The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Private Lugnutz]

Seems there was a K-55 red glossy and a grey wrinkled. I'm sure there are S/O guys on here that know that stuff inside out

They'd need a chart or a cheat sheet or a Mensa-class mind. I've gone through the catalogs from the late 30's to 1950 with a fine tooth comb, first for a MechaniKit box I found, and then a HandiKit box, because of the danged color variations. For those boxes, it went from duplo battleship grey to OD green (during the war), then to red (around 1949). I think I remember seeing a 'Now available in two colors' type notation on the top boxes, implying only one color originally, but I don't remember which came solo first, or when that notation first shows up.

 

[outofbounds]

They'd need a chart or a cheat sheet or a Mensa-class mind. I've gone through the catalogs from the late 30's to 1950 with a fine tooth comb, first for a MechaniKit box I found, and then a HandiKit box, because of the danged color variations. For those boxes, it went from duplo battleship grey to OD green (during the war), then to red (around 1949). I think I remember seeing a 'Now available in two colors' type notation on the top boxes, implying only one color originally, but I don't remember which came solo first, or when that notation first shows up.

Thanks as always for the further insights, Lugz. I threw my hat in the ring for considerably less than their asking price. We'll see if it lands on the prize, or on the floor.

 

[wmb67]

for sale on facebook marketplace... with random tools

Tools
Tool Box
Rochester, NH · 2 hours ago ·
$1
Tool Box with some tools $Best offer$
Condition
Used - Fair

 

[LNKMK8]

Here is a guy from another a Craftsman group that is looking to sell his New Britain tool chest in Cleveland, OH. Thought I would post it here in case anyone is near by and interested.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/314339225358433/2547692068689793

 

[outofbounds]

So, like a total greenhorn, I posted this on a Snap-On thread asking for Model and date ID, and was told it's not Snap-On. Oops. Can anyone ID this by the attached pic?

 

[FJ 432]

So, like a total greenhorn, I posted this on a Snap-On thread asking for Model and date ID, and was told it's not Snap-On. Oops. Can anyone ID this by the attached pic?

It's a Remline product. They made those type of handles. If you look two posts up you'll see a similar product using the same type of handles.

 

[Rileysan]

So, like a total greenhorn, I posted this on a Snap-On thread asking for Model and date ID, and was told it's not Snap-On. Oops. Can anyone ID this by the attached pic?

AMD/Remline made. I can't tell who it was made for looking at the photo through my phone.

Brian

 

[outofbounds]

It's a Remline product. They made those type of handles.

Thanks. When I came to my senses and looked closer, Rem-Line was the first to come to mind, however I haven't seen an all Red Rem-Line chest, and I don't see the cartoonish Advertising Metal Display man on the pulls.

I then would suppose Rem-Line made it for someone else. Venture a guess?

 

[FJ 432]

Thanks. When I came to my senses and looked closer, Rem-Line was the first to come to mind, however I haven't seen an all Red Rem-Line chest, and I don't see the cartoonish Advertising Metal Display man on the pulls.

I then would suppose Rem-Line made it for someone else. Venture a guess?

I'm with Rileysan in that the handles for a Remline box usually has a character in the middle where yours does not. They made boxes for PowrKraft, Craftsman and others.

My Craftsman Heritage box shows the likeness with a different etching on each handle.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

My first instinct was Rem Line as well but after looking at it closer I'm not so sure. It's got the distinctive Waterloo "dimples" on either side of the lock and the half circles where the side metal wraps to the top front corners, another Waterloo characteristic. This Rem Line pic is off the net, I also double checked my AMD made Craftsman 10d. No dimples, no half circles. Does anyone have a Rem Line chest with those features?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Waterloo chest for comparison of the features I'm talking about.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

oob: I couldn't find any 10d chests like yours (I'm on the road for work so bored to death in a hotel room with nothing better to do) but here's a 6d version of yours, branded Waterloo. I'm curious if it has the date stamp in the front left corner of the main compartment?

 

[outofbounds]

oob: I couldn't find any 10d chests like yours (I'm on the road for work so bored to death in a hotel room with nothing better to do) but here's a 6d version of yours, branded Waterloo. I'm curious if it has the date stamp in the front left corner of the main compartment?

I found a picture of the 10d Waterloo elsewhere on this site. I'm convinced of what it is now. Good news is I might be able to chisel the price down low and get a Vulcan middle box as well in the deal.

 

[wmb67]

So, like a total greenhorn, I posted this on a Snap-On thread asking for Model and date ID, and was told it's not Snap-On. Oops. Can anyone ID this by the attached pic?

I have a similar one branded Blackhawk.

View media item 100536
View media item 100537

 

[FJ 432]

oob: I couldn't find any 10d chests like yours (I'm on the road for work so bored to death in a hotel room with nothing better to do) but here's a 6d version of yours, branded Waterloo. I'm curious if it has the date stamp in the front left corner of the main compartment?

I stand corrected. Nice catch.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

My lone warerloo box

 

[Shelbylex]

I have a similar one branded Blackhawk.

View media item 100536
View media item 100537

Interesting. There is almost identical SK which I skipped last year as it was too far. It was green. I wonder who makes them

 

[consti2tion]

Maybe some of you guys can help me identify this old roller cab.
The dimensions are approximately 26.5" wide, 18" deep, 24" tall with casters, roughly 21" tall without casters..
The handles look like old Snap-On but I'm sure there are other old boxes with this type handle. It has steel casters.

Here is a link to a collecting Snap On add from 1948 that resembles this box. KR-350.
http://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=1016

 

[outofbounds]

I don't care who you are, $2 is a good deal for a tool box like this.....

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2587475278150986/

 

[Skooch]

This is a great little vintage Craftsman carry box.

 

[Outlawmws]

NICE find! I want the one with the key lock, but I'd take that one!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This is a great little vintage Craftsman carry box.

That's not only a very cool box Skooch, I'd also put it the "very hard to find if not rare" category. That box was only offered in 1946 along with 3 sizes of boxes with a cylinder lock incorporated into the tray handle. None of those 4 boxes ever appeared in the catalogs again after 46. Through the years there were 10 different versions of the long handle dome box (my count, which could change if something else pops up I don't know about), yours is the smallest ever offered. The next two sizes of boxes that year came with three socket trays, yours only came with one so not only is yours in fantastic shape for a 74 year old box, it's complete! Nice find!

 

[Skooch]

That's not only a very cool box Skooch, I'd also put it the "very hard to find if not rare" category. That box was only offered in 1946 along with 3 sizes of boxes with a cylinder lock incorporated into the tray handle. None of those 4 boxes ever appeared in the catalogs again after 46. Through the years there were 10 different versions of the long handle dome box (my count, which could change if something else pops up I don't know about), yours is the smallest ever offered. The next two sizes of boxes that year came with three socket trays, yours only came with one so not only is yours in fantastic shape for a 74 year old box, it's complete! Nice find!

Thanks for the schooling Jocosawdust, I had no idea it was in the rare realm. No wonder I haven't been able to come up with another one!

 

[damon18]

Skootch, great find, I like that round top box a lot.

Can anyone tell me about this carry box? It is an unusual color and has the label "My Buddy Tradesman" and a logo on the top I can't quite make out, could be an Indian Chief style logo on the right of the top badge.

Is it interesting? Who was the maker? It seems a little old being all steel but looks pretty new. Did a search for My Buddy and Tradesman here but too many vise discussions with the word tradesman.

 

[sgs236]

Skootch, great find, I like that round top box a lot.

Can anyone tell me about this carry box? It is an unusual color and has the label "My Buddy Tradesman" and a logo on the top I can't quite make out, could be an Indian Chief style logo on the right of the top badge.

Is it interesting? Who was the maker? It seems a little old being all steel but looks pretty new. Did a search for My Buddy and Tradesman here but too many vise discussions with the word tradesman.

That looks like a Vermont American toolbox to me. I believe they had a line of tradesman tools at some point.

 

[damon18]

Here's a close up of label, Louisville KY?


Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[RTM]

Looks like they thought themselves a fishing box company.

https://www.google.com/search?q=“my...hUHsZ4KHbd8AJEQ_AUoBnoECA0QBg&biw=768&bih=915

Here is a line from a 1979 Harware Retailing magazine. Stupid snippet view.

MY BUDDY TRADESMAN My Buddy Products Division of S&T Industries P.O. Box 32480 Dept. \ Louisville, Kentucky 40232 MY BUDDY. JOURNEYMAN

 

[Shelbylex]

Got an addition to my toolbox collection

For all pictures please check
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8323154#post8323154

 

[TOTO]

Picked this up last night. Other then the paint job it's in pretty good shape. Will need a good clean up and some paint. Don't see any marking so not sure who made it. Any help identifying it would be appreciated.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Picked this up last night. Other then the paint job it's in pretty good shape. Will need a good clean up and some paint. Don't see any marking so not sure who made it. Any help identifying it would be appreciated.

Your machinist chest is made by kennedy. I have the craftsman version




Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Got an addition to my toolbox collection

For all pictures please check
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8323154#post8323154

You ****! That's a fantastic find Shelby. Congrats, I was hoping the seller wouldn't flake out on you.

 

[jkherd]

Here is mine, a setup that I put together from some craigslist buys.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here are a couple pics of an old carpenters chest that is probably a Keen Kutter. I found a similar chest in an early Keen Kutter catalog but not exactly the same. The sticker inside the lid almost looks like it could have been added because of the discoloration around it but the center of the lid on top has the KK logo shape carved in where a badge would have been so it seems likely to me that is is KK.

Does anyone have an idea what a fair price would be for this chest? Regular carpenter boxes like this turn up at swap meets quite often for around a hundred but I've never seen a Keen Kutter chest before. I think they made quite a few wall cabinets though. I didn't buy it but wonder if I should have. Thanks for any insights. Ed.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That’s just a tad too large for my Keen Kutter collection, which can be seen here (brake tool or cotter pin puller), here (NOS safety blades), and here (can opener) in the Keen Kutter thread…



…but I wish I had one anyway!

Seriously, that’s a nice find, Ed, I tend to agree with your logic about it being original, and it will clearly demand much more than your run-of-the-mill carpenter’s box or even a military carpenter’s box with Corps of Engineers marks. The Keen Kutter decal and imprint make it transcend the carpenter’s box genre, if you will. Any Keen Kutter collector would dearly love to have it for their Keen Kutter stuff, regardless of what the stuff is.

I know what I would do with it. I would turn it on its front side, open the lid and prop it up, and put it on a credenza or table and turn it into a display case for my Keen Kutter things. Seriously.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement Lugz. I don't have all that large a KK collection yet but it is nice to have a place for the KK tools to go as I come across them over time. I'll have to see if leaving it behind still bothers me in the morning and if it does go back and do something about it! Ed.

 

[Shelbylex]

You ****! That's a fantastic find Shelby. Congrats, I was hoping the seller wouldn't flake out on you.

Thank you, JoCoSawdust. I was uncertain till the last moment as both of us were working Sa morning and the guy was holding a box for several days since we could not meet Tu and We.

Will be tons of cleaning - Covered with thick layer of grease and dirt. I hope paint stays - tried cleaning couple of spots on the bottom to attach duck tape (did not fit in the trunk as I hoped) - on one side it was coming off... Almost looks like they spilled paint thinner type of solution...

 

[ZRX61]

Thanks for the schooling Jocosawdust, I had no idea it was in the rare realm. No wonder I haven't been able to come up with another one!

There's only 4 or 5 people on GJ who have one. I have the type that had the slide out trays instead of lift out like yours.


https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/384264_2540609207318_380637099_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ohc=p8rMQuxHxDoAX_Ab02i&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.**&oh=83ec126286a747eb5a8a6dbe2a854f2c&oe=5EDBF7BA

 

[M_i_k_e_l_]

This is one of my recent buys it’s a snap on KRD-21 tool box
Picked it up for $30aud was planning on restoring it.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

This is one of my recent buys it’s a snap on KRD-21 tool box
Picked it up for $30aud was planning on restoring it.

Cool.
What's inside?

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Picked up this set Saturday.
I don't know the year, but I think that style of badge is from maybe early 1950s? I have another top box that has the same badge but I've never found a date code or stamp on it.

I was looking for a matching roller for the top box I already had.
This set is in much better condition though.

It came with this bracket for screwdrivers, etc. that slots into a channel in the back. I don't see any markings on it though, so I don't know if that's aftermarket or genuine Snap-on metal.

Inside, almost every drawer is lined with a cardboard type gasket material.
Was this a thing back in the day?

I have no idea how old these are but a bigger set I have (already posted here) had one drawer with gasket liners also. I believe that the other set was a two or three owner set so it's close to original.

This set seems to be a three owner set if you count the guy who bought it from the estate and then flipped it to me. I asked about any old tools but he said he kept them as that's actually what he wanted. He does not need more tool boxes, so he sold these. When the seller was telling me the story of the previous owner (I asked about any history), he told me the boxes came from the estate of an old local mechanic. If the old mechanic died at 102, how old was he when he bought these new off the Snap-on wagon - you know, back in the day.

This was in a desert community, about 90 minutes from where I live.
Looking at the bottom as I unload. I took a dry paint brush and dusted off all the old dirt, cobwebs, small shavings and bits of wood or sticks that accumulated over the decades.
That simple job revealed ... Nothing. Decades in a dry desert = zero rust.
Not complaining about that!