The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[ecotec]

So... Back when I got my Powr-Kraft stack, I gave away my box (the blue top box) to my friend. Well anyways... I helped him carry it down to his basement. Years later, he had not put a single tool into it. So, I asked for it back. I got it back on Sunday night. Today, after I picked my kid up from school, I see a roller cab in the garbage across the street. So I dragged it home, and put the blue top box on it and loaded it up.

So, I try the key from my other roller in the one I found today... It worked!

The top box is a grip latch Craftsman, that is very out of square. The roller cab I garbage picked is scratched and rusty, but it is pretty square. I doubt that I will restore it. I will probably just live with it until I find another minty vintage stack for super cheap again. My Modus Operedi is to not buy anything until I find something in amazing shape for cheap.

Anyways, now I have two boxes. And the roller that I got today is a pretty good candidate for restoration... Probably not going to happen, though.

 

[ecotec]

Hopefully this one is right side up.

It is much more orange than the red on my earlier Powr-Kraft. My good stack sat in a basement from the 1960's until I bought it, so it never saw much UV light. This roller has not had such a nice life. It is pretty awesome for free, though.

I have pretty much decided that the next roller that I actually spend money on will have drawers all the way down. The bulk storage areas are a waste for me.

Note: there was about 25 sockets in it (Craftsman, Allied, and no brand), and a small double open end raised panel SK wrench and a few other goodies in it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I can't see any evidence of chrome ; I think the gray is the underlying pot metal. I have tried to attach a picture.

Whatever you did didn't work:


from the advanced menu try:

 

[nelstomlinson]

Try two for the Snap-on logo.

 

[maxcarp709]

So I garbage picked this roller today (I am trying to put the picture in this reply).

Great Score! I recently sold the PowerKraft roller that I found on the curb.I put some work into it,cleaning it up and straightening out the drawers.,but I am glad it found a new home.

 

[crewchief888]

How would I restore one of the rectangular Snap On badges from the '70s? Mine is the rectangle with the black background and the underlined Snap On logo. The black background has flaked in a couple places, and the logo is pot-metal gray instead of silver.

i've beadblasted them to bare metal, then repainted whatever backround color i wanted.

use a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface to remove paint from the raised logo...

 

[nelstomlinson]

i've beadblasted them to bare metal, then repainted whatever backround color i wanted.

use a piece of fine sandpaper on a flat surface to remove paint from the raised logo...

So, you just shine up the pot metal after you sand the paint off, then?

 

[crewchief888]

So, you just shine up the pot metal after you sand the paint off, then?

10-4

originally they had a flat ,black, almost wrinkled backround, the lettering wasnt "polished" it had more of a dull finish to it.

 

[nelstomlinson]

10-4

originally they had a flat ,black, almost wrinkled backround, the lettering wasnt "polished" it had more of a dull finish to it.

A dull finish? I can do that! Thanks.

 

[someofusgotfarmingtodo]

Rustoliun 7214 hammered grey is almost an exact match to the grey.

Thanks Outlaw for the info on the grey. I have a beat up craftsman box that I want to restore as well. Is there any recommendation for a red paint match for the drawers?

 

[Outlawmws]

I have no Red boxes of that era, however my local Ace hardware has something they call "safety red" in Rustoluim in both spray and brush on that I'm thinking is pretty close? Others may have a better suggestion.

 

[nine4gmc]

Here's a two-fer, both were free. Mom said that my stepdad was clearing out things he no longer needed and brought me the Craftsman box he has had since new, along with a tote full of hand tools. It's in great condition and will be right at home in my shop. The top box was at a garage sale Merc and I went to recently, the draweres were all out of it and it was sitting there all lonely looking. I inquired and the lady said she had to pry the drawers open to get the tools out(to sell) and that she was going to throw the box away. I'll take that I said! It's wooden and looks home made, even missing a chunk of the face plate but I like it, someone at some point made that with their own hands.

 

[someofusgotfarmingtodo]

I have no Red boxes of that era, however my local Ace hardware has something they call "safety red" in Rustoluim in both spray and brush on that I'm thinking is pretty close? Others may have a better suggestion.

Ha, funny you should say that. I bought a bunch of that Rustoluim "safety red" a few years ago to paint and restore a 1935 McCormick potato digger. I was too cheap to buy the official International Harvester red paint and figured this stuff would get the job done. After 3 years of digging potatoes the paint still holds good! I will look to see if I have any paint left and see if it will match that Craftsman box.

 

[garthg]

I think Rustoleum "Sunrise Red" is a good color match. It will be a little brighter than old, faded paint.

 

[Zeeman]

^ I used the same.

 

[Cope]

The Matco middle box looks just like the PowerKraft bottom box I have,which was made by Remline. Even the Orange tint on the paint. I have been told that these Remline boxes from the 80s were the first to use powder coated finishes.

MAtco has made their own boxes from day one.

 

[someofusgotfarmingtodo]

I think Rustoleum "Sunrise Red" is a good color match. It will be a little brighter than old, faded paint.

Thanks Garth and Zeeman for the red paint recommendation, that painted drawer looks awesome Zeeman!

 

[bubinga]

It should be the same or close.

Ok, thanks, I need to get on that.


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[garthg]

Thanks Garth and Zeeman for the red paint recommendation, that painted drawer looks awesome Zeeman!

I recently painted this Cornwell box with Sunrise Red. It's also a fairly good match for Snap On and Craftsman. New paint will look brighter.

 

[stage20]

no clue to what this is. could be 40's could be 80's?
any help is appreciated.
the dolly is a factory piece. you can close the handle all the way down or adjust it up for heavier loads. it has spring loaded pins built in.
the side cabinet is home made. you cant see it in the pics, but there are permanent pegboard hooks in the plywood inside.
heavy duty canvas tool roll for wrenches or screwdrivers or whatever.
i have not seen one of this style. its thick like a wide ratchet strap. good quality. not the thin stuff like you see in the wrench kits.

the 3 drawer inside small vertical dividers in one drawer, the other has more larger storage with horizontal dividers and the other drawer is open.

i knew it had been repainted by looking at the pics before i picked it up, but the guy had JUST painted it to sell it. you could still smell the paint. id have rather bought it in the original finish, but im happy with it.

 

[twertsy]

no clue to what this is. could be 40's could be 80's?
any help is appreciated.
the dolly is a factory piece. you can close the handle all the way down or adjust it up for heavier loads. it has spring loaded pins built in.
the side cabinet is home made. you cant see it in the pics, but there are permanent pegboard hooks in the plywood inside.
heavy duty canvas tool roll for wrenches or screwdrivers or whatever.
i have not seen one of this style. its thick like a wide ratchet strap. good quality. not the thin stuff like you see in the wrench kits.

the 3 drawer inside small vertical dividers in one drawer, the other has more larger storage with horizontal dividers and the other drawer is open.

i knew it had been repainted by looking at the pics before i picked it up, but the guy had JUST painted it to sell it. you could still smell the paint. id have rather bought it in the original finish, but im happy with it.

Don't know who made it but the rounded top makes me think older. Can you take a close-up of the drawer handles?

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[JUNK-MAN]

10-4

originally they had a flat ,black, almost wrinkled backround, the lettering wasnt "polished" it had more of a dull finish to it.

Hey crewchief want to sell/trade that topper?

 

[stage20]

Don't know who made it but the rounded top makes me think older. Can you take a close-up of the drawer handles?

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ill get one up this evening.

 

[stage20]

Anyone identify? I looked the box over with a flashlight couldn't find any markings or stamps anywhere

 

[furbis]

I picked up the bottom KRA-379A this week at auction and the top KRA-59C several years ago at a farm auction I think they make a good pair. I need to find a snap on emblem for the top box and the bottom is missing the cover for the large storage area on the bottom.

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[furbis]

This was the box on top of the KRA-379A that I got at the auction. Mac?

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[Tynee]

Good morning. Newbie here with what I hope turns out to be a decent score. Found a couple of vintage boxes at a local pawn shop yesterday, and they followed me home. Planning to clean them up, clean and grease the slides, and flip them. If I can make enough on the Proto and the tools that are in it to cover my cost, I may keep the Snappy. Don't tell Mrs. Tynee that, though.

1966 Snap-On KRA58B. All drawers work, none sag. Lock is there, no key, have my doubts as to the functionality of the lock if I did have the key. Only issue I can find is the slightly bent lower drawer pull, and some rust. Going to take more elbow grease on this than the Proto.

I know a whole lot less about the Proto. Twertsy informed me that the "Registered Trademark" in the logo means it's AT LEAST IR era, I'm hoping there's a way to lock it down to pre-Stanley, we'll see. Steep learning curve on this one.

Only real issue with this one seems to be some light surface rust on the lid. Going to take a LOT of cleanup and lubrication. Again, no bent sheet metal, no sagging drawers. No key, but the lock looks to be in much better condition on this one. This one included a Proto 3/4" ratchet, half a dozen 3/4" drive sockets, and 6 or 8 Proto combination wrenches, all 1"+.

Interesting side-note: The Snap-On is heavier with nothing but light-weight junk in it, than the Proto with several reasonably heavy tools.

Let me know what you think of them, I'm open to all information on them.

 

[FJ 432]

This was the box on top of the KRA-379A that I got at the auction. Mac?

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More likely a Waterloo box.

 

[FJ 432]

Good morning. Newbie here with what I hope turns out to be a decent score. Found a couple of vintage boxes at a local pawn shop yesterday, and they followed me home. Planning to clean them up, clean and grease the slides, and flip them. If I can make enough on the Proto and the tools that are in it to cover my cost, I may keep the Snappy. Don't tell Mrs. Tynee that, though.

1966 Snap-On KRA58B. All drawers work, none sag. Lock is there, no key, have my doubts as to the functionality of the lock if I did have the key. Only issue I can find is the slightly bent lower drawer pull, and some rust. Going to take more elbow grease on this than the Proto.

I know a whole lot less about the Proto. Twertsy informed me that the "Registered Trademark" in the logo means it's AT LEAST IR era, I'm hoping there's a way to lock it down to pre-Stanley, we'll see. Steep learning curve on this one.

Only real issue with this one seems to be some light surface rust on the lid. Going to take a LOT of cleanup and lubrication. Again, no bent sheet metal, no sagging drawers. No key, but the lock looks to be in much better condition on this one. This one included a Proto 3/4" ratchet, half a dozen 3/4" drive sockets, and 6 or 8 Proto combination wrenches, all 1"+.

Interesting side-note: The Snap-On is heavier with nothing but light-weight junk in it, than the Proto with several reasonably heavy tools.

Let me know what you think of them, I'm open to all information on them.

Proto boxes were made by Duplex at one time. Either that or Waterloo. I owned a Proto (flying lady) box similar to yours and sold it soon after. They're nice boxes but not up to the build quality of Snap On.

 

[smschriefer]

Furbis, the unknown box looks to me to be a Proto box. Reference the post directly between your posts and you will see where the Proto logo would fit in the holes of your bottom drawer...

 

[stage20]

More likely a Waterloo box.

my dad has a similar mac, or it has a mac badge. did waterloo make macs back then?

 

[taumac]

Could it be a Cornwell box. IIRC I think Waterloo made them too.

 

[Tynee]

Those handles are identical to my Proto as well.

 

[senlow]

my dad has a similar mac, or it has a mac badge. did waterloo make macs back then?

No. They were made by Matco.

 

[maxcarp709]

Good morning. Newbie here with what I hope turns out to be a decent score. Found a couple of vintage boxes at a local pawn shop yesterday, and they followed me home. Planning to clean them up, clean and grease the slides, and flip them. If I can make enough on the Proto and the tools that are in it to cover my cost, I may keep the Snappy. Don't tell Mrs. Tynee that, though.

1966 Snap-On KRA58B. All drawers work, none sag. Lock is there, no key, have my doubts as to the functionality of the lock if I did have the key. Only issue I can find is the slightly bent lower drawer pull, and some rust. Going to take more elbow grease on this than the Proto.

I know a whole lot less about the Proto. Twertsy informed me that the "Registered Trademark" in the logo means it's AT LEAST IR era, I'm hoping there's a way to lock it down to pre-Stanley, we'll see. Steep learning curve on this one.

Only real issue with this one seems to be some light surface rust on the lid. Going to take a LOT of cleanup and lubrication. Again, no bent sheet metal, no sagging drawers. No key, but the lock looks to be in much better condition on this one. This one included a Proto 3/4" ratchet, half a dozen 3/4" drive sockets, and 6 or 8 Proto combination wrenches, all 1"+.

Interesting side-note: The Snap-On is heavier with nothing but light-weight junk in it, than the Proto with several reasonably heavy tools.

Let me know what you think of them, I'm open to all information on them.

tynee;you can find replacement locks for those boxes at Home Depot or Sears.Just pop the old locks out and take them with you and go look for some drawer locks The ones at HD are cheaper the the ones that Sears sells as replacements for their tool boxes. They even come with an extra key!

 

[Tynee]

tynee;you can find replacement locks for those boxes at Home Depot or Sears.Just pop the old locks out and take them with you and go look for some drawer locks The ones at HD are cheaper the the ones that Sears sells as replacements for their tool boxes. They even come with an extra key!

Thanks. Found a key for the Proto tonight, extracted the key that was broken off in the lock, lubed it up, and it works like a charm. I doubt I'll get that lucky with the SO, though. I'll check into HD for that one.

 

[crewchief888]

Hey crewchief want to sell/trade that topper?

not looking to sell,

all my boxes are pretty much full and still being used...


sorry it took a while to respond, been out of town in school all week :tard:

 

[maxcarp709]

Thanks. Found a key for the Proto tonight, extracted the key that was broken off in the lock, lubed it up, and it works like a charm. I doubt I'll get that lucky with the SO, though. I'll check into HD for that one.

Good Show!I recently replaced the lock on an old Duplex chest that is nearly identical to your Snap On box.I used a lock set from Sears.With a little bending on the locking bar,it works great.

 

[Cope]

No. They were made by Matco.

This. Matco originally was Mac Allied Tool Company. Once Mac started making their own boxes, Matco changed their name to Mechanics Allied Tool Company. Vintage Matco boxes didn't have the *** appeal of Snap-on, but IMO they're better built.

 

[Tracer Bullet]

Just picked up that little box today, anybody able to ID it? Whatever sticker was in the indent of the top right corner is long gone. Seems like a fairly low model box but it's not too bad. Anybody know where I could find a lock that may work? That and a handle I could attach to the lid.