Tell me about this old Sears toolbox

[CoogarXR]

I've had this old "Sears Service" box for a long time. I don't remember where I got it, probably a yard sale or flea market. Anyway, I have never seen another like it. Anybody know what it is? Specifically, was it some kind of service tech's toolbox? I don't see any markings or numbers, I wonder if it's a craftsman box or some other OEM?

Just bored this morning, thought I'd throw this old box up and see what y'all think.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

You probably already are aware every Craftsman box was "some other OEM". I don't know about this box but someone will be along shortly who will. Nice toolbox by the way.

 

[CoogarXR]

Yeah, I guess that didn't come out right- I mean was this just a repainted craftsman box (I know waterloo and probably others were the real OEM).

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have seen that style before but not in those colors. Either traditional Craftsman red and gray or maybe black with decals.

The color and the "Service" logo, it could have been issue to a Sears repairman.

 

[Crabman]

Wiz,

The color and the "Service" logo, it could have been issue to a Sears repairman.

I think this seems likely.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Maybe an appliance repairman ?

 

[CoogarXR]

I'm hoping that somebody will chime in, "Oh yeah, I worked for sears, we were issued those boxes back in 19XX, when we were repairing _______!"

But a fella can dream, lol.

 

[Desertskyy]

I am pretty sure that I have the same box but the handle is different otherwise it looks the same but is a different color, dark grey with red drawers

Mine is stamped made in USA with a date of 5-80 on the top compartment on the left side towards the front of the box.

It was my first tool box from about 1981 I believe. Received it as a gift

Maybe Waterloo made it

 

[CoogarXR]

I am pretty sure that I have the same box but the handle is different otherwise it looks the same but is a different color, dark grey with red drawers

Mine is stamped made in USA with a date of 5-80 on the top compartment on the left side towards the front of the box.

It was my first tool box from about 1981 I believe. Received it as a gift

Maybe Waterloo made it

Cool. I can't find a date on this one. I just looked around the top compartment, nothing.

 

[bob15]

That blue color was a late 1960's, 1970's color. Back then Sears' had their own service/repair people. Sears also used that color for their delivery trucks (the ones I remember seeing were F-600 size Fords).





On ebay is a 1970's toy truck, same color blue.

 

[DFB]

Fascinating

Can't say I have can ever recall those exact colors back in past either on things labeled Sears or Craftsman.

But really sharp looking box though...

And what caught my eye really is one of my very first tool storage boxes back when I was just a pup more than 40 years ago and had my first Harley a '76 (bought late in '79) was very similar looking... with front lock, handles and drawer pulls and that still graces one of my workbenches today.

Yup still works as it should...but kept mostly for nostalgia

Edit: love the post from Bob above that came in while I as was posting

 

[crewchief888]

That blue color was a late 1960's, 1970's color. Back then Sears' had their own service/repair people. Sears also used that color for their delivery trucks (the ones I remember seeing were F-600 size Fords).

On ebay is a 1970's toy truck, same color blue.

i'll take the '68 chevy van

 

[DadsTools]

I've had this old "Sears Service" box for a long time. I don't remember where I got it, probably a yard sale or flea market. Anyway, I have never seen another like it. Anybody know what it is? Specifically, was it some kind of service tech's toolbox? I don't see any markings or numbers, I wonder if it's a craftsman box or some other OEM?

Just bored this morning, thought I'd throw this old box up and see what y'all think.

Made 1958 to 1966. Not Craftsman, just Sears brand. Likely for a Sears service person.

 

[DadsTools]

Probably equivalent to #4 upper right model 99 M 6533 but since OP box not Craftsman,only has single center latch instead of Cman two side latches + center hasp. Should have a lift-out tray? Compare dimensions to 1960 catalog page. "Mechanics Portable Tool Chest"

 

[NUTTSGT]

The color and the "Service" logo, it could have been issue to a Sears repairman.

Highly probable. Looking at the pictures Bob posted, you can see a cantilever box of similar color. Zooming in, you can see the word "Service" or atleast part of it on the box.

 

[CoogarXR]

I knew you guy's would come through! Great info and pics. If you find anything else, let me know!

 

[427Ford]

I'm hoping that somebody will chime in, "Oh yeah, I worked for sears, we were issued those boxes back in 19XX, when we were repairing _______!"

But a fella can dream, lol.

Yup......I'm "that" Sears guy you were wishing for.....I worked in the Sears Garage and in the Appliance Service Department. This tool box was issued to the Techs in 1960 to 1965. Sears was pretty big on having logos on everything. This would be for a TV tech or Laundry Tech. They issued better stuff to the TV Techs, atleast in our store. We were a B Store. I have a couple boxes yet.....they also had very small boxes that were issued that had repair parts in them. I have a wire terminal repair box with the original terminals in it. Sears liked to throw things away. Once a year it was clean the vans out....And when the vans were used up and sold, I always took one drawer cabinet they all had to store small parts. Think I have 5 of them. I collect anything Sears.....Yes I miss them, they always paid me on time, and enjoyed the other employees. I am involved with all the retire party's we have every year. I grew up at Sears and will always love what I had there. But management just fell apart, and that is why they are gone. The good old boys knew how to manage, then the new college kids came in and said they could do it better. Well that couldn't......

 

[driftpin]

I have and use a box just like that, except for the colors, Mine is all-grey. I probably bought it at a swap meet/flea market back in the '70's.

That Chevy van, I had a long wheelbase like that, same color, except it was a cargo van, no windows but the front doors and the windshield. I have pictures of it somewhere in my Kodacolor pictures of the 1970's.

Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Wards was where I bought my tools starting when Milhous was POTUS.

 

[Axehandle2]

I worked as a Sears service tech late 60's early 70's. The box I had when I worked Electronics was just like that. They had quit issuing those when I went to work for them but my supervisor had one that he let me use when I moved into field service.
I gave it back to him when I transferred to white lines and lawn equipment. They issued Craftsman boxes and tools then.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The handle is different but the box s the same. I have 1. The other is red and is Craftsman. The green box is filled with Old IHC LB engine parts,