The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[ALLFAST]

BHK and Lugz,

Not 3 hours ago I cracked open my Grandfather's Kennedy Box. I think mines older. It only has one center top latch. The exterior and interior are all wrinkle milk chocolate brown with the OD green shelves. The handle is EXACTLY Like BHK'S photo. But I'm not impressed with it's "feel" upon opening/closing. Maybe all fine tune the corner to corner alignments and spray lube the piano hinge to see if it helps. Here is it's interior decal.

 

[ALLFAST]

Two shots of the Decal. No numbers found yet.

 

[ALLFAST]

BHK,
I have a photo of a pristine CM grinder kit like that from a CK ad last week. I think it was a 1963 model, bought new by the sellers Rather. Box looks exactly alike. I'll post it here for Intel purposes.

 

[ALLFAST]

And a footnote, if my Grandfather's Kennedy was an actual toolbox with a tray like that, I'd like it immensely. It has two sides of storage bins that flip out.... tackle box style.... That's all he used it for!

 

[Old Radar]

Saw these at the swap, I bought the Thorsen and somebody really messed with it, but it is strait and the sticker is nice. Carpet glued to bottom, painted gross green on top.
I didn't buy the duplex.

Would anybody like the Thorsen?

DD T/A--What are the dimensions of that box? I have a similar one that I thought might be Williams (because it was full of Williams sockets but I've always had my doubts.) Mine has absolutely no marking and might very well have been repainted. My dimensions are: 19x6x2.

 

[DD T/A]

mine is 19x6¼x2

 

[Old Radar]

Pretty darn close. I'll have to give mine a close inspection to see if it may have been green once upon a time.

Edit: Just took another look at yours. Yours has the socket rail welded to the box whereas mine is more cheaply made and floats between anchors on each side.

 

[bargainhuntingking]

If the box you've circled in red in Pic 1 is the box that's open in Pic 2 & 3, it IS definitely undoubtedly a Kennedy. That WB is aftermarket. PO, PO's former company, or just extraneous.

See those triangular stiffener indents on the inside of the upper sides? Kennedy tell. If those are round, it's a Simonsen.

Thanks for the insight Lugz into the triangular side stiffener stamp. If I go back to get it it will be my first Kennedy.

alinc100, thanks for explanation of the model numbers. Very straightforward.

ALLFAST, the box I saw in the store was very smooth so I bet your grandfather’s version can improved back to similar condition.

 

[bargainhuntingking]

Deleted

 

[LesserSon]

Regarding BHK’s post of the $20 WWII SK box:
You guys must not be in the right location. I saw one like that two weeks ago at Jake’s Flea for $3. I would have bought it, but I have started limiting myself to similar-priced C’man Crowntop and Heritage carry boxes because my shelving accomodates their dimensions.
I have bought things I thought would interest other members and been wrong, so I am much more cautious, even at giveaway prices like that.

 

[d42jeep]

I believe that had BHK picked up that $20.00 S-K wartime box with an intact leather handle and the water transfer decal in place, WW2 as well as early S-K collectors would have been very interested in purchasing it from him. I know that I would have been. On the other hand, Craftsman Crown boxes around here are extremely common and don’t seem to be in that much demand.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I believe that had BHK picked up that $20.00 S-K wartime box with an intact leather handle and the water transfer decal in place, WW2 as well as early S-K collectors would have been very interested in purchasing it from him.

And not to let the cat out of the bag or spoil anyone's thunder too soon, but to prepare those wartime collectors with coronary conditions yikes, loose sphincters moon, or toupees scared, there is an even more rare WWII-era S-K box coming soon, the 4000C, shown in the 1943 catalog, slightly bigger, with a hinged drop-down front, also with the original water transfer decal in place, and in stunning condition. Not mine. I was just lucyk enough to get a sneak preview.

 

[Smokeshow69]

And not to let the cat out of the bag or spoil anyone's thunder too soon, but to prepare those wartime collectors with coronary conditions yikes, loose sphincters moon, or toupees scared, there is an even more rare WWII-era S-K box coming soon, the 4000C, shown in the 1943 catalog, slightly bigger, with a hinged drop-down front, also with the original water transfer decal in place, and in stunning condition. Not mine. I was just lucyk enough to get a sneak preview.

Wait where? When is lesserson shipping it to you?


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[ALLFAST]

I've read some old threads here about the age of certain Kennedy's, but I'm still unclear. Does one need a serial number to determine the year of a box?

I'm picking up this 520 in a few hours. It's all original, and it served on an Air Base as I'm told. I plan to remove the monster hasp set-up, fill and metal finish the holes and repaint it in its grayish hammertone. It has black felt, and a black top handle. Is it 1970s?

Thanks, Shawn

 

[Old Radar]

I've read some old threads here about the age of certain Kennedy's, but I'm still unclear. Does one need a serial number to determine the year of a box?

I'm picking up this 520 in a few hours. It's all original, and it served on an Air Base as I'm told. I plan to remove the monster hasp set-up, fill and metal finish the holes and repaint it in its grayish hammertone. It has black felt, and a black top handle. Is it 1970s?

Thanks, Shawn

I've got a few 520s but won't claim any expertise--but I've never seen knobs like that on a Kennedy.

 

[RTM]

None of them in the Intl tool catalog library have them shown that way.

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?and[]=Kennedy&sin=&sort=-date

 

[d42jeep]

I've got a few 520s but won't claim any expertise--but I've never seen knobs like that on a Kennedy.

I seem to recall that a Kennedy box was posted on the GJ with pulls like that. None of mine have those pulls.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

I seem to recall that a Kennedy box was posted on the GJ with pulls like that. None of mine have those pulls.

-Don

My heritage era craftsman machinists chest has similar pulls. It is made by Kennedy



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[bmwrd0]

I have a 520 type box out in the garage with those pulls, but someone painted in orange (local college color) and I haven't seen any stickers on it.

My thought is that they weren't the normal Kennedy, but ones sold by other people, like hardware stores and the like. Bought on the cheap, for resale. But that is just a thought.

 

[ALLFAST]

Thank you all for your replies. I'll be emailing Kennedy for some guidance on the mystery pulls.

 

[Mintgrun]

I recently picked this one up and was curious about the age as well. It also has black felt in the drawers and the same style pulls.

 

[RTM]

Guess there is no denying that’s a Kennedy.

 

[Old Radar]

Oh, let's deny it anyway!!

 

[ALLFAST]

I have an email into Kennedy to clear up these mystery boxes with the cool stainless dual knobs and silvertone paint.

 

[ALLFAST]

For Mintgrun and others with these mystery Kennedy's, I've just been requested to supply the Customer Service Rep without photos via email. I sent 8 pictures from recent posts here, from myself and 2 others with this same style of box.

They will be in touch with some information soon.

Stay safe all,

Shawn

Here is my recent score. She has good bones!

 

[TailGunner3000]

Seems likely these were Craftsman branded boxes made by Kennedy. The 1981 Sears tool catalog https://archive.org/details/SearsCraftsmanPowerAndHandTools1981/page/n79/mode/2up -
has a machinist box with the same drawer pulls, although that box seems to have the traditional Kennedy wrinkle paint.

 

[ALLFAST]

I'm still waiting for the Kennedy rep's reply. They seemed very interested and helpful, especially with respect to the machined dual pull knobs and paint colors. I sent many photos of member's recent posts regarding these style of chests.

I just see the wooden ones, or the straight up CM labeled chests. Mine was one of 5 from an Air Force Base. They were all exactly the same. Thanks for the Sears link....Lotsa memories there !

I'll post up the scoop as soon as Kennedy sends me word ��.

 

[Cruzan80]

Actually, the Craftsman ones were made by Waterloo. Difference in locks/handles. Forget where the proof was that I read, but was enough to convince me.

Seems likely these were Craftsman branded boxes made by Kennedy. The 1981 Sears tool catalog https://archive.org/details/SearsCraftsmanPowerAndHandTools1981/page/n79/mode/2up -
has a machinist box with the same drawer pulls, although that box seems to have the traditional Kennedy wrinkle paint.

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[ALLFAST]

I put up the intro to the 1943 S-K 4000C/4000W Socketchest over on the Vintage S-K thread.. I haven't taught myself how to post links yet.

[CODE][/CODE]

 

[TailGunner3000]

Actually, the Craftsman ones were made by Waterloo. Difference in locks/handles. Forget where the proof was that I read, but was enough to convince me.

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I believe that was true of their mechanics boxes, not their machinist chests.

 

[Cruzan80]

No, machinist chests as well. Handles arent solid underneath on the sides, different pull attachment style, and (iirc) something about the center lock were the differences to spot.

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[Smokeshow69]

I believe that was true of their mechanics boxes, not their machinist chests.

Cruzan is correct, they switched some time in the 60’s and didn’t look back.


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[TailGunner3000]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that.

 

[dodge610]

Not bad for $30 farthest I have ever gone to get a box 3 hours round trip.


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[ALLFAST]

She has good bones, and should be a Waterloo. Great price. Are you going to fill the holes, give it a facelift and a proper lock?!

 

[dodge610]

She has good bones, and should be a Waterloo. Great price. Are you going to fill the holes, give it a facelift and a proper lock?!

You betcha back to new condition


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[Outlawmws]

That was my first "real" tool box. A buddy still has it, probably with the dowels and broom stick sections I glued into the bottom of one drawer to keep the combo wrenches organised... (It's been in North Carolina for the past 10-15 years...)

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that.

You are welcome. I used to think the same thing


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[bmwrd0]

Not bad for $30 farthest I have ever gone to get a box 3 hours round trip.


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Ha! I was made in 1/71!

 

[d42jeep]

For Mintgrun and others with these mystery Kennedy's, I've just been requested to supply the Customer Service Rep without photos via email. I sent 8 pictures from recent posts here, from myself and 2 others with this same style of box.

They will be in touch with some information soon.

Stay safe all,

Shawn

Here is my recent score. She has good bones!

I believe that Sears was buying the machinist’s boxes from both Kennedy and Waterloo. I have a Crown Waterloo box that looks similar to a Kennedy but has the telltale dimples on either side of the lock. The Kennedy boxes have the spring loaded pins that retain the front cover when the lid is fully closed.
-Don