The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Shelbylex]

Looks great, Arthurian! Got a great deal too!
70 hours to fix - I bet you know every little ding on those things!

How did you paint them? Primer-sanding-primer-sanding-several layers and transparent finish?Which paint did you use?

 

[Arthurian]

Thanks, Shelby. I pressure washed and degreased, allowed them to dry in the sun. Straightened what I could, and sanded to 220. The roll cabs I shot with the hplv using rustoleum primer and sunrise red 2 coats each sanding in between with 220. The top boxes I did the same with rattle cans; my neighbor borrowed he sprayer and "lost it". Carnuba wax after 6 months.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Arthurian. Details really help - learning to restore on a very rusty ServiStar toolbox which I really like before "growing up" to my 1955 KR-56 when it gets warm outside.
Started manually sanding today (to keep more metal, it's really rusty) and was wondering if my choice of 220 for final sanding and between primers was correct.
Your masterpiece confirms the choice!
Everything you have is the same color except for KR box - keeping as is or planning to respray?

 

[Arthurian]

I'm happy with the finish. I think 220 is plenty. Also, I forgot to mention tack cloth, maybe it goes without saying.

There is a kra-56b('76) half in the shot and a kr-58b('59) off camera, some pieces I came across. I haven't gotten to them yet, I have the bicentennial badge and decal for the '76, and wanted to get the process down, so the finish was right. I'm shooting for this spring. We'll see how it goes.

 

[elidas]

You mean they aren't SUPPOSED to be this color?

 

[elidas]

Opps, forgot the picture!

 

[crewchief888]

Opps, forgot the picture!

uhhh no they shouldnt be orange.


matco had some paint issues back in the 80's with paint fading to orange....

 

[elidas]

The box on the left is a Mac and is virtually identical to the one on the right except the Mac hasn't faded. Today at an estate I picked up another three drawer Matco center section. Its faded the same as the rest. I past on a Snap On top and bottom at the same sale.

 

[SAA44-40]

Can anyone confirm if the 3 drawer and roller the proper set? Dimensions of the 3 drawer are 14.5” tall X 12.75” deep X 25” wide

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost certainly SSA; the early hereatige logo boxes and rollers were 25" wide.

 

[SAA44-40]

Thanks Outlaw. It’s getting added to the stable. Oh yea, as well as the one piece Matco stack.

 

[JWILL]

So I picked up this older Proto roller its straight but a little dirty with some slight over spray on it. Oiled up the slides and the wheels and its a great box. Anyone have any idea what these go for? Had a good amount of older Plomb and Proto in it also.

 

[Shelbylex]

JWILL, I am just downloading your image - when I read old posts many pictures are missing as links do not work anymore...

Interesting, did not see a single PROTO box or roller for sale in MA or NH since I got interested and joined the board in the beginning of this year. How old is this one?

 

[JWILL]

I have no idea of the age or where to go for info on these. I was hoping here would be the place to get the info. Just found a thread that tells me where to find the date code. Ill be checking that tomorrow.

 

[DD T/A]

can't imagine older than 70's-80's

 

[Smokeshow69]

I have no idea of the age or where to go for info on these. I was hoping here would be the place to get the info. Just found a thread that tells me where to find the date code. Ill be checking that tomorrow.

It is 70's or 80's and is made by Waterloo.. Date on mine is on the lower edge near the castors !


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[Tynee]

Thanks Outlaw. It’s getting added to the stable. Oh yea, as well as the one piece Matco stack.

How about leaving some vintage boxes for the rest of the folks on GJ, CL, and the Internet in general?

 

[SAA44-40]

Tynee- I funded these by unloading a very solid snap on box and a several newer craftsman boxes. Thus, I backfilled the supply! Are these older boxes tough to find in your area? They are scarce here. My experience here is the seller either wants an absurd premium, or virtually nothing as they are fixin’ to get hauled to the curb.

 

[drivesitfar]

SA: that Craftsman looks like it's solid, but it needs some work. did you already pick up the tall Matco stack box or is it still waiting for you? more pics please when you do if you are still planning on buying it.

your taste is a lot like mine and maybe several members so even if these are plentiful in some areas there are lots of guys that would love one instead of maybe a newer HF box.

good luck!!

 

[SAA44-40]

Drives- I just picked up this 3 drawer. It is very solid, has the tray (surprised it’s red) and green felt lines drawer 2. It needs a solid flea dipping, but I really like it.
Yes, I am making a pilgrimage to pickup the one piece matco in a couple days. As luck would have it, I found the bottom roller for the attached craftsman 3drawer. Looking forward to getting the set together

 

[SAA44-40]

I will not paint this box. However, some areas have a very light surface rust. What is the best strategy to keep the rust at bay and enhance the remaining paint? Light rubbing of rust with scotch brite pad followed by car wax?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

...
Are these older boxes tough to find in your area? They are scarce here. My experience here is the seller either wants an absurd premium, or virtually nothing as they are fixin’ to get hauled to the curb.

That's the situation here in Central Texas SAA for sure. I just offered $30 on this heritage machinist chest you have. He declined, was asking twice that. If I NEEDED a user I'd probably be willing to give him the $60. I've got too many toolboxes right now to pay that price unless I knew I could sell it for 3-4 times that.

Mike

 

[drivesitfar]

SA: once you get the rust or dust, dirt and grime off your toolbox you might try using a bit of BLO and see if you like the way it looks when it dries. i've used it on Naked steel and also on painted surfaces that had some of it's original paint like on toolboxes and vises and such and personally i like the look better than Johnson wax or clear coating with paint.

your call cause your box, but if it's warm out now in Texas you might try a little BLO and wait a few days until it cures and see how you like it.

 

[elidas]

I mentioned up further in the thread I picked up another Matco center section and its also orange. While picking up my new New Britain stack laying on the floor was ANOTHER Matco center section. Had to have it. Pictures of the two center sections are shown on the Mac box. New Britain stack. Rough but $50. The last picture is a $10 box I picked up a while ago. It has a lot in common with NB box. Waterloo?

 

[Tynee]

Tynee- I funded these by unloading a very solid snap on box and a several newer craftsman boxes. Thus, I backfilled the supply! Are these older boxes tough to find in your area? They are scarce here. My experience here is the seller either wants an absurd premium, or virtually nothing as they are fixin’ to get hauled to the curb.

Just foolin’ with ya’. You seem to be on a buying spree lately. Not that I’m criticizing...

What you describe is my situation here, too. They are either headed for the scrap heap, and for some that’s the best destination, or fairly common pieces are priced as though they are ultra rare and desirable. I also see my fair share of the ones that may be rare, but are not particularly desirable. Oh well. I’ll keep scouring CL and FB Marketplace. May even hit a pawn shop or flea on occasion.

 

[drivesitfar]

SA & ALL: my toolboxes with BLO on them are buried at the moment, but here's my Reed 2c that has BLO over original paint and my Reed 4c that has BLO on it after it was sandblasted.

I think the last time I applied the BLO on either of these vises was 2 or 3 years ago and they still look good (at least to me).

 

[txlonghorn1989]

SA: once you get the rust or dust, dirt and grime off your toolbox you might try using a bit of BLO and see if you like the way it looks when it dries. i've used it on Naked steel and also on painted surfaces that had some of it's original paint like on toolboxes and vises and such and personally i like the look better than Johnson wax or clear coating with paint.

your call cause your box, but if it's warm out now in Texas you might try a little BLO and wait a few days until it cures and see how you like it.

Drives,
I just picked up a can of BLO at an estate sale. A cursory look at comments on it's shelf life makes me think it is still good. I saw your vises and they look like they'd be oily to the touch but with you mentioning "until it cures" makes me think it may just look like that. After curing is it dry to the touch?

How do you apply it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks!
Mike

 

[smokeyburb]

Drives,
I just picked up a can of BLO at an estate sale. A cursory look at comments on it's shelf life makes me think it is still good. I saw your vises and they look like they'd be oily to the touch but with you mentioning "until it cures" makes me think it may just look like that. After curing is it dry to the touch?

How do you apply it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks!
Mike

With a clean rag just wipe a thin coat over wood or steel, painted or non painted surfaces. BLO may darken or enrich the color depending on how you define it...I like the warm glow it gives to raw wood and the grayish color to raw steel. Thin coats cover with a nice consistent look. Thick coats take a long time to dry, feels sticky for days, and can look "lumpy" or even "smeary." Don't throw used rags onto a pile to avoid spontaneous combustion...it may be mostly natural but it burns really well.

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[txlonghorn1989]

With a clean rag just wipe a thin coat over wood or steel, painted or non painted surfaces. BLO may darken or enrich the color depending on how you define it...I like the warm glow it gives to raw wood and the grayish color to raw steel. Thin coats cover with a nice consistent look. Thick coats take a long time to dry, feels sticky for days, and can look "lumpy" or even "smeary." Don't throw used rags onto a pile to avoid spontaneous combustion...it may be mostly natural but it burns really well.

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Thanks smoke! Yeah, I read about the combustibility of BLO. I'll be trying it first I think on the Columbian vise I picked up recently.

 

[Jim C.]

A few years back, I started collecting the 1960 Craftsman Whitworth (completed) and metric tool sets. The sets were both offered in a little metal tool box. Looking at the photo, I found the box in the middle first. I was pretty happy with its condition. Then I found the box in the back. Its condition wasn't as good, but still not bad. Recently I came across the box in the front of the pack. It's in top condition. While I'm still trying to collect the correct tools to finish the metric set, I think I'm collecting these little metal tool boxes too. I don't know why, but I do know that if is see another one that's in good shape, I'll probably buy it....... Do I have a problem????

Jim C. (who thinks he's got it all under control)

 

[slothfryk]

Do I have a problem????

Nope, you've got a hobby and a collection. Now, if you too this approach to everything, you might be a pack-rat. But at this point, you've got three great toolboxes in good shape, even number two.

I share the love of the chase, but I run out of space quickly. Currently searching for a great traveler box myself, but can't seem to find a replacement for the level of utility my current Craftsman import-box provides.

Thanks for sharing your finds!

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[SAA44-40]

Drives- mission accomplished as i picked up both boxes today. I really like the one piece Matco. The rust on the bottom is light, caused by cat urine. It was well taken care of. On a side note, before unloading into the shop, I had to scramble for some masking tape to cover up the collection of distasteful naked lady stickers covering the box. Some young eyes in this house...The PO lined the drawers with carpet, which was great. What isn’t great is the adhesive used. Me and my boy spent the better part of a hour with razor blades trying to remove it. The adhesive laughed at goo gone and goof off. Any suggestions or more elbow grease?
I picked up the Craftsman for a song. It’s in great shape and I’m very proud of it. My 5yr old said he wants it. I told him “it’s yours.”

 

[Outlawmws]

Pics of the glue residue? if we can ID it we might have better luck for a solvent...

 

[SAA44-40]

See below Outlaw. Adhesive is soft and a razor removes a majority, but not all. Not a big deal as I line my boxes with cork, but still..

 

[Shelbylex]

SAA 44-40: try Simple Green - let it sit for 30-60s and then use paper towels (helped me a lot when I was cleaning KR-56 from old stickers. Alternatively alcohol
The only downside - have to be careful with duration of contact as both affect the paint...

If the glue is relatively soft, then take hairdryer and go through warm well - rub with paper towel cycles. Slow, but works well if the glue substance is not too dry.

 

[smokeyburb]

SAA 44-40: try Simple Green - let it sit for 30-60s and then use paper towels (helped me a lot when I was cleaning KR-56 from old stickers. Alternatively alcohol
The only downside - have to be careful with duration of contact as both affect the paint...

If the glue is relatively soft, then take hairdryer and go through warm well - rub with paper towel cycles. Slow, but works well if the glue substance is not too dry.

+1 on using heat. Have removed adhesive from factory-applied, sound-deadening panels from Cessna aircraft to clean corrosion or make repairs.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Guys,

I bought a 20-pc lot of =CRAFTSMAN= Heritage era 1/2- and 3/8-inch drive sockets at the flea market this morning, all =V=, and the guy threw in the tray they were sitting in. GJ member bmwrd0 on the 2018 Garage Sale thread thought it might be the removable top tray from a Craftsman Heritage era 10-drawer box.

The dimensions are 19" L x 7-1/2" D x 2-1/4" H.

Not really a stack collector, and I am definitely not a =CRAFTSMAN= Heritage era expert.

Can someone who is, or who has a =CRAFTSMAN= Heritage era 10-drawer cabinet, confirm that?

 

[WastedAgain440]

I mentioned up further in the thread I picked up another Matco center section and its also orange. While picking up my new New Britain stack laying on the floor was ANOTHER Matco center section. Had to have it. Pictures of the two center sections are shown on the Mac box. New Britain stack. Rough but $50. The last picture is a $10 box I picked up a while ago. It has a lot in common with NB box. Waterloo?

I saw that New Britain stack on the marketplace. I was going to pull the trigger on it but talked myself outta it,glad it went to a garage journal member. Nice collection!

 

[Outlawmws]

SSA, that looks almost like RTV; is it rubbery? If so, NO solvent will remove it. (basically its silicon)

The good news is simple thumb friction will peel the residue off if it won't peel off directly.

 

[SAA44-40]

You’re right Outlaw- it is RTV. I line my drawers anyway so moving along.