The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[00fxd]

Thanks for the input thehorse13
Too bad it won't fit in a flat rate box or we'd have a deal.

Mine should be more orange than red, right?
If I can't sell it soon I should probably repaint it. I have a similar family heirloom machinist's chest (Kennedy) that might look good sitting on top. And any of us could use a few more drawers for tool storage... Sounds like I am trying to justify NOT selling it.

Hey Shiftless Where are u located? I have a spot for one - I recently sold a roller and wish now I hadn't :-(

 

[thehorse13]

Thanks for the input thehorse13
Too bad it won't fit in a flat rate box or we'd have a deal.

Mine should be more orange than red, right?
If I can't sell it soon I should probably repaint it. I have a similar family heirloom machinist's chest (Kennedy) that might look good sitting on top. And any of us could use a few more drawers for tool storage... Sounds like I am trying to justify NOT selling it.

Urgh. If only. That is the second one I missed here on GJ from a member. I would have made your roller look brand new.

One of these days we'll have to get a tools transport section opened up on the site.

 

[00fxd]

One of these days we'll have to get a tools transport section opened up on the site.

thehorse13 Theres guys traveling every which way all the time, it would be interesting to develop a system where it could be posted who is going where.... you never know ....

I have recently sent antique [heavy] car doors and other stuff up to 11 hours away by just asking around.

 

[Rileysan]

So I went ahead and picked up the Craftsman roller for $20. I also picked up a few other things. Glad I called him!

Brian

 

[Shiftless]

Hey Shiftless Where are u located? I have a spot for one - I recently sold a roller and wish now I hadn't :-(

Bay Area across from San Francisco (SFO is the airport code)

 

[Smokeshow69]

So I went ahead and picked up the Craftsman roller for $20. I also picked up a few other things. Glad I called him!



Brian

Dude I almost went and got it the first night you posted it...did you seriously get the vise and the proto stuff at the same stop... Please tell me the puller box is empty... Gouge my eyes out now, can't believe I didn't go get this dang thing. You **** !

Edit: I just saw your garage sale post, major non buyers remorse setting in

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rileysan]

Dude I almost went and got it the first night you posted it...did you seriously get the vise and the proto stuff at the same stop... Please tell me the puller box is empty... Gouge my eyes out now, can't believe I didn't go get this dang thing. You **** !

Edit: I just saw your garage sale post, major non buyers remorse setting in

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I made the mistake of sending him an email and he told me he was a retired machist who was selling off everything and moving in with his son and daughter-in-law. That's all I needed to hear!

I didn't know about the vise until I got there. He was very kind and I think he appreciated my honesty on the values so he cut me great deals all the way around!

The Proto wrench pouches are a little rough but yours if you want them.

Brian

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[drivesitfar]

Brian: i almost emailed him too cause i need to visit your area again next week. sounds like he was/is a great guy and maybe you can offer him the use of your shop so he can work on his stuff and maybe teach you some skills?

00, Shift, Horse: i know one of the other forums maybe Vintage Machinery has a sort of MULE TRAIN set up to get tools and HUGE MACHINES back and forth across the USA and not sure why we couldn't do something like that. i've driven to Eugene, Oregon 2 times the last month with a half empty trailer or empty trailer for the ride back home. I also used to drive to Moses Lake a couple times a week which is about a 2.5 hour drive EAST. i'd love to see Montana again which is about an 10+ hour drive and 2 or 3 tanks of gas.

ALL: keep finding and posting up these cool old rollers and anybody see any Plvmb rollers on Ebay or other Auction sites lately or a nice old PROTO or Mac box?

 

[thehorse13]

Brian: i almost emailed him too cause i need to visit your area again next week. sounds like he was/is a great guy and maybe you can offer him the use of your shop so he can work on his stuff and maybe teach you some skills?

00, Shift, Horse: i know one of the other forums maybe Vintage Machinery has a sort of MULE TRAIN set up to get tools and HUGE MACHINES back and forth across the USA and not sure why we couldn't do something like that. i've driven to Eugene, Oregon 2 times the last month with a half empty trailer or empty trailer for the ride back home. I also used to drive to Moses Lake a couple times a week which is about a 2.5 hour drive EAST. i'd love to see Montana again which is about an 10+ hour drive and 2 or 3 tanks of gas.

ALL: keep finding and posting up these cool old rollers and anybody see any Plvmb rollers on Ebay or other Auction sites lately or a nice old PROTO or Mac box?

Drives, maybe you will be the care taker of yet anothe GJ thread. The MULE TRAIN thread.

The idea is fantastic and would help people get items that would otherwise be out of reach. Seeing that KR roller that Shiftless has and knowing that I could have had it really makes me think that others must be in the same boat as me.

 

[drivesitfar]

Horse & ALL: i might just have to start a MULE TRAIN THREAD here in vintage. one thing it might do is get together members in the middle that get to handle some pretty darn cool stuff and also meet other members. GOOD IDEA.

i'd post my 1950's SNAPPY BOX for Horse to drool on, but i think he found one. or did he? it can start it's trek across the USA maybe as the first one on the MULE TRAIN.

i wonder how many TRUCKERS we have on GJ that like these vintage tools and stuff that might want in on this?

as ARTE JOHNSON used to say every Tuesday night at the end of Laugh in VERY INTERESTING!!

 

[twertsy]

Horse & ALL: i might just have to start a MULE TRAIN THREAD here in vintage. one thing it might do is get together members in the middle that get to handle some pretty darn cool stuff and also meet other members. GOOD IDEA.

i'd post my 1950's SNAPPY BOX for Horse to drool on, but i think he found one. or did he? it can start it's trek across the USA maybe as the first one on the MULE TRAIN.

i wonder how many TRUCKERS we have on GJ that like these vintage tools and stuff that might want in on this?

as ARTE JOHNSON used to say every Tuesday night at the end of Laugh in VERY INTERESTING!!

Start that thread Drives. I can be the first post, the Raptor and I are headed from VA to 'Bama in July so I'll offer some room.........

 

[drivesitfar]

TWERTSY: i know you are busy with your ToolArchives website and i'm wanting to check it out more often and help more once i have time. i'm trying to get ORGANIZED and avoid turning my FSD to FSS like you mentioned can happen.

for those of you that don't know FSD (flat surface disease) is where any flat surface gets something put on it whether it be a bench, floor, shelf or even things like car hoods. Twertsy took it one further to FSS (Flat Surface Syndrome) cause he thinks there is no cure for his FSD.

maybe this GJ MULE TRAIN might help him trade or sell a few of his doubles, triples and quads of his tools to help him head back to FSD.

THE GJ MULE TRAIN THREAD HAS BEEN STARTED and let the conversations begin. it's not a classified section and only for deals already made, but if you are heading any direction and might be able to move a tool, machine or something valuable down the road and meet another member too just let us know. the link for the new thread is in my sig line!!

cheers

 

[Smokeshow69]

I made the mistake of sending him an email and he told me he was a retired machist who was selling off everything and moving in with his son and daughter-in-law. That's all I needed to hear!

I didn't know about the vise until I got there. He was very kind and I think he appreciated my honesty on the values so he cut me great deals all the way around!

The Proto wrench pouches are a little rough but yours if you want them.

Brian

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

Pm sent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[RagTopTA]

for anyone near Dallas / Ft worth vintage Craftsman... tools in it, keys, looks in pretty good condition. Asking $450. Not really into older craftsman but someone here might be..

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/tls/6140715721.html

 

[Outlawmws]

For $450 I think he's on crack...

 

[RagTopTA]

its high dollar huh... its got a buncha tools in it. but man... Id prob offer like 150$ if I was into them. I was searchin Plomb and he had it as a keyword grrrr

 

[Outlawmws]

Not enough nor good enough tools to get ti to $450.

God I hate the catch phrase "Good condition for its age"...

 

[RagTopTA]

Prob a dealer Im sure..

 

[honza.vosalik]

Paid five bucks today.
I have no use for it.
I bought it solely for GJ collectors or if no interest I'll part it out next month in this thread.

Where are you located?

 

[Loydski29]

Pm sent ducksface

 

[ducksface]

I never thought of the significance of this box.
Military, pre zip code, excellent shape in and out, red primer appears to have protected it well, but, I'm ggetting flashes of black under it when looking at some scratches. The duckedup label is my fault it was perfect until iI scrubbed it under low light, which is what leads me to believe the primer was a very early add on, maybe protecting the original paint.

There seems to be, based on my two minutes and I lost interest Google search, a need for this exact box to military collectors. Didn't care, didn'tlook hard.

 

[natejohn]

Hi everyone, I came across this forum trying to dig up some information on a toolbox I bought today.

I bought what I believe to be an early to mid 80's Matco drop front toolbox from an elderly widow whose husband was a Mac tools dealer. I'd been looking for something in this era for a while now since it doesn't seem to be too easy to find boxes like these anymore with out all full width drawers. I've always been a fan of smaller drawers, especially in a service truck to help with everything sliding around.

I came across this one in an ad today on craigslist, and snapped it up immediately. It's basically brand new, like right off the truck new. It's never been owned, and has never actually stored anything other than the drawer liners, which are also mint.

Anyone know anything about these? Age? Price? I'm super excited about it and can't wait to get her working after waiting so patiently!

 

[Outlawmws]

Look on the back lower left corner with GOOD LIGHT, and see if the model and date code is there.

 

[natejohn]

Look on the back lower left corner with GOOD LIGHT, and see if the model and date code is there.

Aha, found it. That took some searching, I hadn't noticed it on the first look over. I can't quite read the model number from the picture I took (MB-500..?) but the serial number is clear and I'm guessing the date code is... 1979?

 

[Outlawmws]

Yeah, that's what I get with some pic enhancement.

 

[natejohn]

Yeah, that's what I get with some pic enhancement.

Thank you for the tip. ****, this thing is older than I am. I love it. Sat in someone's garage forever waiting for me to come along I guess. Kickass!

 

[drivesitfar]

NJ: nice looking Matco box and it's one of my favorite ones. also welcome to GJ an i hope you like this forum as much as I do.

if you want to go in your GJ profile and put in a location it might help us help you on some of your questions cause we've got members from all over the world. i'm guessing since you mention Craigslist and found an almost 40 year old Matco box that you are from the USA, but that doesn't narrow it down much.

also while you are in your GJ profile you can click on Avatar and download a picture that will show up just under your name on all your posts.

your Matco looks pretty darn good and wondering if it came with drawer liners too. did it?

 

[Rileysan]

Thank you for the tip. ****, this thing is older than I am. I love it. Sat in someone's garage forever waiting for me to come along I guess. Kickass!

Grats on finding a great box and welcome to GJ!

Brian

 

[davethorik]

Might be the wrong thread since it's a fishing tackle box and not a tool box...but I recently found this Kennedy TC-20-AL, overall good shape but it had something heavy resting on it for a while and smooshed the top, and the 2 drawers hit each other and are hard to latch. The drawers themselves are plastic with metal faces and metal slides. I'm guessing the reason you dont see many of these is that they broke and got thrown out.

 

[natejohn]

NJ: nice looking Matco box and it's one of my favorite ones. also welcome to GJ an i hope you like this forum as much as I do.

if you want to go in your GJ profile and put in a location it might help us help you on some of your questions cause we've got members from all over the world. i'm guessing since you mention Craigslist and found an almost 40 year old Matco box that you are from the USA, but that doesn't narrow it down much.

also while you are in your GJ profile you can click on Avatar and download a picture that will show up just under your name on all your posts.

your Matco looks pretty darn good and wondering if it came with drawer liners too. did it?

Done and done. I'm up in Vancouver BC. Matco boxes aren't very common up here but those who have them swear by them. I'm very pleased to have one for sure.

It did come with drawer liners. They hadn't been put into the drawers until very recently. The lady I bought it from mentioned that she had put them in just before putting it up for sale. They still have a curve to them, they aren't flattened out yet.

I'll take a few more pictures later and post em up.

 

[Cope]

Hi everyone, I came across this forum trying to dig up some information on a toolbox I bought today.

I bought what I believe to be an early to mid 80's Matco drop front toolbox from an elderly widow whose husband was a Mac tools dealer. I'd been looking for something in this era for a while now since it doesn't seem to be too easy to find boxes like these anymore with out all full width drawers. I've always been a fan of smaller drawers, especially in a service truck to help with everything sliding around.

I came across this one in an ad today on craigslist, and snapped it up immediately. It's basically brand new, like right off the truck new. It's never been owned, and has never actually stored anything other than the drawer liners, which are also mint.

Anyone know anything about these? Age? Price? I'm super excited about it and can't wait to get her working after waiting so patiently!

Please post up some measurements too. That MB-500 looks bigger than the early 1990 vintage MB-5XX series, and the newer ones didn't have the drop down front panel. Yours is from the beginnings of Matco as a tool company and not a supplier of boxes for Mac.

 

[natejohn]

Please post up some measurements too. That MB-500 looks bigger than the early 1990 vintage MB-5XX series, and the newer ones didn't have the drop down front panel. Yours is from the beginnings of Matco as a tool company and not a supplier of boxes for Mac.

Measurements are unofficially 26"W x 17.5"H x 16"D.

I took a closer look at the stamping on the side of it, and it definitely says Matco (same logo style Mac uses) MB-500 JUNE then SN on the next line then MADE IN USA 79 on the last line.

I've attached a few more pictures. The magnets and extra handles and whatnot were inside the box.

 

[drivesitfar]

NJ: if you'd like to trade your Matco top box for my 1950 Snap on roller that isn't in quite as good of shape we are practically neighbors in this big world except for that boarder crossing. or a big US made vintage vise? or if you have a spot for it and want to keep it i won't hold that against you.

nice looking box and some nice extras too.

 

[natejohn]

NJ: if you'd like to trade your Matco top box for my 1950 Snap on roller that isn't in quite as good of shape we are practically neighbors in this big world except for that boarder crossing. or a big US made vintage vise? or if you have a spot for it and want to keep it i won't hold that against you.

nice looking box and some nice extras too.

Oh I definitely have a spot for it. I've been floundering with low end Mastercraft toolboxes since I started my apprenticeship in heavy duty in 2006, and have finally decided to invest in more durable stuff. I love the older boxes, so this is right up my alley.

Appreciate the offer, though

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Nice box natejohn, any chance you'd want ro part ways with the stickers?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Cope]

Measurements are unofficially 26"W x 17.5"H x 16"D.

I took a closer look at the stamping on the side of it, and it definitely says Matco (same logo style Mac uses) MB-500 JUNE then SN on the next line then MADE IN USA 79 on the last line.

I've attached a few more pictures. The magnets and extra handles and whatnot were inside the box.

Thanks, you got a very nice vintage Matco box.

 

[driverinmyhead]

Here is my vintage tool box that was used by a Mechanic/ Crew Chief from Alan Green Chevrolet. He worked on the Z-16 Impala, their Cheetah, L88 Corvettes, 1967 Trans Am Racing Camaro Z28, and MANY others...






*

 

[Cope]

Here is my vintage tool box that was used by a Mechanic/ Crew Chief from Alan Green Chevrolet. He worked on the Z-16 Impala, their Cheetah, L88 Corvettes, 1967 Trans Am Racing Camaro Z28, and MANY others...
*

Nice set, thanks for sharing. If only that box could talk.

 

[jkherd]

Here a a couple of my old boxes still in use at work. Vintage Craftsman. Also the tool boxes that I have in my shop. My sons think I may have a problem....maybe so.

 

[driverinmyhead]

It did! I found the original owner. Still lives in the area!