The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[Old Radar]

Radar--MAn that completely shoots a hole in my offer strategy lol
Thats a crazy markdown...

Oh, it was only marked down to $125. I simply pointed out it was 30 minutes to closing time and no one was in the garage clamoring to buy it. I made sure he understood my offer of $40 included the tools. Timing is often everything!

 

[d42jeep]

Don--Thanks for the reply. I just kinda want to know what I could offer if I ever saw one at the swap. Whats the redwood for?

I’m replacing rotted handrail pieces on a handicap ramp built in the 80s for my late mother in law. Redwood seems to last a long time.
-Don

 

[Farmer J.]

Farmer--300 years? thats incredible!.

It's not so unusual here, in the 'Old World'. Even my workshop is older than the USA..!
I have moved my post to the Wood Cabinets thread, it's more appropriate there and I hope to post updates of the restoration on there.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For all you GMTK guys, I found a little brother today I am dubbing "GMTK Junior"! It had four feet at one time, two missing. Provisions for a tray (EDIT: the same as in Hamilton and McAleer boxes) but no tray, and no markings.

 

[Rileysan]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Can someone tell me approximately what era this set is from?

Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

30's into 40's. And just so you know, I don't pull this thing out too often on the Garage Sale thread let alone outside of it!

 

[r_olson_06]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, but I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Can someone tell me approximately what era this set is from?

Brian

Dang that thing is in amazing shape for it's age. Thanks for posting.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Shelbylex]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, but I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Can someone tell me approximately what era this set is from?

Brian

No idea about the age, but Congratulations!!!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Well done Brian, congrats!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Rare box. Kudos!

 

[Rileysan]

30's into 40's. And just so you know, I don't pull this thing out too often on the Garage Sale thread let alone outside of it!

And I thank you!

Part two - the items I went to pick up in the first place, are about to be posted to the Heritage and GS threads.

PS - Did I mention I got the original keys for both top and bottom, too?

Brian

 

[WNYflyer]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Can someone tell me approximately what era this set is from?

Brian

Wow, great score on the Herbrand. Have never seen too many of those. Great score

 

[Old Radar]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Brian

Congratulations on a great score Rileysan and thanks for saving another bit of history from the scrap heap!

Although I love it when myself or others benefit from a situation where someone with no interest in their family's past or the stock and trade that enabled their parents and grandparents to give them the life they currently lead, it saddens me to think of those too-many-times when no one is around to prevent things like this from being ****-canned.

 

[DD T/A]

And I thank you!

Part two - the items I went to pick up in the first place, are about to be posted to the Heritage and GS threads.

PS - Did I mention I got the original keys for both top and bottom, too?

Brian

Alright I'm driving up there to tell you that YOU **** in person, lol

 

[Provincial]

My 1939 General Tool catalog shows the Herbrand "Rollaway Workshop" that is similar to this one, except yours has two shallow drawers in the lower, where the 1939 version has one shelf. The top box in 1939 has one very deep drawer and a carry tray on the upper shelf. The upper shelf has no front "wall", so you see the front face of the carry tray when it is in place. The paint appears to be wrinkle finish.

Based on this, I believe your unit is later than 1940, and was made by the same vendor for Herbrand.

 

[twertsy]

Herbrand 3d rolling cabinet and 6d top chest.

I found this when I went to pick up some other tools, yesterday. The seller was cleaning out her grandfather's shop on property she inherited from her parents. They were scrapping hand tools, tool boxes, axes, and power tools. While this wasn't in the truck yet, I didn't want to walk away and wonder. I made a deal for these, the contents, and much much more!

Can someone tell me approximately what era this set is from?

Brian

Nice snag Brian! I have the same stack and another lonely roll-cab.

 

[jusridin]

I want a top box! Nice score!

 

[tym]

Got this small "budget" Union box made of fairly lightweight steel last week. I bought it mainly for the leaded solder within.

 

[Username already in use]

I knew I wasn't the only one picking up all the leaded solder that I find at the flea!

 

[Outlawmws]

I knew I wasn't the only one picking up all the leaded solder that I find at the flea!

 

[tym]

I knew I wasn't the only one picking up all the leaded solder that I find at the flea!

There were about 6 pounds in there!

 

[outofbounds]

This Gray/Beach stack fresh to the marketplace here in the Detroit area. I have no affiliation to the seller.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/501087027204837/

 

[RedVise]

This Gray/Beach stack fresh to the marketplace here in the Detroit area. I have no affiliation to the seller.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/501087027204837/

Clean, and not common, I guess ? What vintage might that be ?

Brian

 

[Lesserstore]

Does anybody know who made the top chest? I obviously thought it was snap on at first because of the decals, but after some googling I couldn't find a snap on box like it. The bottom one says Union Manufacturing Inc. and I can't find one like it, I've only seen some small boxes, and I can't find any info on the company. It looks similar to an old craftsman cart from the late 40s- early 50s. I'm hoping someone can tell me what I have or where to find date codes and/or model numbers.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Does anybody know who made the top chest? I obviously thought it was snap on at first because of the decals, but after some googling I couldn't find a snap on box like it. The bottom one says Union Manufacturing Inc. and I can't find one like it, I've only seen some small boxes, and I can't find any info on the company. It looks similar to an old craftsman cart from the late 40s- early 50s. I'm hoping someone can tell me what I have or where to find date codes and/or model numbers.

Top chest looks duplex made... I can’t tell who made the bottom


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Lesserstore]

Top chest looks duplex made... I can’t tell who made the bottom


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks, at least now I have a starting point.

 

[RTM]

I doubt it’s Union for the bottom, that zip doesn’t compute for the Union that made tool boxes

Edit: never mind they moved later in life to AZ. See below.

https://www.homefacts.com/environme...und-Union-Manufacturing-Inc-Azd088301213.html

 

[Lesserstore]

I doubt it’s Union for the bottom, that zip doesn’t compute for the Union that made tool boxes


So it's probably just the company who bought it.

 

[Lesserstore]

I was doing some looking at Union tool boxes and I found this box with the same logo as mine. Do you think they moved later on?

 

[RTM]

Yup, after when I cared about their history, musta wiped that out of my mind.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/1043203@N21/discuss/72157625690694781/

 

[outofbounds]

Clean, and not common, I guess ? What vintage might that be ?

Brian

I think I'd peg it near around 1971. I saw a catalog somewhere that featured that look. Not sure what the range of production may have been.....

 

[Lesserstore]

Yup, after when I cared about their history, musta wiped that out of my mind.

Thanks for the info. Were they a respectable brand at that point or did they go downhill?

 

[RTM]

No idea, mine is a 1940s wooden box.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Union steel moved to Phoenix az later on. Come across their boxes here on occasion.

 

[Lesserstore]

I got another mystery toolbox. It's dimensions are 19- 1/8"Lx7-1/8"Wx7"H. It has an interesting design to it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I had that one in gold. I sold it. No clue as to maker; sorry...

 

[beatcad]

Does anybody know who made the top chest? I obviously thought it was snap on at first because of the decals, but after some googling I couldn't find a snap on box like it. The bottom one says Union Manufacturing Inc. and I can't find one like it, I've only seen some small boxes, and I can't find any info on the company. It looks similar to an old craftsman cart from the late 40s- early 50s. I'm hoping someone can tell me what I have or where to find date codes and/or model numbers.

I've been looking at this one and cant quite nail it down.
I would put that top and bottom box in the 60s to mid 70s.
the drawer handles on the top box look like something from a 70s waterloo(not a craftsman waterloo) but the top box is NOT a Waterloo.
the handles and the front corners and the drawer pulls makes me think it's MBC.
MBC in th 60s made tool boxes for Snap-On.
the top till configuration I cant see and I aint sure about that carry box...

try looking at the left side of the top box in the lower left corner..
I dought it's S-O but if it's MBC it will be stamped there with a year.

I cant remember where to look on the bottom box, but I bet if you look all over it will be there

 

[Lesserstore]

I've been looking at this one and cant quite nail it down.
I would put that top and bottom box in the 60s to mid 70s.
the drawer handles on the top box look like something from a 70s waterloo(not a craftsman waterloo) but the top box is NOT a Waterloo.
the handles and the front corners and the drawer pulls makes me think it's MBC.
MBC in th 60s made tool boxes for Snap-On.
the top till configuration I cant see and I aint sure about that carry box...

try looking at the left side of the top box in the lower left corner..
I dought it's S-O but if it's MBC it will be stamped there with a year.

I cant remember where to look on the bottom box, but I bet if you look all over it will be there

For the top box where exactly on the left side?

 

[beatcad]

For the top box where exactly on the left side?

when I say left side I mean if your facing the box and reach for side handles to lift it up.
the left handle side panel.
most likely the lower left corner of that panel.
it may be lightly stamped so you might need a flashlight or magnafiing glass..maybe both.

 

[Lesserstore]

when I say left side I mean if your facing the box and reach for side handles to lift it up.
the left handle side panel.
most likely the lower left corner of that panel.
it may be lightly stamped so you might need a flashlight or magnafiing glass..maybe both.

Nothing there. Any other places?