First Time Adventure with Snap-on Chest

[SierraDenizen]

Hi folks,

I purchased a KRA-59D (from 1980) with friction slides from Craigslist. Here's a picture of the outside on the way home:

The top shelf is the crustiest/worst part. The drawers are nice with all their paint:

All I did to the box is take it apart, thoroughly clean the slides (kerosene, Ballistol), wash and wax the cabinet and drawers, lube the slides with Paraffin wax, and put it back to together. So 'before and after' doesn't look much different. I'll take a couple of pictures in a bit when the sun is out.

Here it is at the wash station:

Although the box was empty and pretty clean when I picked it up, blowing compressed air in every opening yielded these items:

I wonder how they got lost if how long the person who lost them troubled over where these bits went

A question:
Underneath the outside cover there seems to be a spring-loaded clip to hold something, but I'm not sure what. Does anybody know what these are used for? Is there a way, now missing from my box, that you prop up the top so it exposes, this area?

Here's the picture:

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I don't believe that spring has any functionality. If I was you, I would hand sand, then wet sand that top compartment, then give it a spray with a matching coat of paint. Rustoleum's Sunrise Red would be close enough.

 

[zkling]

The spring was to hold the drawer removal shims, paper work, recepits, and the like. There is no method to prop the front cover up, and be very careful doing so as once you go past 90 it will pull the spot welds and show on the front cover. Nice box.

 

[SierraDenizen]

If I was you, I would hand sand, then wet sand that top compartment, then give it a spray with a matching coat of paint. Rustoleum's Sunrise Red would be close enough.

Lookin,
Thanks. I don't trust my painting skills enough for this. Instead, I put some draw liners on the bottom which will hopefully slow the paint from deteriorating and keep flakes off the tools.

The spring was to hold the drawer removal shims, paperwork, receipts, and the like. There is no method to prop the front cover up, and be very careful doing so as once you go past 90 it will pull the spot welds and show on the front cover. Nice box.

zkling,

Ah! Very cool! This is great to know. I used two cable ties tapped together for drawer shims. I'll keep them under the springs for next time Really happy to have access to this kind of expertise.

Here's a couple more pictures of the completed (and filled )box:

And another question:
I noticed that the drawers don't seem to slide as easily as my ball-bearing Craftsman. I believe the slides and drawers are in good shape, clean, and lubricated, but it still takes more effort than the Craftsman. Is this to be expected, or am I doing something wrong with the Snap-on?

Don't get me wrong, the Snap-on has a ton more soul and is way stronger, but I'm just wondering.

 

[jn50308401]

My Snap on friction slide drawers were like that after paint and re-lubing. Time has made them slide much easier, but they require a firm pull to get the drawers open compared to a ball bearing slide.

Nice clean up and enjoy!



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[SierraDenizen]

My Snap on friction slide drawers were like that after paint and re-lubing. Time has made them slide much easier, but they require a firm pull to get the drawers open compared to a ball bearing slide.

Nice clean up and enjoy!

Thanks! I wonder if the the drawers really slide easier over time or if we just get used to using more muscle for the firm pull

Thanks again for your insight. Super helpful.

 

[jn50308401]

Thanks! I wonder if the the drawers really slide easier over time or if we just get used to using more muscle for the firm pull

Thanks again for your insight. Super helpful.

You're welcome! using the old friction slide boxes are definately a "retro" experience, but the 3 boxes I have feel like they'll last a thousand years.

There's a box similar to yours on Craigslist right now and I'm tempted[emoji51]

I can already hear my wife saying, "you bought another what!!!!"

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[SierraDenizen]

You're welcome! using the old friction slide boxes are definately a "retro" experience, but the 3 boxes I have feel like they'll last a thousand years.

There's a box similar to yours on Craigslist right now and I'm tempted[emoji51]

I can already hear my wife saying, "you bought another what!!!!"

Completely agree, this thing is strong as an ox compared to the craftsman. Drop it off it cliff and it will hold the tools.

Well the more boxes you have the easier it is to hide the tools in them, then you are facing only one "you bought another what!!!!", instead of one for each tool

By the way, the lock and mechanism on mine is missing. I don't really want the lock, but I'm wondering if there is a way to maybe put a T-handle on there and have it open/close that way. Or maybe I should look around for a new lock mechanism? Or maybe leave it like it is?

What do you think?

 

[jn50308401]

Completely agree, this thing is strong as an ox compared to the craftsman. Drop it off it cliff and it will hold the tools.

Well the more boxes you have the easier it is to hide the tools in them, then you are facing only one "you bought another what!!!!", instead of one for each tool

By the way, the lock and mechanism on mine is missing. I don't really want the lock, but I'm wondering if there is a way to maybe put a T-handle on there and have it open/close that way. Or maybe I should look around for a new lock mechanism? Or maybe leave it like it is?

What do you think?

Haha, you've got a good point, I'm a big amazon tool buyer, so whem she's sees our account (like the swivel impact sockets I just bought) I get busted..

I have the lock cylinders in my boxes but the locks have no keys. I'm ok with that since the boxes are in my home garage and to be honest, locks only keep honest people out. My KR537 has the top cover lock all jacked up and one leg of the lock rod is broken. It's not worth the time and effort involved to get 100% working.

Snap on may have the parts to get the lock working. I say may because the older boxes don't have as many replacement parts availble. Their website is terrible, so a call or email may be the best bet.
Snap on's customer service has been very good for me.

You may get lucky and get parts, if you can, get some slides, they will wear out someday.

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[SierraDenizen]

Thanks! Maybe I'll give them a call, or more likely, let it be. If you get the chest, please post pictures

 

[zkling]

Here's a couple more pictures of the completed (and filled )box:

That looks great! I wanted one of those for a long time, their time tested box. In the end they are neat, but not all that practical today for me. Primarily due to the drawer dividers. Yes the friction slides will take more effort to pull than a ball bearing drawer, especially as weight increases. The best thing you can do is to soak the slides in a solvent, then use a rag with a bit of solvent to carefully clean out the tracks. Finally lubricate the slides with a wax based lubricant such as door ease. DO NOT use grease of any sort!!!

They are "tough" in a way and actually very fragile in another. Fragile in that IF the drop front cover or main chassis ever gets distorted/out of square it will be very difficult to get it smooth working again.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Looks great. Where's a good place to get the paraffin wax for the slides?

 

[SierraDenizen]

That looks great! I wanted one of those for a long time, their time tested box. In the end they are neat, but not all that practical today for me. Primarily due to the drawer dividers. Yes the friction slides will take more effort to pull than a ball bearing drawer, especially as weight increases. The best thing you can do is to soak the slides in a solvent, then use a rag with a bit of solvent to carefully clean out the tracks. Finally lubricate the slides with a wax based lubricant such as door ease. DO NOT use grease of any sort!!!

They are "tough" in a way and actually very fragile in another. Fragile in that IF the drop front cover or main chassis ever gets distorted/out of square it will be very difficult to get it smooth working again.

Thanks for the ccompliment zkling! Yes the slides is where I spent 90% of the effort, they are very clean now. Good to know about that front cover, I can see how that could be an issue if it got hit and out of whack.

Looks great. Where's a good place to get the paraffin wax for the slides?

Thanks NYBodyman. You can ge the wax at any large grocery store or hardware store, they keep it with the canning supplies (mason jars etc.). I usually see it in a box that is about the size of two animal cracker boxes stuck together.

 

[jn50308401]

Looks great. Where's a good place to get the paraffin wax for the slides?

×2 on the grocery store. It was in the canning aisle of our local grocery chain. 4 bucks for what would be a lifetime supply of drawer slide lubricant

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[autobon7]

Nice box........you don't have to share (Some are offended) but do you feel you scored a good deal?

 

[SierraDenizen]

Nice box........you don't have to share (Some are offended) but do you feel you scored a good deal?

Thanks! I doubt I got a good deal. It was available, close to me, not a huge project so I bought it. Not offended by the question at all. I view the project as a learning experience. It was on craigslist for a pretty long time and the seller told me that a previous guy who said he was a Snap-On collector came and told him a bunch about the box and that he was asking too much. Although I didn't pay the advertised price, I guess I paid more than the collector offered. That leads me to think not such a good deal.

It was definitely less expensive than others I see on ebay, but probably more than most on this forum would pay.

 

[autobon7]

Either way that is a nice box that I would be super proud to own. As my son would say "3 thumbs up".

 

[SierraDenizen]

Either way that is a nice box that I would be super proud to own. As my son would say "3 thumbs up".

Thank you! I did have fun cleaning it up.

 

[Packard V8]

I've been using friction slides for fifty years so I don't even notice the effort. The KRA 590D is indeed a classic. I've got three versions of that series top box, all older than yours and still sound and functional.

FWIW, if one has the space, several smaller drawers have some advantages over fewer, larger drawers. My one humongous box with all the 1/2" drive in one large drawer has gotten so heavy it's difficult to open, even with professional ball bearing slides. I'd probably be better off with the load in more smaller drawers.

I've finally got more drawer space than I've got stuff, so having the ability to sort the less-used tools into more specific categories in smaller drawers enables me to instantly find what I need. When I go into the monster 3/8"-drive and 1/2"-drive drawers, it takes more searching.

jack vines

 

[SierraDenizen]

Hi Jack,
Thanks for the reply and helpful perspective.

I've been using friction slides for fifty years so I don't even notice the effort. The KRA 590D is indeed a classic. I've got three versions of that series top box, all older than yours and still sound and functional.

Sweet! Do you have any pictures? I'd like to see how you are using them.

FWIW, if one has the space, several smaller drawers have some advantages over fewer, larger drawers. My one humongous box with all the 1/2" drive in one large drawer has gotten so heavy it's difficult to open, even with professional ball bearing slides. I'd probably be better off with the load in more smaller drawers.

Good points. You have met thinking about organization a bit more. I use 3/8" drive 90% of the time (ATVs, Chainsaws, Bicycles), so I put them in all in drawer. It's in the tallest one because that is the only one where the spark-plug wrenches could stand up in the holder:

And the next heavier drawer, the wrench drawer.

I've finally got more drawer space than I've got stuff, so having the ability to sort the less-used tools into more specific categories in smaller drawers enables me to instantly find what I need. When I go into the monster 3/8"-drive and 1/2"-drive drawers, it takes more searching.

jack vines

Yes, I'm doing some rearranging too, now that I have room to spreadout.

 

[jn50308401]

Thanks! I doubt I got a good deal. It was available, close to me, not a huge project so I bought it. Not offended by the question at all. I view the project as a learning experience. It was on craigslist for a pretty long time and the seller told me that a previous guy who said he was a Snap-On collector came and told him a bunch about the box and that he was asking too much. Although I didn't pay the advertised price, I guess I paid more than the collector offered. That leads me to think not such a good deal.

It was definitely less expensive than others I see on ebay, but probably more than most on this forum would pay.

What to pay and what a good prices are is like trying to predict the weather. Location, demand, the sellers knowledge or ignorance all come into play.

I say it's your money, you earned it and it gets you something of value that will last.

Enjoy your box it looks great!


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