Mid 1980s era Snap-On tool chests/boxes

[CGarage]

What were the more popular Snap-On tool
chests/boxes, circa mid 1980s? Any pictures? I don’t have SO catalogs that go back that far unfortunately. Thanks in advance.

 

[jjkrjh]

Try collectingsnapon.com for catalogs in that time period. Most everybody had the single stacks.(or multiple stacks) The doubles started to sell closer to the mid/late 80's to 90's.

 

[FJ 432]

I would say that this page from the collecting snap on website has probably the most popular boxes you normally see in garages or up for sale. It's from the 1983 catalog.

https://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=5210

It includes the KR562 which is commonly referred as the taco cart. The set KR2641 is probably the most seen in my area although the middle box is usually not part of the sets that I've seen. I had a chance to place my hands on the third set, KR2105, and that is an incredible set with respects to overall storage space. It's huge.

I hope this helps.

 

[zkling]

Followed by this page.

https://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=5211
KRA59 is probably the most common box of that time, followed by the kr537

 

[bobcatdan]

I would say probably the KR 33" and KR 36" single banks with top boxes were the most common in the 80's. From there in second the 26" wide KRA combos. In third the KR660 50" wide double bank. Rounding it out, the KR1000 which was the pretty much the biggest toolbox you could buy until triples came in the early 90's.

 

[refried]

I started with a KRA box then traded it in on a KR550/555 combo, most older guys I knew or worked with got by with KRA boxes and never upgraded, having a fancy box wasn't important and Snap On didn't push the bigger boxes and offer way too easy financing. My 550 box was a repo only a few months old when I traded in my smaller box and a few hundred dollars for it.

 

[CGarage]

I started with a KRA box then traded it in on a KR550/555 combo, most older guys I knew or worked with got by with KRA boxes and never upgraded, having a fancy box wasn't important and Snap On didn't push the bigger boxes and offer way too easy financing. My 550 box was a repo only a few months old when I traded in my smaller box and a few hundred dollars for it.

What year was this?
Very nice.

 

[refried]

What year was this?
Very nice.

mid 80's ('86?)

 

[bobcatdan]

The 80's was a real transition era in tool boxes. Most guys were still doing the traditional top and bottom box. If you had the bigger 33" wide box, you had the biggest box in the shop. Taco boxes came out back in the 70's, but those were more for aviation or the guy rolling his box around a lot and needing a work surface. Double banks started coming out in the early to mid 80's with snap on's KR 560 and mac's MB1700. This started the idea of just having a big bottom box. From there the KR1000 and eventually triple banks. Even when I started in the late 90's, if you had a KRL1001, you had one of the bigger boxes in the shop. Now a KRL1022 is barely a starter box.

 

[Matt XYZ]

The 80's was a real transition era in tool boxes. Most guys were still doing the traditional top and bottom box. If you had the bigger 33" wide box, you had the biggest box in the shop. Taco boxes came out back in the 70's, but those were more for aviation or the guy rolling his box around a lot and needing a work surface. Double banks started coming out in the early to mid 80's with snap on's KR 560 and mac's MB1700. This started the idea of just having a big bottom box. From there the KR1000 and eventually triple banks. Even when I started in the late 90's, if you had a KRL1001, you had one of the bigger boxes in the shop. Now a KRL1022 is barely a starter box.

I wonder how much the demand for double and triple bank boxes was a result of needing more tools as cars advanced or a result of improvements in manufacturing the boxes. Obviously cars in the 60-70s could be rebuilt with a "basic" set of hand tools and no specialty items or diagnostic equipment. Did mechanics in the 70s and 80s have multiple single stacks or was a one box all that was required?

Here is my 1984 KRA 300J bottom that I picked up for $50. Still need to paint the drawer fronts. I'm not sure how long they made these.

 

[refried]

Most mechanics had no need for metric tools before the 80's, and very few manufacturers built cars that needed specialty tools. I repaired boats and they used strictly SAE sizes and many still used points until the mid 80's. I was able to keep all my test equipment in the lower draw of my box, unfortunately during an extreme tide water rose half way up my box, surprisingly I lost only one meter (I threw everything in a barrel of fresh water for several hours to rinse the salt off).

 

[CGarage]

I wonder how much the demand for double and triple bank boxes was a result of needing more tools as cars advanced or a result of improvements in manufacturing the boxes. Obviously cars in the 60-70s could be rebuilt with a "basic" set of hand tools and no specialty items or diagnostic equipment. Did mechanics in the 70s and 80s have multiple single stacks or was a one box all that was required?

Here is my 1984 KRA 300J bottom that I picked up for $50. Still need to paint the drawer fronts. I'm not sure how long they made these.

Can you post better pictures? This looks similar to my Facom work cart that has a roller door as well.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Top boxes: KR 531, 533, 537, 550, 637, 650

Middle: KR 547, 647

Bottom: KR 555, 557, 560, 562, 655, 660


Off the top of my head. The 600s have ball bearing slides.

 

[bobcatdan]

I wonder how much the demand for double and triple bank boxes was a result of needing more tools as cars advanced or a result of improvements in manufacturing the boxes. Obviously cars in the 60-70s could be rebuilt with a "basic" set of hand tools and no specialty items or diagnostic equipment. Did mechanics in the 70s and 80s have multiple single stacks or was a one box all that was required?

Here is my 1984 KRA 300J bottom that I picked up for $50. Still need to paint the drawer fronts. I'm not sure how long they made these.

Just my opinion. I think once you got past the need to double the amount of wrenches and sockets and the assorted styles of torx, there isn't much need for a ton more tools than 40 years ago. A lot also depends on how many specialty tools your job supplies. A dealer tech isn't going to own as many unless he wants to if the shop has them. Another thing is I think guys simple have more tools. Take the radiator hose pick tool, 20 years ago, you had one. Now there are at least 10 different styles. That can be applied to almost every tool. Ratchets, you really need what, 6 ratchets maybe, guys have 30. Lastly wasted space. Screwdrivers trays and kit boxes have noticeably grown in size. I see guys with a 32x27 main drawer of their box "full" with five screwdriver sets in plastic trays.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

was flat rate a thing back then? I would imagine back then hourly techs were much more prevalent so expediency wasn’t as important as it is today reducing the need for specialized tools to save time. I could be way off base though, I was born in 85.

 

[bobcatdan]

To my knowledge flat rate has been around forever. That said 20 years ago if a mechanic had a cordless drill, that was about it for battery tools. Back then it was all air. Even stuff like a ball joint set, one or two guys had their own because they wanted their own, otherwise everyone used the shop set.

 

[CGarage]

So back then what would the typical mechanic own? Just the basic hand tool assortment and the parts department in the dealership would control inventory and access to the specialty tools that the dealership owned?

 

[dr_clyde]

I too find this transitioninteresting between plain and simple toolboxes and large, triple bank boxes.

I started with a plain 5 drawer 26" craftsman bottom and a 3 drawer SO top chest. It held enough tools to do basic automotive service and general repair work.

I now have a KRL 1023 and it is very full. I don't work on cars, so I don't have any specialty tools. I have some duplicates, but for the most part, my tool collection is just large because I find tools that make things faster, easier and more useful.

 

[hobby_guy]

The KR655 is the best single-bank roll-away SO ever produced. It has eight drawers (the later boxes have seven) at the perfect drawer heights. Those boxes back then were 21" depth, which is perfect (the current boxes are 24").

 

[CGarage]

Is there an equivalent top box for the KR655?
Is it correct that in the Mid 1980s, both KR and KRA top boxes were offered?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

is there an equivalent top box for the kr655?
Is it correct that in the mid 1980s, both kr and kra top boxes were offered?

kr 650

 

[pi_guy]

My first SO box was a Taco box with a 6 inch vise. Was gifted waterloo and craftsmans boxes for extra ****. My first pit box was a KR56 heavy sob.
Still have the Taco box and have added 5 other SO boxes to the collection.
My two bank KRA holds all my press tools it is so overloaded.
My KRSC46 Holds all my diagnostic tools
My transmission box has a 3n1 on it and loaded with tooling my driver was impressed with how overloaded it is and the drawers still slide.
My 1032 has most of my standard tools
My 1033 has measuring and more fabrication based tools

 

[CGarage]

Pi guy: What year was this?

What is a taco box? I’ve seen the Taco terminology on here but not familiar with the exact box it refers to. Thank you.

 

[1982fxr]

Pi guy: What year was this?

What is a taco box? I’ve seen the Taco terminology on here but not familiar with the exact box it refers to. Thank you.

Click the link in post #3. Box in upper left with drawers coming out two sides.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Top boxes: KR 531, 533, 537, 550, 637, 650

Middle: KR 547, 647

Bottom: KR 555, 557, 560, 562, 655, 660


Off the top of my head. The 600s have ball bearing slides.

On the one I saw the lower full width drawers are ball bearing slides. The top half width drawers are friction slides. But Snap-On was known to change things over time on the same model (usually a different suffix). The KR650 is a really nice top box.

PSA:
The friction slides work just great if you clean and lube them. I lube them with paraffin wax (apply by rubbing) as it does not attract dirt and grit like grease.

 

[CGarage]

1982fxr: Thank you.



Tool Scrounge: What do you use to clean the channels before applying the wax (Gulf Wax)?

 

[hobby_guy]

Is there an equivalent top box for the KR655?

KRL737 and KR637

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

On the one I saw the lower full width drawers are ball bearing slides. The top half width drawers are friction slides. But Snap-On was known to change things over time on the same model (usually a different suffix). The KR650 is a really nice top box.

Yep, the one I have is like that. It's a 1988.

Agreed, it's a heck of a box and will hold a lot of stuff. You just need somewhere to put it. Ideally on top of a KR 655.

 

[pi_guy]

Pi guy: What year was this?

What is a taco box? I’ve seen the Taco terminology on here but not familiar with the exact box it refers to. Thank you.

I think the first ones were 1974.
This thread should cover it

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237857

 

[WittHay]

My first tool box was a KRA56 bought as a teenager in the mid 80's. As part of career prep in Grade 12 got to work in various shops for a month . Family had a trucking and farming business so even as a kid seen a fair amount of shops

What I can remember is that the most common setup was a 26" stack wit the KRA59 top box. The next was the KR537/KR557 combo. The holy grail around here was the KR550/KR555, That was a tall deep setup. Dont recall seeing double banks like the 660 and 1000 in the mid 80's

Not to say there weren't any around. The Mr. Big has been out for years and I have never seen one in person

 

[CGarage]

What is the difference between KRA56 and KRA59? I can’t keep all of the part numbers and designations straight with Snap-On. Thank you!
I agree, this was an interesting transition time in history with respect to folks transitioning from 26” boxes to wider, double bank boxes that started to hit the market.

 

[WittHay]

The KRA56 was 6 drawer and the KRA59 9 drawer . Snap-on still makes a ball bearing slide 9 drawer top chest called the KRA4059

 

[jeffmoss26]

 

[CGarage]

I wonder how much the demand for double and triple bank boxes was a result of needing more tools as cars advanced or a result of improvements in manufacturing the boxes. Obviously cars in the 60-70s could be rebuilt with a "basic" set of hand tools and no specialty items or diagnostic equipment. Did mechanics in the 70s and 80s have multiple single stacks or was a one box all that was required?

Here is my 1984 KRA 300J bottom that I picked up for $50. Still need to paint the drawer fronts. I'm not sure how long they made these.

What top box is that? Thank you

 

[f121]

This was a really useful and timely thread, thanks! This kr2641(?) popped up on marketplace over the weekend, feels expensive at $1300, but it's an interesting thing and I'd be tempted if I needed a full stack right now....I guess I have been trying to figure out what to get the wife for Christmas.

I thought it was interesting that the locker has drawers in, I was expecting shelves. Is the black panel on the top box a chalk board of just a random black panel?

 

[crewchief888]

What I can remember is that the most common setup was a 26" stack wit the KRA59 top box. The next was the KR537/KR557 combo. The holy grail around here was the KR550/KR555, That was a tall deep setup. Dont recall seeing double banks like the 660 and 1000 in the mid 80's

back in the mid 80's when i got started, 26" wide boxes were the most common, saw a LOT of CM boxes back then.. I started with a set of kennedys that got added onto.
my 1st "upgrade" was to a set of KR 550/555B boxes in '86, I held onto a small side box I already had, and traded the Kennedy's and 2 3 drawer mid boxes.

soon I added a matching side box to the KR's, added 3 more side boxes, another KR 6XX roller cab, and another 26" roller cab.

over the years, I sold the big side box, and the KR6XX roller cab.

ive been working out of a service truck since '03, and will probably retire out of one.
my KR550/555B sits in my garage along with a KR 657/637 /mid box Harley Davidson editions, KR 300/ KR537, with 3 side boxes.

in the basement I have that old SO 26" roller, 70's era 3 drawer CM top, and a vintage PLVMB top box for my machinist tools.

I have a lyons 3 drawer mid box, and a beat up CM top in my service truck.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

This was a really useful and timely thread, thanks! This kr2641(?) popped up on marketplace over the weekend, feels expensive at $1300, but it's an interesting thing and I'd be tempted if I needed a full stack right now....I guess I have been trying to figure out what to get the wife for Christmas.

I thought it was interesting that the locker has drawers in, I was expecting shelves. Is the black panel on the top box a chalk board of just a random black panel?

That's a KR 537/557 combo, not sure what the side box is. Here, in good condition, that would likely go for $500-800 depending on location. Generally, the more drawers in a side box, the more value the side box has. That combo looks to be in nice condition.

The black piece is actually fabric like. It serves no purpose other than decorative.

 

[CGarage]

For a mid 1980s top box with 26” width, what is the model number for that?

 

[zkling]

For a mid 1980s top box with 26” width, what is the model number for that?

Spend some time reading on here. Should answer many of your questions.

http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalog=-1&catType=All&resultStart=48

 

[f121]

That's a KR 537/557 combo, not sure what the side box is. Here, in good condition, that would likely go for $500-800 depending on location. Generally, the more drawers in a side box, the more value the side box has. That combo looks to be in nice condition.

The black piece is actually fabric like. It serves no purpose other than decorative.

Thanks! I'm going to keep an eye on this one, it's tidy but I suspect there's not a massive market for it, so maybe the price will come down