The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[ooba tooba]

@grizzly nice stacks! Do you know the year of your gray/red Craftsman box in the top pic?
Just curious because my emblems are mounted on the left side on my 1971 combo. Thanks!

 

[Hoorn]

I grabbed this intermediate box for $30. Not that duplex is especially rare, but I have never seen a duplex "ADD-A-CHEST" (as it was called in the catalog) before.

Last two pictures are what it looked like when I took it home. Required a lot of simple green and still wool to bring back the original "rocket red"

 

[mtgrizzlymn69]

@grizzly nice stacks! Do you know the year of your gray/red Craftsman box in the top pic?
Just curious because my emblems are mounted on the left side on my 1971 combo. Thanks!

No is there something i could check to see for you? I had assumed 60-70 era but didnt know.


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[mtgrizzlymn69]

I grabbed this intermediate box for $30. Not that duplex is especially rare, but I have never seen a duplex "ADD-A-CHEST" (as it was called in the catalog) before.

Last two pictures are what it looked like when I took it home. Required a lot of simple green and still wool to bring back the original "rocket red"

This is great! Would love to find one


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[ooba tooba]

No is there something i could check to see for you? I had assumed 60-70 era but didnt know.


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If you want to see your date stamp open up the top box lid and look inside to the left. Mine is stamped a few inches from the front of the box and same from the left. I was just curious as to why some badges are mounted on the left and some on the right. Didn’t notice this before. I thought our boxes were the same but your top outer drawers are wider than your center drawer and mine is the opposite.

 

[ooba tooba]

Aaaand another one

 

[Shelbylex]

Horn, good find! Never saw one.

 

[Cruzan80]

I think those are the Waterloo boxes, built cheaper than the grey/red. AMD had different handles.

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[FJ 432]

Plomb Rolling Tool Box, Don't know much about it.

Very nice. One of my favorite bottom rollers. Welcome.

 

[Provincial]

Made by Pressteel. Does it say "Toolmobile" anywhere on it, perhaps painted?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Plomb Rolling Tool Box, Don't know much about it.

Nice tool mobile! You have one of the earlier pre war stamped units... I started a pressteel tool box thread and you will find lots of of these as well as some of the corporate branded models.

 

[Joe Piro]

My new Facom Box

I'm new here and couldn't find the "introduce yourself" thread but this turns out to be ideal. I just scored this Facom box for $25.00. It looks like you would expect it to look, but the drawer slides are smooth and the casters roll easily.
I am re-constituting my tool collection after a fire, but I hate to call it a "collection" because I use them all the time. This Facom box is small but just about right for what I have so far. Also see the two photos of what was in it when I bought it - New parts in original bags that will more than pay for the box when I sell them.
I think it will wax up pretty good, but it's more important right now for it to be functional rather than pretty. And I might add that it is heavy !!! I haven't dated it yet, but I remember when Facom was not Stanley Black and Decker. Their wrenches would turn up in tool kits on vintage cars and I didn't appreciate them at the time. Same for Hazet.
I would appreciate your guidance on where to post as I still have to post "too long in Evapo-Rust?",
"How do ya'll shop for tools-do you send stuff back?", IS it OK to buy Ko_ken and Nephros direct from Japan?" and finally --- "Snap-on Epik tool box-too good-to-be-true on Craigslist?.. Is it a scam?"
Thanks for being here. I have spent several days just reading posts and learning. You guys are great... just like family right? cause not everybody agrees !

 

[Old Radar]

For vintage tools you should really study and refer to the Sticky compiled by Private Lugnutz in the Vintage Tool Discussion Forum. Index, FAQ, Helpful Hints, and Handy Links

Introduce yourself under the General Garage Discussion Forum.
For your other subjects, you can "Search This Forum" in each Forum. That button is located in the blue banner just under the page count and just above the list of threads in each forum.

For your more obscure subjects or any that just don't fit, Free Parking.

Good luck and welcome to GJ!!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I grabbed this intermediate box for $30. Not that duplex is especially rare, but I have never seen a duplex "ADD-A-CHEST" (as it was called in the catalog) before.

Last two pictures are what it looked like when I took it home. Required a lot of simple green and still wool to bring back the original "rocket red"

Now that is a super cool find. Congrats!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Now that is a super cool find. Congrats!

True Dat! I believe this was made either during or right around the time of the proto acquisition.

 

[Joe Piro]

Thanks Old Radar. That's a big help in getting around. On may way to "Introduce Myself" now.
Richard

 

[alinc100]

Re: My new Facom Box

I'm new here and couldn't find the "introduce yourself" thread but this turns out to be ideal. I just scored this Facom box for $25.00. It looks like you would expect it to look, but the drawer slides are smooth and the casters roll easily.
I am re-constituting my tool collection after a fire, but I hate to call it a "collection" because I use them all the time. This Facom box is small but just about right for what I have so far. Also see the two photos of what was in it when I bought it - New parts in original bags that will more than pay for the box when I sell them.
I think it will wax up pretty good, but it's more important right now for it to be functional rather than pretty. And I might add that it is heavy !!! I haven't dated it yet, but I remember when Facom was not Stanley Black and Decker. Their wrenches would turn up in tool kits on vintage cars and I didn't appreciate them at the time. Same for Hazet.
I would appreciate your guidance on where to post as I still have to post "too long in Evapo-Rust?",
"How do ya'll shop for tools-do you send stuff back?", IS it OK to buy Ko_ken and Nephros direct from Japan?" and finally --- "Snap-on Epik tool box-too good-to-be-true on Craigslist?.. Is it a scam?"
Thanks for being here. I have spent several days just reading posts and learning. You guys are great... just like family right? cause not everybody agrees !

Joe,
Welcome to GJ. That Facom box looks neat. I'll bet it will look better with a cleaning. That is what I said when I bought a couple Beach toolboxes, and well, I still haven't gotten around to cleaning them up yet. There is a lot of great info and great people here on GJ . It really ***** you lost all your tools in a fire,I have a good friend that lost 30+ years of a shop/woodworking business when his barn caught fire. That said, send me a PM with your address(right click my user name,send private message) . I'd like to send a tool or two to help with your rebuilding of a "collection"

 

[ooba tooba]

A decent little Huot combo for a decent price in NW Ohio. No affiliation

 

[pronator]

Does anyone have an idea about this box. Picked it up today for $5. There is an 11-81 stamp and the word Model stamped inside top.

No other markings I can find. The rectangular spot where there use to be a logo isn't legible. Other than being made in 1981, anyone have an idea. Thanks.


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This is over three years late but it’s a Disston Tools box!

 

[pronator]

yesterday i found the matching bottom box to that one.

only marking on it was the same stameing MODEL and than 6-81

This is over three years late but it’s a Disston Tools box!

 

[Provincial]

6pony6, I recently picked up a nearly identical box. Mine has three drawers in the uppermost level, the same handles on the sides and drawers, and has the same acorn nuts holding the handles to the drawers.

The black-background rectangular label on the front is still legible. It reads "Union Manufacturing INC Chandler, Arizona USA 85224" This is the same Union that made steel tool boxes and wooden machinist's boxes in New York, starting in 1893. They moved to Arizona in 1973 and closed in 1984.

The drawer slides are remarkably similar to those on lower grade Craftsman boxes of the same era. Very much like Waterloo.

 

[pronator]

6pony6, I recently picked up a nearly identical box. Mine has three drawers in the uppermost level, the same handles on the sides and drawers, and has the same acorn nuts holding the handles to the drawers.

The black-background rectangular label on the front is still legible. It reads "Union Manufacturing INC Chandler, Arizona USA 85224" This is the same Union that made steel tool boxes and wooden machinist's boxes in New York, starting in 1893. They moved to Arizona in 1973 and closed in 1984.

The drawer slides are remarkably similar to those on lower grade Craftsman boxes of the same era. Very much like Waterloo.

I still think it’s a Disston Tools box based on the four drawers. Looks just like mine and the photo in post #8 of my thread showing the black label.

(https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475203)

Mine also has the acorn nuts but they were installed on the interior.

Edited to add: it’s also got the three slots cut out in the top compartment to slide in a locking bar for the drawers and store the bar.

 

[Provincial]

pronator, the one you show in post #8 of the link has the locking bars connected to the lid. 6pony6 and I have the locking bars as separate pieces that drop down into the slots in the floor of the top bin. Our drawer handles are also different, made of stamped flat steel.

Looking at your post #1 in that thread, our boxes are very similar. Yours has the same handles, and you describe the same locking system for the drawers. It seems like all of these upper boxes have buckled just above the top drawers!

The Union label is affixed into a recess stamped in the front panel of the box. Does your Disston have that recess? It doesn't look like it.

The Union boxes seem to be more of a homeowner-grade unit. I believe that the basic box is very Waterloo-like.

 

[pronator]

pronator, the one you show in post #8 of the link has the locking bars connected to the lid. 6pony6 and I have the locking bars as separate pieces that drop down into the slots in the floor of the top bin. Our drawer handles are also different, made of stamped flat steel.

Looking at your post #1 in that thread, our boxes are very similar. Yours has the same handles, and you describe the same locking system for the drawers. It seems like all of these upper boxes have buckled just above the top drawers!

The Union label is affixed into a recess stamped in the front panel of the box. Does your Disston have that recess? It doesn't look like it.

The Union boxes seem to be more of a homeowner-grade unit. I believe that the basic box is very Waterloo-like.

Nope, my locking bar isn’t connected. It’s also a drop in bar intended for that center horizontal slot in the top compartment. In fact, mine was missing and I need to make a replacement.

My handles are also stamped flat steel but the acorn nuts were on the inside.

And no, the Disston has no recess for the label.

I think the most telling are the large “MODEL” and month and year stamped into the top compartment. Same as both Disston pieces I have.



Edited to add: I see the confusion now, Provincial! There are two different boxes in Post #8. The first one has a model number but has the built in locking bars like you mentioned. It’s the second one that look like mine with the same type of handles and a drop in bar.

I love this forum!

 

[Neighbor]

I purchased this Sipco tool chest at an auction for $75 20" x 13" x 9" 7 drawers. Metal exterior.

 

[Provincial]

I got going and forgot to take a photo of the Union box before I pulled the drawers from it. It looks just like the one that 6pony6 posted earlier, and like the one pronator posted in his link, except mine has three narrower drawers in the top level.

This box looks like it sat outside for quite some time. It is rusty on the bottom and inside, but the drawers aren't too bad. It looks like the PO pried it open and then installed a cheap hasp and padlock stud but left the old lock in place.

All the drawers slide, but the slides need cleaning and lubrication. The lock bars are missing, and there need to be three. One tall one for the center and the wide drawers and two short ones for the side drawers.

Photo #1 is the top bin of the box. Note the three slots for the lock bars.
Photo #2 is the Union label
Photo #3 is the ugly inside bottom. I thought it was dirt, but now think it is rotted sawdust.
Photo #4 and 5 are the buckled spots on the front uprights

--to be continued--

 

[Provincial]

The Union box handles look like they had a cheap layer of chrome plating. They are mounted with screws. The side handles use sheet metal screws directly into the side panels. The drawer handles use machine screws and chromed acorn nuts. For some reason, the acorn nuts are on the inside, so the uglier screw heads show on the outside!

The drawer slides seem identical to Waterloo friction slides of the 1970's. They are retained by tabs punched from the rails welded to the box and drawers.

Photo #1 is a side handle
Photo #2 is a drawer handle
Photo #3 shows the acorn nuts

 

[Provincial]

I repurpose lots of things, probably because my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all lived through the Great Depression. One thing I save and adapt are the steel (or stainless steel) strips that support the rubber blades of windshield wipers. They are springy and thin, come it various widths, and can be bent slightly without breaking.

One thing I use them for is removing drawers from tool boxes with lock tabs built into the slide rails. You have to keep the tab from engaging a lug that is stamped into the slide rail as a stop. I bend a piece of wiper blade support so that when I insert it between the drawer rail and the slide, it keeps the lock tab from engaging the stop lug. I round the ends so that they can pop up into the "window" in the slide enough to let the tab slip beneath the end of the tool. Then I pull the drawer out past the lock and repeat on the other side. This makes the job quick and easy, plus it does not distort the lock tab.

Photo #1 shows a piece of one with rounded ends
Photo #2 shows that it is bent a little on each end
Photo #3 shows a lock tab in the "window" of a drawer slide. Notice the lug stamped in the slide to catch the lock tab.
Photo #4 shows the tool slid up over the lock tab, ready to pull the drawer out.

 

[Provincial]

pronator, I'm beginning to think that either Disston took over making these boxes when Union went out of business, or they both rebranded a box made by Waterloo, or a knock-off of the Waterloo design.

Union went away in 1984, but the box manufacturing could have ended a little earlier. It makes sense that a failing company would sell off the most viable assets ahead of closing.

 

[Old Radar]

Nice repurpose, Provincial! After I grind the teeth off, I use an old hacksaw blade for the same job.

 

[pronator]

The Union box handles look like they had a cheap layer of chrome plating. They are mounted with screws. The side handles use sheet metal screws directly into the side panels. The drawer handles use machine screws and chromed acorn nuts. For some reason, the acorn nuts are on the inside, so the uglier screw heads show on the outside!



The drawer slides seem identical to Waterloo friction slides of the 1970's. They are retained by tabs punched from the rails welded to the box and drawers.



Photo #1 is a side handle

Photo #2 is a drawer handle

Photo #3 shows the acorn nuts

The side handles are a bit different, but they’re also held by sheet metal screws.

 

[pronator]

pronator, I'm beginning to think that either Disston took over making these boxes when Union went out of business, or they both rebranded a box made by Waterloo, or a knock-off of the Waterloo design.

Union went away in 1984, but the box manufacturing could have ended a little earlier. It makes sense that a failing company would sell off the most viable assets ahead of closing.

Makes sense! I posted up some more pics on my thread if you want to look at those.

I’m thinking that the “buckling” on the sides right above the drawers is an intentional remnant of the build. Like a feature rather than a bug. But since it sits proud, paint comes off, it gets rusted, etc. Don’t know much about metal sheet folding and fabrication but maybe someone else who does can chime in?

 

[pronator]

I repurpose lots of things, probably because my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all lived through the Great Depression. One thing I save and adapt are the steel (or stainless steel) strips that support the rubber blades of windshield wipers. They are springy and thin, come it various widths, and can be bent slightly without breaking.



One thing I use them for is removing drawers from tool boxes with lock tabs built into the slide rails. You have to keep the tab from engaging a lug that is stamped into the slide rail as a stop. I bend a piece of wiper blade support so that when I insert it between the drawer rail and the slide, it keeps the lock tab from engaging the stop lug. I round the ends so that they can pop up into the "window" in the slide enough to let the tab slip beneath the end of the tool. Then I pull the drawer out past the lock and repeat on the other side. This makes the job quick and easy, plus it does not distort the lock tab.



Photo #1 shows a piece of one with rounded ends

Photo #2 shows that it is bent a little on each end

Photo #3 shows a lock tab in the "window" of a drawer slide. Notice the lug stamped in the slide to catch the lock tab.

Photo #4 shows the tool slid up over the lock tab, ready to pull the drawer out.

This is fantastic btw! I repurpose a piece of coil strapping that’s used on pallets of lumber. I’ll pick up random pieces that are left on the floor in the lumber section at big box stores. I haven’t tried rounding off the end; I usually cut it at a 60 degree angle so I can get the pointy part to go over the tab.

 

[propmaker]

Going to need a ladder soon. Found another Huot mid box. Great condition, drove 3 1/2 hrs round trip for this one

 

[Outlawmws]

I suspect the top tray needs a ladder already.

 

[Provincial]

You'll need to attach it to the wall before you open an upper drawer!

 

[Outlawmws]

He's in LA! that thing doesn't need a drawer open to fall over!

 

[Deker]

Hi all, anyone have an idea who might make this box? It’s a machinist box 20”W x 9”D.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Beach

 

[Deker]

Beach

Thank you!