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Just Found 1940’s Snap-On K200 Roll Cab

Alienbaby17

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Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Messages
338
Location
Minnesota
After searching for years today I finally dragged home the bottom half of my ‘Holy Grail’ of vintage tool boxes. I’d been hunting for this for so long that when someone finally reached out to me recently to let me know that they had one for sale I almost didn’t even want it anymore. I’d nearly lost interest in what seemed like an impossible pursuit. But, recognizing a rare opportunity only a two hour drive away I decided that I couldn’t pass it up and had to give it a look.

This is a Snap-On K200. It is typically found as the bottom cabinet of a K260 combination. The K60 top chest is, in my opinion, the finest looking vintage tool box ever produced. A couple years ago I began my search looking for the combination or in an inability to find both at least one of the pair. Ideally if only one were to present itself it would have been the top chest and that would have probably ended my search as I would have been perfectly satisfied just owning that piece. But, as it worked out the bottom cab showed up and I had to have it.

When I finally saw it in person this morning I was pretty pleased. It’s not perfect, but it was better than I expected. The main “issue” I found with it is that I am 98% sure the knobs are not original. The seller thought that they were as he felt they matched the Art Deco era it was made during. I didn’t want to argue so I just kept my mouth shut. I’ve personally never seen one with knobs like this. The drawers all opened and closed perfectly and the insides of them had really nice paint still. It even still had a key. Overall, I was really pleased with it.

Now I just have to track down the top chest for it. That may be another multi-year task. In the mean time I’m going to enjoy this K200.

I also have to give a special thanks to SnapMom whom I consulted during my initial appraisal of this cab. She was extremely helpful and I’m much appreciative.
 

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ShadowRuleZ

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Feb 27, 2011
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Detroit
I've seen one full set in a guy's garage when I picked something up from him and it wasn't for sale for any price. They are neat though!
 

potato

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Dec 29, 2016
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555
26230767_1696755563717768_8740363471651888995_n.jpg

26230616_1696755590384432_7758687498938072204_n.jpg


saw this on marketplace,similar but i think this is a reproduction
 

thehorse13

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Mar 15, 2015
Messages
3,477
Location
Jefferson County, WV
Outstanding grab!

The knobs are not original but you already know that. I'm still working on improving the K260 setup that I grabbed last year. They are beautiful.

I understand your frustration of searching for years. Believe me, it is not easy turning up certain things. I had two great pursuits end in flames this past week alone. You'll stumble on a K60 somewhere, just keep at it.
 

jusridin

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Joined
Feb 3, 2012
Messages
618
Location
Idaho
That is truly a great find. Every time I go through the old snap on catalogs I stop and drool over that set up. I just picked up a box that has similar knobs to the original I assume. The knobs are what drew me in to my box because I have looked at that setup so many times.
Great score and I hope your quest is a fruitful one!
 

thehorse13

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Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
3,477
Location
Jefferson County, WV
After searching for years today I finally dragged home the bottom half of my ‘Holy Grail’ of vintage tool boxes. I’d been hunting for this for so long that when someone finally reached out to me recently to let me know that they had one for sale I almost didn’t even want it anymore. I’d nearly lost interest in what seemed like an impossible pursuit. But, recognizing a rare opportunity only a two hour drive away I decided that I couldn’t pass it up and had to give it a look.

This is a Snap-On K200. It is typically found as the bottom cabinet of a K260 combination. The K60 top chest is, in my opinion, the finest looking vintage tool box ever produced. A couple years ago I began my search looking for the combination or in an inability to find both at least one of the pair. Ideally if only one were to present itself it would have been the top chest and that would have probably ended my search as I would have been perfectly satisfied just owning that piece. But, as it worked out the bottom cab showed up and I had to have it.

When I finally saw it in person this morning I was pretty pleased. It’s not perfect, but it was better than I expected. The main “issue” I found with it is that I am 98% sure the knobs are not original. The seller thought that they were as he felt they matched the Art Deco era it was made during. I didn’t want to argue so I just kept my mouth shut. I’ve personally never seen one with knobs like this. The drawers all opened and closed perfectly and the insides of them had really nice paint still. It even still had a key. Overall, I was really pleased with it.

Now I just have to track down the top chest for it. That may be another multi-year task. In the mean time I’m going to enjoy this K200.

I also have to give a special thanks to SnapMom whom I consulted during my initial appraisal of this cab. She was extremely helpful and I’m much appreciative.

If you get a chance, can you post close up pics of the casters please. I know that mine are not originals and I'd like to see what the right ones look like.
 
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FJ 432

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Aug 2, 2010
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3,730
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Littleton Colorado
I have some handles, and although not original, maybe better. If interested send me a PM with an email address so I can send you pictures.

Nice find.
 
OP
A

Alienbaby17

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Jan 27, 2014
Messages
338
Location
Minnesota
If you get a chance, can you post close up pics of the casters please. I know that mine are not originals and I'd like to see what the right ones look like.

Sure. I can do that for you but it might be a few days. Garage door acts up when it’s below freezing so I only go out there when I have time to monkey with it if it doesn’t cooperate.

In the mean time does this picture help?
I took this before I unloaded it.
 

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thehorse13

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Jefferson County, WV
Sure. I can do that for you but it might be a few days. Garage door acts up when it’s below freezing so I only go out there when I have time to monkey with it if it doesn’t cooperate.

In the mean time does this picture help?
I took this before I unloaded it.

Thanks for posting that pic. Unfortunately it's too small so I can't make out any of the details. I'm in no hurry so if you remember to take some pics when you thaw out, that would be great.
 

gpw_42

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Apr 24, 2017
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717
Location
NC Sandhills, USA
Alien, congrats on completing the first half of the quest. Maybe you need to watch "The Searchers" to prepare to find the K60. Best of luck on that!

Steve
 
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Alienbaby17

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Jan 27, 2014
Messages
338
Location
Minnesota
Alien, congrats on completing the first half of the quest. Maybe you need to watch "The Searchers" to prepare to find the K60. Best of luck on that!

Steve

Thanks!
I’m not familiar with “The Searchers.” Is that a John Wayne movie?
 

thehorse13

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Mar 15, 2015
Messages
3,477
Location
Jefferson County, WV
What the heck? A reproduction Snap-On tool chest? Is there a big enough market?:headscrat:wtf::eyecrazy:

Yea, as someone else mentioned, it's a half scale repo that resembles the original. Snap On took a bad gamble on nostalgia and had these turds manufactured off shore. They are even more horrible in person.
 
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Alienbaby17

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Messages
338
Location
Minnesota
Yea, as someone else mentioned, it's a half scale repo that resembles the original. Snap On took a bad gamble on nostalgia and had these turds manufactured off shore. They are even more horrible in person.

I’ve never seen one in person, although someone replied to my wanted ad for an original and tried to sell me one. I thought it might be kind of cute for my little daughter to have but he told me he wanted $700 for it! I gave that a hard pass.

I have also seen what I believe was some kind of promotional microwave based on the K60.
 

thehorse13

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Messages
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Location
Jefferson County, WV
I’ve never seen one in person, although someone replied to my wanted ad for an original and tried to sell me one. I thought it might be kind of cute for my little daughter to have but he told me he wanted $700 for it! I gave that a hard pass.

I have also seen what I believe was some kind of promotional microwave based on the K60.

You have seen a microwave, beer cooler, BBQ grill, you name it. At one point Snap On slapped their good name on anything that would generate a licensing fee. Right around that time, they quietly started off shore production of some of their hand tools as well...but I digress.
 
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Alienbaby17

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Location
Minnesota
thehorse13- Here are some photos of the casters on the K200.
Please let me know if you’d like some more or different photos.
 

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