The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[bluebolt]

Nice score Rick especially that mid box!

 

[twertsy]

[emoji38] Are they empty or full? Nesting boxes perhaps?

Mostly empty, but there is a little rattling. Tools are all in the stacks.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That is a great looking setup Rick. CL score? I really miss the Philly CL used to get stuff off CL all the time when I lived in Bucks.

 

[jpickar]

my new to me 1972 combo! 3rd owner, the first owner only had it for a week before he snagged a Snap On box in early '73. Haven't taken it out of the car yet, but no dents or dings, a tad bit of rust, nothing major. Red's all in good shape but the gray needs to be resprayed. Pretty solid for being 43 years old!

Edit: Top is a 65262, mid a 65212, and bottom a 65039. Top and bottom both stamped 11/72!

I have the same thing except I do not have the mid box. I could use one too! NICE!
John

 

[taumac]

my new to me 1972 combo! 3rd owner, the first owner only had it for a week before he snagged a Snap On box in early '73. Haven't taken it out of the car yet, but no dents or dings, a tad bit of rust, nothing major. Red's all in good shape but the gray needs to be resprayed. Pretty solid for being 43 years old!

Edit: Top is a 65262, mid a 65212, and bottom a 65039. Top and bottom both stamped 11/72!

Awesome, nice find on middle box.

 

[ZRX61]

Rillysan: I found this bottom box on CL and when I posted it here Drives said that what I needed was a top box to go on it. Thanks Drives! Since then I have stumbled across a couple.

Question about the round top box: does it have a lift out tray or two sliding trays?

 

[Outlawmws]

ZRX, I think that box is from this setup circa 1954:

 

[ZRX61]

ZRX, I think that box is from this setup circa 1954:

It is, & I have one that is externally identical. But instead of the lift out tray in the top mine has two trays on slides like in a regular toolbox & when you open the top they slide outwards.

I've seen a couple on here with the lift out tray, but not another with the sliding trays.

 

[Outlawmws]

OK is it this one from '49?

 

[A E Numan]

Yes my round top is like the 1949 ad with the delicate sliding trays, add a little dirt/grease and a ham fisted operator and you could have a mess.

 

[ragnarok23]

There are some beautiful boxes on here. I especially love the early to mid century art deco boxes I have seen. Hopefully some day I wil run across a set for myself. Heres a few of my boxes. First up I have a stack that I got from my grandfather before he died.

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I have a few of these small snap on boxes but this one with a sliding drawer is one i am most fond of.

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I kind have a fetish for Park boxes I cant stop buying everyone i come across. Probably because they are dirt cheap. This one was my first, I have had it for over 20 years and finally last summer I put a leather grip on the handle.

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This matco I picked up last month with some tools for 20 bucks.

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Here is my carpentry box that goes with to jobsites and holds all my small odds and ends

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Lastly I have a box that makes some collectors pull their hair out. I store my greasy large portapower in this one.

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[A E Numan]

I love the San Juan Fish Co box. I have a collection of wooden whisky crates, some of witch have some pretty cool logos.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Thanks guys!

That is a great looking setup Rick. CL score? I really miss the Philly CL used to get stuff off CL all the time when I lived in Bucks.

Was it you a year or two ago clearing out a shop in Bensalem?

 

[ragnarok23]

I have three of those including a nice 5 footer that I store my longer rolls of leather. I also have a couple of old dynamite boxes that I store extra pulleys and saw inserts in. Some whiskey crates would be cool to have. If they can be gotten cheaply old crates like that are way cooler than plastic tubs for storage.

 

[ZRX61]

OK is it this one from '49?

Yes it is. So that's two of us who have one of them

Yes my round top is like the 1949 ad with the delicate sliding trays, add a little dirt/grease and a ham fisted operator and you could have a mess.

I spent a few minutes one day trying to remove the slides for cleaning, no luck


The handle on mine appears to be aluminum tube, not chromed steel.

 

[SD396]

My dad's old Craftsman, not sure of age, and my old Beach that I bought at K-Mart back in the early 80's.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rag: I agree those old wood boxes are a lot cooler looking than just the plastic storage boxes. Nice to see your Gramp's old tool boxes found a good home. thanks for sharing.

SD: i do like those old Beach top boxes and have one from about that time frame too that looks almost new like yours. that Craftsman crowntop carry box is most likely late 60's with the nice metal handle. i have the Heritage one that is similar that i use almost daily.

Crowntop boxes with that design changed to a plastic handle, but i'm not sure when. maybe the mid 70's. maybe one of the guys with the Craftsman catalogs handy can say for sure about your little carry box.

 

[twertsy]

Rag: I agree those old wood boxes are a lot cooler looking than just the plastic storage boxes. Nice to see your Gramp's old tool boxes found a good home. thanks for sharing.

SD: i do like those old Beach top boxes and have one from about that time frame too that looks almost new like yours. that Craftsman crowntop carry box is most likely late 60's with the nice metal handle. i have the Heritage one that is similar that i use almost daily.

Crowntop boxes with that design changed to a plastic handle, but i'm not sure when. maybe the mid 70's. maybe one of the guys with the Craftsman catalogs handy can say for sure about your little carry box.

Not sure exactly when those changed. I have 3 with leather handles though, which are much more comfortable to lug around!

 

[drivesitfar]

Twertsy: i had a similar one to my Heritage one with the leather handle and the clasps didn't hold as well so sold it. i love the metal handle and when they went to plastic i usually pass unless the box is almost new condition and 50 years old.

 

[jakemac]

My dad's old Craftsman, not sure of age,............

The handles changed from metal to plastic sometime around 1959-1961. I'm not sure of the exact year. If you look at the crown logo, it has a thick black border. I believe that the border changed to a thin black border in the mid-60's. So, you're box would be an early crowntop from the begining of the crowntop era. '59-'60 (ish)

The leather covered handles were from the 40's to the early 50's I believe. (Long-C into the Heritage Logo era's)

 

[zkling]

There are some beautiful boxes on here. I especially love the early to mid century art deco boxes I have seen. Hopefully some day I wil run across a set for myself. Heres a few of my boxes. First up I have a stack that I got from my grandfather before he died.

You have some very nice boxes WITH sentimental value.

 

[bluebolt]

Craftsman toolbox handles according to catalog

1957 catalog "Aluminum top handle"
1960 catalog "Large aluminum top handle"
1964 catalog "Plastisol coated steel"
1966 catalog "Steel top handles are all Plastisol coated"
1968 catalog large rectangular 20x8x9 "heavy duty handles with comfortable grip"
medium rectangular 18x8x9 "polyethylene handle"
large hip roof 19x7x8 "Plastisol coated steel"
medium hip roof 19x6x6 "polyethylene handle"
1969 catalog large rectangular 20x8x9 "heavy duty polyethylene"
medium rectangular 18x8x9 "heavy duty handle"
large hip roof 19x7x8 "heavy duty handle"
medium hip roof 19x6x6 "heavy duty polyethylene handle"
1971 Catalog large rectangular 20x8x9 "heavy duty polyethylene"
medium rectangular 18x8x9 "heavy duty handle"
large hip roof 19x7x8 "heavy duty handle"
medium hip roof 19x6x6 "heavy duty polyethylene handle"

 

[ZRX61]

ok. figured out how to remove the slides from the sliding cantilever box. All it took was the right size cable tie & a few taps in the right direction



edit:
& that was an exercise in futility.. after cleaning & lubing the slides etc they're just as stiff as they were before...

 

[SD396]

Thanks for the info on my dad's old crowntop. I would think it is from the late 50's or early 60's as that would have been around the time he finished building our house. The handle is definitely steel, no signs of any plastic coating. Unlike the picture of the similar one drivesitfar posted the crown logo is actually a stamped metal plate riveted on. Maybe that would help date it.

As for my old Beach, I really like that box but I just finally out grew it and updated to a bigger box. Not sure what I'll use it for now but I'm sure I'll fill it with something. One things for sure I won't be getting rid of it any time soon.

 

[Outlawmws]

ok. figured out how to remove the slides from the sliding cantilever box. All it took was the right size cable tie & a few taps in the right direction



edit:
& that was an exercise in futility.. after cleaning & lubing the slides etc they're just as stiff as they were before...

That looks to be a semi complicated linkage to move them, as it looks like it wants to lift them on open. What did you lube with and where? The top of the slide needs it as well.

 

[ZRX61]

Lubed the slides & the runners on the box & the drawers. Used lithium grease (Lubri-Plate)

& yes, there was a certain amount of fiddle-******* getting it apart & back together.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmmm, A couple of thoughts:

Are these the "sandwiched" slides with two pieces spot welded together?

have the mating slides worn so they are pointed and wedging into the V notch? Maybe they are shearing the lube so the wedge formed grips tight?.

Possibly the lithium is too thin? Something thicker? Beeswax maybe?

Are the hinging parts of the linkage hanging up? Have they been lubed?

Stretch thought: Is there any provision for a pre-load spring to help keep the slides moving laterally instead of vertically? (The springs may be long gone...)

Last question if the above doesn't make any progress; is it harder to open or close them, and is it harder on one side, or the other? (elevation would change the angle of attack...)

 

[A E Numan]

The slides and the leverage angles involved are the problem. Evan empty they don't want to move smoothly! I think it was a neat idea but a sorry design. The round top with a lift out tray would end up being more useful over the long term.

 

[DieselDent]

super cool score diesel.
you have a good friend to hook ya up w/ that beauty.
from the few pix id say that chest is easily mid to late late 40s

Thanks

DD: that Gertsner looks sweet and that book is the bible to a machinist. nice find and great friend too.

Thanks, lots of great reference material in the box. Yeah he said he would rather see someone use it instead of wasting away in his basement.

DD
Gerstner actually sells an oil for their boxes. I'm sure the oil can be had elsewhere but as I recall it was cheap. I do not think it had any wax but it does make the box look great. They can also ident the year for you. Check out their web site.

Thanks, ill check that out.

There are some beautiful boxes on here. I especially love the early to mid century art deco boxes I have seen. Hopefully some day I wil run across a set for myself. Heres a few of my boxes. First up I have a stack that I got from my grandfather before he died.

I have a few of these small snap on boxes but this one with a sliding drawer is one i am most fond of.

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love those small Snap-On boxes I have one just like it with the slide.

View media item 24270

 

[Tedley]

Here's a few

And


Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Tedley]

Here's a few

And





Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Outlawmws]

The slides and the leverage angles involved are the problem. Evan empty they don't want to move smoothly! I think it was a neat idea but a sorry design. The round top with a lift out tray would end up being more useful over the long term.

Hmmmm another thought? Try it WITH some weight in the trays. that might keep them from lifting and locking?

Now I want one just to see how to get it working properly...

 

[safariknut]

The slides and the leverage angles involved are the problem. Evan empty they don't want to move smoothly! I think it was a neat idea but a sorry design. The round top with a lift out tray would end up being more useful over the long term.

I have a couple different Craftsman boxes;one of them being the same as yours. When I first acquired it the trays refused to close even when it was empty. I found out the problem was where the hinges attached to the top.The metal was thin and not reinforced there which allowed it to bend inward. Didn't take much deflection to cause it to malfunction. After straightening it works with a little assistance when closing.
The other one looks identical outside but has a lift out tray whose handle forms the lock platform. The lock has a double sided hook that engages both sides of the top when turned.

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice safari!!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[taumac]

I have a couple different Craftsman boxes;one of them being the same as yours. When I first acquired it the trays refused to close even when it was empty. I found out the problem was where the hinges attached to the top.The metal was thin and not reinforced there which allowed it to bend inward. Didn't take much deflection to cause it to malfunction. After straightening it works with a little assistance when closing.

The other one looks identical outside but has a lift out tray whose handle forms the lock platform. The lock has a double sided hook that engages both sides of the top when turned.

I glad you posted pics of yours. I was interested on how the slides worked. It's a cool box.

 

[ZRX61]

Are these the "sandwiched" slides with two pieces spot welded together?

have the mating slides worn so they are pointed and wedging into the V notch? Maybe they are shearing the lube so the wedge formed grips tight?.

That's def a major part of the problem. Next time I get the urge to piss with it I'll go with wax. The stuff that was in there appeared to be old Military Spec "fuel lube"

 

[rustytruck66]

Picked theses up a few months ago...







Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[yardiron]

I found these off CL today, circa 1978.
The paint is borderline but all the slides are good and other than needing a broken key dug out of a lock, its in great shape.

 

[stage20]

I'm picking up an SK. Can't wait to get it cleaned up. No idea of its age but it has metal corners rivoted to the box. Reminds me of old wooden lockers you put at the foot of the bed

 

[yardiron]

I picked this one up last week