Bought an old Plomb Toolbox

[DuroChrome]

I have been scouring eBay, CL, and any other sites I can find (including this one) for plomb toolboxes for my Plomb tools. I saw this one and it looked familiar...I'm pretty sure I've seen it for sale before. I wasn't able to buy it before and this time I was hoping to have better luck.

Score! I think it's a toolmobile, but I'm not positive as it doesn't have the piston rack.

 

[DuroChrome]

More pics...

 

[DuroChrome]

Logo

 

[thehorse13]

You should send that to me for research purposes.

Nice score. I would love to have that box.

 

[twertsy]

You should send that to me for research purposes.

Nice score. I would love to have that box.

That way it'd be closer for me to get it...............

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Very cool toolbox.

 

[DuroChrome]

It needs some repair and restoration...the wheels are not original, the bottom door flap is stiff, there are some holes drilled in the top, etc. I'm hoping to do a functional restoration. I haven't searched yet, but any restoration advice is welcome.

I bet twertsy has some cool pictures and brochures of the toolmobile...

 

[Rileysan]

Nice find! Did you get it locally?

Brian

 

[DuroChrome]

No, it is in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm having a friend pick it up for me.

 

[thehorse13]

Restoring a toolbox is more involved than one would think. Getting the paint off and finding replacement parts can be a tricky affair.

If you have a blaster, you need to be careful with the thinner parts of the metal or else you'll warp the piss out of it and ruin your project.

Create a restoration thread and show us your progress.

Again, you really should donate that box to my tool museum. lol.

 

[bsg1]

nice pickup. i saw it on ebay and was tempted.

 

[tym]

Nice box! Would love to have one like it.

 

[Beerman]

nice pickup. i saw it on ebay and was tempted.

OK, I'll be rude.

How much??????

 

[drivesitfar]

DC: since you and a few others here got the PLVMB bug i see less and less of them laying on the ground. nice find and i can't blow up the pics to see them very good with my old eyes so can you post some more or post them PHOTOBUCKET style?

nice find

 

[DuroChrome]

I will post up better pics when I receive it. I paid $205 for it, which I thought was fair.
Link:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/361680346062?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&_mwBanner=1#vi__app-cvip-panel

 

[bsg1]

I will post up better pics when I receive it. I paid $205 for it, which I thought was fair.
Link:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/361680346062?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&_mwBanner=1#vi__app-cvip-panel

you've purchased a nice piece that could benefit from some attention. Plomb boxes continue to rise in cost as the tools they house continue to rise in popularity.

 

[DuroChrome]

I purchased a smaller box from a GJ member a few months ago, it is in great condition for its age. I was thinking of setting it on top of my toolmobile because I don't have the piston rack, but part of me wants to restore it properly.

I have been amassing some Plomb tools and older proto toolboards to mount on the wall. That way I can display my wrench and socket collections!

 

[montanafordman]

Very nice score!! Looks to be in decent shape too with the original paint and casters. Does it have the locking bar and original lock also? If it has the original lock I happen to know the key blank is an Illinois 1041P. I'm sure there is an Ilco equivalent but I'm not sure what that is. I was lucky enough to have the original lock and keys and found new illinois blanks for it and had them cut at the local locksmith. You might be surprised at how nice the original paint might look after some work cleaning it. I'm looking forward to a full report with more detailed pictures!

Here are some photos of mine:

 

[DuroChrome]

It does have the locking bar but I am not sure about the keys. Where does the little tray go? What material (wood composite?) is mounted on top of your box? Thanks for the info!

 

[softailgarage]

I believe the Plomb boxes were made by Pressteel of El Monte, Ca. Pressteel was a office furniture company (sort of like Steelcase). I have a Pressteel cabinet and it looks just like what you have, from the white stripe to the embossed name & lock bar. There is not a lot of info out there for Pressteel and I've only seen 3

 

[montanafordman]

It does have the locking bar but I am not sure about the keys. Where does the little tray go? What material (wood composite?) is mounted on top of your box? Thanks for the info!

My tray slides on the top edges of the second drawer. I suppose it would work in the third also but it seems to be worn in, and slides best on the second drawer. I have a tote tray in my third drawer that is too tall to use in conjunction with the sliding tray in the same drawer anyway. Also I don't have any surface on the top of the box. Its just a textured 70 year old mix of paint, grease, and dirt.

Top Drawer:

Middle Drawer:

Bottom Drawer:

 

[DuroChrome]

Awesome! Thanks for posting more pictures.

 

[Gear Wolf]

Whoa! No way! That is some special you have there! Thank you very much for sharing this!