

those hazet assistents look neat and handy as hell since you can collapse it, but they are sooo expensive. i managed to find that beta makes their own version of the assistent but its still hella expensive at $700

 

[Moose2367]

@moose2367
Sorry to tell you but you got a fake one .
If you put yours next to a real Hazet Assistent you'll see it's smaller and maybe only half as heavy.
Anyway it will probably look awesome in your garage/shop and that's the most important .

gr
Wout

I thought that after doing a bit more looking around, doesn't worry me in the slightest. It was going to be used as it was either way.

Do parts from Hazet fit these, as the plastic tray guides on the uprights are broken on one tray.

 

[wout]

I thought that after doing a bit more looking around, doesn't worry me in the slightest. It was going to be used as it was either way.

Do parts from Hazet fit these, as the plastic tray guides on the uprights are broken on one tray.

That's what I wrote, it doesn't matter as long as you can use and enjoy it . I understand they are very expensive oversea, here you have to be lucky. Bought most of my collection years ago before the 'hype' started. I'm not in a hurry to complete my collection (if ever possible ) so I'm looking around as much as I can to find the missing ones at a reasonable price.
Pity they're that heavy otherwise I could buy a few here and ship them but think that would turn out also expensive.

PS: don't think the parts will fit, not sure because I only have real ones
gr
Wout