The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[JoCoSawdust]

That looks like a bit thicker embossed "halo" around your Heritage badge, especially from the inside. Different from mine. I don't know who made Craftsman rollers and top chests in the Long C era but I wonder if your box isn't a very early Heritage badged box and produced by someone other than AMD. RileySan is the expert on Cman boxes, perhaps he can shed light on it.

 

[KBigg]

I guess mine fits here since its almost 3x my age. Its a 1962 remline I inherited from my grandpa. Its rough looking but straight as an arrow. ive been debating on sandblasting it and repainting it or just leaving it as is.

 

[Bill C]

That looks like a bit thicker embossed "halo" around your Heritage badge, especially from the inside. Different from mine. I don't know who made Craftsman rollers and top chests in the Long C era but I wonder if your box isn't a very early Heritage badged box and produced by someone other than AMD. RileySan is the expert on Cman boxes, perhaps he can shed light on it.

I did a little detective work and some google image searching....
I found this post, right here in this same thread!

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3666711&postcount=1966

Note, that JeremeyBurke also couldn’t find any date code or manufacturer info. But even MORE interesting is that his top two drawers are also drilled in the same grid pattern and have bolt-in dividers. So I am sure now that this was a production feature. So now the question remains, who made it for C-man, and when...

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I did a little detective work and some google image searching....
I found this post, right here in this same thread!

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3666711&postcount=1966

Note, that JeremeyBurke also couldn’t find any date code or manufacturer info. But even MORE interesting is that his top two drawers are also drilled in the same grid pattern and have bolt-in dividers. So I am sure now that this was a production feature. So now the question remains, who made it for C-man, and when...

Interesting. His also has that pronounced embossing around the badge.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I guess mine fits here since its almost 3x my age. Its a 1962 remline I inherited from my grandpa. Its rough looking but straight as an arrow. ive been debating on sandblasting it and repainting it or just leaving it as is.

I love the Remlines and want one if I can find one at a decent price. I'd just give that one of yours a good Dawn and water scrubbing, go over it with some fine steel wool and WD40 then a coat of wax and call it a day. You can't buy a nice patina like that.

 

[BlueBomber]

Driving my hot rod through downtown Dayton, OH, while here on business, and look what I stumbled across.....

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[Private Lugnutz]

Now THAT is one coolass photograph!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That is one BEAUTIFUL ride and a great backdrop to boot!

 

[KBigg]

I love the Remlines and want one if I can find one at a decent price. I'd just give that one of yours a good Dawn and water scrubbing, go over it with some fine steel wool and WD40 then a coat of wax and call it a day. You can't buy a nice patina like that.

I usually empty it out once or twice a year and take it over to the carwash for a good cleaning and re-greasing. Any tips on fixing loose handles without popping in brand new looking rivets?

 

[bmwrd0]

Machine screws work really well, or McMaster Carr sells split rivets.

 

[Outlawmws]

Or you can set the head on an anvil, and re-peen the back side of the rivet again.

 

[Shelbylex]

Driving my hot rod through downtown Dayton, OH, while here on business, and look what I stumbled across.....

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

That’s one beautiful ride!

 

[smokeyburb]

Try soaking a small area with Simple Green degreaser first. Many report that SG will remove cheap paint while leaving factory paint intact.

Nice score!

This is much better than using paint stripper!!

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[Mike W.]

Driving my hot rod through downtown Dayton, OH, while here on business, and look what I stumbled across.....

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Awesome! Do they still actually make them there?


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[tym]

My first vintage box find--a Kennedy.

 

[BlueBomber]

Now THAT is one coolass photograph! [emoji106]

That is one BEAUTIFUL ride and a great backdrop to boot!

That’s one beautiful ride!

Awesome! Do they still actually make them there?

Thanks, fellas! My meetings in Dayton ended early, so I swung by while they were still open and toured their "museum" displays and the showroom.

MikeW: yes, they do still make their tool chests there! They have been in that building since 1916 and still family-owned. The clerk/tour guide, Emily, told me that Mr Gerstner named his company "Gerstner and Sons" because he thought it would make it sound more established. Ha--he went on to have four daughters! The business is still in the family after all these years.

Here's the main entrance. Just inside....



...is their display of vintage and anniversary year tool chests.



The show room has all of their current production on display, in cherry, oak, hickory and walnut. They have three lines--the high and middle-level tools boxes are made right there in the building. Their lowest end is actually made overseas to their specifications. When I asked Emily how sales were nowadays, she said that the imported base line had actually stimulated overall sales in recent years. Apparently, when folks got even a "basic" Gerstner box, they often stepped up to the higher-end USA-made chests.



Check out their in-house display tables. I guess you shouldn't expect the builders of fine tools chests to have simply utilitarian tables, huh?!



This walnut stack was my favorite. The price tag on the top box was marked down to $1500! I picked up some more affordable souvenirs.



I talked up the Garage Journal website and this thread and tried to charm my way into a full factory tour. Alas, OSHA rules do not allow non-employees on the floor. Now, maybe if I had actually bought a full stack....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Too funny. I've talked to Emily on the phone several times! Thanks for the photos, BB.

 

[jeffmoss26]

ooohhh

 

[SAA44-40]

Anyone seen the Craftsman? Even has the key

 

[Outlawmws]

They have come up before. Pretty rare and in demand. That, I think, is the woodworkers version?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's the mechanics version. I'd love to have one of those and the woodworkers version but every one that gets in my reach is a "homeowners" version (what the hell goes in that??) and I pass.

 

[SAA44-40]

Thanks for letting me know what is JoCo. I’m picking it up tomorrow. Frankly I’m not sure how practical the set up is, but I am a sucker for a vintage box

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are great for hanging on the wall over the work bench.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Driving my hot rod through downtown Dayton, OH, while here on business, and look what I stumbled across.....

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Man that car looks good! Reallll good!!!!

 

[captain14]

[I talked up the Garage Journal website and this thread and tried to charm my way into a full factory tour. Alas, OSHA rules do not allow non-employees on the floor. Now, maybe if I had actually bought a full stack....[/QUOTE]

Maybe an even trade? Shop tour For a ride in the Chevy?

 

[davethorik]

Just picked up this Kennedy K-20 hand box. I don't recall ever seeing a green wrinkle paint option. Is this military?

This one is in pretty nice shape.

 

[WagonHo!]

J.C. Penney chest roller combo. For sale craigslist in Albuquerque,(not me).

 

[Tylermorris]

Homemade toolbox I bought on kijiji REALLY COOL.
Guy I got it from said it was his wife’s grandpas full of 40s-60s gray, snap-on, Proto

 

[winchman]

Can anyone tell me what make this is? I thought Snap on?

 

[KBigg]

Can anyone tell me what make this is? I thought Snap on?

can you find any serial numbers?

 

[XJPat]

TylerMorris that box is awesome.

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[winchman]

can you find any serial numbers?

Bought it on line just collected it its a Snap on KRA60a was just sold as a tool chest so got a good deal

 

[Tylermorris]

Help dating these boxes Mac top, Snap-on bottom

 

[Shelbylex]

Snap On - my guess would be mid 1950s to1960s. Look for a stamp at the sides or back.
Mac - not sure...

 

[Toolmaker65]

Just picked up this Kennedy K-20 hand box. I don't recall ever seeing a green wrinkle paint option. Is this military?

This one is in pretty nice shape.

Dave, I have the exact same box (post 6798 in this thread) and it is not military issue - the green wrinkle is for the Kennedy Bighorn line. My father had a machinist box with the same finish that he bought brand new in 1953 after he was discharged from the Navy.

 

[compunaut]

Check out this CL deal (not me)
Union 9 drawer rolling tool box set
Lewisville (DFW) TX, $50. Looks a little tired, but maybe with some TLC?

 

[LNKMK8]

Old Snap-on Tool Kit - no indications of a model, but appears to be socket/wrench related.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ferret set box, looks like 60s logo. Here is one with tools, has earlier logo.

 

[davethorik]

Dave, I have the exact same box (post 6798 in this thread) and it is not military issue - the green wrinkle is for the Kennedy Bighorn line. My father had a machinist box with the same finish that he bought brand new in 1953 after he was discharged from the Navy.

Awesome thanks!!

 

[LNKMK8]

Ferret set box, looks like 60s logo. Here is one with tools, has earlier logo.

Ahhh... it makes sense now; I knew it was socket related due to the tray and a place for a speeder wrench, but couldn't see how the other slots would work. Thanks for the info!