Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

[BRWEIDEM]

Thanks for the replies. I bought a 10D chest dated 0173 and a 7D cabinet dated 0273. In the pictures it looked like the emblems were trashed but now that I have everything home I'm surprised and the overall condition. Both units were extremely dirty as they were sitting in a semi trailer as storage for years. I'll post some pics once they are all cleaned up.

I'm calling it a 7D cabinet referring to the ad posted earlier in this thread but it only has three drawers and a large lower storage area. Any idea why it is called 7D in the ad?

I do have an additional question. I have just about everything apart to clean except the door for the lower storage area. It has a retainer clip that holds the hinged door assembly from being pulled out. I'd like to remove it to clean the area the door slides in. Does anyone know how to remove this? I've attached some pics.

It looks like it is staked to hold it in place but I'm sure it has to come out somehow.

 

[taumac]

Vinceg101

Nice work bringing those back. I forgot to mention that when I was repainting mine I choose to go with a rust oleum cherry red because I was trying to match my other HF44’s. Its was close to the HF. The gray I used was rust oleum hammer forged antique pewter. I used it in such a way it didn’t give the hammered look but imo dead balls same color color match. Sometime problem I’ve seen is that the “gray” with darken over the years.


Now they had more of the line of paint hammered so matching it is alittle easier. Its also a effect paint. So spraying at right distance and speed is key. I sometimes would give a few lite coats then do a quick spot from far away to give it some effect.

Here’s a machinist chest I did. Drawers are original and box resprayed.



Hard to see in photo but under a light you can see the effect I got.



You can tell on my other box where I got to close or heavy on the spray.



That box didn’t come out great imo. It was a wrinkle brown Craftsman I sprayed to match my other. Like I said I used a misting spray to get a overall color but I think if you play around with that paint you can get it just right.

 

[taumac]

but I believe most restored badges have been hand painted.

Yes and quite pain in *** to right. I stripped paint then sprayed whole badge black then used a paint pen to highlight the front in white. I’m sure there are better techniques and know there’s a hobby lobby I’m gone to see what’s available to do my crown top badges.

 

[taumac]

Thanks for the replies. I bought a 10D chest dated 0173 and a 7D cabinet dated 0273. In the pictures it looked like the emblems were trashed but now that I have everything home I'm surprised and the overall condition. Both units were extremely dirty as they were sitting in a semi trailer as storage for years. I'll post some pics once they are all cleaned up.

I'm calling it a 7D cabinet referring to the ad posted earlier in this thread but it only has three drawers and a large lower storage area. Any idea why it is called 7D in the ad?

I do have an additional question. I have just about everything apart to clean except the door for the lower storage area. It has a retainer clip that holds the hinged door assembly from being pulled out. I'd like to remove it to clean the area the door slides in. Does anyone know how to remove this? I've attached some pics.

It looks like it is staked to hold it in place but I'm sure it has to come out somehow.

I also never understood why it was called a 7D either. If anything I would consider it a 5 just because only 2 of the bigger drawers would fit if removed the door. I always just called it a 3D. To removed the clips for the door to can just use a flat head screwdriver and make slot alittle bigger to get clip out.

One thing I did on my cabinets was I unhooked the door from the sliding part. The sliding part engages the lock system so if wanted to open a drawer the bottom had to be open. I slide door back pushing up the locks so I could open and fully close the drawers without the door. Now if wanted to lock the cabinet I would close all the drawers open the bottom and reach in and pull it forward which would drop the locking bars on the drawers. If you chose to pull out drawers and lower the door and push drawers back in to risk bending the locking bar hooks that engages back of the drawer. Sure you can just do it way it came from factory but sometimes just PIA to have that door sticking out.

 

[BRWEIDEM]

Taumac, thanks for the info. I wanted some advice on this before I started prying and bending. Did what you said and they came right out.

I played around with what you suggested regarding the sliding part and the door. I might set it up the way you suggested when I put it back together. Thanks again.

 

[Zeeman]

BR, If you haven't gotten those clips out yet, be careful. They will break if pounded on. I broke one of mine because they just would not come out. Others have said theirs come out easily. On the first cabinet I did, they did come out easily by taping with a large flat blade. The second cabinet I took the door off of was not cooperative. I believe I posted a picture somewhere in this thread if fotohbucket did not steal it.

 

[mcmlvif100]

Expensive but elegant. Chicago area CL

Rare vintage craftsman center tool box - $450 (Hinckley)

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/d/rare-vintage-craftsman-center/6424616580.html

"Rare craftsman 3 drawer center tool box. Has original keys and booklet. It is in very good condition as the pics show."

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Expensive but elegant. Chicago area CL

Rare vintage craftsman center tool box - $450 (Hinckley)
...

"Rare craftsman 3 drawer center tool box. Has original keys and booklet. It is in very good condition as the pics show."

$450? That's ridiculous! Do you think anyone will/would actually pay that?

 

[Rileysan]

$450? That's ridiculous! Do you think anyone will/would actually pay that?

Almost certainly not. It IS in excellent condition, but that doesn't justify the price. I suspect it will remain listed indefinitely.

Brian

 

[txlonghorn1989]

One of the 3-drawer middies here on CL but it's part of a package and he won't separate it. Sure would go nicely with my 12-drawer top and bottom. One of these days!

 

[taumac]

Someone’s smoking crack there.

 

[bubinga]

Expensive but elegant. Chicago area CL

Rare vintage craftsman center tool box - $450 (Hinckley)

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/d/rare-vintage-craftsman-center/6424616580.html

"Rare craftsman 3 drawer center tool box. Has original keys and booklet. It is in very good condition as the pics show."

Sweet, Yes it is "Dear" Though. (my late grandmas expression for expensive)

$450? That's ridiculous! Do you think anyone will/would actually pay that?

Probably Not, I would be hesitant to pay $100.00 for it.

 

[Alchymist]

Posted these over in the vintage Craftsman thread, then realized they probably belong here. Top and middle box are in good shape, mostly need a good cleaning. Jury is out on the bottom box, not sure what's gonna happen to it. They all came with keys, and the best part - $0.00.

 

[Rileysan]

Posted these over in the vintage Craftsman thread, then realized they probably belong here. Top and middle box are in good shape, mostly need a good cleaning. Jury is out on the bottom box, not sure what's gonna happen to it. They all came with keys, and the best part - $0.00.

Free? That's certainly worthy of a "you ****" Nice find!

Brian

 

[Alchymist]

Can't find dates on any of the boxes. Top chest appears to be 60-70 vintage like my 10 drawer box. The middle chest judging by the Craftsman decal, much later - 90s' perhaps? i scrolled through all 57 pages of this thread and didn't see another 4 drawer mid chest. Any one have one? There was a sticker in one of the drawers - "Sears 706-65225", but I suspect it came from a different box.

 

[bubinga]

Posted these over in the vintage Craftsman thread, then realized they probably belong here. Top and middle box are in good shape, mostly need a good cleaning. Jury is out on the bottom box, not sure what's gonna happen to it. They all came with keys, and the best part - $0.00.

Great score,
I have one Like the Bottom One.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

I need this box like a hole in the head, but it’s the first time I’ve seen one with the combination lock in person.

I actually came across it several months ago, but never heard back from the guy. I decided a couple days ago to send him another email and he got back to me and said he still had it.

Haven’t been able to find a date in the usual place yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Could you get a pic of the backside of the lock and the locking mechanism I am curious how it works. Has anyone seen one of the combo lock boxes im a catalog? This is the second one in this thread so I think they must have been offered directly by sears.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Rileysan]

Can't find dates on any of the boxes. Top chest appears to be 60-70 vintage like my 10 drawer box. The middle chest judging by the Craftsman decal, much later - 90s' perhaps? i scrolled through all 57 pages of this thread and didn't see another 4 drawer mid chest. Any one have one? There was a sticker in one of the drawers - "Sears 706-65225", but I suspect it came from a different box.

The date code for the top box can be located by looking down into the top (with the lid open) and to the front/left corner. There are no date codes on the earlier boxes (pre-1965 or 66?).

As for your middle chest, it ranges from 1976 to the late 80s. To the best of my knowledge, no one has been able to locate a date code on any of the middle boxes. The 4 drawer configuration exists in gray/red but is uncommon, if not rare.

Brian

 

[6pony6]

Could you get a pic of the backside of the lock and the locking mechanism I am curious how it works. Has anyone seen one of the combo lock boxes im a catalog? This is the second one in this thread so I think they must have been offered directly by sears.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

Will do. I'm away from home right now, but I will try and get one this evening.

 

[Alchymist]

The date code for the top box can be located by looking down into the top (with the lid open) and to the front/left corner. There are no date codes on the earlier boxes (pre-1965 or 66?).

As for your middle chest, it ranges from 1976 to the late 80s. To the best of my knowledge, no one has been able to locate a date code on any of the middle boxes. The 4 drawer configuration exists in gray/red but is uncommon, if not rare.

Brian

Had already checked the top box and didn't find a date, so when I read your post, went back and looked again. After some more scrubbing, found it - it's further back toward the back of the box than it is on my other boxes - 04 - 76.

And since the weather was in the 50's today, I started a little cleanup on the middle box. When I got all 4 drawers out, noticed a paper sticker on the bottom toward the back - 3-7-84, so I assume that is the date.

Little possibility of finding the date on the bottom box - pretty rough with a lot of rust. Incidentally the top drawer doesn't quite match the rest of the drawers - the rolled handle is different. Don't know if it's original or not.

As to the middle box - cleaned up pretty nice, couple small rust spots that will have to be cleaned and painted, but that will wait till warm weather. May sand and paint the whole box. Did clean and lube the slides, all work nicely.

 

[Alchymist]

Just realized - I have no idea who manufactured the bottom box. Obviously the stack was a mutt - two Craftsman boxes 10 years apart, and the derelict bottom roller. Anyone recognize it?

 

[pop pop]

Will do. I'm away from home right now, but I will try and get one this evening.

6pony6, what part of Va are you? You must be traveling around cleaning up on them. Richmond is a desert for them.

 

[Rileysan]

Just realized - I have no idea who manufactured the bottom box. Obviously the stack was a mutt - two Craftsman boxes 10 years apart, and the derelict bottom roller. Anyone recognize it?

The drawer pulls remind me of Snap-on, but that's only a guess. Try posting it in the Vintage Tool box thread here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49743&page=429

Brian

 

[taumac]

The drawer pulls remind me of Snap-on, but that's only a guess. Try posting it in the Vintage Tool box thread here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49743&page=429



Brian

I agree. I’ve see the pulls before on the 3 drawers on a top chest but can’t for life of me remember brand. I think you might have a really nice bottom roller there. Definitely, post it over on toolbox thread. I’m sure someone knows.

 

[Alchymist]

The drawer pulls remind me of Snap-on, but that's only a guess. Try posting it in the Vintage Tool box thread here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49743&page=429

Looked it all over, including the back, bottom front rail, inside the drawers, etc, no numbers anywhere. Will cross post it, thanks.

Brian

I agree. I’ve see the pulls before on the 3 drawers on a top chest but can’t for life of me remember brand. I think you might have a really nice bottom roller there. Definitely, post it over on toolbox thread. I’m sure someone knows.

Far from "really nice" - pretty well beat up, Will probably take a hammer and dolly to it to see what can be done.

 

[bubinga]

Just realized - I have no idea who manufactured the bottom box. Obviously the stack was a mutt - two Craftsman boxes 10 years apart, and the derelict bottom roller. Anyone recognize it?

yeah, You're right.
Cause I didn't pay attention to the handles on yours.
they are Rolled on yours, but mine are separate metal handles.
rest of it looks the same?

 

[bubinga]

Could you get a pic of the backside of the lock and the locking mechanism I am curious how it works. Has anyone seen one of the combo lock boxes im a catalog? This is the second one in this thread so I think they must have been offered directly by sears.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

0h wow!
never saw a lock like that!

 

[6pony6]

Could you get a pic of the backside of the lock and the locking mechanism I am curious how it works. Has anyone seen one of the combo lock boxes im a catalog? This is the second one in this thread so I think they must have been offered directly by sears.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

Here’s some pics of the lock. It’s hard to see, but there are 2 small tabs in the mechanism that slide back and forth to engage the lock.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[taumac]

Just realized - I have no idea who manufactured the bottom box. Obviously the stack was a mutt - two Craftsman boxes 10 years apart, and the derelict bottom roller. Anyone recognize it?

I can’t find the post but whoever said MBC I think your on right track. If that’s the case check right side (left if looking at it) there should be a date code somewhere on bottom back corner. At least that’s where it was on the MBC chest I had.

But then I couldn’t find pic I had of mine then found this.



Left bottom above caster. Anyway with MBC making Snap On it’s probably I’m thinking it’s a MBC made Snap On box. No matter what if anything like the MBC chest I had then it’s heavy and built like tank.

 

[Alchymist]

I can’t find the post but whoever said MBC I think your on right track. If that’s the case check right side (left if looking at it) there should be a date code somewhere on bottom back corner. At least that’s where it was on the MBC chest I had.

But then I couldn’t find pic I had of mine then found this.



Left bottom above caster. Anyway with MBC making Snap On it’s probably I’m thinking it’s a MBC made Snap On box. No matter what if anything like the MBC chest I had then it’s heavy and built like tank.

Pictures show the miserable shape it's in, but I think with a lot of elbow grease, sanding and painting along with some metalwork, it could be restored. Question is do I want to do it?

Pics in order - back side, different than your pic; top right corner showing foldover; drawer pull; top drawer pull as repaired (lots of grime), appears may have been spot welded originally; and interior shot of the drawers.

Spent an hour Googling for a match, found several Snap On pics with identical drawer pulls, but nothing with an offset lock. The saga continues.

 

[taumac]

Pictures show the miserable shape it's in, but I think with a lot of elbow grease, sanding and painting along with some metalwork, it could be restored. Question is do I want to do it?



Pics in order - back side, different than your pic; top right corner showing foldover; drawer pull; top drawer pull as repaired (lots of grime), appears may have been spot welded originally; and interior shot of the drawers.



Spent an hour Googling for a match, found several Snap On pics with identical drawer pulls, but nothing with an offset lock. The saga continues.

Yeah the offset lock threw me too. MBC one I saw showed lock in top drawer and Snap On was center on top. It was free so maybe swap it with someone for something or just do a clean it up and use it. It can be mobile base for a tool, a service cart, a welding cart, or small mobile bench. I would just get in functional and decide later what to do with it.

 

[bubinga]

Pictures show the miserable shape it's in, but I think with a lot of elbow grease, sanding and painting along with some metalwork, it could be restored. Question is do I want to do it?

Pics in order - back side, different than your pic; top right corner showing foldover; drawer pull; top drawer pull as repaired (lots of grime), appears may have been spot welded originally; and interior shot of the drawers.

Spent an hour Googling for a match, found several Snap On pics with identical drawer pulls, but nothing with an offset lock. The saga continues.

well look at it this way, As you Know.....
it will hold tools just as well Cherry-or ratty.....
do you have 5 million (well not quite.....lol) unfinished projects and cant hardly walk....let alone Work in you shop.........0r do you need a winter project?
I used to 0ften restore things to a "T".
These days, i hve sort 0f just been giving machines and old even wooden machinist chests a good cleaning, and in the case of wood items, wiping down with a 'refinisher" solvent. kind 0f spreads the stain and fininsh around, filling voids, evens out the color, cleans it, all at the same time, and then either(usually) a light coat 0f shellac, or wiping varnish, or either that or an oil varnish blend (think formbys, "tung oil")
OK, enough about my wooden item "facelifts"
But, same idea with the painted machines, or chests, cabinets, etc,
good cleaning, (after mechanical repairs if needed 0f course are done)
and maybe even knock down with an S0S pad, and hose 0ff outside, wheater permitting 0f course, and a good drying.
Then depending how bad the finish is, rub out with a polishing compound, & a quick wax job.
Or if needed, painting it, and again, not perfect like a new car or anything,
but just as good as you can get it, after scuffing the whole thing down,
and remember,
most 0f the time, you really don't have to go down to bare metal and prime, just scuff area down, prime bare spots, and Paint.
I just use spray bombs, I don't have a spray gun.
If you're still reading this (long) post,
have a merry Christmas, to you and yours,
and may the "tool Gods" bless you all.....

 

[Alchymist]

bubinga: some good comments there. leaning toward trying a cleanup/repair/paint, but there is a lot of rust & some damage to contend with. Anyway, no rush to decision, won't be doing much with it until warm weather.

All: Still Googlefuing for an identity. Found similar looking ones by MBC, Snap On, Williams, etc. Closest so far is here:

http://toolarchives.com/node/1629

Williams, made by Metal Box & Cabinet Corporation. Only one I found that shows the dual slides on the drawers, pretty much every thing matches except those pesky lock locations. Suspect it is an MBC box, question is who was it made for?

 

[Rileysan]

I'm going out on a limb here by saying this belongs here.

I purchased a vintage radial arm saw yesterday for $60 because came with this gorgeous period correct cabinet.

Better pictures will come later.

Brian

Edit: Now that I'm home, I fixed the images.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'm going out on a limb here by saying this belongs here.

I purchased a vintage radial arm saw yesterday for $60 because came with this gorgeous period correct cabinet.

Better pictures will come later.

Brian

View attachment 716858
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Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

Nice find! I'd love to find an old cabinet like that for my Dewalt 735 planer.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Thought I'd post this

 

[BRWEIDEM]

I'm going out on a limb here by saying this belongs here.

I purchased a vintage radial arm saw yesterday for $60 because came with this gorgeous period correct cabinet.

Better pictures will come later.

Brian

Edit: Now that I'm home, I fixed the images.

In my searches I have come across some darker gray and red boxes and cabinets like you have here. I thought they were refinished to a darker color by someone along the way. Was this darker gray sold by craftsman also? If so, was it a timeline thing where these are earlier or later than the lighter gray that seems to come up more often?

I’d be willing to pick them up as I see them if it is an original color but I already have a rolling box with a chest in the lighter gray.

Nice find!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Thought I'd post this

Very nice honza! That middie looks pretty rough with that rust. How long have you had those assuming those are yours?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I'm going out on a limb here by saying this belongs here.

I purchased a vintage radial arm saw yesterday for $60 because came with this gorgeous period correct cabinet.

Better pictures will come later.

Brian

Edit: Now that I'm home, I fixed the images.

Brian,
Have you dated the saw and the cabinet?
Mike

 

[taumac]

Thought I'd post this

Nice, well others drool over the boxes I like the extra touch of having that Craftsman vise there.