The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[pookick]

I am looking for 80s/90s a Craftsman Rolling Toolbox. Anybody know defining characteristics??
I've seen this available in my area - but think it's more recent. Anyone know?

Thanks
J

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/tls/5996698967.html

 

[Outlawmws]

I would guess that one to be mid/late 70's to early 80's

 

[Technologyteacher]

Anyone in the Dallas area theres an old beat up Taco Wagon on CL that needs a home. wish I had room for it.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/tls/5993222060.html

Must have been a good deal. Deleted now

 

[metalart]

Just picked up this Simonsen for $10

 

[flushcut]

^ envy!

 

[d42jeep]

I recently picked up a Powr-Kraft toolbox and am interested in finding out who manufactured it. It seems very well constructed.
-Don

 

[Bdgjr215]

Just picked up this Simonsen for $10

Alot of those are military issue,I aquired one from a neighbor whose father
Was a well respected supervisor at the frankford arsenal from the early 40's till
It closed in 77.lots of papers and blueprints ,pictures ,travel info for him going to other countries to teach ballistics.Lots of cool stuff

 

[fowldarr]

What can you guys tell me about this snap-on box? Ad dates it to the 50's. Hoping to pick this up on Monday.

What should I look for? Anything in particular? Anybody want to throw an estimated value on this box (based on two pictures and a lousy description)?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Fowl: with all that rust in the bottom of it i'd make sure it wasn't rusted through. i also wouldn't pay more than $50 for it in that condition and since i own more than a few tool boxes i'd pass on that one. i know you want a vintage tool box, but you might be better off waiting for one you spend a little more on and don't have to spend a 1,000 hours restoring.

if it's surface rust and can be wiped away with WD 40 that's another story cause if everything works ok then you have a solid old box. it does have that welded piece in front that looks like maybe some sort of lock. rusted through parts is what will take the most time to fix and a fair amount of money if you are not a welder yet.

ALL: speaking of restoring these old pristine boxes any of you do a full restore on a box like Fowl's snap on he's looking at and did you keep tract of the hours spent on it not to mention the materials?

 

[FJ 432]

I recently picked up a Powr-Kraft toolbox and am interested in finding out who manufactured it. It seems very well constructed.
-Don

This box was manufactured by Remline. I have a variation of yours that I keep in my shed.

Remline made excellent boxes IMO. Good grab.

 

[fowldarr]

Thanks drives.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FJ 432]

What can you guys tell me about this snap-on box? Ad dates it to the 50's. Hoping to pick this up on Monday.

What should I look for? Anything in particular? Anybody want to throw an estimated value on this box (based on two pictures and a lousy description)?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a 1957 version of that box and the one you may buy is a bit older due to the badging. The value I place on it may be higher than Drives opinion if what you see is more dirt than rust.

Plan on 50 hours stripping.

Super heavy box that weighs about 75 pounds.

 

[fowldarr]

The response from drives is why I keep coming here. You can get honest feedback from people more knowledgeable than yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[d42jeep]

This box was manufactured by Remline. I have a variation of yours that I keep in my shed.

Remline made excellent boxes IMO. Good grab.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
-Don

 

[drivesitfar]

FJ: speaking of 50 hours to spiff up that little top box which i'm guessing is pretty damn close if you do that sort of work all the time. if you don't i bet that time could easily double.

i'm not a fan of paying top dollar to a seller for a rusty quality tool that was neglected, but i have paid up for some things i really wanted almost not caring about the condition if i NEEDED IT.

speaking of hours to spiff up a box any idea how long it took you to spiff up your snappy and do you have a before and after picture so Fowl doesn't have to try to search for them years ago?

your SNAPPY is still one of my favorite boxes and i'm not even a SNAPPY fan per se.

Fowl: you are welcome. also might have to drive down to Lincoln City with a tool box and cabinet i'm guessing to show you after we eat that marion berry cobbler??

 

[Scooterfish]

I would give $50 for it if the drawer slides work ok. I would not restore it (unless that`s your thing) I would spend a couple hours cleaning it up and use it.

 

[fowldarr]

Scoot, that was more my plan.

I'm working towards a couple of things as far as my garage glory goes. 1) A nicely outfitted garage; 2) Quality tools and boxes for my 4 boys; and 3) (Yes I know I said a couple), to have some fun along the way.

I'm not a full restoration type of guy, I want it to be usable, function over form, but I do have a thing for old tools. I'll see if I can work with the guy and come to a deal, if not then I will keep looking.

 

[thehorse13]

What can you guys tell me about this snap-on box? Ad dates it to the 50's. Hoping to pick this up on Monday.

What should I look for? Anything in particular? Anybody want to throw an estimated value on this box (based on two pictures and a lousy description)?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Take a close look at that box. Someone cut out the lock and welded in some sort of replacement. I assure you that the metal is warped from the process so I would carefully go through the box and make sure that everything works as it should and also make sure the box closes correctly.

Rusted out bottoms are common finds on almost 70 year old toolboxes so as DrivesItFar has pointed out already, give the bottom a good look too.

All of that said, I personally would pass on this box. There are many better examples out there for marginally more money than 50 bucks.

 

[fowldarr]

So the guy with the Snap on top box isn't replying and with the issues noted above and the angle iron welded to the sides, I think I will pass.

Here is another chest. I don't plan to buy this one simply because I don't need another chest this size. However, I did ask the seller about it, and he doesn't seem to know much about it and can't find a makers mark. I thought I would post it here and see if anyone could identify it. Might help him with the sell.



I think it is cool looking old box.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bl00]

I'd push something out of my garage to make room for that!

 

[FJ 432]

So the guy with the Snap on top box isn't replying and with the issues noted above and the angle iron welded to the sides, I think I will pass.

Here is another chest. I don't plan to buy this one simply because I don't need another chest this size. However, I did ask the seller about it, and he doesn't seem to know much about it and can't find a makers mark. I thought I would post it here and see if anyone could identify it. Might help him with the sell.

I think it is cool looking old box.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would buy that because it is cool...and different. What's he asking?

 

[MissileBear]

I'd push something out of my garage to make room for that!

Agreed. That's neat!

 

[RagTopTA]

Must have been a good deal. Deleted now

it was $250 I believe.

 

[twertsy]

I'd push something out of my garage to make room for that!

Absolutely!!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Outlawmws]

That yellow one would be a good power tool stand; maybe part of a loading bench.

 

[Zeeman]

Hey Drive, I have not restored a Snappy, but I'm almost finished with my Craftsman. Mine does not have the garage door, but does have about the same number of drawers. I'm just giving an estimated guess, but I probably have more than 100 hours in mine. That's not counting the time standing next to the blast cabinet which was about 8 I would say. Materials for me was probably close to 100 bucks: sheet metal, degreaser, wire brushes, sandpaper, primer, paint, drawer liner, etc. Now that I think about it, it was likely more than a hundred. If you enjoy doing it, and have the time, I say go for it. If you want something right now, either pay big bucks, or look for a nicer version is what I'd say.

 

[RagTopTA]

So the guy with the Snap on top box isn't replying and with the issues noted above and the angle iron welded to the sides, I think I will pass.

Here is another chest. I don't plan to buy this one simply because I don't need another chest this size. However, I did ask the seller about it, and he doesn't seem to know much about it and can't find a makers mark. I thought I would post it here and see if anyone could identify it. Might help him with the sell.



I think it is cool looking old box.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Man thats a cool box did you get it?

 

[fowldarr]

No, I didn't have room for it, but I was going to go look at it monday (it's about 1.5 hours away, but I was going to be over there anyway). I'm told it has now sold. It was listed for $150, if he had still had it on monday, I would have probably bought it and figured it out space later.

 

[gambo53]

“the devil made me do it” had to buy this 1960's Craftsman Commercial box. Vintage pinstriping and art work, $40 ......ah too nice to use.

 

[Outlawmws]

Not too nice to use, but way too nice to ABUSE!

Specialty tools/parts and Indoor use! Got any "inside hobby's" that require tools? Guns? fishing reels? More along the lines of "gentleman's" work!

 

[Zeeman]

Yes, that is nice. I wish I could pin stripe.

 

[bluebolt]

That's a nice box Gambo53. Like Outlaw I would use for something that was less likey to be abused. Storage for collectibles, inside the house box for occasional tools etcetera.

 

[fowldarr]

Drives promised that if I was patient a better deal would come along.



They aren't the prettiest, some minor surface rust (most of which should clean off). In the back of my truck on the way home now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thehorse13]

Drives promised that if I was patient a better deal would come along.



They aren't the prettiest, some minor surface rust (most of which should clean off). In the back of my truck on the way home now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That top box is really nice. Show us more pictures once you're back at home.

 

[drivesitfar]

Fowl: great cause i usually bring my bride with me to the beach and she's ok with me throwing a few big vises in the Honda on the way down or back, but she's not happy if i get a machine or dirty tool box in the mix with her nice clothes.

nice find and for clean up do you have a favorite method or what are you going to try that maybe another GJ member told you might work?

WELL DONE!!

(do i still get a piece of marion berry cobbler or crisp when we meet even if you don't need any tools?)

 

[fowldarr]

I'll start with a general degreasing using whatever degreaser I have in my garage, see what I'm dealing with and go from there.

I'm always up for any Marionberry dessert, so you don't even have to ask, and I still need a vise.

These ones I noticed in an estate sale picture of an estate sale I couldn't make (it was in Eugene). Just so happened I had to be over here for work today so I message the seller. They had not sold at the estate sale. I got both boxes and some assorted tools for only slightly more than the snap on top box I posted above that you talked me out of.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fowldarr]

Here are some more pictures.

And the other stuff I grabbed



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Zeeman]

Here's my Craftsman top box that I've been working on for quite a while. There's a thread showing what all I did to it: Saving a Craftsman Tool Box, or something close to that.

 

[Tool_Master]

Here's my Craftsman top box that I've been working on for quite a while. There's a thread showing what all I did to it: Saving a Craftsman Tool Box, or something close to that.

Zeeman, the box is a real beauty. Great job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Zeeman]

Thank you, Thank you verrra much.