My 'New' Snap-On KRA 59a

[andgott]

I got a bit lucky on Craigslist today... This is one of those deals that I usually call about 5 minutes too late for, or that shows up when I have to work several days straight and can't get to it- But this time, I was in the right place at the right time.

Not bad for $70, Especially since it had a bunch of old tools in it also...

And, this sticker on the side-

I find it pretty amazing that sticker survived on there for this long!

Originally, when I saw the ad (And ran to my car, dialing the number as I went), I had planned to restore this box- But now I'm thinking that I'll keep it original- Calendar sticker and all. I'll just clean it all up. I have a 1965 plymouth to go with it, after all!

How can I tell exactly how old the box is? I'm assuming sometime around 1965.


Thanks to a few searches on GJ, I don't have to ask what model it is.... Or how to remove the doors. I'm working on that part now....

-Andrew

 

[Scooterfish]

Date should be stamped on back side of box (example 65 for 1965). Prior to the late 1950s there is no date stamp.

 

[zkling]

Woa, hope the person that removed the lid didn't damage anything. It should be stamped on the back year made after the model number. I think that version with the narrow drawer trim was early 60's

 

[andgott]

Woa, hope the person that removed the lid didn't damage anything. It should be stamped on the back year made after the model number. I think that version with the narrow drawer trim was early 60's

they were very careful- it doesn't LOOK like they harmed anything in removing the lid...

I'll have to take a closer look at the back, I didn't see any numbers at all. Where would they be located?

 

[twertsy]

I have that, and many more boxes on the toolarchives. It'll tell you exactly where to look for the stamp, who made it, etc.......

 

[jn50308401]

I got a bit lucky on Craigslist today... This is one of those deals that I usually call about 5 minutes too late for, or that shows up when I have to work several days straight and can't get to it- But this time, I was in the right place at the right time.

Not bad for $70, Especially since it had a bunch of old tools in it also...

And, this sticker on the side-

I find it pretty amazing that sticker survived on there for this long!

Originally, when I saw the ad (And ran to my car, dialing the number as I went), I had planned to restore this box- But now I'm thinking that I'll keep it original- Calendar sticker and all. I'll just clean it all up. I have a 1965 plymouth to go with it, after all!

How can I tell exactly how old the box is? I'm assuming sometime around 1965.


Thanks to a few searches on GJ, I don't have to ask what model it is.... Or how to remove the doors. I'm working on that part now....

-Andrew

Nice score and you can't beat more tools! Are you planning on putting the lid back on?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Why don't you post some pics of the tools inside? The date stamp should be on the lower right hand corner on the back next to the model number, Did it come with the pin for the piano hinge or will you have to track one down? Anyway all in all good score.

 

[andgott]

Why don't you post some pics of the tools inside?

This is the pile that was inside... A mix of mostly pretty nice stuff- All Craftsman, S-K, Proto, and Snap-On. I haven't been through all of it yet, just kind of dumped it out, but I ran across a nice 3/8" Snap-On ratchet, several sets of vintage Snap-on feeler gauges, and a bunch of assorted Snap-On sockets. Just out of curiosity, I looked up the feeler gauges on E-Bay, and they sold for more than I paid for the whole box!

The date stamp should be on the lower right hand corner on the back next to the model number

There is no stamping on the back- anywhere. No dates, model numbers, nothing. I'll have to do more research.

, Did it come with the pin for the piano hinge or will you have to track one down? Anyway all in all good score.

The pin was in there, but it was a little 'wonky', and I didn't even attempt to install it. I will replace it with a piece of stainless wire, I've got a bunch of it in the shop that will be perfect.

 

[andgott]

Wow. What a difference a bit of degreaser, elbow grease, and rubbing compound makes!

I found a piece of stainless steel piano wire that was the proper diameter to replace the pin in the hinge.

I still need to attach the lid supports to the bottom of the box.

It's in decent shape, inside and out. I plan to leave it this way- It's got some 'battle scars' from years of used, but has been pretty well cared for. I plan to use it anyways, so making it perfect would just make me feel guilty when I scuff and scratch it up.

I am REALLY excited about finding this- It's the box I've always wanted!

 

[jn50308401]

Nice work on the clean up and good idea on the wire for the hinge!

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

That looks great, did you find a date stamp?

 

[andgott]

That looks great, did you find a date stamp?

No- There is no model, date, or other information stamped anywhere on the box. And I have been over it with a fine- Toothed comb!

 

[andgott]

I've been over the box again- There is NO date, model number, or any other kind of stamping anywhere. It's in good enough condition that I know that it's not hidden by rust, or in a dent- It's just not there, and never was... So I guess I will never know for SURE how old the box is. I have read that the boxes without dates are from the late 50's - early 60's?

I did manage to get the 'stuff' that was in there sorted through a bit- There is some decent stuff in there-

Some really nice punches and chisels (Craftsman and Snap-On), craftsman wrenches, craftsman and snap-on sockets, etc. The three feeler gauges have recently SOLD on E-Bay for $15-20 each- I could unload them and almost pay for the box if I wanted. But, I think I'll hang on to them, they'll come in handy when I'm setting the valve lash on my Slant Six Plymouth

I also ran across an old wheat penny in the bottom of the box- I was HOPING that it was one of the rare ones worth like $20k, but alas it wasn't- Two years off and wrong mint. Oh well.

I'm going to have to find a better bottom box next- This won't look right on top of my 'Task Force' brand cart...


-Andrew

 

[930dreamer]

Great Snap On find.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Looks great. Better shape than mine is

 

[thehorse13]

I would say that you got really lucky. I've been on the hunt for one of these along with a 1950s Craftsman box but like you, I'm typically too late.

Great box. Enjoy!

 

[zkling]

No- There is no model, date, or other information stamped anywhere on the box. And I have been over it with a fine- Toothed comb!

Are you 100% sure? I'd be amazed if it wasn't as they started stamping boxes in the late 50's. That would be a very early 60's box. They didn't stamp them hard back them. Double check the back pannel with a bright light at odd angles to the surface.

 

[SweetD]

Are you 100% sure? I'd be amazed if it wasn't as they started stamping boxes in the late 50's. That would be a very early 60's box. They didn't stamp them hard back them. Double check the back pannel with a bright light at odd angles to the surface.

+1 I have a similar chest and it was VERY hard to see the stamp on the back of the box, had to get it in just the right light. I bet it's there...

Nice score and clean-up, you'll enjoy that box for years!



Dave

 

[andgott]

+1 I have a similar chest and it was VERY hard to see the stamp on the back of the box, had to get it in just the right light. I bet it's there...

I'll have to look again, but I looked VERY close with nice bright lights, and tried different angles, etc. is there a certain area that is normally stamped?

 

[Kent_B]

OP, keep your eyes peeled for a KRA-380. I have one under a 59C. I'm pretty attached to both of 'em, but starting to feel just a little cramped. Yup, those old boxes are all I use.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Looks great cleaned up! Also a nice lot of tools ya got with it too, especially the 3/8 snappy ratchet. I've been looking on my KRA-53 and it was hard to see the model # as well, I really had to look but it was there, try acrylic paint: brush it over the lower left corner and wipe it off with a rag it SHOULD stick in he stamping. Good Luck!

 

[andgott]

I have looked again... There is NO number or other type of stamping anywhere on the box. No way I missed it, even if it was barely there or only partial. There is NOTHING.

 

[twertsy]

Here is a 1963. It tells you where to look. http://toolarchives.com/node/1032

Sent from my SM-P905V using Tapatalk

 

[Mikefromcny]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309104&highlight=vintage+snap+garage+sale

Theres my post in the wrong forum. I just picked up a set like this last weekend. My 59A has the model and date code smack dab in the center of the backside of the chest. The stamping is very faint. Yours may have been painted.

 

[andgott]

Thanks for all the input.

There is no stamping- I am 100% confident of that fact, I've been over it very closely. It isn't hidden- this has its original paint, so it's not just painted over. It's just not there and never was.

So- I looked over the old catalogs on the collecting snap-on site, and compared it to the boxes there. They have catalogs from most years. It didn't match up to the 1958 model as it has stainless trim on the drawers. There is no 1959 catalog. It does match EXACTLY to the 1960 and 1962 catalogs ( there is no 61), with the thin stainless strip on the front of the drawers. In 1963, it appears that the trim changed to a wider strip on the front of the handle, which looks like the pics on the toolarchives page that is confirmed by date code to be a 1963.

So, I can reasonably guess that it is pre 1963, post 1958... So 59-62 somewhere.

Does it matter THAT much? No, not really. It's a great box in awesome shape that I'll get a lot of use from and probably pass on to my kid, AND the 1965 calendar stuck to it is an added bonus! It's just nice to know exactly what I've got.

 

[twertsy]

Thanks for all the input.

There is no stamping- I am 100% confident of that fact, I've been over it very closely. It isn't hidden- this has its original paint, so it's not just painted over. It's just not there and never was.

So- I looked over the old catalogs on the collecting snap-on site, and compared it to the boxes there. They have catalogs from most years. It didn't match up to the 1958 model as it has stainless trim on the drawers. There is no 1959 catalog. It does match EXACTLY to the 1960 and 1962 catalogs ( there is no 61), with the thin stainless strip on the front of the drawers. In 1963, it appears that the trim changed to a wider strip on the front of the handle, which looks like the pics on the toolarchives page that is confirmed by date code to be a 1963.

So, I can reasonably guess that it is pre 1963, post 1958... So 59-62 somewhere.

Does it matter THAT much? No, not really. It's a great box in awesome shape that I'll get a lot of use from and probably pass on to my kid, AND the 1965 calendar stuck to it is an added bonus! It's just nice to know exactly what I've got.

You're correct, it really shouldn't matter to you and you'll enjoy the box! They are sturdy and I love the old boxes, I have a couple.

But, to some of us, who study the history of this stuff, it DOES matter if there is no stamp on yours. If your assessment of the production dates is correct, and your reasoning is sound so I assume it's accurate, there should absolutely be a stamp. The pic below is one I just now took 120 grit to in the usual suspect locations. I would have sworn there was no stamp beforehand. That said, yours is in too good of shape to take sandpaper to it so enjoy it!

Well, the 120 was so successful, I decided to go after my KRA 61B..........it worked (second pic)!

 

[Outlander]

Very nice find OP, and nice job cleaning her up for another 30..40..50 years of service!

 

[andgott]

But, to some of us, who study the history of this stuff, it DOES matter if there is no stamp on yours. If your assessment of the production dates is correct, and your reasoning is sound so I assume it's accurate, there should absolutely be a stamp. The pic below is one I just now took 120 grit to in the usual suspect locations. I would have sworn there was no stamp beforehand. That said, yours is in too good of shape to take sandpaper to it so enjoy

I fully understand... I'm by no means a ******** collector but enjoy my vintage shop "stuff"- tools, test meters, and other equipment, and enjoy the history of it just as much!

I'm about as sure as I can be that there is no stamping- I am positive that the paint is original, and it'd not that thick on the back, thin enough that there would at least be hint poking through. I used rubbing compound to buff it out, and looked really close while doing so. Does anyone know for sure what year they started stamping them? I've read that the late 50s and perhaps very early 60s boxes weren't stamped , so perhaps that explains it...

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'm going to have to find a better bottom box next- This won't look right on top of my 'Task Force' brand cart...


-Andrew

I'm going to pretend I didn't read that.

 

[andgott]

I'm going to pretend I didn't read that.

I could always put a snap on sticker on there and pretend

 

[jn50308401]

Keep an eye peeled.. a better companion is closer and cheaper than you think!

Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk