Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice stack. That STP decal is a perfect example of a sticker I wouldn't mind a bit having on that chest.

 

[taumac]

I was worried about that.

I'm 6'2, and keep all my 1/2-inch sockets and drives in the top of that chest... Might have to come up with a Plan B there...

A Plan B that doesn't simply transfer them to the three drawers I just picked up!

Simple. Step stool. Turn the 3D roller into a mobile cart.

 

[DFB]

Nice work.

Thks!

 

[Glockcopp]

Hello I found this forum while googling trying to restore 2 of my old Craftsman Tool chests from my father. They are form 1975,76 . Wonder if you guys could explain to me how the bottom cabinet cover is removed on the 65035 chests?Picture would be so awesome too if possible.
Thanks

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Unfortunately you've got to bend the two tabs that keep it from pulling out just enough to allow you pull the cover out. Reverse to reinstall. Good luck!

 

[Rileysan]

Hello I found this forum while googling trying to restore 2 of my old Craftsman Tool chests from my father. They are form 1975,76 . Wonder if you guys could explain to me how the bottom cabinet cover is removed on the 65035 chests?Picture would be so awesome too if possible.
Thanks

The previous reply nailed it. If you're restoring these, make a few more posts so you can start posting photos. Welcome to GJ!

Brian

 

[Brad54]

Great tool boxes.


Here's one that popped up on CL this morning. SE Michigan/Metro Detroit.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/tls/d/sterling-heights-craftsman-rolling-tool/7092241203.html


I love these, but I don't have room for a third, plus the SO in the garage.

Wow, these are GREAT! They're the same size as my dad's old boxes... they'd make a perfect pairing. I'd move all my stuff out of the C-man boxes I got when I was 17, and give those two boxes to my 24 year old.
Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I'm in Georgia, and really don't want to impose on my friend that lives up in SE Michigan to get them and store them in his garage until I get up there this coming fall to rabbit hunt.

 

[Car hobby]

I wanted to share something that I’ve learned while restoring these classic Craftsman toolboxes. Several have discussed removing the aluminum drawer pulls by tapping them off with blunt ended chisels. I tried this method too. As others have said, you have to watch out for mushrooming the end.

This is how I removed them while getting the least amount of mushrooming. I sat the drawer vertically on a stool. I then squirted WD40 in the space in between the actual aluminum pull and the drawer. I then ran the tip of a MAPP gas torch up and down the aluminum pull for a few seconds. Between the WD40 running down the channel as I heated the pull, it loosened the bond of crud and dirt that bound the pull on the drawer. I then used a hammer to tap the side of a thick file. They came off much easier than any other method.

This is my 4th set to restore over the last 3-4 years. It’s now sitting on primer. I finished the drawers last week and I hope to have cases painted in the next couple of weeks.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Good tip. Thanks.

 

[taumac]

That is good tip. I never thought about using heat. My method using hammer and block of wood. The main issue is that they are crimped down along the pull.

 

[Car hobby]

That is good tip. I never thought about using heat. My method using hammer and block of wood. The main issue is that they are crimped down along the pull.

Yeah, I think the heat expands those crimps just enough so that the pulls move and come off.

 

[Biggn3149]

Here is one of mine found in 2002-2003 while out for a walk. This is a '68 model six drawer. The logo and tray are wrong and those are copies of the original Sears catalog ads in the top lid.. It sits in my garage with some vintage Craftsman tools my next door neighbor was going to toss.

Also have a 1962 Sears Craftsman combination (pictured) and a 1960 Sears Craftsman combination that I won a contest with Sears with 2002.

Love these oldies!

I have a similar chest given to me with no keys, where might I find a new lock set?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

No need for a new lock set. I take lock sets missing keys to a local small-town locksmith who makes keys for me same-day. There's also several vendors on eBay that will make keys based off the LL-** number on the tumbler face. If you're looking for original Crown logo keys, watch eBay. Sometimes they pop up.

 

[taumac]

Funny, when I found my recent set it had only one set of keys. It worked top lock but could find bottom roller keys. The other day I’m screwing around and took keys and tried bottom roller. They worked LOL. I was happy I found boxes only made month. I was real lucky I found them with same lock number. That’s never happen to me before.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Did someone mention keys?

 

[taumac]

Did someone mention keys?

Say lock or keys and the lock whisperer shows up. LOL

 

[Car hobby]

I got the upper and lower painted this afternoon. It takes so long to set up to paint! (Homemade paint booth) I still need to clean the slides. The upper drawers are painted and are ready to tap the aluminum pulls on. I hope to get the lower drawers stripped and painted soon. All in good time.

 

[DFB]

I got the upper and lower painted this afternoon. It takes so long to set up to paint! (Homemade paint booth) I still need to clean the slides. The upper drawers are painted and are ready to tap the aluminum pulls on. I hope to get the lower drawers stripped and painted soon. All in good time.

Looking good.

Yup doin it right

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Lookin' good Car Hobby

 

[Smokeshow69]

Say lock or keys and the lock whisperer shows up. LOL

Well there is no need to “Yale” when you can whisper[emoji41][emoji23]


Looking for a craftsman heritage era 10 drawer top chest

 

[jeffmoss26]

hahaha

 

[Drdownmix]

Took me a while to acquire, but here she is:




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Smokeshow69]

Took me a while to acquire, but here she is:




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Very nice mid chest. Hard to come by.

 

[1982fxr]

Do all the middle boxes have a drop front?

 

[jeffmoss26]

beautiful!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Do all the middle boxes have a drop front?

Depending on the years the drop front will either be grey or red but yes, all have a cover

 

[Car hobby]

Nice Box!

 

[Zeeman]

Has anyone found a source for the two 'clips' that hold the sliding door parts together? I have been absent on here for a while, but am restoring another roller. Thanks.

 

[Car hobby]

I know this isn’t a Craftsman rollaway, but it’s from the same era . I always thought these were cool boxes too. This one lived a very rough life before it was rescued from someone tossing it out. Since then, it’s been sitting in my shed. Lots of rust damage inside and out. The bottom had holes in it and all of the chrome was rusted and pathetic. I took it completely apart to sandblast and I cut out a new floor for the bottom. I was very happy with the way the chrome came out. Buffing wheels do miracles. I’m thinking about using this as my travel box, having metric on one side and SAE on the other.

 

[Zeeman]

I posted before reading your comment. Yes around 1970 they switch sides. I can’t remember the one that violated that rule. Everytime you think you figure it out one pops up that changes things but at least we got a general idea of things.

Hey Taumac,

I'm back after about a year absence, possibly more. I'm in the middle of reading all the posts I've missed about Craftsman gray and red boxes.

Do you happen to know when the chevron style badges were produced with the smaller pin spacing? I need two badges with the shorter distance between the mounting pins.

 

[DFB]

I know this isn’t a Craftsman rollaway, but it’s from the same era . I always thought these were cool boxes too. This one lived a very rough life before it was rescued from someone tossing it out. Since then, it’s been sitting in my shed. Lots of rust damage inside and out. The bottom had holes in it and all of the chrome was rusted and pathetic. I took it completely apart to sandblast and I cut out a new floor for the bottom. I was very happy with the way the chrome came out. Buffing wheels do miracles. I’m thinking about using this as my travel box, having metric on one side and SAE on the other.

Great resto job

Very unique box indeed

May be interested in adding to this other Craftsman toolbox thread also

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279148&highlight=Craftsman+toolbox

 

[Car hobby]

Thanks you. I have it over there too.

 

[consti2tion]

Took me a while to acquire, but here she is:




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

I’ve got the same stack, badges on the opposite side though. Very nice looking boxes you have!

 

[Zeeman]

I've been putting off this refurbish job for a couple of years but decided to start on it a few days ago. I worked pretty fast and did not even try to take off all the appliance paint-ouch, that stuff is a pain in the a**! Still have to use some body filler on the big drawer and paint it.

I need two of the clips that hold the bay door together if anyone has any extras or knows how to make them.

 

[Zeeman]

Pictures did not attach. User error. I'll try again.

 

[Car hobby]

Pictures did not attach. User error. I'll try again.

Your box looks great!

 

[Zeeman]

Your box looks great!

Thanks. I'll post more when it's finished.

 

[WagonHo!]

Thing of beauty that box. Good job

 

[RubiconJK]

Nice job!

 

[Zeeman]

I needed two of these little clips to finish installing my bottom bay door. I couldn't find any on the internet, so I quickly fabricated one. Still have another clip to make, but the first one worked in my other cabinet.