The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[hwri]

I have a early Snap On tool box . It was featured in a 1931 catalog. I am trying to get an approximate value for it. It is missing its castors. It needs to be cleaned up.

Location Detroit area

Does anyone have any comments ?

Thank you

 

[ndfan6464]

I have a early Snap On tool box . It was featured in a 1931 catalog. I am trying to get an approximate value for it. It is missing its castors. It needs to be cleaned up.

Location Detroit area

Does anyone have any comments ?

Thank you

Funny you should post about this tool box. Just picked one up myself last weekend. A good start would be around $175. Since it's missing the castor's and the side tool holder. I am basing this off what I paid for complete original 31. Others can chime in

 

[mcmlvif100]

I have a early Snap On tool box . It was featured in a 1931 catalog. I am trying to get an approximate value for it. It is missing its castors. It needs to be cleaned up.

Location Detroit area

Does anyone have any comments ?

Thank you

Funny you should post about this tool box. Just picked one up myself last weekend. A good start would be around $175. Since it's missing the castor's and the side tool holder. I am basing this off what I paid for complete original 31. Others can chime in

Yours is also missing the optional side panels and door kit for enclosing the bottom shelf, all of which were on ndfan6464's similar tool cart

 

[hwri]

The snap on tool box does have the side tool holder.

Thanks

 

[Username already in use]

I'm really not sure why, but I snapped up this heritage logo C-Man carpenters box with tray. In great shape with original light blue paint for $7. Guess I'll need to find a nice Craftsman level to put in there...

 

[Sunset_Z28]

I'm really not sure why, but I snapped up this heritage logo C-Man carpenters box with tray. In great shape with original light blue paint for $7. Guess I'll need to find a nice Craftsman level to put in there...

Great buy for $7. I would've jumped on that too. I'm a sucker for old boxes.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have a couple of those. One is full of saws, the other full of the full sized long handled Whitney punches, some bolt cutters a band iron shear and the like..

 

[Rileysan]

I'm really not sure why, but I snapped up this heritage logo C-Man carpenters box with tray. In great shape with original light blue paint for $7. Guess I'll need to find a nice Craftsman level to put in there...

I almost never see those carpenter's boxes. You get a "you ****" from me just because you weren't all that excited about it.

Brian

 

[Username already in use]

I almost never see those carpenter's boxes. You get a "you ****" from me just because you weren't all that excited about it.

Brian

The suckage ins't because I paid less than list price in 1946?

If you want to pay the shipping... lemme know.

 

[compunaut]

I found this Rem Line box waiting for the trash last year. I gave it a home and a makeover.


Any advice for a newbie attempting a vintage box restoration? I've picked up a few Craftsman, Kennedy & others this summer with the intent of working on them this fall (when it cools down a bit), but honestly I'm not quite sure where to start. I've armed my self with Simple Green for initial cleaning and Blaster penetrant to start breaking down rust/corrosion, but what's the consensus for treating / removing the finish (or lack thereof) on the sheet metal surfaces? Sandpaper, wire brush, steel wool?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'm really not sure why, but I snapped up this heritage logo C-Man carpenters box with tray. In great shape with original light blue paint for $7. Guess I'll need to find a nice Craftsman level to put in there...

Very nice find! I've never seen that but then I'm just getting into the toolboxes.

 

[Tomthumb717]

Any suggestions on what to use to clean off a somewhat significant overall coating of shop gunk, reside on a MAC top box? The paint underneath is in good shape with barely little or no rust which I would like to preserve as much as possible. I've tried several items such a solution of Simple Green and Zep 505 and these seem to only really work if they are full strength but in doing so they begin to remove some paint. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mintgrun]

The approach really depends on the box, but I have been enjoying using car paint rubbing, or polishing compound; knowing I am removing some paint along with the dirty stains and rusty tint.

They feel nice and clean, once that outer layer has been rubbed off.
I followed that with McGuiars #7, which seems to feed the paint.

 

[maxcarp709]

Any suggestions on what to use to clean off a somewhat significant overall coating of shop gunk, reside on a MAC top box? The paint underneath is in good shape with barely little or no rust which I would like to preserve as much as possible. I've tried several items such a solution of Simple Green and Zep 505 and these seem to only really work if they are full strength but in doing so they begin to remove some paint. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Try using a mix of Dawn dish soap and water,and use a scrubee sponge.Use the sponge to wet the surface down and work the soap in,and use the scrubee to work the tough spots.Simple Green or Zep will work too,but Dawn is the least harmful to the paint.

 

[mcmlvif100]

Any suggestions on what to use to clean off a somewhat significant overall coating of shop gunk, reside on a MAC top box? The paint underneath is in good shape with barely little or no rust which I would like to preserve as much as possible. I've tried several items such a solution of Simple Green and Zep 505 and these seem to only really work if they are full strength but in doing so they begin to remove some paint. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Have you thought about trying a waterless hand cleaner like Goop? I used it on an old grungy Craftsman cabinet and was pretty happy with the results. Probably goes without saying but if you do try it, be sure to use one without the grit / pumice.

Just checked the Goop website and they even have a "Mom's Goop" which is "Specially formulated to remove the toughest stains from washable fabrics".

 

[davethorik]

I'm really not sure why, but I snapped up this heritage logo C-Man carpenters box with tray. In great shape with original light blue paint for $7. Guess I'll need to find a nice Craftsman level to put in there...

I have what looks like the same box, model 6517. I like it a lot, the extra width and side handles are why I bought it.

 

[BrettJ74]

Here is a little baby Craftsman locking box, I believe from the 50's that I picked up for a couple bucks today.
Anyone have any idea of its original intended purpose?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[beatcad]

brett- that's an odd one.
i dont recall seeing a craftsman one, but that looks like a normal locking cash box

 

[Mintgrun]

That is my guess as well. I have one just like it that came from my great aunt Mildred. She kept her 'important papers' in it. I found another one a few years ago, so now I have two. They are nice heavy boxes for their size.

 

[M J Peters]

My vintage Craftsman's. Certainly not museum pieces. Both Craigslist finds.

First is (I believe) a 1949 deluxe roller based on the ribs on the cover. Paid $35 about 4 years ago. Rails were shot, so I replaced them with ball bearing slides. The rest is as I bought it. Considered repainting it, but I sort of like it as is.

The second in an April 1974 vintage 5 drawer cabinet. $50 earlier this week. A little surface rust, rust in the drawers and the locks on the casters don't work, but pretty good condition otherwise.

 

[paulm12]

I'm liking that 49 roller. And I would just clean it up and use too.

 

[Cope]

Here is a little baby Craftsman locking box, I believe from the 50's that I picked up for a couple bucks today.
Anyone have any idea of its original intended purpose?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

My dad gave me the same box. My parents used it for storing valuable papers. It originally had a sliding coin tray. My daughter has mine now. They had it long before 1960.

 

[-Brent-]

The second in an April 1974 vintage 5 drawer cabinet. $50 earlier this week. A little surface rust, rust in the drawers and the locks on the casters don't work, but pretty good condition otherwise.

Awesome base, awesome price! I found mine nearly NOS and the casters pretty much didn't work, either! I've wanted to change them but it's never a priority. But, man, when I need to move it, I pay the price.

 

[BrettJ74]

My dad gave me the same box. My parents used it for storing valuable papers. It originally had a sliding coin tray. My daughter has mine now. They had it long before 1960.

Awesome thanks for the info[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[maxcarp709]

Awesome base, awesome price! I found mine nearly NOS and the casters pretty much didn't work, either! I've wanted to change them but it's never a priority. But, man, when I need to move it, I pay the price.

When I got my latest find a 70s bottom chest,It would not roll unless I lifted up a bit on one side.The casters were bent up and worn out.I went to HF and got a set of these and installed the now it moves easily.I liked them so much I went back and got another set for my other box that had 1 worn caster.
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-polyurethane-heavy-duty-swivel-caster-69847.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-polyurethane-heavy-duty-rigid-caster-69850.html

 

[ndfan6464]

Anyone have any information on these, year etc? I think the bottom might be a Craftsman crown but not 100%. Was thinking of making an offer on these. What do you guys think?

 

[Outlawmws]

I agree, Craftsman Crown:

 

[ndfan6464]

Cool. Have an idea of date for these? All the crowns I've seen we're grey. I don't know anything about Mac

 

[Outlawmws]

And very early crown. '57 catalog had a full drawer version of that box...
by 60 they switched to full width pulls...

 

[ndfan6464]

And very ealy crown. '57 catalog had a full drawer version of that box...

Awesome. I'll have to see if I can find a 57 catalog and look them up..

 

[Rileysan]

Anyone have any information on these, year etc? I think the bottom might be a Craftsman crown but not 100%. Was thinking of making an offer on these. What do you guys think?

Definitely Craftsman with a Crown logo.

I have the same box that is dated 58, but it has the Heritage logo. It was made by the Advertising Metal Display company. I don't know exactly when the transition took place between the Crown and Heritage logos on these boxes, but I believe I read somewhere that they may both be found within the same year. In any case, that configuration of drawers is uncommon, if not rare. The vast majority of Craftsman rollers were 3 drawer. Add to that the Crown logo - which only graced the AMD made boxes for a couple years, and you have a rare box, imo. I would personally offer $100 for that bottom box even in that condition.

Brian

 

[ndfan6464]

Thanks for the information and confirmation of our guess. $100 is what I was going to offer the seller if these boxes were worth it. Definitely cool looking boxes. Had a art to them back then. It's why love these old boxes. Thanks again. We'll see if the seller responds. Been having issues lately with people never responding back.. so fingers crossed

 

[Mr_P]

Nice find username already in use.

Does anyone else think I should pass on this Snap-on box because of all the mods made to it......

 

[Mr_P]

Oh, and it's only $12.00

 

[DWise]

Awesome. I'll have to see if I can find a 57 catalog and look them up..

I can email you a pdf of the 1957 catalog if you want.

 

[smschriefer]

Thanks for the information and confirmation of our guess. $100 is what I was going to offer the seller if these boxes were worth it. Definitely cool looking boxes. Had a art to them back then. It's why love these old boxes. Thanks again. We'll see if the seller responds. Been having issues lately with people never responding back.. so fingers crossed

One note, the pulls are not original. Not sure if that matters to you, but it is something you can use to negotiate a lower price. You can find the true age by looking behind the logo on the drawer. It should be stamped.

 

[smschriefer]

So, I finally landed my unicorn toolbox. I have searched for years with no success. I just wanted a simple heritage box. I have a three drawer craftsman crown, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted a heritage box. I got one. It looks like it comes from the Clint Eastwood city that was renamed hell. I'll redo it in time. Right now I am restoring a Mac box that is visible in the background. I am really stocked it is an 8 drawer base. The top box is cool too, but I wish it was the bigger top box. It also has the pullout cover for the lower compartment. I don't have a key, but that is easy enough to remedy.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

So, I finally landed my unicorn toolbox. I have searched for years with no success. I just wanted a simple heritage box. I have a three drawer craftsman crown, but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted a heritage box. I got one. It looks like it comes from the Clint Eastwood city that was renamed hell. I'll redo it in time. Right now I am restoring a Mac box that is visible in the background. I am really stocked it is an 8 drawer base. The top box is cool too, but I wish it was the bigger top box. It also has the pullout cover for the lower compartment. I don't have a key, but that is easy enough to remedy.

Great looking toolboxes. Before joining here I had no idea about all the Craftsman vintage toolboxes. These look fantastic. Wouldn't mind having some of these myself! Congrats on finding your unicorn toolbox!

 

[smschriefer]

Great looking toolboxes. Before joining here I had no idea about all the Craftsman vintage toolboxes. These look fantastic. Wouldn't mind having some of these myself! Congrats on finding your unicorn toolbox!

Thanks! I just wanted a three drawer and ended up with an eight drawer bottom. I was the same way about not knowing about them. Now I have a full garage of vintage Craftsman heritage and crown power tools. They might not have been the best available items at the time, but they are very stout and easy to work on.

 

[ndfan6464]

I can email you a pdf of the 1957 catalog if you want.

Go for it. I'll PM you my email