My Latest Toolbox Project: Snap On Rick Mears Special Edition (Picture heavy!)

[Moose-LandTran]

It's Rustoleum "Sunrise Red" but I don't think the can has a big enough bottom to hold on to for your use...

.....!

 

[Ray-CA]

Instead of paint, try taking the box or parts to a print shop. I had some similar stuff to do and they wiped black ink on then off again. Worked really well.

Ray

 

[rickd.]

Wow, Great job, one of the nicest restore jobs I have ever seen. YOUR the PRO.

 

[Vinko]

Yep, it's 84 for 1984.

One other thing with these boxes. This is the third KR537 I've owned, and all three of them have had problems with the hinge on the right side. I keep a thin piece of wood propped up on the right side to keep it from falling down when I have it open. I need to look into getting some replacement hinges.

I did order a replacement drawer slide for one of the little drawers about a month ago. Still waiting. I called Snap On and they told me they wouldn't have them in stock until July 15th

Nice restore. I remember reading this when you posted it, but forgot about it by the time I got my KRA537.

I ordered the two hinges (with slide locks) off the truck, but only one came in

I'll have to do something for the alum. plate. I'm keying it the same as my KRA2411 (Classic 78). Mine doesn't have drawer pulls -- are those stainless or aluminum? Do you have part no's for those? I'd like to trick mine out.

Also that's black paint on the side door, hinged on the right, that covers up the little drawers? My box had been repainted, so I wasn't sure if that was original or not? Was the original a matte black?

Good stuff.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Nice restore. I remember reading this when you posted it, but forgot about it by the time I got my KRA537.

I ordered the two hinges (with slide locks) off the truck, but only one came in

Vinko, can you give me a part number for that hinge? How much are they?

I'll have to do something for the alum. plate. I'm keying it the same as my KRA2411 (Classic 78). Mine doesn't have drawer pulls -- are those stainless or aluminum? Do you have part no's for those? I'd like to trick mine out.

I guess they're aluminum. I just cleaned them off with some real fine steel wool. They're chipped up a little from use, but still look pretty good.

Also that's black paint on the side door, hinged on the right, that covers up the little drawers? My box had been repainted, so I wasn't sure if that was original or not? Was the original a matte black?

Good stuff.

That side door has a thin piece of vinyl covering it that I wiped down with mineral spirits, then sprayed a light coat of Krylon gloss black. I think it looks the way it should when new.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Very Nice, just goes to show that one mans trash is another mans treasure.

 

[Joe69]

Great job! My 1st Snap-on box was the same model, only a Bill Elliott version. I had the rollaway and middle box also. One of my coworkers at the time had the Rick Mears box, like yours, that he bought new.

Joe

 

[Vinko]

^^^ I can get you photos and part no's of what's available for hinges from SO on Monday. I think almost all parts were available. It wasn't very expensive at all, but I paid 1/2 of my dealer's cost, so I don't know what the mark-up is from SO direct.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

^^^ I can get you photos and part no's of what's available for hinges from SO on Monday. I think almost all parts were available. It wasn't very expensive at all, but I paid 1/2 of my dealer's cost, so I don't know what the mark-up is from SO direct.

Great, either post here or send me a PM if you can.

thanks

 

[Vinko]

Lookin':

The two parts I ordered (one of which I received, but I'm not sure which, and I haven't looked) are:

550A1020 COVER ST ASM
550A1035A COVER STOP


12.10 each is listed on the invoice, which seems sort of expensive to me, but maybe not for S-O I don't know what my cost on these parts will be.


ALSO:

537A0310 PANEL @ $27.50 (appears to be discontinued aluminum panel for front cover)
537A0002 LOCK BAR ASBY @ $33.50 (appears to be discontinued for KRA537)

Though I'm posting these here in vain hope that someone knows of a S-O distributor who perhaps has these things but not on some sort of computerized inventory that S-O corporate would be able to access.

Also on LOCK BAR ASBY, there might a CAM (8-6737-1) from a later box (which definitely S-O still has) that works with assembly.

edit: on second thought I think the cam is for the hinge (aka "cover stop") now that I look at your pics again. There's supposed to be two places to rivet the cam to the side of the box, I believe. Only a guess, I'm certainly not an expert.

close up photos of parts and my existing hinges when I get into the shop.

 

[Vinko]

V
That side door has a thin piece of vinyl covering it that I wiped down with mineral spirits, then sprayed a light coat of Krylon gloss black. I think it looks the way it should when new.

The vinyl was original? Or was it another material? Seems kind of weird to me to have vinyl there

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

The vinyl was original? Or was it another material? Seems kind of weird to me to have vinyl there

Yep, as far as I know, vinyl was original.

Also, on the top of one of my boxes, on that side section where the littl drawers are, there's a piece that's got a thick cardboard type consistency. On the box I painted, that piece wasn't there.

I've seen these boxes for sale, with and without that piece. On the first KR537 I bought, it was loose so I resprayed it black, and glued it back on.

 

[cwstevens92]

My dad had that same box (top and bottom). Great job on the resto and ummm let me know if you wanna part with it

 

[Vinko]

Here some photos of my hinges that came with the box. I don't know if these were the original parts or not. NOS parts to follow as soon as I can get the photos. One hinge is attached; the other is unattached. I'm not sure if they were originally attached. The previous owner did a cheap resto. job. I'll eventually do a little sheet metal work and maybe power coat it.

 

[Vinko]

Here's the new parts I ordered. I've got more on the way. Hinge, bracket for hinge, I guess. (If so, it's a different design than the one I got with the box), and the cam lock. I assume the spring is for the lock too. Don't know what the shim is for, but I haven't really looked.

I wish SO Corporate had better info to give out on the older boxes.

 

[Eddie 70]

Nice restoration. Having never seen this done but I have seen several shabby boxes, this almost makes me want to try and pick one of those boxes up sometime and give it a shot also. Thanks for the inspiration. Great work.

 

[66KidsCar]

Impressive Job!! makes me want to do my Old Craftsman roll away.

 

[econobiker]

FYI: interior coating and detailing ideas for restored or new tool boxes.

When I got my new Craftsman carry tool box and then a few years later a new roll around three box stack combo, I detailed it out by removing the drawers and cleaned the interior surfaces with alcohol to remove any assembly lube. I sprayed spray the interior (especially corners, overlapped joints, and bottom floor with spray can rust proofing or undercoating- I had the slides pulled out as far as they could go or masked any areas needed. This coated the interior with a black color.

On the carry box I did the undersides of the three drawers. If I did it again I would omit this on all but the bottom drawer as the undercoat did wear off on some of the items in the 2nd and bottom drawers from the drawers above.

I also undercoated the bottom side of the roll around but didn't do this for the carry box. I had 3M grey plastic stair anti-slip strips on the bottom of the carry box but it gradually pealed off due to moving the box around.

I used a large strip of truck inner tube to line the top portion of the carry box originally - it is still in there but used commercially bought foam for the drawers. The roll around is lined with a combination of thick shipping foam similar to the store sold stuff- (white instead of black), discarded from kitchen cabinets anti-slip material, and 1/4" thick cut to size masonite that was also a found item- this for the larger hand held electric drill/grinder bottom drawers.

I also took the time to glue a card with my name, date purchased/detailed and some pertainent information into the box interiors after the undercoat dried in case of theft and recovery and for someone to find 30 years after I am dead...

 

[Mufrat62]

Nice Job looks as new as the Craftsman set I just bought.

 

[Yardgoat]

Great job,I have a older Chraftsman tool box and the key for it work,s on my 16ft shop door.Garage was built in 77 and tool box around 90,kind of strange.......................YG

 

[Vinko]

Here's the other hinge that's available. So this one, along with the other pictured a few posts ealier in this thread, are what I received from my SO parts order. A few people asked me about the hinge and other available part no's either for or equivalent to the KR537, and I'll post those as soon as I can. There must be about five people restoring these boxes here.

So, in sum, the hinges I've gotten as replacements are a different design than the ones when I bought the box. Also fastened to the box differently. But I can't be certain that these hinges were OEM or at least the right parts for this model as the previous owner did a pretty poor restoration job.

Also, on the top of one of my boxes, on that side section where the littl drawers are, there's a piece that's got a thick cardboard type consistency. On the box I painted, that piece wasn't there.

I've seen these boxes for sale, with and without that piece. On the first KR537 I bought, it was loose so I resprayed it black, and glued it back on.

My dealer stopped by the shop earlier in the week and told me that he thinks the original material may've been masonite. I'll see if anyone at SO knows anything more, but usually I think the old timer dealers are the best sources of info.

Still trying to confirm whether the cover plate was aluminum or stainless. My dealer thinks stainless, but says he doesn't remember for sure.

I'm looking into getting a piece cut to exact dims, if anyone else is interested.

 

[selohssa]

That is the same replacement hinge that Snap-On sent me. It looks cheap. I do not even want to put it on. I am going to wait and see if I can find a used original one.

 

[Vinko]

That is the same replacement hinge that Snap-On sent me. It looks cheap. I do not even want to put it on. I am going to wait and see if I can find a used original one.

Do you have a photo of the original one? I wonder if the ones I my box when it used were original. I didn't think so, because they don't look that good either.

 

[Vinko]

By the way, a few people have asked me about what replacement parts I was able to get. So I've assembled a list. Sorry it's taken so long:

8-6737-1 CAM $1.59
8-18337-4 #12-24 x.25 SHHMS $0.68
550A1035A COVER STOP $12.00
550A1020 COVER STOP ASM $12.00

Runners (friction slides) that I've gotten, though I don't know that they're OEM sizing:

8-1257 RUNNER $6.80
8-267 RUNNER $9.40
8-257 RUNNER $6.80

[If anyone needs measurements on above runners, I can take them].

---

Remover (for friction slides), if you need them

52638 REMOVER $1.59


The two parts I haven't been able to get are:

537A0310 Panel $27.50
537A0002 Lock Bar Assembly $33.59

If anyone has a source, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks.

 

[selohssa]

These are the shots of my original hinge. It is chrome and looks to be very nice quality. I don't think that I will use the replacement. I am going to try and find an original.

 

[Vinko]

OK. This is helpful info. Much appreciated.

This style you show is what came on the box when I bought it too. Except I've got different fasteners. Sort of allen head set screws (though I'm forgetting the exact name of the fastener).

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here's the other hinge that's available. So this one, along with the other pictured a few posts ealier in this thread, are what I received from my SO parts order. A few people asked me about the hinge and other available part no's either for or equivalent to the KR537, and I'll post those as soon as I can. There must be about five people restoring these boxes here.

So, in sum, the hinges I've gotten as replacements are a different design than the ones when I bought the box. Also fastened to the box differently. But I can't be certain that these hinges were OEM or at least the right parts for this model as the previous owner did a pretty poor restoration job.

This is a pic of the left hinge on one of my boxes. Not quite the same, but looks similar.

 

[Todd.Brock]

These Pics are great! I have the little slide that comes over the joint to keep it from falling down while in place. I had NO idea what it was for. There was a little bit of writing left on it, but it was illegible. Now I know! So the above part numbers, which one is for the actual hinge? Not sure what the diff between "cover stop ASM" and "cover stop" is? Thanks!

 

[WSnyder]

I still own a set of these boxes (top and bottom) that I purchased new in 1980. I would say they are about 95+% just shy of pristine. The top panel above the small drawers is Masonite and the top of the bottom box has the same Masonite cover as well. Neither of mine was ever glued on from the factory. That's probably why you find some of them missing. The panel on the front of the small drawer door on mine is a glued on black vinyl type material. My front door lower panel cover plate is brushed stainless. On my hinge slide lock there is a long arrow pointing up and above the arrow it says "PUSH UP AND PRESS". If you need any more info just say the word and I'll look at mine.

 

[Vinko]

Now I know! So the above part numbers, which one is for the actual hinge? Not sure what the diff between "cover stop ASM" and "cover stop" is? Thanks!

I'm not sure either now. I've got the parts in a bag, and thinking I may be missing a hinge. I just ordered a bunch more little parts, with the help of SO corporate and Mr. Shaun

Interesting though, an old timer at SO said that Selohssa and I have is incorrect, and the one Galaxy has is correct

I've got some illustrations too, and original spec for OEM rivets that I can post as soon as I can scan and put up.

 

[Vinko]

I still own a set of these boxes (top and bottom) that I purchased new in 1980. I would say they are about 95+% just shy of pristine. The top panel above the small drawers is Masonite and the top of the bottom box has the same Masonite cover as well. Neither of mine was ever glued on from the factory. That's probably why you find some of them missing. The panel on the front of the small drawer door on mine is a glued on black vinyl type material. My front door lower panel cover plate is brushed stainless. On my hinge slide lock there is a long arrow pointing up and above the arrow it says "PUSH UP AND PRESS". If you need any more info just say the word and I'll look at mine.

Pics would be great. I'd be incredibly grateful!


I also wouldn't mind getting the thickness of the masonite.

The guy at SO Corporate says that the original cover plate was aluminum and not stainless. Maybe this isn't right?

I also ordered what appeared to be the original fastener kit for this box.

They had something like 12 left in the distribution network. It should be in about 1 or 2 weeks, and if it's what I think it is, that would be cool, since I'm missing some fasteners, and love these little details in the same way I loved restoring my old car.

My driver has become almost as obsessive as I have in hunting down parts. His other customers don't get why I spending ridiculous amounts of time on this, but I'm glad they're are a few here that do

 

[selohssa]

My driver has become almost as obsessive as I have in hunting down parts. His other customers don't get why I spending ridiculous amounts of time on this, but I'm glad they're are a few here that do

It is nice that your dealer will spend the time for you. I am looking forward to seein pics once it is all back together.

 

[WSnyder]

Pics would be great. I'd be incredibly grateful!

I also wouldn't mind getting the thickness of the masonite.

The guy at SO Corporate says that the original cover plate was aluminum and not stainless. Maybe this isn't right?

Masonite is 1/8" thick with a hard thin black layer on top that doesn't appear to be paint. I want to say in the years after I purchased my boxes that I have seen special editions that had aluminum front panels rather than the brushed stainless. The AL panels always had some theme or tribute on them. My brushed stainless is thin glued on sheet metal. A couple of friends had the same boxes way back then. They were pretty popular and you would see them in shops all the time. I still buy SO tools but everything seemed more affordable in those days. I'll get some pictures for you in the next day or so. Anything in particular you would like to see?

 

[nolatoolguy]

WOW THATS AUSOME, i love how it turned out. I would love to own that box. Expecially with the drawer configuration. Along with the way it all closes up. They just dont make boxes like that any more.

 

[Vinko]

from SO, here was the orig. part no. for rivets that held the hinges to the KR537. I wish I had more access to all those "internal documents" for the boxes. Probably a goldmine of info if you're a purist who wants to restore a box.

 

[Vinko]

It is nice that your dealer will spend the time for you.

Yeah, I'm glad he's into it as much as I am. I think he's got a great deal of pride from selling SO for over 30 years, so he's happy to help.

Masonite is 1/8" thick with a hard thin black layer on top that doesn't appear to be paint.

I'm going to search for something that might be the equivalent. If it isn't paint, does it look integral to the masonite-like material, or something applied?

I want to say in the years after I purchased my boxes that I have seen special editions that had aluminum front panels rather than the brushed stainless. The AL panels always had some theme or tribute on them. My brushed stainless is thin glued on sheet metal.

Interesting. I have seen one or two of the theme or tribute panels on this thread. The guy who answered my queries at SO said he was around when that box first came out and was sure that the plain panels were AL, but maybe there were variations, and it may be hard to keep up.

A couple of friends had the same boxes way back then. They were pretty popular and you would see them in shops all the time. I still buy SO tools but everything seemed more affordable in those days.

Yeah, it does seem the way it is, doesn't it? I wonder if this is really the case? There was a lot less requirements (i.e. costs) for business back then. And today, I wonder who is getting a small 3/8 general service set for $550!
Let's not even talk new box prices, which are crazy. But maybe there's a lot more costs that go into a box today

I'll get some pictures for you in the next day or so. Anything in particular you would like to see?

I'd love to get a photo of: general shot, shot of fasteners that hold name plate, somewhat close up shots of masonite, shot of the lock on top of stainless close-up. All shots are good shots

 

[WSnyder]

Here you go. If I remember all of the early boxes had the brushed stainless panels, the alu themed panels came along much later than mine (purchased mine ~1980). The black top surface of the masonite is very smooth and hard like the masonite. Maybe it was laid down in the mold like a gel coat when the masonite was formed.

 

[dkroth]

Another Rick Mears box for sale in Rochester. Posting a screen cap for posterity...

http://rochester.craigslist.org/tls/1708439130.html

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Another Rick Mears box for sale in Rochester. Posting a screen cap for posterity...

http://rochester.craigslist.org/tls/1708439130.html

That looks to be in great original shape. I'd try and get him down to $600, but for $700 I wouldn't complain. Those are not easy to find in that good of shape.

 

[pl_silverado]

Looks great!