The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[smschriefer]

There are too many identical boxes, for it to be shop made.

I think I might have stumbled on the answer. I was looking at ridiculously overpriced boxes on Etsy and found a post showing that these were manufactured by Butler Manufacturing out of Kansas City. They are still in business, but build steel buildings now. If you follow the link, the third picture has a label attached to one side for Butler - use the zoom to see it better. Now, it could also be a person worked at Butler and attached it. Who knows at this point. I'm going to look at both sides of mine for any evidence that a label had been attached.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/260043...ry&ga_search_query=tool box&ref=sr_gallery_15

 

[RagTopTA]

good luck.

I ended up getting forced Over time on Friday (Pickup day) couldn't go out of town, so I didn't bid on it. made me sick it went for $180. It was filled with tools that went with it. there was also 4 boxes of snap on tools, separated into sockets, wrenches, ratchets, ect..... highest bid was $27 for one of the boxes. Some one got some good deals, there were 10 pages of cabinets toolboxes and stuff. Dang work : \

 

[Outlawmws]

I think I might have stumbled on the answer. I was looking at ridiculously overpriced boxes on Etsy and found a post showing that these were manufactured by Butler Manufacturing out of Kansas City. They are still in business, but build steel buildings now. If you follow the link, the third picture has a label attached to one side for Butler - use the zoom to see it better. Now, it could also be a person worked at Butler and attached it. Who knows at this point. I'm going to look at both sides of mine for any evidence that a label had been attached.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/260043...ry&ga_search_query=tool box&ref=sr_gallery_15

Good eye! I agree that looks like it was made on the box.

Apparently Butler was in both KC and Minneapolis Have to do some Google-fu on that:

p.s. No tag on mine.. I looked.

 

[bsg1]

I ended up getting forced Over time on Friday (Pickup day) couldn't go out of town, so I didn't bid on it. made me sick it went for $180. It was filled with tools that went with it. there was also 4 boxes of snap on tools, separated into sockets, wrenches, ratchets, ect..... highest bid was $27 for one of the boxes. Some one got some good deals, there were 10 pages of cabinets toolboxes and stuff. Dang work : \

i know exactly how you feel. that's a heartbreaker.

 

[Rileysan]

A few years ago, I took my big Snap-on box home from work as I took on a supervisor role. However, the need to train new mechanics in hands-on servicing of sand molding equipment this past year precipitated the need to have tools at the shop again. As such, I chose to bring in my CL found vintage boxes and put them to use.
I got a lot of weird looks at first, but now I got the guys in the shop talking about vintage tools.

Brian

 

[mcmlvif100]

Already posted this to the "Found a deal on craigslist? - List Here!" thread but thought maybe someone on this thread would be interested. Not mine and no affiliation. Frankly, if it wasn't so far away, I would have already bought it. Hope that I am not out of line posting this here.

Vintage rolling tool box - $40 (Wilson, Near Lakeshore drive)

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tls/5905811911.html

This little vintage rolling tool chest is painted a nice gold or power bronze color. It's in good shape, and would make a nice addition to any vintage garage or shop. 32" high 18" wide. Asking $40.00.

Thats a neat little box! Too bad it isnt in Texas!!

Or California. love it.

To my surprise, it was still listed on the Chicago CL yesterday. Our son was going to be in Chicago today so he made arrangements to pick it up. Am anxious to see it. Pictures are from the CL ad.

 

[dngrmse]

Nice box. This time of year it's all about buying gifts, so money and time is hard to spare on cool stuff like this. But on the flip side, there can be some deals to be had. ��

 

[RagTopTA]

To my surprise, it was still listed on the Chicago CL yesterday. Our son was going to be in Chicago today so he made arrangements to pick it up. Am anxious to see it. Pictures are from the CL ad.

awesome timing! As Hannibal always said.. I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[555]

My wife's family, well father, grandfather and uncles all worked at Butler in Kansas City. They made a wide variety of items. Her grandfather told me they were required to make their own tool boxes. His was made of steel, but one of her uncles made his from aluminum. This was in the late 40s, early 50s.

 

[Tommy52]

I got this box from my neighbor.

 

[twertsy]

I got this box from my neighbor.

One of my favorites!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[thehorse13]

I've added these two boxes to the herd. A 1960 date coded RemLine roller and a 1950s Craftsman.

As long as I have less than 80 boxes, I'm not an addict like Twertsy. lol

 

[Zeeman]

So Horse, how do you store all those boxes? Nice finds.

 

[thehorse13]

So Horse, how do you store all those boxes? Nice finds.

850 Square foot shop/garage. Wait until I have a barn.

 

[Zeeman]

Arrr, Arrr, Arrr. A barn is always good!

 

[Mintgrun]

Horse-- I sure like that RemLine box. I have one from that era (1961), as well as a Powr Kraft with the same drawer layout as yours. (The RL top box is a '59)
Tom

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=605419&stc=1&d=1481557673

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=605418&stc=1&d=1481557673

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=605420&stc=1&d=1481557842

 

[thehorse13]

Horse-- I sure like that RemLine box. I have one from that era (1961), as well as a Powr Kraft with the same drawer layout as yours. (The RL top box is a '59)
Tom

The RL top box that you have is the new object of my desire. I will now hunt for one to complete this RL stack.

You should send that RL top box to me for safe keeping. lol

 

[555]

I found this Popular Mechanics combo on Craigslist in Villa Rica, Georgia. It's in overall pretty good shape with a little paint overspray on the top box. Certainly a home owner box, but good enough for my storage needs. It is USA made and I believe it dates from the late 60s, early 70s. I washed 40 years of mouse turds and dirt out of it and have started getting the drawers to open/close smoothly. I also added casters to make it easier to move. It came with both keys but was missing the lower locking bar.
Regards,
John

 

[RagTopTA]

I grew up with IH travelalls and scouts. I would love to find a IH box.
John

well I finally got to the antique store when it was open and took some pics of the international Harvester box, the guy is getting me a price. its a pretty neat box and seems in pretty good shape and all there. This is in Notrh Central TX btw.

 

[Bobcat753]

Did a trade for this nice Mac Tools top and bottom roller. Planning on fixing it up and painting the outside. Any idea of the model #'s and age?

 

[Outlawmws]

well I finally got to the antique store when it was open and took some pics of the international Harvester box, the guy is getting me a price. its a pretty neat box and seems in pretty good shape and all there. This is in Notrh Central TX btw.

Hmmmm. the drawer pulls and bottom roller's doors scream Kennedy to me, but I can't recall seeing a drop front on a K...

 

[Outlawmws]

Did a trade for this nice Mac Tools top and bottom roller. Planning on fixing it up and painting the outside. Any idea of the model #'s and age?

Nope, can't help on the Model, but I really like that drawer layout with mostly shallow drawers! is the top 18" deep front to back? (Looks like from the top lid... Assuming the bottom is...), and what is the width?

 

[RagTopTA]

I read some where they were rebadged Waterloo Outlaw, but I have no clue. its got a rough hammer finnish type paint on it that looks to be original. I'm supposed to call them back to get a price.

 

[RagTopTA]

I just found this old thread, this guy says his small box is made by Kennedy, and the paint and emblems seem to match the roller...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147372

 

[Bobcat753]

Outlaw - Yes 18" front to back. If I remember right it is 34" wide.

 

[taumac]

I read some where they were rebadged Waterloo Outlaw, but I have no clue. its got a rough hammer finnish type paint on it that looks to be original. I'm supposed to call them back to get a price.

I found this on the net.



Very possible a Kennedy rebrand as IH.

 

[RagTopTA]

I found a thread on IH elsewhere with a guy that's a collector. He got the exact same blue box and said it was a Kennedy and the heavier duty model than the lighter weight red one from the early 80's. He's got both and posted these pics. did not know who made the red version though.

 

[carcajou]

Did a trade for this nice Mac Tools top and bottom roller. Planning on fixing it up and painting the outside. Any idea of the model #'s and age?

Very nice find. A close up of the drawer pulls and the emblems would help narrow down the model and build date range.

 

[twertsy]

Very nice find. A close up of the drawer pulls and the emblems would help narrow down the model and build date range.

I believe those are 910/920A

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Did a trade for this nice Mac Tools top and bottom roller. Planning on fixing it up and painting the outside. Any idea of the model #'s and age?

Nice. I picked up a similar set last summer.

Are you planning a repaint?

 

[Bobcat753]

Awesome! Thanks for all the help! Can't wait to start the refurb process!

 

[egnorant]

I still have a problem with the definition of "vintage". I picked up this Craftsman with a 1970 date code because it was a nice usable box.

The "New box" is a 1983 Snap-On stack!

Even my "Old" boxes are still used as just tool boxes. I have a 1958/59 Craftsman stack and a 1954 Bonney stack that just hold tools! These are only called old because it was before I was born.

A good tool box is timeless!

Bruce

 

[Username already in use]

... and a 1954 Bonney stack that just hold tools!

Oooh, that Bonney box...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Oooh, that Bonney box...

I second that

 

[twertsy]

I second that

I don't want to tall about it......

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Oooh, that Bonney box...

I second that

I don't want to tall about it......

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

I'm in the same boat as Twertsy.... not a single one has popped on CL in the NE in two years.

 

[baneonrt]

Cornwell I'm going to free from my late father's storage. Any suggestions on cleaning it?

 

[Username already in use]

Cornwell I'm going to free from my late father's storage. Any suggestions on cleaning it?

I have that same stack. Nice box... and for free! NICE!
I can't find a date on mine, but I've pinned it down to the early 50s.
I used a clay bar on mine to get some overspray off the box. Worked well, but it flattened out the texture on the wrinkle paint a bit. Might just try some rubbing compound. Good luck with it and let us see how it turns out!

 

[thehorse13]

Urgh. I passed on one of those Bonney stacks a while back. Worst thing I've done in a long time.

 

[baneonrt]

I have that same stack. Nice box... and for free! :eye crazy: NICE!
I can't find a date on mine, but I've pinned it down to the early 50s.
I used a clay bar on mine to get some overspray off the box. Worked well, but it flattened out the texture on the wrinkle paint a bit. Might just try some rubbing compound. Good luck with it and let us see how it turns out!

Yeah, everything seems to operate relatively smooth and even has keys. They don't turn the locks but I haven't ruled out the locks being sticky yet. Going to clean everything up and see how it goes.