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

[txlonghorn1989]

Yep, I have/had the same set, actually ended up replacing the top box with a little snap on chest. Those craftsman top boxes aren't made near as well as the bottom boxes and mine had the same drawer sag problem that many, including yours, has.

What drawer sag problem is that?

 

[RubiconJK]

That would be this one I believe...

Nice!

 

[zkling]

What drawer sag problem is that?

The 9 drawers get easily overloaded and cause the supports to sag as the top sheet metal stretches. Notice the gap betwen the bottom of the last row of split drawers and the top of the 1st full length drawer? Also the handle lines are broken, going across the 9 top drawers, looking at the far right three drawers and the middle stack of drawers.

 

[RubiconJK]

Thought I'd take a before photo of the top box I found today. It has quite a bit of exterior surface rust, but in great shape otherwise and had the key. I'll begin the clean up and re-paint process and try to remember to do an after photo later. From what I've read on this thread the Rustoleum hammered gray and sunrise red are the colors to go with. Any tips from you folks that have experience with these boxes? It has the recessed handles and appears to be made in 1975.

 

[WagonHo!]

Just watched “The Graduate” there’s a scene where Benjamin-Dustin Hoffman stops in an Chevron station. On the work bench is a six drawer Grey Red chest with the old style lift handles.
It looks just wuner-full. The movie was made in 1967. Here’s mine made in Dec 1964

Watched the Soprano’s episode “Mr Ruggiero’s neighborhood”, where the FBI planted a bug in a desk lamp. On the workbench Tony has a the chest like this one.
Also in “Gran Torino” Walt/Eastwood has a Grey/Red chest also on his workbench.

 

[Car hobby]

Here are a few of my Craftsman rollers and uppers that I have acquired over the last couple of years. I’ve been around tools all of my life and have inherited so many from my father and both of my grandfathers. I am now in the process of trying to organize all of them for the next generation. Someday, I’ll try to take pictures of the contents.

Attachment 1…..Roller # 1 (January 1973.) All original.

Attachment 2…..Roller # 2 (July 1975) I restored this one. It was in bad shape. I literally pulled this one out of a barn.

Attachment 3…..Roller # 3 (No date) I restored this one too. Such bad shape. I want 2 more like this. Lol

Attachment 4…..Topper # 1. (Early 1960’s) This was my wife’s Grandfather’s road box. It sits on top of a Huot roller.

Attachment 5…..Topper # 2. (March 1972)

Attachment 6…..Topper # 3. (March 1977)

Attachment 7…..Topper # 4. (March 1977) I want 2 more of these

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice!

 

[tool_scrounge]

Really great boxes. I would like to find a box like Roller 3.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I picked this box up over the weekend. I didnt need another box but the GJ is such a bad influence. I sanded down each corner of the inside of the lid and there isnt even a hint of a date stamp in there. Trust me I spent way too long with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Seems to be well made other than a slight bow out of the bottom drawer. It does have the exterior screw on handles. Any other clues as to the age of this model????

 

[Rileysan]

I picked this box up over the weekend. I didnt need another box but the GJ is such a bad influence. I sanded down each corner of the inside of the lid and there isnt even a hint of a date stamp in there. Trust me I spent way too long with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Seems to be well made other than a slight bow out of the bottom drawer. It does have the exterior screw on handles. Any other clues as to the age of this model????

If you're concerned about being influenced in a bad way, I'll take it off your hands!

As for age, it would date from 1968 and older, based on the location of the drawer pull in the middle drawer. No one has been able to determine precisely when Waterloo started stamping dates on their boxes. It's even possible there was an overlap of stamped and un-stamped boxes.

It is my opinion that Waterloo started stamping all boxes around 1965, so I would date yours from 1960-1965.

Brian

 

[taumac]

Rileysan, the early boxes where really hard to see sometimes. I had a 6D top chest dated 62. I only had the one 65 and earlier.

Mr wonderful. It’s probably there but hard to see. Even us that know where to look have trouble sometimes.


All, If I know I’m gonna repaint a box but don’t see the stamp I try not to sand it. I would use alittle paint stripper and remove paint that way.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

If you're concerned about being influenced in a bad way, I'll take it off your hands!

As for age, it would date from 1968 and older, based on the location of the drawer pull in the middle drawer. No one has been able to determine precisely when Waterloo started stamping dates on their boxes. It's even possible there was an overlap of stamped and un-stamped boxes.

It is my opinion that Waterloo started stamping all boxes around 1965, so I would date yours from 1960-1965.

Brian

Haha, No I think this one is staying with me. I guess I did ok for $15.

 

[Ozzieli]

Hello guys and gals. First time poster here. Lol. Just picked up a couple of these oldies. The first is a ‘63 (top and bottom) I found with old SK, SnapOn, Apex, and Craftsman tools for $100. Also has both sets of keys, the tray insert and a couple of
Socket trays. The second is a ‘76 (top and bottom) I found for $200 and a two hour trip one way (it was in Marion, IN and I didn’t know it was Garfield town. Who was my childhood favorite. So I went hunting for the statues they have all around the area). Only had the keys for the chest. Missing the tray as well. I really like the look of these oldies. Think the grey and red Craftsman bug has bit me. Hahaha!



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[Ozzieli]

I picked this box up over the weekend. I didnt need another box but the GJ is such a bad influence. I sanded down each corner of the inside of the lid and there isnt even a hint of a date stamp in there. Trust me I spent way too long with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Seems to be well made other than a slight bow out of the bottom drawer. It does have the exterior screw on handles. Any other clues as to the age of this model????

Looks like the one I just purchased, which is a ‘63. Only mine doesn’t have the dimples next to the lock. Is the name plate aluminum? The one on mine is. I had to place the light close and at a certain angle to find the stamping as I couldn’t see it either. The second pic shows the location on mine (it’s the shiny spot).


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[Cruzan80]

Nice finds! Between them, you have almost all the largest boxes (there is a roller in between yours) by drawer count. Now you need mid boxes to go with them...

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[Ozzieli]

Thanks. I am on the hunt for the 9 drawer roller and a newer (70’s) 10 drawer chest. As well, as what seems to be the ever so elusive middle boxes. The only one I have even seen since I started looking for these was 4 hours away in Ohio. Lol


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[Mr. Wonderful]

Ozzi, I will take one more look but I really went over that area. Yes, I believe that is an aluminium badge on the box. And welcome to GJ!

 

[Ozzieli]

Ozzi, I will take one more look but I really went over that area. Yes, I believe that is an aluminium badge on the box. And welcome to GJ!

Thanks. These guys are a bad influence. Lol. When I was looking all I could see was the bottom curve of the “3” through the paint. So I scrapped it off to see if that was the stamping.


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[WagonHo!]

Hello guys and gals. First time poster here. Lol. Just picked up a couple of these oldies. The first is a ‘63 (top and bottom) I found with old SK, SnapOn, Apex, and Craftsman tools for $100. Also has both sets of keys, the tray insert and a couple of
Socket trays. The second is a ‘76 (top and bottom) I found for $200 and a two hour trip one way (it was in Marion, IN and I didn’t know it was Garfield town. Who was my childhood favorite. So I went hunting for the statues they have all around the area). Only had the keys for the chest. Missing the tray as well. I really like the look of these oldies. Think the grey and red Craftsman bug has bit me. Hahaha!



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Very nice finds on those beauties . You .

 

[Ozzieli]

Very nice finds on those beauties . You [emoji10].

Thanks Wagonho. Hopefully, I will have time to refurbish them. Just looking at them it seems like some hard work to get the insides sanded and painted. What do you guys recommend for rust removal on such a large item, other than sanding of course? Anyway, I would like to get the rust off so they will last another half a century, or longer.


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[Cruzan80]

What is going on with this one? Grabbed the pictures off Craigslist, don't own it. It has the chevron logo, but red and black instead of grey and red. I also haven ever seen a two drawer model with a trapdoor, only three drawer and above. Any ideas?

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[taumac]

What is going on with this one? Grabbed the pictures off Craigslist, don't own it. It has the chevron logo, but red and black instead of grey and red. I also haven ever seen a two drawer model with a trapdoor, only three drawer and above. Any ideas?

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After the gray/red era was this. Red body/ charcoal black drawers. Same construction just different colors. I don’t think I seen a 2 drawer model but it’s quite possible.

 

[Cruzan80]

I have see this color model, but rarely with chevrons. Usually square Sears Craftsman logos.

Never seen a two drawer, so between the odd and very odd, thought it was worth a post.

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[taumac]

I have see this color model, but rarely with chevrons. Usually square Sears Craftsman logos.

Never seen a two drawer, so between the odd and very odd, thought it was worth a post.

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You’re correct. This color scheme has been out a while. What they did was they took the Gray and red box and change the colors in say 77. They basically was a gray and red box with same badges just a new paint job. Somewhere in the early 80s they changed it with new badges and a new box but that same red and charcoal paint job. This era is confusing because you have to pay attention to the drawer pulls.

 

[Ozzieli]

You’re correct. This color scheme has been out a while. What they did was they took the Gray and red box and change the colors in say 77. They basically was a gray and red box with same badges just a new paint job. Somewhere in the early 80s they changed it with new badges and a new box but that same red and charcoal paint job. This era is confusing because you have to pay attention to the drawer pulls.

That’s nice to know. What of the red one with the crown logo? I know it’s not a grey and red but it was advertised with them. Looks like a cool box to have as well. Does anyone own a set of these?



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[taumac]

That’s nice to know. What of the red one with the crown logo? I know it’s not a grey and red but it was advertised with them. Looks like a cool box to have as well. Does anyone own a set of these?



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From what I understand those are commercial series boxes. I never had privilege on owning one or seeing one in person. Im not even sure we ( talking the GJ ) tried to figure out from when to when they where even made. Most of the attention has focused on just gray/red cabinets.

 

[Ozzieli]

From what I understand those are commercial series boxes. I never had privilege on owning one or seeing one in person. Im not even sure we ( talking the GJ ) tried to figure out from when to when they where even made. Most of the attention has focused on just gray/red cabinets.

The gray/reds are sweat. Going to try and find a few more. Although if I ever see that one close by I think I won’t be able to resist (assuming the price is right). Here is one I found but quit the drive from Indiana, lol.


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[6pony6]

I have see this color model, but rarely with chevrons. Usually square Sears Craftsman logos.

Never seen a two drawer, so between the odd and very odd, thought it was worth a post.

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There were definitely some transition periods. I just recently gave away this red/gray with the rectangular logo.



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[taumac]

There were definitely some transition periods. I just recently gave away this red/gray with the rectangular logo.



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Yep, once we think we got it figured out another wrench get throw in the works.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

There were definitely some transition periods. I just recently gave away this red/gray with the rectangular logo...

That's really cool seeing the rectangular logo on a red & gray! Would love to come across one of those.

 

[WagonHo!]

I have see this color model, but rarely with chevrons. Usually square Sears Craftsman logos.

Never seen a two drawer, so between the odd and very odd, thought it was worth a post.

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Definitely worth a post, cool find. Have you checked for a date stamp?

 

[Cruzan80]

No, just saw it for sale. Dont need another box, especially with limited capacity.

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[6pony6]

Score.



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[txlonghorn1989]

Score.
...

6pony6 You ****! Probably a few of us would have paid $75 just for that 3-drawer middie! Nice find!

 

[tool_scrounge]

That’s nice to know. What of the red one with the crown logo? I know it’s not a grey and red but it was advertised with them. Looks like a cool box to have as well. Does anyone own a set of these?



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Years ago I found a set of the sears best ones at a local antique store for $200 in really nice shape. It was very well built. But it stunk of mildew. So I passed. It finally sold after a few weeks. I regret not buying it, especially now that I found the wonders of ozone for treating problems like this.

 

[Ozzieli]

Years ago I found a set of the sears best ones at a local antique store for $200 in really nice shape. It was very well built. But it stunk of mildew. So I passed. It finally sold after a few weeks. I regret not buying it, especially now that I found the wonders of ozone for treating problems like this.

Seems these are more rare then the 12D top and bottom grey/reds. You guys would know better as I just recently got into the vintage tool boxes, after seeing what the big box stores had to offer for the most part. That would have been a sweet score.


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[JoCoSawdust]

Score.



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Man you stole that!

 

[406Rich]

I just missed out on a six drawer top, 5 drawer base for a $100, nice shape too, missed by 1 hour...I keep thinking it will show up on here, this was a week ago..!

 

[XJPat]

I am a little disappointed no one here with that setup threw up a picture just to mess with 406Rich. [emoji481]

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[Ozzieli]

I just missed out on a six drawer top, 5 drawer base for a $100, nice shape too, missed by 1 hour...I keep thinking it will show up on here, this was a week ago..!

That happens to me quit the bit. Lol. Also, I’ll find some good ones for $50-$75 but they are like 3 to 4 hours away. Just can’t win. lol.


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