The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
rickhigginshtbr
Well-known member
That is a sweet Proto!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Usuck; that is all.
Really enjoying this thread, although at page 20 I have a long way to go to get caught up.
So here's what has me interested in hanging out here.
I've been on the lookout for an older box when this popped up on Clist only 5 minutes away. It was only minutes old when I called the PO to go have a look. Happy with what I found, we loaded it up for the quick ride to its new home. It does have some flaws, mainly the front has been bent down causing the top drawers to misalign. I've already ripped the carpet that was glued onto the top and into the drawer bottoms, going to be a mess removing the dried glue. With only $40 into it I don't mind taking the time to fix the boogers.
A question on the age, I'm guessing late 60's early 70's?
Blue Frog
Well-known member
While most of the vintage tool boxes shown on this thread have been metal, here's one I think some will enjoy seeing - a vintage machinist chest - user made from old treadle sewing machine cabinets to show off as much quarter-sawn oak as possible. Sized at 16 1/4' by 11 1/2" by 8 1/2", it was probably made in the 1920's or 1930's, based on the deterioration of the mirror inside the lid and the fact that it was professionally refinished in Kalamazoo, MI in 1979.
Blue Frog
Blue Frog
econotrk
Well-known member
That's the plan I had in mind, also going to support it underneath so I don't bend the bottom instead of the top.
Thanks Rick, something about Proto I always liked
Usuck; that is all.
Thanks Outlaw, any idea who made the Proto? I have a grey/red Craftsman that looks like it's cousin.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Econo, I'm sure it's been discussed, but I don't remember. Post pic of the slides and the top corner construction of the box itself and likely ZK will weigh in. he's a guru on box mfgs.
taumac
Well-known member
Well Waterloo made Craftsman and that box construction looks like my 75 G/R
With drawer layout of my 65 G/R
It does have same drawer construction, slide and clip as my 75 G/R
I did see on G/R between around a 1979 that which had same drawer layout, box construction, and which those friction slides. So thinking it was made by Waterloo.
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smschriefer
Well-known member
Econo, the Proto box is the same as a Mac/Matco box from the 80's. I can't recall the exact model number, but it starts with MB. There should be a date/model stamp on the outside of the box lower left corner of the left side. I hope that makes sense. Great find and yes, you ****!
twertsy
Well-known member
I think it's on the right side, on the front face of the frame just above the right caster.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Taumac, the frame at the top sure looks the same as your '75. not so much on the '65.
So I'm leaning Waterloo also.
sms - "MB" = maybe MBC (Century) ? I know they made boxes for Snap-on and others back in the day.
So I'm leaning Waterloo also.
sms - "MB" = maybe MBC (Century) ? I know they made boxes for Snap-on and others back in the day.
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econotrk
Well-known member
Here's a few pics, also a pic of my Craftsman that I got new in the mid 70's, the reason I liked this Proto right away is the similar drawer layout which I always liked.
I found the numbers, gotta run to work now. Too late for me to have a good look at it, but that's where they were, thanks.
Also included a pic for scale of the wheels, the Proto ones are a much larger diameter. Also, my Craftsman has single slides on all the drawers, Proto has double slides each side on the large bottom drawers. I included a pic of the sides, the Craftsman is set in while the Proto is flush. Interesting.
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taumac
Well-known member
Your correct. Here's one I almost bought.
It's was iirc date stamp early 70's. Plus I have the ad for it.
taumac
Well-known member
bobcatdan
Well-known member
The Proto box is a Waterloo. Only craftsman used the I frame side panel construction. Waterloo did not on theirs. Also while not identical, Waterloo of that era used drawer pulls like the Proto.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Picked up this versa toolbox this week, with a 4" Parker vise, for $100. Had an 1/8" metal top made for it and mounted my 3.5" Samson vise on it. Plan to use it for my vise restorations. The round item is an 8" magnetic chuck which I use to hold the vises I'm working on. It is not bolted to the table.
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econotrk
Well-known member
Thanks for the info, I'm going to be on the lookout for a top box.
safariknut
Well-known member
Scored this old leatherette-covered wooden machinists' tool chest at the Monroe(MI)Swap Meet last week. Not perfect but in decent shape. Someone had affixed the date(1924)inside the lid.
There were a couple of problems that have since been rectified. The front cover brackets were broken(made new ones)and there were two knobs missing. I bought a couple new knobs at a local building supply shop that were close matches.I may go back and get enough to replace them all.The bottom drawer didn't slide well and I found that the groove is cut into the drawer was worn away to the point that it would fall down on one side.I cut up a piece of thin sheet brass(bent the edge to ride smoothly against the rail)and affixed it to the drawer.
The lock had been taken apart and never put back together. Took about ten minutes to fix and the original key was in one of the drawers.Someone had nailed the escutcheon on the front panel on an angle.Pulled it off and properly installed it.
Got some new drawer lining material(temporary until I can get some new felt)and cut it to fit.
I now have a nice usable machinists' box for about $27. Twenty for the box;three for the knobs and three plus for the liner. Still have to give it a good cleaning.
There were a couple of problems that have since been rectified. The front cover brackets were broken(made new ones)and there were two knobs missing. I bought a couple new knobs at a local building supply shop that were close matches.I may go back and get enough to replace them all.The bottom drawer didn't slide well and I found that the groove is cut into the drawer was worn away to the point that it would fall down on one side.I cut up a piece of thin sheet brass(bent the edge to ride smoothly against the rail)and affixed it to the drawer.
The lock had been taken apart and never put back together. Took about ten minutes to fix and the original key was in one of the drawers.Someone had nailed the escutcheon on the front panel on an angle.Pulled it off and properly installed it.
Got some new drawer lining material(temporary until I can get some new felt)and cut it to fit.
I now have a nice usable machinists' box for about $27. Twenty for the box;three for the knobs and three plus for the liner. Still have to give it a good cleaning.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
#0000 steel wool on the drawer fronts
https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1554420_10202877980503317_1142057341760743622_n.jpg?oh=0188945c1bcae098379dc2b2606f4ef6&oe=57A3ECD6
https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10153630_10202877980623320_3339327736363060566_n.jpg?oh=8b8ec1d220403061bba397da51c80dc5&oe=57736056
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Safari, I would start with Murphy's oil soap on those drawer fronts. Getting the gunge off is where you want to start.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Beautiful! ^^
econotrk
Well-known member
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
I really like that SK box, great patina as well
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Safari: you've always had a great eye for cool old boxes and that wood old Union box might be one of the best ones yet. WELL DONE SIR
Joe: is everything shiny in your shop? Dang you'll have to start wearing sunglasses in there in the winter. of course if you are able to get in there this winter with all the COOL STUFF you have found and bring home. also i'm a little confused how you have that round chuck hold a vise. do you put it your rotating vise (forgot the name of the steel on you like) and use it there or do you have any pictures of it you can post on the 101 or main vise thread?
Joe: is everything shiny in your shop? Dang you'll have to start wearing sunglasses in there in the winter. of course if you are able to get in there this winter with all the COOL STUFF you have found and bring home. also i'm a little confused how you have that round chuck hold a vise. do you put it your rotating vise (forgot the name of the steel on you like) and use it there or do you have any pictures of it you can post on the 101 or main vise thread?
joe.striper
Well-known member
The round chuck is a magnetic chuck and weighs around 30 lbs. I just put whatever Im working on it and the combined weigh holds it in place. I worked on a Reed 106 the other day, just laid it on the chuck and wire wheeled away.
joe.striper
Well-known member
Union ZRX61? Educate me brother...i dont know what that is?
Username already in use
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This one has been used and abused, I like to think of it as being battle hardened.
The bottom and mid boxes were craigslist finds at a whopping $25 from several months ago. The top box was a random Monday purchase from the recycling yard for $10. I would have liked to find the wider machinist box for the top, but hey, $35 all in ain't bad!
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The bottom and mid boxes were craigslist finds at a whopping $25 from several months ago. The top box was a random Monday purchase from the recycling yard for $10. I would have liked to find the wider machinist box for the top, but hey, $35 all in ain't bad!
-0lllll0-
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twertsy
Well-known member
This one has been used and abused, I like to think of it as being battle hardened.
The bottom and mid boxes were craigslist finds at a whopping $25 from several months ago. The top box was a random Monday purchase from the recycling yard for $10. I would have liked to find the wider machinist box for the top, but hey, $35 all in ain't bad!
-0lllll0-
Ain't bad at all.............nice snags.
joe.striper
Well-known member
drives, here is the chuck in action. pretty robust magnet if I do say so
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Cato
Well-known member
Your correct. Here's one I almost bought.
Wow, prices haven't changed much in 45 years.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Unfortunately, the quality has...
I picked this box up last night off the free section of Craigslist along with a workbench that had a Wilton vise on it, which is what I actually went for. I almost left it behind but decided at the last minute to go ahead and throw it in the back of my truck. It's rough and missing the casters but when I got it home and pulled down the cover, I saw the big old Mac Tools tag on the front. I'll clean it up, put a clear coat on it along with new casters and happily find a place for it in my garage next to my 1950s Craftsman setup. Unfortunately, I don't see any markings indicating a manufacture date nor am I able to find any images online that resemble this box. I sure would like to find a top box for it but I just don't see anything that matches it. Not sure why the images are rotated.
Brad
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Brad
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taumac
Well-known member
toddmp
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very similar construction to the green craftsman box I picked up a few pages back. todd
taumac
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Picked this up at an auction today, decent condition. It is built like a tank, does anyone know who made this? Original handle is missing but the tray is there.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Nice old carry box Sam. Not sure of a maker but it's most likely pre-WW2 and would have had a leather handle. You're lucky to have the tray inside. Those always seem to be gone when I find an old box like that.
taumac
Well-known member
Picked this up at an auction today, decent condition. It is built like a tank, does anyone know who made this? Original handle is missing but the tray is there.
Interesting old box. I'm sure Outlaw knows....
Outlawmws
Well-known member
No clue, but Google seemed to lean in the direction that it was an on base (not mobile; not to be taken in the field?) tool box for WWII Jeeps in the military?
taumac
Well-known member
No clue, but Google seemed to lean in the direction that it was an on base (not mobile; not to be taken in the field?) tool box for WWII Jeeps in the military?
Sorry, didn't mean to set you up to fail there. Would I military box of that era have a lock like that or more like a system to use a padlock?