The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[zkling]

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......

O... that's an obscure one, same overall as the KR288 (8 drawer) but the bottom is two smaller drawers vs one deep drawer. Keep in mind that the foam on there is 20+ years old and dried out. It doesn't need to be super firm just press against the drawers enough to prevent them from touching the door. Stroll the window/door weather stripping aisle at lowes and see what they have. I just used what I had on hand, black ~3/4" wide ~1/2" tall, peel and stick. Works fine for me.

 

[LesserSon]

This fella's had his original closers replaced.

 

[LesserSon]

His gov'nt.

 

[LesserSon]

And a Craftsman.
Update: I know repainting something with this much character isn't a popular choice, but I
have a Snap-on box that must have had something caustic in/on it and lost big patches of paint without acquiring any patina. Repainting this Craftsman is a step toward repainting the Snap-on. If you're on the fence about something similar, taking a look at the before/after pics here may sway you.
I am not a painter, so I went with rattle can. I decided to leave what was left of the original textured paint, and just scraped down the loose paint and worst rust. I used Rustoleum Painters Touch 2x dark gray as a first coat for the adhesion to bare metal, then a coat of Rustoleum Stops Rust charcoal gray. I would have preferred satin, but my HD only had gloss.
I masked off the badge and the hasps with tape. I have a can of shiny metallic silver I may hit the hasps with. It will only be cosmetic, and would likely wear off with handling. As for the metal handle, I think it was originally unpainted. I did paint it gray, and am thinking of painting it blue/gray for contrast.
The original color seemed slightly greener, but I am satisfied with the darkness. I had originally tried Sherwin Williams machine gray, but it was way too light.

 

[LesserSon]

This one needs his band cleared off, hopefully without removing the paint under the black.

 

[johnyg]

hi guys....i called snap on about foam and lock . the lady was real nice and found the right lock but couldnot find foam,she even got old books out.she did find 1 inch square pads so i got them.took thursday off to shoot the 2k red,the weather should be good.thanks......john

 

[Outlawmws]

This one needs his band cleared off, hopefully without removing the paint under the black.

Try Simple Green on some paper towel; I've had pretty good luck recovering emblems from a rattle can attack. I'l also cover the paper towel with saran wrap so it doesn't dry out.

Once the black softens, if there are some spots that are resisting, try a toothpick (soft compared to a metal pick...)

 

[carcajou]

The first Kennedy machinist's chest i have owned, picked it up last week full of old tools.

 

[beatcad]

great find. hope ya got it at a fair price.
remindes me of my dad. because it full of mechanics tools.

i wasnt born yet, but my dad said his 1st tool box was a machinist box like that.
i imagine that's what it looked like.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Looks like some quality stuff in that box. I spy a Proto ratchet, or a very good copy! I personally like the Kennedy boxes for storing small tools that would get "lost" in a larger box.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

OK Folks,

Just old is vintage?

I have my first box. New in 1979, my Rick Mears SO top box from 1983/84.

Guess I just never figured them as Vintage!

Hum! Guess I'm not 18 any more either....

Capt. Chrysler

 

[MShaw]

Hum! Guess I'm not 18 any more either....

Capt. Chrysler

Exactly the way I felt when I started thinking about the tools I purchased from 1954 - 1962.

 

[LesserSon]

Try Simple Green on some paper towel; I've had pretty good luck recovering emblems from a rattle can attack. I'l also cover the paper towel with saran wrap so it doesn't dry out.

Once the black softens, if there are some spots that are resisting, try a toothpick (soft compared to a metal pick...)

Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try.

 

[LesserSon]

The first Kennedy machinist's chest i have owned, picked it up last week full of old tools.

That is a great find. I see Bonney, SK, Walden-Worcester, Ford and Indestro wrenches peaking out there. Real nice.
Is that a 20" or 26" box? I'm scheming to get a 20" 7-drawer, but pretty sure it's empty.

 

[carcajou]

That is a great find. I see Bonney, SK, Walden-Worcester, Ford and Indestro wrenches peaking out there. Real nice.
Is that a 20" or 26" box? I'm scheming to get a 20" 7-drawer, but pretty sure it's empty.

Thanks It is a 20" chest. It have been interesting tracking down the history on some of these tools. I wish i could see the vehicles that they worked on.

 

[JHuston]

New guy here; my main box is this amalgam,



The top and intermediate box started out as the same box, but one was missing the lid; I trimmed it down to fit. I'm not sure if the Mac tag is original.The bottom box is an unknown make I purchased at a local ReStore for 3.00.

The boxes are all friction slides,





And I think the dividers in the top box are distinctive,



I also have a Kennedy intermediate box that serves as storage for lathe tooling and as a shelf for my armature lathe,




Everything else is in my blueprint cabinet under the workbench,



-James Huston

 

[ZRX61]

I have a pair of those Jacobs chucks in the original tin

I also have a Kennedy intermediate box that serves as storage for lathe tooling and as a shelf for my armature lathe,




-James Huston

 

[lilredex]

New member here from Canada. I've "wasted" quite a bit of time lurking on the forum.

If anyone has any further information on Gray boxes I'd appreciate knowing.

Thanks,

John.

Hi John,

Missed your post first time around. I have two of those upper boxes.


I also have a few catalogue pages, send me a PM if you ( and any others out there) would like copies.

Frank

 

[Makattak81]

Here's a few of my tool boxes. Three Craftsman, a Craftsman Chest, and an SK. The chest was 45 bucks, with some tools. One of the craftsman boxes had fake wood grain, so I peeled it off and painted those areas red.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

Here are a couple of toolboxes I purchased recently. First one is a Kennedy K-32 carpenter's box I got at ReStore for $10.

The second tool box I know nothing about other than the what the maker's label says: "Duplex" "Sherman, New York". It's really big and heavy - I can't imagine filling it with tools and trying to carry it. It kind of reminds me of the boxes the sports medicine people used to carry supplies to my football games in HS. Other than the added hasp, it's in excellent condition. The original hasps are rusty, but functional. Perhaps the hand-written numbers on top of the box are significant?

Paid $15.95 at Goodwill.

 

[Rileysan]

Next up is an unknown make and model top chest I got off CL. This chest is ridiculously heavy. It's pretty beat-up and if it has any maker's marks, they are covered by all the decals. Drawer slides are friction. Paid $30.


Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Final toolbox is one I have owned for decades. I don't recall where or when I purchased it, but I know me well - it was most likely at a garage sale and I wouldn't have paid much!

Can anyone identify this two-drawer toolbox?

Brian

 

[May Pop]

Riley
The top box is a RemLine. Around the mid 70s. I received a smaller version when I graduated High School in 1976. Mine is rebadged Montgomery Wards. Otherwise the same.

 

[twertsy]

Riley
The top box is a RemLine. Around the mid 70s. I received a smaller version when I graduated High School in 1976. Mine is rebadged Montgomery Wards. Otherwise the same.

Yup, there "might" be a date stamped into the inside face (behind the handle probably) of the bottom drawer if you can see it.

 

[LesserSon]

Well, the 20" deal fizzled, but I followed up on another CList and bought this 26" cab and chest. Supposed to be military surplus. Cabinet had half an inch of light gray powdery dust caked in the bottom. Plan to hose it out tomorrow when there's light enough to be thorough. Brown wrinkly paint is mostly intact, so I'll just clean it and leave it.
"I'm talkin of my sweety-pie - only sixty inches high - get a load of honey-bunch tonight!"

 

[Alienbaby17]

I recently found this on CL. The ad had been listed for a few days but I felt like the price was too high. Eventually I couldn't resist and emailed the seller and very politely asked him if it didn't sell in a few weeks at his price would he consider a figure that I felt was a more accurate valuation for what he had. He must have felt my offer was fair because he messaged me back right away and we struck a deal.

I was pretty happy. I have another older Snap On roller cabinet but it has far fewer drawers and instead has the big, open bottom compartment which I don't find nearly as useful.





The fellow I bought it from had purchased it used and still owned it longer than I have been alive! It is from 1956/57.

 

[larryq]

I recently found this on CL. The ad had been listed for a few days but I felt like the price was too high. Eventually I couldn't resist and emailed the seller and very politely asked him if it didn't sell in a few weeks at his price would he consider a figure that I felt was a more accurate valuation for what he had. He must have felt my offer was fair because he messaged me back right away and we struck a deal.

That's exactly how to handle this situation. I've done the same before, with a polite 'if you don't sell it in a couple of weeks, I'd be glad to pay X', where X is a reasonable (in my mind) price. Much better than screaming in from the start with a lowball, take-it-or-leave-it offer three hours after the post went up.

Doesn't work all the time, or even most times, but it does more often than you think. When someone's post is about to expire and they don't want to go through the hassle of relisting, and your email is sitting in the inbox waving at them it's the path of least resistance to hit the reply button and say, 'when can you come over?'

 

[Alienbaby17]

That's exactly how to handle this situation. I've done the same before, with a polite 'if you don't sell it in a couple of weeks, I'd be glad to pay X', where X is a reasonable (in my mind) price. Much better than screaming in from the start with a lowball, take-it-or-leave-it offer three hours after the post went up.

Doesn't work all the time, or even most times, but it does more often than you think. When someone's post is about to expire and they don't want to go through the hassle of relisting, and your email is sitting in the inbox waving at them it's the path of least resistance to hit the reply button and say, 'when can you come over?'

Exactly. I feel like a lot of it has to with the approach. I always try to be respectful, honest and fair. I think it would work on me if the situation were reversed.

 

[rmalkow2]

Picked up this Craftsman top box off CL today, made in Jan 1972 and USA made.
It has some normal scratches on the exterior and the occasional dent in the lid to be expected. Also a little surface rust here and there. Nothing a good wipe down with WD-40 won't fix. No key but it will be used in my basement workshop for hand tools. PO even had drawer liners cut to fit that are all intact and still usable. A little slide lube and it will soon be filled with tools.

 

[Gearheadwilly]

KR 53 from late 50's on top of the red KR560 from '86 the krsc46 cart in the middle is too new I know but it's the only pic of all my boxes together. The ********* box is KRL 1001 from '96 same for the KRL1012 locker (that I'll be painting to match the big box asap) not sure on model number or year for the riser on top. I completely restored the 1001 a couple years ago, it was in horrible condition Snap on warrantied all the slides, castors, locks etc. Hope to restore the 560 next year.

 

[LesserSon]

Picked up this Craftsman top box off CL today, made in Jan 1972 and USA made.
It has some normal scratches on the exterior and the occasional dent in the lid to be expected. Also a little surface rust here and there. Nothing a good wipe down with WD-40 won't fix. No key but it will be used in my basement workshop for hand tools. PO even had drawer liners cut to fit that are all intact and still usable. A little slide lube and it will soon be filled with tools.

Where did you find the manufacturing date? I'm looking for one on mine, and no luck in top right drawer (or anywhwere else). I'm thinking the textured paint is thick enough to obscure it.

 

[BlueBomber]

Where did you find the manufacturing date? I'm looking for one on mine, and no luck in top right drawer (or anywhwere else). I'm thinking the textured paint is thick enough to obscure it.

Look in the top of the box, left side compartment, I believe.

 

[woodblock]

This was my father's Snap-On box that he worked out of at the Pontiac dealership, where he started at, and out of his own body-shop for the past thirty-plus years.

I don't know much about it and since he repainted it in the late nineties I cannot locate the "KRA" number or manufacture date. Anybody know?

 

[zkling]

KRA396, mid 70s or later.

 

[woodblock]

Thanks.

 

[Outlawmws]

WoodB, considering where that is sitting, did you know there is storage in the back of your fathers box? its really meant to to be used from the shop floor, rather than against a wall.

 

[rmalkow2]

Where did you find the manufacturing date? I'm looking for one on mine, and no luck in top right drawer (or anywhwere else). I'm thinking the textured paint is thick enough to obscure it.

The date as shown in my one pic was found in the very top of the box left front corner area. They are not always easy to see especially when dirty. I had to rub that area a bit with some WD40 on a rag to get it clean and then the little bit of shine helped to see the stamped date and "Made in USA".

 

[twertsy]

The date as shown in my one pic was found in the very top of the box left front corner area. They are not always easy to see especially when dirty. I had to rub that area a bit with some WD40 on a rag to get it clean and then the little bit of shine helped to see the stamped date and "Made in USA".

To clarify, it should be on the tray floor, far left side, just in front of center depth. See the inset picture here on my site for reference.

 

[Rileysan]

Here's an unusual brand of toolbox. This is actually the first Hammet toolbox to be shown on GJ!

The former owner was a machinist for a railroad company. His son-in-law has been selling off the estate since his death more than 18 months ago. I hate to think what I might have missed ...


Embossed on both lid halves is:

"Hammet Prods. Co."
"Hamilton Ohio USA"
"41 - 8 - 1840"

Also in the picture is a Craftsman crown top toolbox I purchased from the same seller.

Brian

 

[RHJO51]

Hey Guys, my first time posting to this thread. I just picked up a old toolbox and wondering if anyone can help identify it. I thought the top and bottom were matching - they aren't. I believe the top has a Blackhawk label on it, nothing on the bottom. Any ideas what each piece is? Age? Good and solid, might need a little paint... Thanks - Jim