The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a great personal connection. Nazareth was a fun track. If you know even a little bit about music you may know that Martin guitar, inarguably considered the greatest acoustic guitar makers on the planet, is also in Nazareth. Quite a place.

 

[smokeyburb]

Yep. I knew one guy worked for Allen Organ and I knew quite a few people that worked for Mack Trucks or Bethlehem Steel. I had a great uncle worked for Bonney Tools back in the 70s. Hmmm, I need to clean up my Bonney tool boards and post some pics sometime.

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[smokeyburb]

Mario was (is) my hero.

One time at Pocono my family was standing around when Mario came speeding by on a 3-wheeled golf cart, but he was only using 2 wheels! Ha! I think that was a time trials day for the Schaeffer 500, sponsored by Shaeffer Brewery, another Lehigh Valley throwback.


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[FJ 432]

I love tools, old tools and more than the others, Snap-on, I have been a mechanic all my life (I know they call them techs now) this is where I keep my hand tools, some of them, HA.

Just thinking I don't think I have ever sold a tool

What a nice collection. Question on the bottom roller in your first photo. Is that a tool box or a cart that held something electronic?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I knew quite a few people that worked for Mack Trucks or Bethlehem Steel. I had a great uncle worked for Bonney Tools back in the 70s. Hmmm, I need to clean up my Bonney tool boards and post some pics sometime.

I was born and raised in Palmerton, in Carbon County. (Just north on Rt 248 of Becky's, the infamous X-Rated Drive-In Movie place!) My old man was a draftsman for Lehigh Structural Steel. I have a budding WWII era Mack Truck tools collection and quite a few Bonney myself, but my predilection goes older, back to the 20's through the 40's. There is a vibrant Bonney thread on this board.

Shaeffer Brewery, another Lehigh Valley throwback.

Sing it... "Schaeffer, is the, one beer to have, when you're having more than one!"

The beer that really gets the oldtimers going though is Horlacher. People there talk about Horlacher with more reverence than Yeungling, which, let's admit it, if you're my age (58), was the cheap stuff! And we only drank the Porterhouse Ale.

 

[smokeyburb]

Ha! There were various forms of Horlacher and Neuweiler church keys floating around my house growing up, but my dad used them to open Rolling Rock. Now he twists those RR tops off. Growing up near Slatington I've been through Berlinsville often, dad liked to go to the "distributor" there for Rolling Rock and cases of A-Treat.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Slatington was our arch-rivals in everything. Now everybody NOT from Pennsylvania is wondering what the heck a distributor is. HAHAHahaha. (I get the same blank look with "state store".) We had A-Treat delivered in big wooden cases to the front porch. They would take the empties and leave a new case every two weeks. Black Cherry, Sasparilla, Orange, Cream, dang, I miss it! Also dropped off those big tins of potato chips and pretzels. Those were the days! Thanks for the nostalgia trip. We should probably return the thread to its regularly scheduled program!

 

[smokeyburb]

We now return to toolboxes...

This was my grandfather's road box in the late 1940's when he worked as an on-call service tech for an International dealership. Haven't found any markings, other than his initials painted on the cover. It was origionally OD Green, the flat black and bright green rattle can was applied by my dad at some point in the 80s or 90s to slow down rust.



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[Private Lugnutz]

I don't recognize it, but that's a nice box with a classic layout. It's funny, we were just having a discussion about owner's markings on tools, and I said when they were well-done they could actually enhance the look and feel of a vintage tool (or box etc). Obviously yours has a personal meaning that transcends any and all other factors anyway, but those initials are a great example of well-done!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

BTW, I may have to get some tips from you. I'm at Fort Huachuca for one week every month now, and I am toying with the idea of making it a glide path to retirement out there. Are there any good flea markets in Sierra Vista? Benson? Patagonia? etc?

 

[smokeyburb]

Will send PM.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here is a neat little Snap on box I picked up today. A small four drawer side mount. Shame about the paint damage on top/side. Looks like someone stored brake fluid on top or something. I'll probably give it some paint and freshen it up. I hadn't seen one before. Ed.

 

[Outlawmws]

What is the size on that ORC?

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

What is the size on that ORC?

It's pretty small....18" wide 9-1/2" tall and 9" deep. The small size is kind of what drew my attention to it. Ed.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a good size! Sometimes smaller is better!

 

[Steel A Rod]

Here is Williams I picked up a few months ago.
Cool orange color. In nice shape except for a puncture in the front. Came with some if the original tools.

 

[Techna]

Anyone have any ideas about this? Is it something that someone just rebadged, or was there ever such an offering from Craftsman?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks like a hospital cart. I suppose its possible Sears tried for part of that market

 

[D-train]

Anyone have any ideas about this? Is it something that someone just rebadged, or was there ever such an offering from Craftsman?

Sears carried those for a couple of years. ...carried a 6ft double-door cabinet/locker too. ...probably back to early 2000's perhaps. ...could be earlier.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is Williams I picked up a few months ago.

Classic 50's Williams.

 

[Outlawmws]

Pics of the drawers inside that Williams? That looks a lot like MBC built

 

[elidas]

I was born and raised in Palmerton, in Carbon County. (Just north on Rt 248 of Becky's, the infamous X-Rated Drive-In Movie place!) My old man was a draftsman for Lehigh Structural Steel. I have a budding WWII era Mack Truck tools collection and quite a few Bonney myself, but my predilection goes older, back to the 20's through the 40's. There is a vibrant Bonney thread on this board.


Sing it... "Schaeffer, is the, one beer to have, when you're having more than one!"

The beer that really gets the oldtimers going though is Horlacher. People there talk about Horlacher with more reverence than Yeungling, which, let's admit it, if you're my age (58), was the cheap stuff! And we only drank the Porterhouse Ale.

I have family in Lehighton originally from Nesquehoning. I remember Stegmier beer being delivered

 

[Zrxrunner]

Techna, they offered these gray cabinets and benches in a complete storage line only bout 10 years back. I got the matching pieces, but not that little shelf unit

 

[Steel A Rod]

Pics of the drawers inside that Williams? That looks a lot like MBC built

The tray on top lifts out, and there is a hidden space under it.

 

[Techna]

Thanks to those who replied. I’d never seen the style before but suspected that it was either some random cabinet that someone tossed a Craftsman badge on, or it was something newer that was simply retro styled.

 

[smokeyburb]

I have family in Lehighton originally from Nesquehoning. I remember Stegmier beer being delivered

Elidas, cool, PM sent.

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[Oldtuleguy]

The tray on top lifts out, and there is a hidden space under it.

That is pretty slick

 

[rpm12065]

Hi all, I just joined. I am repairing / restoring a vintage Matco bottom roller chest, and side chest. Looking for the vintage Matco emblem to go on the side chest, and (5) vintage drawer pulls / handles. If you have such, please contact me..!

 

[misterbill]

I saw this carry box on CL today and picked it up. I thought it might be a Union but now I'm not sure. It is 22" x 8" and 9" high with a leather handle. There is a rectangular indent under the handle in the area I would expect to see a Union decal. The latches are marked Worcester T & S. The finish is a black crinkle and the interior is a light green. Thoughts?

Bill

 

[misterbill]

So, I was googling around and found some images of suitcases marked "Worcester T & S Luggage". The hardware looked the same. Anybody ever hear of the company?

 

[Targa68]

Hi

First of all, sorry for the awful quality on the photos....my cell ran out of battery

I have this Waterloo toolbox:

It is rather ugly and beat up, but it is complete (even comes with two working keys).

It also came with a tool tray, but this is to big and dont fit:

On the right side of the lower drawer, there are holes and traces of a square badge.
I have googled, and searched this forum, to learn that Waterloo Industries, not only made boxes for themselves, but also for other tool brands; Craftsman, Proto, New Briatain, S.K, MAC and probably many more

As I will restore it, I am looking for the correct badge... Are there any ways of narrowing it down to the correct badge? And if so, are there any known sources for reproductions of these?

Some samples I found that seem to fit the size and location of the badge:

Waterloo Industries

Blackhawk

New Britain

Proto

Thank you.

 

[Elvisidal]

Hi everyone.

First time poster from the UK here. I bought this lovely little Beach 3 drawer on eBay for £50. I already love it to bits - its not huge but it has amazing build quality and this one spent its life in a shed having very little use. Its cleaned up a treat and after a good lube the drawers are silky smooth. I want a middle drawer unit and roll cab to go with it now!

I've got the lock but no key, is it easier to obtain a new lock or try to get a replacement key?

UK ... Australia ... these beach boxes get around ..

 

[drivesitfar]

Elvis: not sure how old it is, but looked like it fell off a truck. good luck restoring it to it's past glory.

ALL: I like these smallish toolbox or maybe it's a biggish hand toolbox. this Duplex box is in great shape and should hold some sort of tools while I try to find a spot for it.

it came with this cool hammer and I can't seem to find the HAMMERTIME thread to post it there so any thoughts on it too?

have a great weekend everybody!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's a cool little box

 

[Outlawmws]

Drives, HT thread:

And it's a welders slag chipping hammer

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a cool little box

Definitely unusual. It would be good for a small specialized kit box.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I like that old duplex stuff. First one I have seen in that style.

 

[btrnuthatch]

Since this may be as close as I will get to a "branded" toolmobile, for $45 I did not hesitate. Images are the "as is" condition I bought it in. Looks to be in original condition. The masonite top protector is a tight fit including the slot for the locking bar.

The label is illegible but the visible line design elements point to Pressteel (I did look at the Pressteel thread). Otherwise, no other markings that I can find. Looks like the grey stripes are the result of the grey under-paint being masked before the red finish coat. That is reinforced by the stripe under the top protector; looks like the tape is simply hand torn. Or ?, other opinions?

The drawer and therefore the rollers are kept from pulling out by a bolt that stops the back roller. As such, the drawers only can be removed by removing the bolt. In this case, the bolts were only on one side. Is this the original design?

Any suggestions for how to best make use of that thing that I learned is called a piston holder? Do the wheels help with trying to guesstimate the manufacturing date? I'll post those next in case they provide a clue.

And since I now belong to what I'll call the Lugnutz "keep the old history patina visible" school, I will simply give it a good cleaning, wax and enjoy its retro look.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions.

 

[btrnuthatch]

Wheel from above. All four are locking.