The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[JoCoSawdust]

Damn I want a Beach stack. Great line up there Smokey.

 

[bmwrd0]

Nice set of boxes, and is that a '76 Wing? Nice in any case.

 

[old_smokey]

Nice set of boxes, and is that a '76 Wing? Nice in any case.

'75 actually, first year. I just did a weekend camping tour on it, hence the Hondaline racks on the back. Normally I'll keep it naked for regular riding. I'm the second owner. It is mostly stock. Only mods I've done are adding an electronic ignition, electric fuel pump, and a headlight relay mod. Everything else is straight out of 1975.

 

[MShaw]

This is a Kennedy CS 16 I found in my storage room while cleaning out. At least 45 years old.

 

[MShaw]

Just picked up these barn finds for free. The Montgomery wards roller had the bottom drawer jammed partially closed. Got it out and one slide was severely bent. See third photo. Does anyone know of a source for these slides?

 

[Old Radar]

Looks like they should clean up nicely! Those slides are pretty soft. Put it in a vise and tap on it with a small hammer or punch and I bet you can get it back into shape in no time.

 

[MShaw]

I did some preliminary straightening but the edgewise dog leg was not responding very well. More to come

 

[LNKMK8]

Something a little different that I came across last week... 1930's (based on catalogs) Kennedy Electrician's box No. 324. Pretty nice shape for age, leather handle missing.

 

[LNKMK8]

And another I picked up yesterday... very clean Powrkraft box. I have a machinist box from the same area that will go nicely with this one.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Just picked up these barn finds for free. The Montgomery wards roller had the bottom drawer jammed partially closed. Got it out and one slide was severely bent. See third photo. Does anyone know of a source for these slides?

If you cant straighten it, you can find a craftsman heritage era lower roller slide...those where made by AMD who would go on to change their name to remline, who made these boxes for MW. Heck of a find for free!

 

[MShaw]

"find a craftsman heritage era lower roller slide" Thanks for the tip

 

[MShaw]

Well, with judicious application of a large vise, hammers, and a large adjustable wrench I got the drawer to open and close acceptably. I have a minor repair on the top box and the set will be going to my younger son.

 

[Smokeshow69]

"find a craftsman heritage era lower roller slide" Thanks for the tip

Of course! Just make sure it is for a lower roller. The top chest slides are shorter, fyi.

 

[Gunfighter556]

Just picked up these barn finds for free. The Montgomery wards roller had the bottom drawer jammed partially closed. Got it out and one slide was severely bent. See third photo. Does anyone know of a source for these slides?

Nice find MShaw, I love the old AMD boxes no matter what label they are wearing.

 

[Gunfighter556]

Well, with judicious application of a large vise, hammers, and a large adjustable wrench I got the drawer to open and close acceptably. I have a minor repair on the top box and the set will be going to my younger son.

If you need a new lock for the upper box they can be sourced from Gerstner and Sons. That is where I got mine for my old Rem Line Resto.

 

[MShaw]

Good to know. I had not thought that far ahead yet

 

[JoCoSawdust]

And another I picked up yesterday... very clean Powrkraft box. I have a machinist box from the same area that will go nicely with this one.

Man that thing has been in a time capsule. Nice!!

 

[Smokeshow69]

If you need a new lock for the upper box they can be sourced from Gerstner and Sons. That is where I got mine for my old Rem Line Resto.

Wait, say what ? I have an AMD/Remline Craftsman badged 10 drawer top chest that had its lid ripped off and it is missing it's lock. Anything particular I need to ask for ? Or better yet, do you have your old lock and key and would you sell it ? I would actually prefer the weathered worn look to the new one because the top chest is weathered.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Wait, say what ? I have an AMD/Remline Craftsman badged 10 drawer top chest that had its lid ripped off and it is missing it's lock. Anything particular I need to ask for ? Or better yet, do you have your old lock and key and would you sell it ? I would actually prefer the weathered worn look to the new one because the top chest is weathered.

I did a little research.... looks like they are $50 with one key....but you have to provide proof of ownership in the form of a picture. Does anyone have a worn lock with key they would sell ? I care more about it looking aged to match the rest of the box than I do it looking new.

 

[Smokeshow69]

If you need a new lock for the upper box they can be sourced from Gerstner and Sons. That is where I got mine for my old Rem Line Resto.

Looks like they require proof of ownership to purchase the lock set? Did you have to submit this for your lock ? If so did you submit a photo of this box or just find a picture online ?

 

[Outlawmws]

"Proof of ownership"? How does that work?

 

[Smokeshow69]

"Proof of ownership"? How does that work?

Apparently, they are real proud of their name...but I do get them wanting to avoid folks buying the locks and selling counterfeit ones

 

[Old Radar]

Dumb as dirt. It doesn't even work as a CYA statement. That's like GM saying send us a picture of your car as proof of ownership before we can send you a replacement ignition key.

 

[Outlawmws]

Apparently, they are real proud of their name...but I do get them wanting to avoid folks buying the locks and selling counterfeit ones

I'f I'm a counterfeiter, becoming an owner is as easy as Eprey or google images...

I agree - dumb as dirt.

 

[Gunfighter556]

Wait, say what ? I have an AMD/Remline Craftsman badged 10 drawer top chest that had its lid ripped off and it is missing it's lock. Anything particular I need to ask for ? Or better yet, do you have your old lock and key and would you sell it ? I would actually prefer the weathered worn look to the new one because the top chest is weathered.

Just look in the repair restoration section of Gerstners website. If memory serves it cost me about 40 bucks for a new lock and key. Unfortunately my old lock was missing the key and the internals broken out. Sorry Smoke

 

[Gunfighter556]

Looks like they require proof of ownership to purchase the lock set? Did you have to submit this for your lock ? If so did you submit a photo of this box or just find a picture online ?

They didnt ask for anything when I ordered mine

 

[Gunfighter556]

Apparently, they are real proud of their name...but I do get them wanting to avoid folks buying the locks and selling counterfeit ones

The part I got did not have Gerstner on it anywhere

 

[Gunfighter556]

The part you want is part# 1029 it does not have the Gerstner name on it at all. Runs 40 bucks.

 

[Outlawmws]

That looks more like whats on the metal boxes anyway. did the bolt pattern fit?

 

[Gunfighter556]

That looks more like whats on the metal boxes anyway. did the bold pattern fit?

Fit up perfectly

 

[LNKMK8]

Friend of mine called me up this morning and said he had something for me... I've never come across one like this. I thought it was missing some drawers, but I see no slides or slide mounts for them. It appears it was meant to be open like that. When you lift the tray out and pull the top drawer out, you can access all of the bottom area. Based on info Alloy Artifacts has, the logo would seem to date the box to the early 1930's?

 

[Rushtk]

I just inherited these from my uncle who was an aircraft mechanic for 40yrs. He passed away last yr. Would like to know where to look to get their info. Appreciate any help! I think he bought them when I was 17...in 87...lol

 

[Smokeshow69]

I just inherited these from my uncle who was an aircraft mechanic for 40yrs. He passed away last yr. Would like to know where to look to get their info. Appreciate any help! I think he bought them when I was 17...in 87...lol

Hello and welcome! I don't see any attachments? Did you forget them ?

 

[Outlawmws]

Lnk. "Back in the day" open front compartments was common. Look at the early Plvmb mechanics boxes.

 

[scoob511]

Hi Everyone,

First time poster, but I've been lurking a lot over the past few months as I've been getting interested in finding/restoring old tools, etc. I've visited this thread in particular a lot while trying to research a small metal box that I found at an estate sale.

Here are some photos of the box, which measures roughly 13.5" x 8.25" x 2.5":



I am almost sure it's a Kennedy (the signature from my box is the one on the left in the image below, and the one on the right is an example I found on google images for comparison).



It has Corbin latches, and the logo can be seen in the close-up below.



The inside is cork-lined, which may or may not be original. Unfortunately, the label is gone, though there is a tiny piece of black paper adhered to the front of the middle interior divider, which may be a corner of the label.

I have no desire to sell this, but I am a bit OCD about things like this, and I'd love to know what the purpose of the box was, when it was made, etc. So far, the only cleanup I've done is lightly wiping it down with water mixed with a very small amount of Simple Green, and WD-40 in one of the rustier spots. I probably can't do much to get the coloring consistent now, but I'm open to suggestions...maybe just 1-2 rounds of clear-coat spray?

Thanks for taking the time to look/read. I'd love to hear if anyone has any info, thoughts, suggestions, etc.

Best,
Steve

 

[Outlawmws]

Kennedy always recommended WD to clean the boxes, and I've found that to be good advise.

I'd guess it is an early box, maybe 20's? And probably modified either by a PO or a company for a specific use. Long odds of finding out unless someone actually has its twin "populated"

 

[RTM]

You don’t give dimensions, but this might be it, the suitcase, suited to one persons needs.

Kennedy Tool Kits : 1930 : Kennedy Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 23.6 cm, trade catalog2 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog2 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[scoob511]

You don’t give dimensions, but this might be it, the suitcase, suited to one persons needs.

Kennedy Tool Kits : 1930 : Kennedy Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 23.6 cm, trade catalog2 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog2 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

The dimensions are 13.5" x 8.25" x 2.5", so it's not an exact match, but that seems to be the closest match (for Kennedy at least). Thanks!

I did find an almost exact match, though it doesn't appear to be manufactured by Kennedy, and there are some other (minor) differences: Bauer & Black First Aid Kit.

 

[MShaw]

Does anyone know the rustoleum paint color for the gray exterior of the Montgomery Wards Powr Kraft toolbox and roller I showed above?

 

[Outlawmws]

Mshaw, if its the same hammertone as was used for the Craftsman boxes, 7214 Grey hammertone from Rustoleum is a great match.