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

[outofbounds]

Rileysan,

You and I have a completely different concept of "stand up guy".

I think you and your friend, Mr. X, have honor between yourselves, as I've witnessed first hand. As you may be aware, he and I just cut a deal on a auto service part that I believe you stepped back from in his favor.

I hope you'd consult him about the way I went about that deal with him. I think it might be illuminating as a counter point to this one.

PS - I'll get over this deal pretty quick, and I have no doubt my wife is elated that it went south. It's the underhandedness that rubbed me the wrong way.

He could have come out and said something like "It was Grandpa's tool box, and I didn't know what it was worth, and some other guy blazed me an offer I simply couldn't ignore given my current financial straits". Rather. "Box sold. Sorry" I stand by my assertion that it's a douche move on his part. I think the only reason he contacted me at all is because he knew I was headed directly to his house after work.

FYI Further, it wasn't Emails. It was calls/texts, and we had an arranged meeting time tonight to consummate that agreed upon offer, and seller provided his address, and knew precisely when I'd be arriving tonight, and he ALSO knew that I couldn't get there sooner because I am working.

Regards, Tom

 

[1982fxr]

Bad form and completely uncalled for.

I've been stood up more than once and it pisses me off, too. But a deal isn't a deal just because you got an email response from the seller.

This is clearly a different situation. Read to OG's post, and have a beer or something.

Last Sunday I saw a vise on cl for $125. Had been up for several days. I offered $100 and immediate pick up. They agree and send an address. My day stops right there so I can go get it like I said I would. I leave immediately to the bank and then on my way.

I don't text and drive but I happen to look down and see a text so I stop. Someone else is offering more, how high will I go? **** you, that's how high.

Convince me this person doesn't deserve a left hook to the body.

 

[outofbounds]

"Totally agreed.... if you see something you want you need to jump in the car and go grab it. Asking a seller to hold something greatly reduces your chance of buying the item unless you offer more."

Smokeshow, I had already agreed to his asking price. he wasn't "holding it" He even used the word "SOLD" in our conversation. Just sayin.

 

[1982fxr]

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Last Sunday I saw a vise on cl for $125. Had been up for several days. I offered $100 and immediate pick up. They agree and send an address. My day stops right there so I can go get it like I said I would. I leave immediately to the bank and then on my way.

I don't text and drive but I happen to look down and see a text so I stop. Someone else is offering more, how high will I go? **** you, that's how high.

Convince me this person doesn't deserve a left hook to the body.

Yep. That ***** big time! Hasn't happened to me. Yet. I'm sure it will one of these days.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Agreed, 1982fxr,

Some people have jobs. There was a time when one's word meant something. I would have never undermined that deal the way that was done to me.

Honor is a simple and resolute concept.

I do agree on a mans word. If he told you he would hold it, he should have held it. If he didn’t want to hold it, he should’ve told you he wouldn’t hold it. Whenever I sell something, I don’t usually hold it unless I feel super comfortable doing that but I always tell the buyer no holds. Honor is getting hard to find these days


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[Rileysan]

Last Sunday I saw a vise on cl for $125. Had been up for several days. I offered $100 and immediate pick up. They agree and send an address. My day stops right there so I can go get it like I said I would. I leave immediately to the bank and then on my way.

I don't text and drive but I happen to look down and see a text so I stop. Someone else is offering more, how high will I go? **** you, that's how high.

Convince me this person doesn't deserve a left hook to the body.

Yep - I hate that, too! I assure you, it's happened to me more than once. But after being stood up so many times (meeting in neutral locations) I've come to appreciate being contacted before setting out. And whatever my thoughts may be about sellers behaving badly, I have to draw a line in the sand and not step over it. Just saying ...

 

[emeraldcoupe]

UPDATE - I just heard from the rat selling this, and true to my concern, he sold it out from underneath me to someone who probably baited him with an extra $20 and the means to beat me there. Guy probably doesn't understand why he lives in the part of town he does.

Someone who makes a deal and then sells out from under the buyer is a *************.

I agree with both of you.

I had it happen a few months back. 9 drawer bottom was posted about 11 pm, I saw it a few minutes later. contacted seller, I was the first one, we made a deal for full price and i'd pick it up first thing in the morning. I wake up to a notification that the box has been sold. he didn't even let me know, it was an automated fb response. I tried contacting him, wouldn't even respond to me. rat ************* in my book.

 

[taumac]

If you agree to prices and make rearrangements only to have it sold out from under you the seller is *******. I’ve been on the on end of those to good to be true and got them. I’ve also had deals I’ve lost. In this day and age I don’t consider it a deal until cash is in sellers hand and item is I’m my procession.

 

[Smokeshow69]

If you agree to prices and make rearrangements only to have it sold out from under you the seller is *******. I’ve been on the on end of those to good to be true and got them. I’ve also had deals I’ve lost. In this day and age I don’t consider it a deal until cash is in sellers hand and item is I’m my procession.

Totally agreed! If a seller says they will hold something they should. I had a couple of items for sale this summer that people tried to get me to sell after I said I would hold it for someone. I didn’t break my word. Sometimes a good nights rest and being able to look yourself in the mirror is way better than extra money. Of course , I try to go get the item I want to buy ASAP because I have been stood up before so I let the seller tell me if they can hold an item


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[Smokeshow69]

Made progress on my 12 drawer top chest. I washed it, clay barred it and then applied car wax to all surfaces both in and out. Got the slides cleaned and lubed and now waiting on drawer liner install before I fill it up!



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[RubiconJK]

Made progress on my 12 drawer top chest. I washed it, clay barred it and then applied car wax to all surfaces both in and out. Got the slides cleaned and lubed and now waiting on drawer liner install before I fill it up!

Looking great!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Looks good Smoke!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Looks good Smoke!

Thanks for the kind words guys. I should be cutting drawer liners tonight and installing the drawers


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[RedVise]

Plant City Fl - looks un-abused

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/466294747363258/


brian

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well guys I finished shining and lining the red and grey stack! All drawers lined and all liners fastened down with adhesive tape so they don’t move! Turned out pretty good! Not perfect but shows it’s age gracefully but doesn’t look abused







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[jeffmoss26]

beautiful!

 

[taumac]

Wow, that looks beautiful. Great job.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks for the kind words guys! I enjoyed cleaning it up! Now to fill it up and get rid of the other chests


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[RubiconJK]

Well guys I finished shining and lining the red and grey stack! All drawers lined and all liners fastened down with adhesive tape so they don’t move! Turned out pretty good! Not perfect but shows it’s age gracefully but doesn’t look abused

Great job! Hoping to pick up another lower later today and will report back later.

 

[RubiconJK]

As mentioned earlier today, I got a lead on another 5 drawer and brought it home this evening. This one is a 1969 model shown here next to its cleaned up brother from 1967. Note the difference in where the logo was placed and also appears to be just slightly shorter than my other one. I'll likely shim up the casters with washers to level these two as I have a work bench idea to construct between them. Wishing Smoke was here to help me with the cleanup after seeing his handi-work! It needs a lot of cleaning and I'll also be sanding it down and repainting. Received one original key also. Hoping to work on this tomorrow and once done, I'll be back with the after photo.

 

[RubiconJK]

After working on the 5 drawer basically all day (along with smoking a brisket for the last 12 hours!), here is the before and after photo of the newly acquired 1969 (left) next to its older 1967 brother. The cleanup involved massive amounts of grease and gunk scraped out of the bottom by putty knife, a good pressure wash scrub and bath, sanded out the rust, and repaint. If my workbench idea works out I'll share another photo later this week if I can get some time to work on it.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Looks great Rubicon

 

[RubiconJK]

Thanks JoCo. One of these days I hope I can find one that just needs a wash and buff rather than the full monty!

 

[taumac]

After working on the 5 drawer basically all day (along with smoking a brisket for the last 12 hours!), here is the before and after photo of the newly acquired 1969 (left) next to its older 1967 brother. The cleanup involved massive amounts of grease and gunk scraped out of the bottom by putty knife, a good pressure wash scrub and bath, sanded out the rust, and repaint. If my workbench idea works out I'll share another photo later this week if I can get some time to work on it.

The difference in height is probably just do to worn casters. Looking to forward to this workbench idea.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Rubicon: That new to you 5-dr looks really nice after you've cleaned her up. Although I thought she was still kinda purdy before you dolled her up. Like taumac said, looking forward to seeing the workbench idea. Where about's in South Texas are you?

 

[redcodefsu]

I was visiting someone and saw this in their garage. Guess they really wanted it to be a Mac or Snapon Toolbox.

 

[RubiconJK]

Rubicon: That new to you 5-dr looks really nice after you've cleaned her up. Although I thought she was still kinda purdy before you dolled her up. Like taumac said, looking forward to seeing the workbench idea. Where about's in South Texas are you?

Thanks TX. We are just NW of Houston.

 

[RubiconJK]

Looking to forward to this workbench idea.

Rubicon: That new to you 5-dr looks really nice after you've cleaned her up. Although I thought she was still kinda purdy before you dolled her up. Like taumac said, looking forward to seeing the workbench idea.

Ok, hope I didn't build up expectations too high! I basically took the opportunity to put several boxes together that I have accumulated lately and placed them at the end of another larger work bench in my shop area. This gives me a little more surface space to work in front of them and just enough space between the lowers to fit......(drum roll)....... the thus far elusive 9 drawer lower once I find it! I also need to add some lighting above this area now. Yes, that is a door back there and no I never used it...Lol.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The 9 drawer, for me, isn't as elusive as a center section to join my 5 drawer bottom and 12 drawer top. Those are getting to be like hens teeth... even at unobtanium prices.

Who woulda thought??

BTW - I need to recaster my boxes - am trying to figure out (prior to tearing them down) the spacing on the holes on the bottom. Anyone know that off the top of their heads? I had a set of NOS ones but the rubber on the wheels disintegrated (ouch), so will likely go with modern replacements... after all, it's a working box, not a museum queen...

 

[MJOPE]

Very cool. Congrats...

I recently picked up what appears to be a 1949 rolling tool chest with tool box on top. It was a buy of a lifetime. It was full of tools. Pretty much complete set of Snap-on sockets and ratchets as well as Craftsman sockets and wrenches. Felt kind of guilty after I got it home and researched what was in it. The Snap-on tools are date stamped 1950-1...

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Very cool. Congrats...

I recently picked up what appears to be a 1949 rolling tool chest with tool box on top. It was a buy of a lifetime. It was full of tools. Pretty much complete set of Snap-on sockets and ratchets as well as Craftsman sockets and wrenches. Felt kind of guilty after I got it home and researched what was in it. The Snap-on tools are date stamped 1950-1...

I saw your tool box stack your other thread. Fantastic set. It's always nice to see a matched stack that has eluded the dreaded spray bomber. Both chests would date anywhere from 49-52. Looks like it's full of goodies as well. Nice snag!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Ok, hope I didn't build up expectations too high! I basically took the opportunity to put several boxes together that I have accumulated lately and placed them at the end of another larger work bench in my shop area. This gives me a little more surface space to work in front of them and just enough space between the lowers to fit......(drum roll)....... the thus far elusive 9 drawer lower once I find it! I also need to add some lighting above this area now. Yes, that is a door back there and no I never used it...Lol.

That looks great Rubicon. The problem I'd have with that set up is I'd have massive tons of sh#t piled up on those flat areas in front of the top chests and never be able to open the drawers!

 

[RubiconJK]

That looks great Rubicon. The problem I'd have with that set up is I'd have massive tons of sh#t piled up on those flat areas in front of the top chests and never be able to open the drawers!

Thanks JoCo. Five minutes after I took this picture that is exactly what mine looked like! Fortunately I have lots of other surface space on the rest of my bench, so I will have to try to do better! Lol!

 

[MJOPE]

I saw your tool box stack your other thread. Fantastic set. It's always nice to see a matched stack that has eluded the dreaded spray bomber. Both chests would date anywhere from 49-52. Looks like it's full of goodies as well. Nice snag!

Thanks for the welcome. This is a great website. Glad I found it. I’m going to turn on my kids to it as well. Crazy amount of info and others with the same crazy passion.

 

[Meursault74]

Saw this Red and Gray Set on my local Craigslist for Southern California. Posting here for information only in case someone want to restore some more. I have nothing to do with the tool chest.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/d/rialto-vintage-1960s-craftsman-rolling/7042023330.html

 

[Mike Bastad]

Here's my set up. My bottom box is a bit rough but the mid and top boxes are near mint and have the original crown shaped keys. Top is 1971. Bottom is 74. I believe the mid box is 73.

 

[mikeinri]

Has anyone upgraded one of these by replacing the slides with BB ones?

Mike

 

[consti2tion]

Been wanting some of these classic Craftsman boxes for awhile. Found probably the ugliest ones you all have seen but they came with a work bench and are full of random tools. Over a hundred drill bits, tons of taps, other bits and pieces. Got them to throw in a Thorsen 1/2 socket set, cheapo B&D bench grinder, Husky tool display and other various random stuff. Picked all of it up for 150, seemed fair enough hope I didn't overpay.

The lower box is from 1969. Not sure what the date is on the intermediate chest as I have no been able to locate a date code. Anyone know where I might find this?

Going to pull all of the drawers out and get to cleaning and repainting likely tomorrow.

 

[RubiconJK]

Been wanting some of these classic Craftsman boxes for awhile. Found probably the ugliest ones you all have seen but they came with a work bench and are full of random tools. Over a hundred drill bits, tons of taps, other bits and pieces. Got them to throw in a Thorsen 1/2 socket set, cheapo B&D bench grinder, Husky tool display and other various random stuff. Picked all of it up for 150, seemed fair enough hope I didn't overpay.

The lower box is from 1969. Not sure what the date is on the intermediate chest as I have no been able to locate a date code. Anyone know where I might find this?

Going to pull all of the drawers out and get to cleaning and repainting likely tomorrow.

Congrats! That is a fantastic price as far as I'm concerned especially including the intermediate and all the tools. Some of the ones I've found have looked about like that too but they will clean up. Super cool about the intermediate box. I can't help you on the date location as I've never put my hands on one yet. I'm sure someone on here can help you though. Be sure to show us your after pics once you have them all cleaned up.