The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[d42jeep]

Amazing collection Don! Wow!

Thanks. There are plenty of Thorsen tools to be found in Northern California plus I’ve had a lot of help from my friends.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There’s a good chance that Thorsen made my original kit as well back when...

13-digit NSN's date to no earlier than 1978.

 

[d42jeep]

I posted this box in the Wizard tools thread but maybe it belongs here as well. I found this yesterday at a Nevada estate sale. The decal is in really good condition, the box and leather handle are just average.
-Don

 

[bargainhuntingking]

13-digit NSN's date to no earlier than 1978.

Lug, are you sure? When I googled it I came up with things like this:

"National Stock Number (NSN) 5120-00-081-2307, or NIIN 000812307, (wrench set,socket) was assigned January 1, 1963 in the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS)..."

https://www.iso-group.com/NSN/5120-00-081-2307

If you are right, perhaps it's a good thing that the box was empty so I wouldn't have to tolerate poorly made late model "Thorsen" sockets!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I will double check my notes when I get home tomorrow. One of the tricky things about looking things up in the current NSN system is the backwards compatibility and precedence they maintain e.g., see the "or" statement. But my understanding is 11-digit FSN through 70s, then 13 digit NSN, first DSA, then DLA. Don's was also a 13 digit NSN, and his was populated with tools, so maybe he can assess the tools to distinguish 70s or earlier.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have never heard of any particular problem with any US made Thorsen, Action or Giller tools whether they were made in Emeryville or Dallas. Perhaps the chrome plating wasn’t quite up to the standards of some other manufacturers but the early ratchets are quite robust. It’s my understanding that many of the Giller marked tools were sold to the US military. I try to avoid any Thorsen, TAT or Allied tools sourced offshore because with a few exceptions they are generally of quite poor quality, in my opinion.
-Don

I have heard that later USA Thorsen sockets will crack, but I have seen that with other US sockets from that time period too. The model 77 ratchets, both kinds, were bombproof though. I also think this is when the V series wrenches came out, and those are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Bhk,

I found my notes, which I had posted on an old garage sale thread... If you (or anyone else) can refine this timeline, or you have different info, have at it. I'll have to get to find the references...

Any marking that looks like this (41-S-1076, 38-B-3345, 13-O-1530, etc), sometimes with a prefix (e.g., N41-S-1076), is a phonetic Federal Standard Stock Catalog number, often referred to as the first FSN, from 1934 to 1952. Administered by the Treasury Dept.

> Any marking with a "DA" or some other prefix or no prefix and an 11-digit FSN (Number groups separated by hyphens, don't count the hyphens, e.g., 5180-698-7964) is from 1953 to 1961.

> Any marking with a "DSA" and an 11-digit FSN is from 1962 to 1974.

> Any marking with a "DSA" and a 13-digit FSN, adding "00" into the old FSN for a COO code placeholder, is from 1974 to 1977.

> Any marking with or without a "DLA" (Defense Logistics Agency) and a 13-digit NSN (and much more likely to actual have country codes (NATO, very contemporary, not vintage) is from 1978 on.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Bhk,
Not that Wiki is infallible, but their research on this subject is pretty good. My timeline is a little more elaborate, and their early history is a little lacking, but their rough overall timeline jibes with mine... Link here.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Hi,
I picked up two Vintage Toolboxes today.
They came as a set.


The seller told me that he bought these off the Snap-On truck about 20 years ago when he was a mechanic.



He told me he walked on the truck that day and saw this set sitting there and was instantly interested due to the unique, vintage design. He said all the other guys had new, modern boxes. He asked the Snap-On dealer what was the story.



The dealer told him that a young mechanic had inherited his father's or grandfather's old tool boxes. The young guy then immediately traded in the old boxes for some new, modern gear. Now these old boxes were sitting in a Snap-On truck again. The seller saw them, agreed to the price (he told me he paid about $400.) and the set was his. He told me he used the boxes at work for a while then later brought it home when he stopped being a mechanic. He said they have been sitting in his garage for at least 10 years.



Now he's cleaning out his garage and the set is for sale again.
I think I might have been the first to respond even though I think the ad was up for several hours. He told me several other people had called about them. By the end of the next day and after a 4-5 hour round trip, they are safely in my garage.

It's funny. I wanted both pieces for different reasons.
Then I find them both together as a set. I guess these are not as rare or hard to find as I thought. I still can't seem to find the deals you guys find where it's $3. or free for a vintage tool box full of old tools.

I thought it was interesting that the interior handles all match. I thought I've seen these with different handles. I guess there are some years where the top and bottom boxes match hardware and other years they don't.

Now it will be time to clean them up.
Any ideas on how to clean and lube that gate?



P.S.
I forgot to mention, for some reason, after I said I was looking for one of those side tables like another cart I have, he said he thinks he has one. He found it and said I can have it.
So I guess I did finally (sort of) get a "free" deal.
- again!

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice find on that set! You didn't mention what you did pay, but that set looks o be in great shape!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That set is beautiful! The only thing I'd do is find castors for the roller box.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Hi,
Thanks guys.

The set was advertised for $500.
I thought that they would probably not last too long at that price.
So in all correspondence I simply never mentioned it.

When I was standing there, sending the money through PayPal, I sort of said, "... 500 ..." and he said, "Yes. Thanks." I kind of think he was thanking me for not bargaining.

He also mentioned that several others had been calling. One even offered to meet him sooner than me, but I was meeting him after his work (ASAP). He said he didn't think it was worth skipping work for this.

So I got him all the way down to $500. and it never went higher.
I think they are worth $250. each even if they are not the best or fanciest example of each. I really like that the interior handles all match.

I think they are both from the same year, but I can't see the bottom edge of the roller behind the dolly flange.

So how do I clean the gate?

 

[y'sguy]

Boeshield makes a cleaner/degreaser. I have not used that particular product but I have used the T-9 penetrant lubricant. And it works better and cleaner than any other I have used. Check https://boeshield.com/why-boeshield/

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice set and a fair price. Great deal.

 

[Outlawmws]

Kennedy documented using WD-40 for cleaning their boxes, and its a good start point for many painted surfaces like that Tambor (Gate)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have used wd40 as well as some trans fluid. Cleaned out those door joints ok, followed by a rub down with a microfiber polishing cloth.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Thanks for the clues.

I'll have to look when I have time.
Maybe Sunday. I'll try to clean them up in general and take some better pictures in the daylight.

I guess I'll be looking for screws holding on a track or something like that.
I just hope it's not welded or riveted together.

If I just try lubing the panels,
do I apply WD40 to each joint, or along the sides/track?

For some reason the drawers on both the Superchest and the RollaBench are super smooth and nice. Just the rolling gate is hard to get up and back down. I'm worried that eventually the outside handles will get over stressed and those rivets will fail.
I don't have a rivet gun or tool.

I guess I could use small screws to replace
but I'd rather they not break in the first place.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I traded a fellow member here for this fairly nice Plomb 9990 chest a few weeks ago and at the prompting of my young apprentice made some easy slide repairs the other day. He noticed that the bottom drawer was riding a little low and hanging up on the lower lip of the box. A quick inspection showed some damage to the fixed drawer slides on both sides.

After removing the two slide retaining screws to remove the drawer we securely clamped it to a bracket held in the vise. We quickly formed a profile on one edge of a thin piece of aluminum that would closely matched an undamaged section of the guide.

After securely clamping the aluminum profiled guide to the drawer we were able to slowly work the damaged area back to shape using the rounded tips of vise grip C clamps, aka eagle beaks, to pull the guide back into shape. No hammers needed. We also worked the lower lip of the box back into shape using only a steel shim and a pair of eagle beaks. This was a quick and easy repair but my young apprentice and likely future owner of the box seemed pleased with it. Ed.

 

[drivesitfar]

Orc: nicely done!! Thanks for pics and tips too!! Apprentice approved?

 

[bmwrd0]

Very nice Ed. And a quite handy apprentice there.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I experienced similar issues. The slides and channels on those drawers are not particularly robust. Nice repair job.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Box looks great. Grandson is cuter!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Orc: nicely done!! Thanks for pics and tips too!! Apprentice approved?

Thanks Drives, my apprentice is learning fast...and yes he was very happy with the repairs.

Very nice Ed. And a quite handy apprentice there.

Thanks Beemer, he is showing promise...

I experienced similar issues. The slides and channels on those drawers are not particularly robust. Nice repair job.

I think the guides in this case were buggered up by a PO long before the member I got it from had it. I think what happened was they got some thin tools or paperwork jammed over the back of the drawer and couldn't figure out how to remove the drawer to clear the jam. When prying open the guides didn't work they took a 2" hole saw to the back and got in that way. Anyway that would explain all the issues the box had. Ed.

Box looks great. Grandson is cuter!

Thanks Lugz, The box is very usable now. I'm spending quite a bit of time with this grandson while his parents photograph weddings this summer but all of the grandkids love hanging out in the shop, even the girls. Ed.

 

[Provincial]

Nice job Ed!

It is fulfilling when the younger generation takes an interest in our hobbies. My son was home from university this summer, and decided to design a retractable ball point pen. He made the barrel from aluminum rod (and a prototype from Micarta rod with brass fittings), mechanism from brass rod, a clip from flat spring steel, and even wound the retracting spring from piano wire.

He decided that one really does need all three lathes and both milling machines!

 

[Provincial]

I picked up this Western Auto tool box Friday at a garage sale. I'll keep my Western Auto related tools in it.

More photos in the Wizard thread.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mine had bent slides, channels etc... a couple hours with a vise and some hammer work got them working, but still a bit sticky.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice job Ed!

It is fulfilling when the younger generation takes an interest in our hobbies. My son was home from university this summer, and decided to design a retractable ball point pen. He made the barrel from aluminum rod (and a prototype from Micarta rod with brass fittings), mechanism from brass rod, a clip from flat spring steel, and even wound the retracting spring from piano wire.

He decided that one really does need all three lathes and both milling machines!

Your right there Jock, taking the time to show the next generation they can make and fix things with their hands may be about the best thing any of us can hope to accomplish in this life. Sounds like you've done your part. Ed.

Mine had bent slides, channels etc... a couple hours with a vise and some hammer work got them working, but still a bit sticky.

Those removable slides can get waded up pretty bad for sure. I like the arbor press and a rod the right diameter to fit the slots for staightening them. Sometimes I need to use the spotwelder to stick them back together too. Ed.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Your right there Jock, taking the time to show the next generation they can make and fix things with their hands may be about the best thing any of us can hope to accomplish in this life. Sounds like you've done your part. Ed.







Those removable slides can get waded up pretty bad for sure. I like the arbor press and a rod the right diameter to fit the slots for staightening them. Sometimes I need to use the spotwelder to stick them back together too. Ed.

That chest looks very nice! Glad you are fixing it ! I would love to see it when I am there !


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[Oldtuleguy]

You inspired me to start on my kr500 roller.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Hi OldTuleGuy,

So what is your process with this?
It looks like you are repainting now. Is this going to be a complete restore?

I had a closer look at my KRH 300D and the KR 61.
I'm looking for a relatively easy path forward on these as everything works, the paint is worn but no big rust or holes. So I was just going to clean, buff and polish.

What do you do to clean up boxes like your KR500?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This one has been spray bombed, so I sanded it off completely , fixed some dents, primed it and hit it with a base coat. That's as far as I got today.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice job on the KR500 so far OTG, looks like you have the cabinet smoothed up pretty nice and the color looks pretty close too. Is that a 64' date stamp? Ed.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes it is a 64

 

[JMacD92]

thinking of getting this, is $150 too pricy?


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[Shelbylex]

JMac, depends on the tools on top of it. I would recommend looking for the one in better shape and for lower price. I saw them for much cheaper in MA...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Maybe it's the lighting but is it a little bent?

 

[JMacD92]

JMac, depends on the tools on top of it. I would recommend looking for the one in better shape and for lower price. I saw them for much cheaper in MA...

I asked about the tools he says they are not included unfortunately


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[JMacD92]

Maybe it's the lighting but is it a little bent?

I was wondering the same thing actually


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[FJ 432]

JMac,

Intermediate boxes are hard to find in this area so I would pay that. I have one and they're well built. Be nice if they have a key.

 

[madison069]

Friend of mine got himself a new Kobalt 41" tool chest and wanted to get rid of his old Craftsman toolbox. Since I expressed interest in his old Craftsman toolbox in the past he said I can just take it!

I know there's lots of grey/red Craftsman box here but just figured I'd add to the collection.

I think it will go well with my other Craftsman tool chest i have in use already.