Zeeman
Well-known member
Good call Outlaw. Shipping would be more than I would want to pay for the box. It is tempting because I need two, and can't even find one locally.
The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Hi, my first post on GJ, here's some of my old favourites...
Talco british made small box from 1986, I painted it green to match the Land Rover after rusting due to some ammonium nitrate going where it shouldn't..
Claas combine harvester box from the 1960's, repainted it in original colour. Love the recessed handle, and I still have most of the tools that came in it.
Handmade box from WW2, Grandfather used it for fireproof document storage during the blitz, beautifully hand rolled edges over wire. Original green paint inside, I repainted the outside.
Talco british made small box from 1986, I painted it green to match the Land Rover after rusting due to some ammonium nitrate going where it shouldn't..
Claas combine harvester box from the 1960's, repainted it in original colour. Love the recessed handle, and I still have most of the tools that came in it.
Handmade box from WW2, Grandfather used it for fireproof document storage during the blitz, beautifully hand rolled edges over wire. Original green paint inside, I repainted the outside.
Attachments
Farmer J.
Well-known member
rmalkow2
Well-known member
Nice boxes all Farmer J but, I really like the handmade one from your grandfather, unique and looks to be very well made.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Thanks. That old box of Grandfathers sort of set the standard for me.. It's totally rigid and the lid hinges and latches perfectly, the hand crimped corners are so neat too.. I used to see it on the bench and it set the standard of how I expect things to be made, so not impressed with those new chinese made boxes for sale today, with the metal so thin it bends in your fingers.!
The only thing that comes close is my snap on stuff.. Saw your Jeep rebuild thread, looks like a good project, hope you get the PTO working and find something to power with it as gear drive accessories are just better.. Mechanical winch maybe?
honza.vosalik
Well-known member
honza.vosalik
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TalonFE
Well-known member
Machinists' Box.....I have my Dads that he bought new a really long time ago, around 1960 after we all moved for his new job. Friction slides work just like new, still have the key even. Different craftsman's logo than this one, though. An awesome box that I still use everyday. Saw one on FleaBay that had the matching rolling bottom cabinet, together for $625.00. Kind of crazy I think.
FJ 432
Well-known member
Very nice boxes and I love the green to match the Rover. Your grandfather's box however is priceless. Thanks for sharing.
smschriefer
Well-known member
I picked up a machinist chest this weekend for $60. It is a Craftsman made by Union. I'm guessing early 40's based on the logo. It was in rough shape. The wood was very dry. I applied tung oil and that made a huge difference. Now I just need to wax the drawer runners and it should be good for a few more years. It even has the original key.
Rileysan
Well-known member
honza.vosalik
Well-known member
No, I haven't, but it's tempting.
May Pop
Well-known member
Even the tool boxes in Calif don't rust.
honza.vosalik
Well-known member
Well, the posting has been deleted by author, I guess that means someone else bought it.
I picked up a machinist chest this weekend for $60. It is a Craftsman made by Union. I'm guessing early 40's based on the logo. It was in rough shape. The wood was very dry. I applied tung oil and that made a huge difference. Now I just need to wax the drawer runners and it should be good for a few more years. It even has the original key.
damn dude! thats and awesome score
taumac
Well-known member
What I notice especially with the early G/R era is the carried features over from the Hertiage era. Then you'll see changes in drawer layout and handles in the later years before then went with newer color change to R/B. After awhile you can tell by small details what year by looking at it. Honestly I thought those recessed handles where later than 72 more like 75, 76. I once again learned something new.
taumac
Well-known member
I'll second this. ^^^^^^. Awesome to find that chest in such great of space as that. Can't beat the price either.
maxcarp709
Well-known member
I picked this up off of CL last week.This is made by Duplex.It is made of heavier gauge steel than the average tool chest,and very well made.It even came with a tool tray that is very nice.
maxcarp709
Well-known member
Another pic in different light
and sitting on its new home,a PowerKraft roll away chest I rescued from the curb a while back
and sitting on its new home,a PowerKraft roll away chest I rescued from the curb a while back
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Was Duplex the Mfg? or a reseller brand for someone else? (maybe MBC?)
Pics of drawer interiors and slides?
Pics of drawer interiors and slides?
honza.vosalik
Well-known member
maxcarp709
Well-known member
Duplex was the Mfr.Here is a short history of Duplex
http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2012/12/vanished-tool-makes-duplex-toolboxes.html
I will post some pics of the drawers and slides later after I wake up.The tool tray is an ingenious piece,the way the handle is folded makes for a comfortable grip.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
More than a bit HV, unless you are dying for that particular model...
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That is a very short (and interesting) history, but nothing in it is definitive that they were an actual manufacturer. Catalogs do not = manufacturing capacity. (ask Sears/Craftsman....) if they were a Mfg., then the old cantilever box shown in the link was also very similar to boxes sold by SO back in the 30's/40's well before SO got into actually making boxes.
furbis
Well-known member
Picked this up from an auction, I'm pretty sure it's over 20 years old but I'm not exactly sure which model taco cart it is. And because I know someone will ask I gave right under 4 bills for it, probably more than its worth but I have wanted one for a while as if that's a good excuse for over paying.[emoji12]
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FJ 432
Well-known member
Picked this up from an auction, I'm pretty sure it's over 20 years old but I'm not exactly sure which model taco cart it is. And because I know someone will ask I gave right under 4 bills for it, probably more than its worth but I have wanted one for a while as if that's a good excuse for over paying.[emoji12]
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Nice buy. I would have paid that.
maxcarp709
Well-known member
Was Duplex the Mfg? or a reseller brand for someone else? (maybe MBC?)
Pics of drawer interiors and slides?[/QUOTE
]Ok Here are some pics
Top Compartment
Top Drawer
Top Drawer slide
Drawer seam
Bottom drawer slide
Lug in top compartment
maxcarp709
Well-known member
I have never seen any other boxes quite like the Duplex,so I do not think that they were re-badged boxes from MBC or someone like that.What I have seen is a P&C box that is built exactly like this one,but in a 2 drawer configuration.As we know P&C and Pendelton later became Proto.As I said before,it feels like this box is made from heavier gauge steel than a standard box from that era,and the impression I get is that it was made using simpler,more labor intensive methods,than the competition.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
That may be, however pics of the slides and drawers can answer a lot of these questions. There are a lot of guys that know the distinctive designs from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Edit: I just saw the pics: those slides are certainly unique in my experience.
Edit: I just saw the pics: those slides are certainly unique in my experience.
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maxcarp709
Well-known member
Very good point Outlaw.If somebody is familiar with these,I hope they chime in.I am trying to figure out how to remove the drawers from the slides.I spent a few minutes trying without any luck.I think I need to get a feeler gauge and cut it down so I can push it between the drawer and the spring on the slide.
thehorse13
Well-known member
You can make a drawer removal tool from an old hacksaw blade. Grind off the teeth and make a slight bend about 1/2 inch down on one end. YouTube videos will show you how to make one and how to use it.
You can also buy one from Snap-On but it works the same way as a home made tool.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Max, I think you "just" lift on that tab on the outside of the slide. (Tiny "claw Hammer" might help?)
maxcarp709
Well-known member
I had some time today,so I took another look at the Slides.I had tried prying with a screwdriver,and grabbing the tab sticking out with vice grips with no luck.After a bit more probing,I hit on the solution
Jamming a small sheet metal wrench under the tab and lifting it up,and then pulling the drawer out.I wanted to take the bottom drawer out because I suspected the slide was bent,since it would hang up on the right hand side.After getting the slide out,My suspicion was confirmed
My plan was to flip the slide over to see how that worked,or swap it out with a slide from a top drawer.Flipping it did no good since the slide was still binding,so I wound up swapping it out.
When I pulled the drawer out,I found some stuff that had fallen out of the drawers and lodged in the back of the cabinet.This was one item
An instruction sheet from a carb rebuild kt.The sheet is dated 1967.
One I put it all back together,the bottom drawer opens and closes smoothly.I will work on the bent slide later and try and straighten it out.
Provincial
Well-known member
maxcarp709
Well-known member
Great score bluebolt!Looks like it was repainted.Interesting color.
It's not repainted, the dark red that shows on the inside faded to a brownish copper color on the outside. If it was repainted the Proto emblem would likely be gone.
econotrk
Well-known member
00fxd
Well-known member
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