Identifying Snap On tool box

[DocOtis427]

Hi guys!

I just joined this forum after doing some research online trying to identify these Snap On boxes that I just purchased. The guy said they were from the 80's but I'm thinking they may be from the 70's?

I was thinking about restoring it, but not sure if that decreases the value? I paid $450 for both boxes, so I think I did pretty good. They are dirty but should clean up well. Sliders look good, minor surface rust, a drilled out lock and one small dent on the back. Other than that it is in very good condition. I'm not sure what metal they used but this thing weighs a ton, literally! Cannot believe how heavy these boxes are....lol.

I bought them to use them, just need to figure out if I should restore or just deep clean. Current value vs. value if restored?

Appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

 

[DieselSaves]

If you look on the lower right rear corner you will find the box model and build year.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Snap-on KR555 bottom and KR550 top. It sould be stamped into the back of the boxes. Early 1980's vintage. I would clean up and use as-is.

I have had good success lubricating slides with parafin wax. Link to how I do it.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8255430&postc

 

[DieselSaves]

Edit to ad, the logo is newer, mid eighties and up. I have two stacks like yours and I’d say they are my favorite of all the boxes I’ve owned over the years, including a KRL1022. $450 is a good buy anytime on those boxes, in my opinion. I’d clean them but not invest in anything more than touch up paint for the chips and rust spots.

 

[DocOtis427]

I'll post some pics after I get them cleaned up. Thanks for the info guys!

 

[Wamsutta]

The first thing I'd do is get those stickers off. Hair dryer or heat gun. GooGone for the adhesive residue left behind. As far as restoration, I'd only use the correct paint code which is PPG Ditzler 73504.

 

[Ohmthis]

First off, welcome to Garage Journal. Those are great boxes. There will be a series of numbers on the back upper right corner. It will have model number, date, so on. I have an 1988 bottom like that. Mine is a KR655 which I believe yours might be too.

Well, everyone else got in first!

 

[FJ 432]

I think you'll be pleased at how well those boxes will clean up with just a bit of elbow grease. I would start with Dawn dish detergent and water in a bucket or sprayer. Move onto Simple Green for the tougher grease.

Great buy at 450.00 BTW.

 

[PelicanPines]

That was an ok price... I would have offered no more than $400... Probably started at $350. But you are in the club !!! congrats. They are pretty tho… lucky *******.

Oh and welcome to the party.

Can't tell you restored value... but I would CLEAN and LUBE... don't worry too much about the normal wear stuff... till it's all cleaned up.

 

[DocOtis427]

Stickers are definitely being removed, I'll work on that this afternoon. If I use any paint it will be the original paint code. I'll decide after I get 40 years of grime off. Trying Simple Green and WD-40 first

 

[DocOtis427]

He was asking 600 then dropped to 500, I offered 400 and he came down to 450. I mean I can't by a Harbor Freight box this size for under 800ish.

 

[DocOtis427]

I about killed myself trying to unload them out of the back of an SUV. Had to get help getting the top box on. How much do these actually weigh? Or am I just old and weak now? lol

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

That box is not real friendly to pick up. Did the upper box come with studs on the bottom of it to bolt it to the bottom box?

 

[snapmom]

If they have ball bearing slides, Kr650 and KR655 weight 250 and 340

 

[RedneckWelder]

They are heavily built. One of our old timers has a set PACKED with heavy *** **** from 30 years as a heavy equipment mechanic.

 

[DocOtis427]

No studs connecting the boxes, I'll have to look and see if there are holes there. The slides are not ball bearing, but those weights are probably close

 

[DocOtis427]

Headed to put some work in on them.... thanks for all the replies! This is my first SO box so I'm pretty excited about it. I've was always a Craftsman guy and could never justify the expense of Snap On. I'm just an above average garage and as a hobby, this box is perfect for what I need....

 

[TailGunner3000]

Nice boxes at a fair price. Since you're the one who will use them, you'll have to decide whether or not to restore them. I wouldn't worry about the effect on value. I'd hate to look at a user box in my shop everyday that I didn't like, simply because I might want to sell it in the future. Personally, I'd stick to cleaning only as they look to be in good shape. But if you decide to restore them, make them you own.

Years ago I was berated by an old machinist because I committed the mortal sin of repainting a Kennedy machinist chest blue. It was rusty and required a fair amount of metal work to bring it back to life. And even if I had had access to the original paint, I would not have used it. I personally find that pukey gray-brown color to be one of the worst colors ever. I don't really love red boxes either. I prefer dark blues, grays, and olive greens. My box. My shop. My color.

 

[snapmom]

These S/O boxes are very good for home use too. They fit in the garage better since they are not to deep, also hold a lot of tools. I have a set too.

 

[hobby_guy]

I think $450 is a smoking hot price, especially if the bottom box is a KR655, which is in my opinion, the best single bank roll-away Snap On ever produced. Those boxes should clean up real nice. Take all the drawers out and spend a day cleaning with mild soapy water. I bet you can get a set of drawer glides and it will be like a new box! Keep an eye out on ebay for a replacement handle.

 

[DocOtis427]

Top Box is definitely a KR-550B, the bottom box is faded so bad I can't read it. Also can't figure out what year? Simple Green worked a little bit, but man are these boxes dirty. What is the fastest way to clean this up? I don't have access to running water, but do have a 1 gallon sprayer. If it wasn't so damn heavy I would take it to a car wash and power spray it.

The Simple Green was cutting in to the paint a little bit, although I was using a stiff tire brush because the grime is so thick in spots. I couldn't tell if the top of the drawers were painted or not.... solid grime covering the paint.

I'm in a small garage (apartment) right now (temporary) and space is tight. I need to load this box soon to free up space. I can get crazy painting or whatever later, but it would be nice to get it cleaned fairly decent over the next few days.

I can't imagine touch up paint looking decent with the amount of spots that need attention. Guessing I will strip it and paint it later when I have more space and time. I'm too OCD about my stuff being rusted. All the drawers slide good and none of the sliders are bent up from what I can tell, just need a good cleaning and lube. I was able to get most the stickers off clean with no residue, heat guns are nice.

- What are my options for replacing the locks?

- I definitely want to replace the handle...thanks for the ebay tip. If anyone sees one available let me know please.

- Easiest way to get the drawers out? I think I need to jam something down the slider to release them, but unsure?

- How do you remove the drawer trim? They look to be in decent shape, banged up a little but should clean u well

- Best soap/cleaner and scrubbing technique for 40 year old dirt and grime. The stiff tire brush I tried in a small spot didn't even get through it all the way using Simple Green Pro. I got my die grinder out with a 3m rubber gasket remover disc, just to see how hard it really was... obviously can't use that as it goes through the paint but this dirt is baked on really good, ugh.

 

[DocOtis427]

I think $450 is a smoking hot price, especially if the bottom box is a KR655, which is in my opinion, the best single bank roll-away Snap On ever produced. Those boxes should clean up real nice. Take all the drawers out and spend a day cleaning with mild soapy water. I bet you can get a set of drawer glides and it will be like a new box! Keep an eye out on ebay for a replacement handle.

Bottom is either 655 or 555, can't read it clearly. New glides or just clean these? They seem to be pretty straight, just a little stiff from lack of care.

 

[DocOtis427]

That box is not real friendly to pick up. Did the upper box come with studs on the bottom of it to bolt it to the bottom box?

No studs or holes to mount to the bottom box. It does have a warning sticker that if too many drawers are pulled out the top could tip over.... that's good to know, lol...

 

[DocOtis427]

Nice boxes at a fair price. Since you're the one who will use them, you'll have to decide whether or not to restore them. I wouldn't worry about the effect on value. I'd hate to look at a user box in my shop everyday that I didn't like, simply because I might want to sell it in the future. Personally, I'd stick to cleaning only as they look to be in good shape. But if you decide to restore them, make them you own.

Years ago I was berated by an old machinist because I committed the mortal sin of repainting a Kennedy machinist chest blue. It was rusty and required a fair amount of metal work to bring it back to life. And even if I had had access to the original paint, I would not have used it. I personally find that pukey gray-brown color to be one of the worst colors ever. I don't really love red boxes either. I prefer dark blues, grays, and olive greens. My box. My shop. My color.

I agree, I went to trade school to be a machinist and worked in a small shop years ago, so I know the pukey color you are referring too. I also am not a fan of the traditional red. I like the black, blue or green boxes way better and is definitely what I would buy new. Although I'm not sure I could paint this box a different color, lol.

 

[Wamsutta]

For the grime, I would probably try a Dobie pad and some Mean Green Orange Champ.

https://images.homedepot-static.com...e-sponges-scouring-pads-723-2f-cc-c3_1000.jpg

https://theweekendjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mean-green-orange-champ-cleaner-1.jpg

 

[DocOtis427]

I wound up using Simple Green in a parts washer/brush, a drill with a nylon brush, then used silicon spray and parifan wax on the slides. Still working on it though, way bigger job than I thought it would be. Unfortunately there is more paint chips/rust once I scrubbed the grime off. Not painting it yet though, maybe down the road....

Thanks for the help and suggestions guys!