The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Dang, nice find BC! 
I was picking up a few items at a garage sale and the dude gave me this 74' Sears "TOWER" cabinet/desk. He beat the **** out of it when he lost the key apparently.....so key cylinders need to be replaced or removed, lots of surface rust on this thing also. I'm thinking about refinishing it and welding on some casters. Anyone know anything about these things?
S14, I have a Tower brand tanker desk I posted in the tanker desk thread, do a search and you'll see it. Same color and name tag, I'm jealous of that cabinet you found! It's sad the monkey beat on it instead of finding another way in but you should be able to massage it back into shape if you're careful. Post a pic of the front and back of the lock cylinder and we'll see if we can help with finding a replacement. Also post pics of the doors open if you can, that thing is awesome!
Btw, please don't weld casters on it, if anything make a base for the casters from an old bed frame and mount them on it. You can usually find old bed frames free.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk
Btw, please don't weld casters on it, if anything make a base for the casters from an old bed frame and mount them on it. You can usually find old bed frames free.
Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk
Last edited:
twertsy
Well-known member
twertsy
Well-known member
I was picking up a few items at a garage sale and the dude gave me this 74' Sears "TOWER" cabinet/desk. He beat the **** out of it when he lost the key apparently.....so key cylinders need to be replaced or removed, lots of surface rust on this thing also. I'm thinking about refinishing it and welding on some casters. Anyone know anything about these things?
I got one of those years ago at an outdoor auction for free.noone bid on it so
They included it in a tool lot i bought right next to it.Mine had a little mini safe
In it behind the right hand door.My wife made me get rid of it when we moved
Into the house were in now.those metal cabinets were a dime a dozen ten years ago.Now there getting there just do.always thought industrial was cool as ****.
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
I was picking up a few items at a garage sale and the dude gave me this 74' Sears "TOWER" cabinet/desk. He beat the **** out of it when he lost the key apparently.....so key cylinders need to be replaced or removed, lots of surface rust on this thing also. I'm thinking about refinishing it and welding on some casters. Anyone know anything about these things?
I suddenly need one of those! Lol
MattVette89
Well-known member
Nice finds everyone!
jn50308401
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2015
- Messages
- 315
Oh man.. I"ll give ya 60 for it as they say.. nicely bought..
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
ALL: i didn't buy this little carry box because i already might own 50 of them, but this one did almost go home with me. leather handle and made from very thick old plastic with metal corners. no name to see anywhere, but for a plastic box it was solid and nice and light.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Drives I don't know what they called that stuff, but I don't think its plastic. If it's what I think it is, it's sort of between heavy leather and heavy cardboard, and I can't recall ever knowing its actual name or what it actually was made of.
Hard to bend, and it tends to want to flatten back out...
Hard to bend, and it tends to want to flatten back out...
R-Savage
Well-known member
I have my father's Snap on Rick Mears tool chest and cabinet. Once I can get pics up I will share.
freeisforme
Member
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- Jan 20, 2016
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- 14
I was just on the Snap On truck last week. He's got a top/bottom combo just like that for $1100 if I pay cash. He started out at $2100. I was going to offer him $800 this week but he sold it to someone else in another shop. He claims he sold it for asking price to a guy at a dealer down the road.
Either way, I'd have jumped on it for $800, maybe even a grand.
His wasn't nearly as clean looking as your top box either.
This is on my local craigslist. I think it's a 80's snap on kr555 & kr650 with side table/cabinet attachments. He's asking $550, it currently has no key but he's trying to get a locksmith over before he shows it because he's firm on his $550. the pics show a few dented drawers (he says all drawers open and close smooth and straight). The box has been stored indoors and I doubt there is any rust or weathering out here in NV. just needs to be degreased and waxed perhaps. I guess my question is, what would you offer? Is his asking price decent? I need a larger box, and to be honest, i was looking at a hf 56" since there's a coupon available. -Home mechanic here, not a pro, just running out of room in 3 random toolboxes.
That's very fair as long as there are no mechanical issues with it and it's unlocked. I think they are both KR5xx series (meaning all friction slides) except for possibly the bottom most drawer. I don't think they offered the KR655 (ball bearing bottom box) with 9 drawers, only the KR555. Those are early to mid 80s boxes, side box is from the 70s, probably 3 drawer, one shelf KR274.
thanks! i went to go check it out, 7 drawers total need the rails looking at as usually one side would not come out with the drawer, almost every drawer had paint chips on the bottom front of the drawer, and he didn't have the chance to get it re-keyed. Also the top hinge on one side is broken....He will only go down to $500. I'm going to sleep on it, if it sells meanwhile, oh well. I think I rather have a box that is ready to throw tools in right away vs a fixer upper.
taumac
Well-known member
Are the retainers just broke off or slides worn out? I really like those boxes but my concern is the channels in the drawers and box the the rails slide worn through the metal.
it looked like the slides were worn out (i know replacements could be had), but a few channels looked like they were bent (wavy) from when he disassembled for the move from reno. He also didn't know what I was talking about when I asked about the drawer release tool, I'm not sure if he just ripped them out or what, it's a good deal if someone has the time to do a proper restore on it. I just need something I can throw my tools in right away and start to use so i passed.
Why does that not surprise me, usually those that are that arrogant in the ad with promises of "will do before" are usually the most ignorant and dishonest. I've really shyed away from the friction slide boxes as parts are getting difficult to obtain, even paying out of pocket. Seeing as how most friction slide pro boxes have ~25 years of wear already on them, they are not all that realistic for a heavy user box.
taumac
Well-known member
Probably a good thing you passed. I had a buddy get a Snap on box dirt keep and you can't get the fiction glides for drawer or box from Snap On. He's either gonna make new from sheet metal or convert to to BB slides.
CornwellTools
Active member
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- Mar 29, 2014
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- 30
That is sweet!
Joes89yj
Well-known member
Picked up a few old boxes this weekend... The Craftsman and Powr-Kraft were stuffed full of old miscellaneous tools and odds and ends that I'm still trying to go through. The Huot is in great shape and was built into an old man's workbench. Some of the original brochures were left in it as well. I think they were a pretty good score at $100 for the 3 of them.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140082039@N08/24876480755/in/album-72157664421980495/" title="image1"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1473/24876480755_17c700b44b_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="image1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140082039@N08/24876480755/in/album-72157664421980495/" title="image1"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1473/24876480755_17c700b44b_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="image1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140082039@N08/24508881499/in/album-72157664421980495/" title="image2"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1684/24508881499_ca68e36954_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="image2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That was a nice score! more pics of them open Please?
bagged89s10
Well-known member
Joes89yj
Well-known member
Still digging through them now... Pretty much got through all the drawers. The tools up top is what's left after throwing out the broken and just junk. Quite a bit of cool old stuff in them.
The Craftsman has been used and used hard but it should still clean up fairly good.
Just one bucket of unusable stuff. Guys wife made his post both the craftsman and Powr-Kraft up with tools for $60 because "nobody wants your old ****".
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The Craftsman has been used and used hard but it should still clean up fairly good.
Just one bucket of unusable stuff. Guys wife made his post both the craftsman and Powr-Kraft up with tools for $60 because "nobody wants your old ****".
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NedNorton
Well-known member
Here are my old Snap-On boxes. All friction slides. I've had them since the late 80's/ early 90's. Good friction slide boxes are a joy to use. Cheap ones are just bad. Neglected good boxes can be cleaned up and made to work like new without a lot of hammer work, most times just a lot of degreasing. The paint usually can be brought back with a little rubbing compound also. These old Snap-On boxes are built super tough. I've never seen one that was just worn out beyond use. OMMV.
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
Off-Street Parking
Well-known member
softailgarage
Well-known member
Still digging through them now... Pretty much got through all the drawers. The tools up top is what's left after throwing out the broken and just junk. Quite a bit of cool old stuff in them.
The Craftsman has been used and used hard but it should still clean up fairly good.
Just one bucket of unusable stuff. Guys wife made his post both the craftsman and Powr-Kraft up with tools for $60 because "nobody wants your old ****".
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's too bad those micrometers weren't taken better care of. That Monkey Wards box could very easily pass for an old Remline. I have to wonder if maybe Remline made the boxes for Wards.
twertsy
Well-known member
Sweet Score Joe!
jquail
Member
New member here from Canada. I've "wasted" quite a bit of time lurking on the forum.
I do some light metal work (no welding unfortunately) and some woodwork and general around the house repair work.
A few years ago my brother gave me this box. I saw a photo of a similar one away back in this thread and understand it is a Gray, possibly made by Beech. My brother (who has since passed away) was a mechanic and I have no idea where he got this. He said if I didn't take it he'd throw it out.
Since then I've used it to store my metric wrenches and odds and ends of taps, dies and small air tools.
The black intermediate box under it is a recent new purchase from a local store - certainly not vintage.
It is in generally good condition and appears to have been lined with green outdoor carpet. It also includes the small takeout box in the top. There were no keys with it however I had the lock rekeyed.
I did read somewhere on this forum an opinion that the covers like this were inexpensive to make. I like them because it's another layer of dust protection along with closed drawers. Dust is an ongoing problem in my small wood working area.
If anyone has any further information on Gray boxes I'd appreciate knowing.
Thanks,
John.
I do some light metal work (no welding unfortunately) and some woodwork and general around the house repair work.
A few years ago my brother gave me this box. I saw a photo of a similar one away back in this thread and understand it is a Gray, possibly made by Beech. My brother (who has since passed away) was a mechanic and I have no idea where he got this. He said if I didn't take it he'd throw it out.
Since then I've used it to store my metric wrenches and odds and ends of taps, dies and small air tools.
The black intermediate box under it is a recent new purchase from a local store - certainly not vintage.
It is in generally good condition and appears to have been lined with green outdoor carpet. It also includes the small takeout box in the top. There were no keys with it however I had the lock rekeyed.
I did read somewhere on this forum an opinion that the covers like this were inexpensive to make. I like them because it's another layer of dust protection along with closed drawers. Dust is an ongoing problem in my small wood working area.
If anyone has any further information on Gray boxes I'd appreciate knowing.
Thanks,
John.
Schwammer
New member
Unknown Hazet toolbox
Hi, I'm Marcel from Germany and i bought an old Hazet toolbox today. I've never seen something like this before. On one side it has drawers and on the other side is also space for tools. And the last "drawer" is a step. Maybe some Hazet expert know more about it. The last owner think it was made for janitors, because of the step.
Hi, I'm Marcel from Germany and i bought an old Hazet toolbox today. I've never seen something like this before. On one side it has drawers and on the other side is also space for tools. And the last "drawer" is a step. Maybe some Hazet expert know more about it. The last owner think it was made for janitors, because of the step.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'm assuming the wheels are part of it? I'd think the "step" if used would tip the thing over? Are there any folding supports on it to prevent that?
I doubt janitor, but for building maintenance maybe.
I doubt janitor, but for building maintenance maybe.
Schwammer
New member
Yes the black part with the wheels is connected to the box. Inside the step are two foldable additional wheels.
johnyg
Well-known member
hi guys...found this site when i was home from surgery and thought it would be a good idea to restore one. found an 80,s so side box with door and drawers.after a few days of cleaning,sanding,primer and more sanding i am ready to paint.im using 2k single stage matched from a drawer at paint store.still need to get a key and am trying to find the rubber strip on back of the door that keeps drawers closed.any ideas????? THANKS JOHN.
I just use a piece of sticky back foam weather stripping from the hardware store. What box do you have, 3 drawer? 8 drawer?
johnyg
Well-known member
HI zkling...thanks for your response.i have the kr289a with 9 drawers,rust and dents.i looked at the weather strip but it wasnt as dense as the stuff i had to take off,chunks missing and rotted.i was a mechanic 30 years ago and this will hang on my old snap on box.between the paint,sandpaper and my labor i probably could have got a new one,but wheres the fun in that......
