The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[maxcarp709]

Rileysan,Great Score! The P&C chest looks exactly like the Duplex chest I had a while back.I believe they both came from the same source. The bigger chest looks like a Huot. They are the only ones I have seen with the double hinges on the front cover.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Finally comes this unusual top chest that I can't identify. Anyone have an idea what this is? I kinda thought it looked like a Plomb chest. $40



Brian



View attachment 655181













Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

Brian... I see you got the other one in the ad [emoji108][emoji51] to me this looks more cornwell or Blackhawk than plomb... I saw it in the ad and couldn't quite put my finger on it and still can't. I love the p&c box as well ! Can't wait until I get my new tool box so I can post it here [emoji38]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[thehorse13]

Finally comes this unusual top chest that I can't identify. Anyone have an idea what this is? I kinda thought it looked like a Plomb chest. $40

Brian



Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

The handles on this box are identical to the ones on my Huot box. Curiously, your box does not have the embossed oval and horizontal lines you normally see on the front cover of Huot boxes.

 

[nine4gmc]

That was throwing me too Horse. I had a Huot identical but with the oval embossed on the cover.

I want to say they made boxes for MAC or someone else as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thehorse13]

That was throwing me too Horse. I had a Huot identical but with the oval embossed on the cover.

I want to say they made boxes for MAC or someone else as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The other Huot give away is the single embossed seam along the lid. Huot was the only company that I'm aware of that did this to the box lid.

Maybe the double folding door models did not receive the embossing.

 

[twertsy]

I've shown these off in my video, and posted here and there in this thread after acquisition, but I don't think I've gone through them all here. So, here's my vintage box hoard:

Pics 1-3, Blackhawk from newest to oldest;
Pics 4, 5, Bonney Top Boxes (NEED a Roller)
Pic 6, CMAN stack
Pic 7, Huot top

 

[twertsy]

Pic 1 - Huth Card Boxes
Pic 2 - My main user box
Pic 3 - MAC Side Cab
Pic 4 - MAC / MATCO Stack
Pic 5 - Spray-bombed MAC Stack
Pic 6 - MATCO Roller with a bunch of carry boxes
Pic 7 - MATCO Stack

 

[twertsy]

MBC Top Box
My Map Cabinets I use for materials for the CNC Router
Proto Roll Cab with Stainless Top
Remline Stack
Remline Roller with PowerKraft Top
SK Stack
Small SO side cab

 

[twertsy]

SO "too tall" stack
Bunch of top boxes including SO, Plomb, Cornwell, etc.
SO Cab / MAC Top
SO Stack
Taco Box 1
Taco Box 2
Tool Mobile with SO Top

 

[twertsy]

Twin Home Made Boxes (these are my favorite) Several of you folks have tried to lift these..........no clue why there are handles, they are HEAVY!
Waterloo Roll Cab
Williams Stack
Yorktown Stack

 

[mcmlvif100]

First off, from a Goodwill online auction comes this wall mounted Heritage era woodworking box. $19.99 + auction fee.

Nice score and at a great price, especially if it included the hand brace (which looks to be in nice shape) and the little level. I have a slightly different and later Crown Top version of Craftsman wall cabinet. Mine has pegboard instead of dedicated clips so I can tailor it more to my preferences. I put in new pegboard but otherwise just cleaned it and put it up.

 

[bubinga]

This one here, I really like. Hope it's not too big.
If so, let me know, I'll edit it.
The Mac/Matco

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Auction find today, came with key. Some rust but the slides seem ok. $40


It was full, but mostly hardware and junk. Did find a nice 3m sanding block...lol

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Well....poo

I found one bent slide on the Mac box, now to find a replacement. Date code on the box is 1966, if anyone has any suggestions, or has some extra slides let me know. Going to keep an eye on eBay for someone parting one out.

 

[Outlawmws]

That actually looks fixable Sam...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That actually looks fixable Sam...

I'm not sure, possibly. It is also split, although that could be fixed as well. I may attempt it if I don't have any luck finding a replacement.

 

[Rileysan]

Nice score and at a great price, especially if it included the hand brace (which looks to be in nice shape) and the little level. I have a slightly different and later Crown Top version of Craftsman wall cabinet. Mine has pegboard instead of dedicated clips so I can tailor it more to my preferences. I put in new pegboard but otherwise just cleaned it and put it up.

Thank you! Even if empty, I wouldn't have hesitated to "buy it now" at $19.99. It is the first one I've actually seen for sale here in the Pacific NW since I started collecting vintage Craftsman 2 years ago.

As for what was in it, I removed about 20 brace bits, a few gouge chisels, an "egg beater" style drill, and some other things I have already forgotten - all of which were not original but were made in America.

The level says "Craftsman" while the brace drill says "Dunlap" - which is likely not original.


Brian

 

[Rileysan]

I'm not sure, possibly. It is also split, although that could be fixed as well. I may attempt it if I don't have any luck finding a replacement.

If you're any good at brazing, you should easily be able to fix the split. Straightening those is a bit of work but can be done. I've been working on one this week from a Craftsman red/gray mid box I just acquired and I think I finally got it where I like it.

Brian

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

If you're any good at brazing, you should easily be able to fix the split. Straightening those is a bit of work but can be done. I've been working on one this week from a Craftsman red/gray mid box I just acquired and I think I finally got it where I like it.



Brian

Hmm, never tried brazing and my welding skills are mediocre on a good day. How did you straighten yours?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well....poo

I found one bent slide on the Mac box, now to find a replacement. Date code on the box is 1966, if anyone has any suggestions, or has some extra slides let me know. Going to keep an eye on eBay for someone parting one out.

That box is made by Waterloo! Keep an eye out and you should find someone parting out !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Rileysan]

Hmm, never tried brazing and my welding skills are mediocre on a good day. How did you straighten yours?

Don't use a welder if you can help it. If that's all you have, try to "puddle" weld the two halves. That is, burn through one side and into the other with a spot weld (not inside the rail slide surface. It's helpful if you have a piece of brass on the back side.

I dug through the scrap metal pile at work until I found some flat bar that I could use as a jig inside the two halves of the rail. Adding just a little bit of heat from a torch (very delicate process), I was able to bend the rail to the proper shape while holding it in a vise (with flat bar supporting the inside of the two halves of the rail so as to not crush the two halves together). This will create a slight "bow" in both halves of the rail where it was bent. Using the flat bar and a body hammer, I flattened the rails to the correct shape. I don't know how it will hold up over the long run but it is as close to original as ever.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Don't use a welder if you can help it. If that's all you have, try to "puddle" weld the two halves. That is, burn through one side and into the other with a spot weld (not inside the rail slide surface. It's helpful if you have a piece of brass on the back side.



I dug through the scrap metal pile at work until I found some flat bar that I could use as a jig inside the two halves of the rail. Adding just a little bit of heat from a torch (very delicate process), I was able to bend the rail to the proper shape while holding it in a vise (with flat bar supporting the inside of the two halves of the rail so as to not crush the two halves together). This will create a slight "bow" in both halves of the rail where it was bent. Using the flat bar and a body hammer, I flattened the rails to the correct shape. I don't know how it will hold up over the long run but it is as close to original as ever.

Really good idea! I will be doing something like this in the plomb top box '


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[lilredex]

Here is a new one from Argentina, a MeCar. Found it yesrday for $2 at a garage sale. My plans are to straighten the sheet metal, square up the box and make the lid fit better......already done. Now just need a clear day with no rain, to paint it. Was thinking of painting it a hammered green like in post #11 here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4989107

The final use will be to house tools that are only ocassionally used like special micrometers (depth and bore), dial indicators and 1-2-3 blocks, etc.

Has anyone ever encountered a MeCar box before? I could not find any info on them.

 

[captd2]

Hi Twertsy, Seen your pictures and I am very curious about the Mac side tool box in picture 3. Is there a model number and date of mfg on the side cabinet. Does that cabinet fit or belong to the MB 510 upper box and MB 520 lower cabinet? I have never seen a side cabinet like that one with the small chrome handles!

Best Regards, Doug

 

[twertsy]

Hi Twertsy, Seen your pictures and I am very curious about the Mac side tool box in picture 3. Is there a model number and date of mfg on the side cabinet. Does that cabinet fit or belong to the MB 510 upper box and MB 520 lower cabinet? I have never seen a side cabinet like that one with the small chrome handles!

Best Regards, Doug

I'd have to look later this week Doug. Or, I may have all the specs on toolarchives..com if you want to look there.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[6pony6]

Does anyone have an idea about this box. Picked it up today for $5. There is an 11-81 stamp and the word Model stamped inside top.

No other markings I can find. The rectangular spot where there use to be a logo isn't legible. Other than being made in 1981, anyone have an idea. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

Does anyone have an idea about this box. Picked it up today for $5. There is an 11-81 stamp and the word Model stamped inside top.

No other markings I can find. The rectangular spot where there use to be a logo isn't legible. Other than being made in 1981, anyone have an idea. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whatever it is, you ****!

Brian

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[Username already in use]

Those handles look lik RemLine to me. Nice box.

 

[ryan20021982]

Well....poo

I found one bent slide on the Mac box, now to find a replacement. Date code on the box is 1966, if anyone has any suggestions, or has some extra slides let me know. Going to keep an eye on eBay for someone parting one out.

Heres a set of them right here for $15

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drawer-Slides-For-Kennedy-Machinist-Tool-Die-Upper-Tool-Box-One-Pair-/252955998288?hash=item3ae55a3850:g:NfUAAOSw1WJZJdnE

 

[ryan20021982]

Those handles look lik RemLine to me. Nice box.

Don't think I have seen a Remline box with handles like that and they did'nt have there logo on them. Same style but no logo.

 

[beatcad]

Does anyone have an idea about this box. Picked it up today for $5. There is an 11-81 stamp and the word Model stamped inside top.

No other markings I can find. The rectangular spot where there use to be a logo isn't legible. Other than being made in 1981, anyone have an idea. Thanks.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yesterday i found the matching bottom box to that one.
only marking on it was the same stameing MODEL and than 6-81

 

[Username already in use]

Don't think I have seen a Remline box with handles like that and they did'nt have there logo on them. Same style but no logo.

Right, for sure not a branded RemLine box, but they did made boxes for lots of other brands. They just didn't put the tin man on those other box's pulls.
Here's a pic of the pulls on my RemLine made Powr-Kraft stack. Looks like the same pulls to me.

 

[ryan20021982]

Right, for sure not a branded RemLine box, but they did made boxes for lots of other brands. They just didn't put the tin man on those other box's pulls.
Here's a pic of the pulls on my RemLine made Powr-Kraft stack. Looks like the same pulls to me.

Nevermind I'm an idiot, I knew that and also have a Powrkraft box with those handles lol

View media item 68441

 

[DWise]

6pony6, Are those acorn nuts holding the handles on? I have never seen those before, neat!

 

[ecotec]

6pony6, Are those acorn nuts holding the handles on? I have never seen those before, neat!

I bet they drilled out the rivets at some point to repaint it and then put the handles back on with screws and acorn nuts...

 

[twertsy]

I bet they drilled out the rivets at some point to repaint it and then put the handles back on with screws and acorn nuts...

Yup, no doubt.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's actually a really good idea. I like that better than pop rivets...

 

[6pony6]

That's actually a really good idea. I like that better than pop rivets...

Yes, they are acorn nuts which had me puzzled too.

Another weird thing is the spot where the label is has a recessed edge around the whole label. I've looked for a box with acorn nuts and a label that was recessed, but haven't had any luck.

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Umm.....$5?!??!

I'll just say it.....You ****!!!!!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

Do the drawers have slides, or are they running on runners only?

Dimensions of the box?

And yes, you ****... (<< This is high praise around here...) Heck of a first post!