The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[smokeyburb]

Right on Lugs [emoji106]

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[One-Zero]

Just picked this remline bottom up, dated 64.

 

[thehorse13]

Just picked this remline bottom up, dated 64.

Beautiful. I have the same one as my daily user. The drawers open and close like warm butter.

 

[shumphrey1989]

Somewhat dated photo (May of 2018), but only more stuff has accumulated.

Will update later with date codes for all the Craftsman tool boxes. Sold the Snap On top chest to a friend who acquired his grandfather's matching Snap On bottom chest (figured they needed to be reunited).

 

[Farleyfan]

Absolutely love that red n grey craftsman tall stack you have there shumphrey !

 

[outofbounds]

Anybody know what brand this "crown" logo represents? The seller couldn't tell me. Barring any unforeseen disappointment, this will be in my garage tomorrow.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

One-Zero: That Remline is sweet. Looking for the same to go with my son in laws top chest.

OOB: No clue to the maker but I like that independently locking drawer top right! My guess is that the crown emblem is a PO add on. I tried to blow it up for a better look but it pixelates on me. It's about the right size to be a military unit crest. If you get it please post a close up of it.

 

[Leevon]

I bought this "Powr-Kraft" box from the original owner. Montgomery Wards brand I think? It's in nice shape but I plan a full restoration.

View media item 99735

 

[outofbounds]

I bought this "Powr-Kraft" box from the original owner. Montgomery Wards brand I think? It's in nice shape but I plan a full restoration.

View media item 99735

That's a peach of a box, and pretty sweet as is. One of the nicer PowerKraft originals I've seen. the ones here in the land of "rust-a-plenty" in Michigan are usually pretty roached.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice powrkraft. I rarely see one that nice in that color.

 

[park city flyer]

Anybody know what brand this "crown" logo represents? The seller couldn't tell me. Barring any unforeseen disappointment, this will be in my garage tomorrow.

The crown looks like a Ford emblem from the mid 50's. How about a larger picture of it?

Tom

 

[Rileysan]

Anybody know what brand this "crown" logo represents? The seller couldn't tell me. Barring any unforeseen disappointment, this will be in my garage tomorrow.

Unquestionably, those are Craftsman. The drawer pulls scream "war time" but dating them can be tricky and they could just as easily date from any time in the 1940s. As for the emblem and lock, those were added by a previous owner. Looking forward to updates once you've acquired them!

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Somewhat dated photo (May of 2018), but only more stuff has accumulated.

Will update later with date codes for all the Craftsman tool boxes. Sold the Snap On top chest to a friend who acquired his grandfather's matching Snap On bottom chest (figured they needed to be reunited).

Welcome to the forum, Shumphrey! It's nice to see another member from the Pacific Northwest who collects vintage Craftsman tool boxes - I'm tired of making trips to Seattle to buy them!

Brian

 

[d42jeep]

I bought this "Powr-Kraft" box from the original owner. Montgomery Wards brand I think? It's in nice shape but I plan a full restoration.

View media item 99735

That is a really nice original box. If it was mine I would clean it up and use it as is. I would hate to see that originality destroyed by restoration. You might like to post it on the Powr-Kraft thread. Looks like it came with a drill to match.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387224


-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Unquestionably, those are Craftsman.

I respectfully disagree that those are Craftsman Brian. I'm not aware of any Craftsman 6d chests with the dust cover on them. Lack of ribs on the dust cover would indicate pre-war/wartime but all they offered then were 2 and 3d chests. The roller differs as well. Cylinder lock at the top, finger pull in a different location. Again lack of ribs on the cover would indicate the same early era but if Craftsman, the lock and finger pull should be straddling the hinge.

 

[MShaw]

Update on my machinist box. First photo is all the drawers refinished and the pulls cleaned and buffed. Second is the front panel refinished. The lid is in process and then on to the carcass.

 

[outofbounds]

The crown looks like a Ford emblem from the mid 50's. How about a larger picture of it?

Tom

Unquestionably a 1950s Ford crown emblem, thoughtfully mounted by a previous owner. Overall, a little disappointed with the overall quality and condition of the drawer slides but for the scant price paid (coupled with the profit taken by the subsequent sale of the box that it's replacing) it's sitting in my garage now for a net zero price, so hard to find any spilt milk to cry over.......

 

[Rileysan]

Unquestionably, those are Craftsman.

I respectfully disagree that those are Craftsman Brian. I'm not aware of any Craftsman 6d chests with the dust cover on them. Lack of ribs on the dust cover would indicate pre-war/wartime but all they offered then were 2 and 3d chests. The roller differs as well. Cylinder lock at the top, finger pull in a different location. Again lack of ribs on the cover would indicate the same early era but if Craftsman, the lock and finger pull should be straddling the hinge.

I agree there are no catalog depictions of an early 6d, nor have I found any mention of a 6d in the 1940s catalogs. But Sears was notorious for selling items that never made it into catalogs. In this case, the similarities between the top and bottom are too many to be from a different manufacturer, and the selling point for me is the blue paint under the lid where the tray sits - it screams 1940s Craftsman.

I'll be interested to see more photos from OOB.


Outofbounds - early tool chests and cabinets are not the best when it came to drawer slides, so don't let that turn you off. You have a great set and quite possibly a rare top chest. Please post more pix!

Brian

 

[Outlawmws]

I agree they were likely made by the same MFG that Sears used, but that is common, since Sears used manufacturers that made for many brand names, and often under the "House" brand.

Without more evidence Hard to attribute them to Craftsman specifically.

Are there any holes showing for any other emblems? perhaps in the inside as plugged holes painted over? location and spacing might provide hints.

 

[fortson]

Outofbounds, I have the exact same stack, same color. Mine has the huot decal from the 40s in the bottom right corner of the front cover on the top box. I can’t tell from your pics, look in that spot for paint discoloration about 8 to 10 inches square.

 

[Ss95003]

I picked up these 3 boxes. They were to cheap not to. $100 for all three.
Paint wise very rough, but no rust or major dents.

All the slides seem to be in good condition but covered in several kinds of grease. One drawer is missing the tabs to catch the slides. I think I’ll just make a cut and fold some metal up as the stop. On the box side one tab is missing to catch the slide will do the same. All locking mechanism are present but no keys. Haven’t decided if I’ll order the keys from lvd or not.
My plan is to use rustoleum in an hvlp gun and then resell them as I don’t need more boxes.

Bottom is 1977 KRA-379A
Two intermediate boxes are 1979, 1981 KRA-429B

 

[One-Zero]

One-Zero: That Remline is sweet. Looking for the same to go with my son in laws top chest.

OOB: No clue to the maker but I like that independently locking drawer top right! My guess is that the crown emblem is a PO add on. I tried to blow it up for a better look but it pixelates on me. It's about the right size to be a military unit crest. If you get it please post a close up of it.

I’m looking for a top that matched my grandfathers. I’ve found a few all over the country but no one willing to ship (these boxes are heavy) I’ve started restoring this one but might sell it to find a top.

 

[One-Zero]

I’d on the top orange box? Has an oval recess for an emblem.

 

[One-Zero]

Anyone know why my pics are double posting? I’m using the app and it’s kinda hard to get the hang of

 

[One-Zero]

Anyone know why my pics are double posting? I’m using the app and it’s kinda hard to get the hang of

Ok so it shows a double pic when I upload but if I back out but if I look up the post all is good.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I agree there are no catalog depictions of an early 6d, nor have I found any mention of a 6d in the 1940s catalogs. But Sears was notorious for selling items that never made it into catalogs. In this case, the similarities between the top and bottom are too many to be from a different manufacturer, and the selling point for me is the blue paint under the lid where the tray sits - it screams 1940s Craftsman.

I agree the blue on the interior is an identical match to the early 40s boxes but I don't see many similarities beyond that. The top chest has lid supports on both sides and the drawer pulls are rounded instead of the typical gradual 90 degree bends of the Craftsman boxes. The completely different dust cover configuration really makes me doubt Craftsman. Same OEM perhaps but if that's a Craftsman stack it is indeed very rare. We'll agree to disagree on this one. I hope it's NOT Craftsman as if it is, I have to have one!

 

[TRSRHNTR]

I’d on the top orange box? Has an oval recess for an emblem.

Looks like a Williams oval to me, so maybe ....vintage Waterloo?

 

[TRSRHNTR]

Outofbounds, I have the exact same stack, same color. Mine has the huot decal from the 40s in the bottom right corner of the front cover on the top box. I can’t tell from your pics, look in that spot for paint discoloration about 8 to 10 inches square.

Agreed fortson, my huot is blue all over and has the same handles

 

[One-Zero]

Looks like a Williams oval to me, so maybe ....vintage Waterloo?

Yep it’s a Williams, were those made by Waterloo?

 

[WNYflyer]

Yep it’s a Williams, were those made by Waterloo?

Probably made by MBC for Williams. I believe MBC also made a lot of the Snap-on boxes back in the day.

 

[WNYflyer]

I bought this "Powr-Kraft" box from the original owner. Montgomery Wards brand I think? It's in nice shape but I plan a full restoration.

View media item 99735

Nice pick-up, that is a sweet looking tool box Never seen that color before, used to seeing the red and gray color combination. I am assuming it was made by Remline for Monkey Wards. Personally I agree with d42jeep, since it looks in great shape given its age I would do nothing other than clean it up and also make sure the slides are working as smoothly as possible.

 

[Outlawmws]

Outofbounds, for the old friction slides, get some "doorEze" or beeswax and after cleaning, lube them well with that. its surprising how well thy actually work if properly lubed an not overloaded.

 

[fortson]

Agreed fortson, my huot is blue all over and has the same handles

Nice set! That’s the second time I’ve seen that white color on the drawer fronts. The first time I saw it I thought the guy that owned it had done it. Yours looks original, I like it.

 

[Leevon]

That is a really nice original box. If it was mine I would clean it up and use it as is. I would hate to see that originality destroyed by restoration. You might like to post it on the Powr-Kraft thread. Looks like it came with a drill to match.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387224


-Don

You're right. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and when I say full restoration I mean as close to new as possible down to the decals...but if I don't feel like I can achieve that it will be cleaned and used as-is. It will be a compliment to a new house/new basement indoor workbench so light duty from here on out. I bought another $1,000 worth of tools from the gentleman, many of them Powr-Kraft. Once I get everything inventoried and sorted I'll post over on that thread thanks!

 

[lilredex]

Those are fairly common around here, but AU? Is there a story here?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Nice set! That’s the second time I’ve seen that white color on the drawer fronts. The first time I saw it I thought the guy that owned it had done it. Yours looks original, I like it.

That's silver.

 

[fortson]

That's silver.

Thanks for clarifying that, what I wouldn’t give to have a younger mans eyesight back. By the way I checked out your links for the boxes you redid, very nice work.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The lighting in that pic can fool you.

 

[RTM]

Found this one way back in late 2019 (yeah, just last Friday), but couldn't get motivated to post pics very fast. My first Snap-on box, reasonable shape, paint damage mostly. Came with a tote, but its not the same size as the one suggested in the 1978 catalog. Looks like some old Craftsman ones I have, will have to see it it fits their boxes that I have. But it is staying in this box, even if wrong. I have removed a few of the shoddy stickers so far, will probably leave the well attached ones for local color. The 5 in KRA-53B is very shallow and hard to read, and can't find the date stamp yet. Need to turn it so I can move the flashlight a bit more. A T-50 staple gun, wire nuts, 8 spark plugs and a Wix oil filter for a '65-69 Ford were the only things inside.

Guy said it was his brothers, and he was an A&P mechanic if I recall correctly.

 

[outofbounds]

Agreed fortson, my huot is blue all over and has the same handles

Wondering if any of these pics help attribute my humble set to Huot. No evidence of any markings or details to that effect......