Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

[markbugno]

Craftsman 2 drawer handbox model 65336. Got this at an auction for $35, full of tools including a set of 1/2 dr fleet sockets from 1/2"-1 1/8, with Ratchet and breaker bar, both with plastic- rubber gripped handles! Just finished re painting it. I want it to sit on top of my workbench (which I am planning to build out of 3 red/gray bottoms). Since the handle and clasp hardware was shot, I decided to remove them and fill in the holes. Now it looks like a miniature version of the 2 drawer upper chest. Yeah, my fill job was not very good where the bottom of the clasps were, but it's a million times better than it was (and I had time constraints to deal with).

I got a fever... and the only prescription is more craftsman red and gray toolboxes!

Mark


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[Zeeman]

Nice. It is an addiction for sure.

 

[IMCA38]

I bought this two drawer chest at an auction about 25 years ago. I always assumed it was a Craftsman, but there are no labels or nameplates. I notice that all of the chests pictured here have the aluminum strip on the drawer pulls. Mine doesn't.
Is it or isn't it?

 

[Zeeman]

I guess that could be a Craftsman, but I don't think so. It's hard to tell because I can't get the picture to enlarge enough to see the drawers.

 

[taumac]

I bought this two drawer chest at an auction about 25 years ago. I always assumed it was a Craftsman, but there are no labels or nameplates. I notice that all of the chests pictured here have the aluminum strip on the drawer pulls. Mine doesn't.

Is it or isn't it?

It might be... check the top compartment for a date. Is there side handles? Whats the dimensions ? What's the slides look like? I can say this i doubt it's a Waterloo made G/R box. It could be a newer box when the drawers where red again in the early 90s?

 

[IMCA38]

It might be... check the top compartment for a date. Is there side handles? Whats the dimensions ? What's the slides look like? I can say this i doubt it's a Waterloo made G/R box. It could be a newer box when the drawers where red again in the early 90s?

I scoured the whole box and haven't been able to find any stampings. Outside dimensions are 25 7/8 wide (not counting side handles) x 12 1/8 deep x 10 1/8 high with the lid closed. The bottom drawer is about 2 5/8 deep at the sides and top is about 1 5/8. It has a red socket tray that sits in a divided area. Has substantial handles on each end. The drawer handles are formed out of the front sheet metal of each drawer in kind of a "Roman Ogee" shape.
I bought the box at an auction in approximately 1991 and it appeared to be several years old at that time.

 

[IMCA38]

Dang, can't get multiple photos to load.

 

[taumac]

IMCA38. Well those pics confirm that it's not a Craftsman. It's surly interesting. I would take pics of the slides and any other details and post it on the Vintage toolbox thread. Someone there is sure to know

 

[Zeeman]

Yep, Not Craftsman handles. Or, at least they are not like ones I've seen. Drawer fronts are diff. too.

 

[Motorman55]

Pick this Craftsman top box up the other day. It came with some misc old tools for $10.00

It obviously has some surface rust with the bottom section a bit more. That's the bad news. However the good news is it doesn't have any dents and all the drawers, with the exceptions of a little surface rust are perfect and undented.

As you can see it needs a couple holes filled at the top near the lock area and a replacement lock set. Also need the lower left side craftsman emblem.

The roller cabinet box its sitting on I've owned since the late seventies. Going to start restoring them soon.

 

[Motorman55]

Does anybody have an original red tray that goes with this box. If so could you show a pic of it and list the measurements.

I have a couple red trays from other Craftsman boxes but they seem a little too small.

Thanks

 

[Motorman55]

Thought you guys might like to see a pic of an older Sears 'Tool Box Red' spray can I have.

The paint code (seen lower left side of the can in the pic) is 30-66348. There is still a little paint left in the can.

Not sure if this is still available from Sears? May be able to use the code to match.

 

[Alchymist]

Bought the top box somewhere around 1970, bottom was quite a bit later - 1980's if I recall correctly. Actually bought two of the bottom cabinets at the same time, later gave one to my son, and it was stolen from him a year or so later.

 

[Zeeman]

Does anybody have an original red tray that goes with this box. If so could you show a pic of it and list the measurements.

I have a couple red trays from other Craftsman boxes but they seem a little too small.

Thanks

Hey Motor, is your top tray/compartment completely flat? It could be that it did not have a tray if it has a welded in compartment for the sockets. I can't tell from your pictures.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

I was given this toolbox by my granddad in 2015. Fairly decent shape for having a pump dropped on it and then repaired. I would really love to find a matching bottom box but there's currently none around me.


As of today, it splits on top my new HF 44" chest.

 

[Motorman55]

Hey Motor, is your top tray/compartment completely flat? It could be that it did not have a tray if it has a welded in compartment for the sockets. I can't tell from your pictures.

It's compartmented.

 

[Zeeman]

If it has the sectioned off places, I don't believe it should have a separate tray that lifts out.

 

[Zeeman]

I was given this toolbox by my granddad in 2015. Fairly decent shape for having a pump dropped on it and then repaired. I would really love to find a matching bottom box but there's currently none around me.


As of today, it splits on top my new HF 44" chest.

Keep looking. I thought the same thing about my area, and then a couple of rollers showed up at an estate sale of sorts. I had a harder time finding my top chest. Mine is very similar to yours, but older I think. You can check my restore out: Saving a Craftsman tool chest, or something close to that.

 

[toddmp]

Why not paint the HF to match temporarily. They look nice together.

 

[dale500]

Pick this Craftsman top box up the other day. It came with some misc old tools for $10.00

It obviously has some surface rust with the bottom section a bit more. That's the bad news. However the good news is it doesn't have any dents and all the drawers, with the exceptions of a little surface rust are perfect and undented.

As you can see it needs a couple holes filled at the top near the lock area and a replacement lock set. Also need the lower left side craftsman emblem.

The roller cabinet box its sitting on I've owned since the late seventies. Going to start restoring them soon.

The holes next to the lock were where the original combination lock was attached. Take a look at the one I have. I've never seen it mentioned in any of the craftsman catalogues.

 

[taumac]

Why not paint the HF to match temporarily. They look nice together.

When I had my WOC I painted my drawers gloss cherry red to match the HF. I also thought of painting my HF box not drawers the gray to give the HF a R/G Craftsman theme.

 

[honza.vosalik]

When I had my WOC I painted my drawers gloss cherry red to match the HF. I also thought of painting my HF box not drawers the gray to give the HF a R/G Craftsman theme.

I've also played with the idea of painting one of the newer wide boxes grey/red. Has anyone here actually done it?

This one could look pretty cool.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-i...rv_mobileweb_rr-1-_-204344321-_-205431577-_-N

 

[taumac]

I've also played with the idea of painting one of the newer wide boxes grey/red. Has anyone here actually done it?

This one could look pretty cool.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-i...rv_mobileweb_rr-1-_-204344321-_-205431577-_-N

I seen people paint the HF44's but not in in gray and red. I thought would be better to start with a red tool box so only would have to paint the box itself. That antique pewter I've used goes on nice and dries relatively quick. Once I sold all my vintage boxes I lost the interest.

 

[Zeeman]

I'm looking for a vintage roll cart with one or two drawers to paint in the gray and red colors. I have not found one I like used, so I'm thinking about just a cheap new one. I think the type with the bent square tube chrome sides would look good.

 

[555]

I'm looking for a vintage roll cart with one or two drawers to paint in the gray and red colors. I have not found one I like used, so I'm thinking about just a cheap new one. I think the type with the bent square tube chrome sides would look good.

HF has one that might be good for your project.

http://www.harborfreight.com/large-steel-tool-cart-with-locking-drawer-90428.html

There is a one on the Atlanta Craigslist, but they want more for it then the new price!
Regards,
John

 

[Zeeman]

Thanks John. I saw that. Crazy, right! It's not like it's a gray and red Craftsman for goodness sake.

 

[xavier296]

Stamped 05-75, got it in Metairie, LA around 2000. It's pretty beat up paint wise, but it hasn't gotten any worse in the 16 years I've had it. It included a random collection of Proto screwdrivers and some sockets. No plans to get rid of it. I still have the included Polaroid pic of a lady in a thong working in a shop with the toolbox off to the side. I'll post it if ********** don't break any GJ rules! It, along with my 299 piece craftsman socket set bought in 1996, have taken me through every project.

 

[honza.vosalik]

There are some 2 drawer carry toolboxes out there. too far away for me though. For $5 it's a steal!

http://bend.craigslist.org/tls/5949624796.html

http://salem.craigslist.org/tls/5947140528.html

 

[Rileysan]

There are some 2 drawer carry toolboxes out there. too far away for me though. For $5 it's a steal!

http://bend.craigslist.org/tls/5949624796.html

http://salem.craigslist.org/tls/5947140528.html

The one located in Salem is full of tools and I'm trying to set up a meeting time with the seller. If not for the winter storm this past weekend, I would have already met with him!

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[Motorman55]

The holes next to the lock were where the original combination lock was attached. Take a look at the one I have. I've never seen it mentioned in any of the craftsman catalogues.

That's very interesting...never seen one of those on any Craftsman box yet.
I'll delay filling in the two side holes when restoring it on the chance I could locate one in the future.

What does the inside of the lock and top inner latch look like? Do you have any pics?

 

[Zeeman]

I have never seen a combo lock either. How about this: Anybody have a solid metal Craftsman badge? My others are plastic.

 

[taumac]

I have never seen a combo lock either. How about this: Anybody have a solid metal Craftsman badge? My others are plastic.

All mine are metal

 

[Zeeman]

That is interesting. I'll go back and look at some of your pictures and see if they are the same style. thanks.

 

[vettex2]

I have the exact same bottom box. I have replaced the crappy stock casters though.

 

[honza.vosalik]

I have the exact same bottom box. I have replaced the crappy stock casters though.

What did you replace them with?

 

[vettex2]

What did you replace them with?

heavy duty casters.
I did it 20 years ago so I don't remember where I got them

 

[torqueman2002]

$30.00

Wish I needed another CM upper.

CL Grand Rapids, MI.
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/5960279934.html

 

[taumac]

That is interesting. I'll go back and look at some of your pictures and see if they are the same style. thanks.

Yep, they are.



For color spray paint hole badge black then raised letter and chevron is white.

Here's one that's original I haven't redone.

 

[Zeeman]

Hey, I just came inside from working on my badge and some more drawers. I already painted it before I saw your post. Here's what I came up with. I liked the idea of putting some 'chrome' on the old chest. Churched it up a little bit. I appreciate you taking the time to post those badges.

Sorry about the lousy picture.

 

[Lassen Forge]

You just couldn't beat the old C'man boxes... I worked out of them for years, and still do.

I have the exact same bottom box.

I have both the "cavern" bottom , as well as the 9 drawer. Kinda like the 9 drawer better... Topwise, I have a 6 drawer on the cavern and the 12 drawer (the little "machinist" drawers in place of the one deep center) on the other... I had a chance to pick up the center boxes, and (like a fool) didn't... I also found a set of the side cabinets that go over the handles, and passed on them, as that flea market was a known hotspot for hot tools... but I was sorely tempted.

I have replaced the crappy stock casters though.

I had to do the same on mine - the original casters were the weak part of those boxes - 2 wheels disintegrated, almost all the swivels were blown out or missing balls or just frozen.