Older Craftsman Box needs a couple new slides

[zjrog]

I am reluctant to buy expensive replacement slides for my old box, but I still use it with my 44" HF box.


If only things were as clean today as then...


My instruction sheets are long since gone, many moves ago. This was new in about 1995. Where will I find a Sears part number to reference for the slides? Also, a thread I read while searching said some boxes were Waterloo. Curious if mine was or not. They are friction slides, and I doubt ball bearing slides would be worth the expense for a well used but treated nice box. If the cost is prohibitive, I may just go get the two side boxes for the HF box.

 

[FadedGray]

Could look for a part number on the box and cross reference it here http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/brands-products/Craftsman-Parts/Tool-Storage-Parts. Or you could sift through the over 2500 links on what I just posted. Guessing the HF side boxes will probably be a better option though.

 

[zjrog]

Thanks...

 

[dumper]

find an old Cman donor box. Those old friction slides last forever...unless they get bent. I am waiting for a donor lower panel door for an old Cman roller I recently bought. Otherwise, its not worth buying new parts.

 

[zjrog]

I see a couple of those in the classifieds, I might have to do just that. One is bent, but sort of back and one is detached some where inside. I have no been able to get to it due to cold and recent achilles tendon surgery. All part of my spring cleaning plans...

 

[ford guy]

Hey There,
How about getting the dimensions of the slides you need. I've got some slides from an old Craftsman box that may work for you. I don't have the drawers anymore, but still have the outside shell of the box and the slides to be used for parts.
If they will work, you can have 'em for the shipping cost.

I won't be able to take the slide measurements until this evening (shhh...I'm at work right now!)

Bob

 

[zjrog]

Bob, Shhhh, I'm at work too, and Retired Navy, brother. I will measure those tonight!

 

[ford guy]

The slides I have are 10.5 inches long & I have all the slides from the pictured box.

 

[zjrog]

I wasn't able to get a pic, but the 10.5" is the same and they look like your pic. Sadly though, the tabs they slide on in the box aren't full length, and are about worn through. My phone died so I couldn't get a pic. So. As much as I loved that old top box, I need to find another... And probably, those HF side boxes too... Thanks though. The slides I was worried about are just fun, not sure how to fix the insides. I'll try and get a pic or two tonight though.

 

[ford guy]

How about removing the box mounted slides & spot weld new slides in?

 

[zjrog]

I'll try and get a pic, but they aren't welded in, they are barely even punched tabs...

 

[mattygee]

I replaced most most of the friction slides in my old Proto box with generic 100lb roller slides off ebay. Worthwhile mod that doesn't break the bank.

M>

 

[taumac]

Problem with those boxes is that they're home owner grade boxes. I've had a set like them and the slides don't wear out but the tabs that hold the slides bend. Unlike older boxes or upgraded boxes they don't have full channel for the friction slide to slide in in the box.

The drawer is really easy to pull out. Pull the drawer fully out. Push in 1/4 to 1/2in and push the tab in and drawer slides out. Unfortunately, it's too expense to really upgrade to ball bearing unless that stack has real sentimental valve to them.

 

[zjrog]

I got busy with a backup camera and monitor install the other day and forgot pics. But taumac is correct. I may see what I can do to save the tabs, but probably best I look for a new box...

 

[ford guy]

OK, good luck with it. I'm sure there comes a point where the box isn't worth the financial and labor effort.
Bob

 

[taumac]

Buddy of mine had a Snap On box that need the guides for the slides to slide in. He said it it was easy project to make some out of sheet metal.

You can go that route and make some. What I used to do is pull the drawer and fix them. Small hammer and punch should get them back where you need them if choose to keep them. They can become a BS units to throw stuff in.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Unless the tabs are literally broken I don't know why you couldn't use a hammer and punch to remove the drawers and rehab it. I used Knipex pliers wrenches to squeeze the box side of the drawer slides in to get them a bit tighter. Then you just use a flathead to bend the slide locks and again to lock the drawer to the slide.

 

[taumac]

Unless the tabs are literally broken I don't know why you couldn't use a hammer and punch to remove the drawers and rehab it. I used Knipex pliers wrenches to squeeze the box side of the drawer slides in to get them a bit tighter. Then you just use a flathead to bend the slide locks and again to lock the drawer to the slide.

That's same method I used.

 

[zjrog]

Thanks for the tips, I will try the hammer and punches this weekend. Hoping the tabs don't crack and break off. Haven't looked at the lower box, I know I had it overloaded for a long time, but it did always open. It's only sentimental value is it was XMas gift in 1996 from my wife...

This spring is a time for a big cleaning. Been in the house for 11 years almost, and the shelves were built shortly after. and some of the same boxes are in the same spot, and it's just time to go through them. I built the shelves for 30 gallon plastic totes, and I need to buy a few more before I start...

 

[zjrog]

Last weekend had other priorities. But I am pulling this old Craftsman box apart this coming week to see if I can get those tabs bent back in shape.

I did move some tools around between boxes, trying to empty the old box...


And ran across the model numbers for the Bottom roller and upper box...

Starting to look for older Craftsman top and middle boxes. And will be saving up for a HF side box for the 44...