The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[gatewaysysop]

Already posted about this one in the Remline thread, but why not share it here as well?

I recently acquired this set:



Also have had its older, Craftsman heritage-badged cousin for quite a few years now:

 

[MShaw]

Thank you for the info outlaw

 

[Gunfighter556]

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

I used Rustoleum hammered black on my Remline Resto. turned out very good. I believe that should work very well with your PowrKraft as they were both made by AMD.

 

[MShaw]

Now I have to make a decision!!!!!!

 

[Gunfighter556]

Side Rider cabinet finished up. Got the period correct handles installed. Just waiting on the wife to recreate the Rem Line tag

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks great GF!

 

[bbbarracuda]

I picked up this Kennedy cantilever toolbox this weekend at an auction for $5.00. It needs cleaned up and maybe some paint, but seems solid. Does anyone know about when this was made? Also were the plastic dividers original from Kennedy or added later?
Thanks!

 

[Rushtk]

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

For some reason it didn't attach. I found the numbers on the back. Going to try and restore them.

 

[Rushtk]

For some reason it didn't attach. I found the numbers on the back. Going to try and restore them.

Ok, my file is to big to attach....never been told that before
Snap-on KR 557B, KR 292A, KR 557C, KR 5370C are the boxes. One of the attachment boxes has a dent on the back seam but other than that they are all good but need cleaned, painted, oiled, and new locks.

 

[Mintgrun]

I picked up this little black box a couple days ago. I'm guessing it is military, but don't know what era. Too bad someone put a lock hasp on it. It's 15 1/2" x 5" wide x 4" tall.





Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm guessing it is military, but don't know what era.

US Army Signal Corps. The BC-669 (variants -A, -B, -C, -D, -AM, -BM and -CM) was a ground radio set about the size of a small guitar amplifier. As for era, very possibly WWII, although it was used for quite awhile, and the Signal Corps did have a habit of embedding years inside contract and order numbers, so the "47" in 4792 could be a reference to 1947. Might not be, though. I'll look through some references. The "PHIL", or "PHILA" (hardcto see there...) is for Philadelphia, Signal Corps HQ during WWII. It appears on lots of equipment.

 

[thehorse13]

I'm pretty sure that most of you have seen this Blackhawk 100-W box that I'm in the process of bringing back to life. I figured I would drop it here in case some of you don't wander outside of this thread.

 

[Username already in use]

@thehorse13 That's not even the same box! You've done an outstanding job with that 100-W.

 

[thehorse13]

@thehorse13 That's not even the same box! You've done an outstanding job with that 100-W.

Thanks. I'm waiting on the new decal and I'm actively searching for the one missing drawer knob. I made the trim by hand and currently I'm doing the fine detail bending so that they stay on the trim rails.

 

[Gunfighter556]

I'm pretty sure that most of you have seen this Blackhawk 100-W box that I'm in the process of bringing back to life. I figured I would drop it here in case some of you don't wander outside of this thread.

Awesome job! That is gorgeous work.

 

[MShaw]

I finished a light restoration on my barn find Powr Craft top box. Not intended to be like new just a nice homeowner box for my son. Roller to follow. Before and after photos.

 

[BrettKillian]

Post em' up guys. Lets say anything over 20 yrs. and older only.

The newer boxes are cool, but I LOVE the lines of the older ones.

Here are my humble contributions:



I have a KRA54 too:



I know there are some great boxes, so lets see em.

And the obligatory:

 

[BrettKillian]

I think a later poster was asking about the KRA379 having a drawer mech all the way to the bottom, and yes it does.

 

[thehorse13]

Updated picture of my Blackhawk box since getting a new decal made. Anyone happen to have a spare pull knob that would match? I know that Snap On boxes from the same era, 30s/40s, are the same ones.

 

[alinc100]

I picked up this Kennedy cantilever toolbox this weekend at an auction for $5.00. It needs cleaned up and maybe some paint, but seems solid. Does anyone know about when this was made? Also were the plastic dividers original from Kennedy or added later?
Thanks!

looks like the late 80's to 2000ish logo. The plastic dividers were originally from Kennedy. https://www.universaltool.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=6156

​

 

[bbbarracuda]

looks like the late 80's to 2000ish logo. The plastic dividers were originally from Kennedy. https://www.universaltool.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=6156

​

Thanks for the info. I was looking too far back. Thought it was older.
Appreciate the help.

 

[Username already in use]

I found a Remline intermediate stack on FB Marketplace that was sandwiched between a couple of newer Craftsman boxes. I talked the seller into letting it go for a reasonable sum. Even has the key!



The box pairs nicely with a 3D box I found a few years ago (also with keys). Now I just need to find the roller for a reasonable price.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is a great example of good picking right there. Patience, persistence, a lot of looking and a little luck does pay off sometimes!

 

[Username already in use]

That is a great example of good picking right there. Patience, persistence, a lot of looking and a little luck does pay off sometimes!

Thanks Lugz. Hopefully I can find the roller sometime in the next few years...

 

[thehorse13]

I found a Remline intermediate stack on FB Marketplace that was sandwiched between a couple of newer Craftsman boxes. I talked the seller into letting it go for a reasonable sum. Even has the key!



The box pairs nicely with a 3D box I found a few years ago (also with keys). Now I just need to find the roller for a reasonable price.

Finding a Remline center section is a rare occurrence. I've only seen one in real life and that was at Twertsy's tool temple. I've never come across a center section in the older Remline branding which shows the little tool guy. Outstanding grab right here.

 

[Username already in use]

Thanks @thehorse13
I was scrolling through Marketplace and it just stuck out like a sore thumb in-between these grey boxes. I saved a pic.

Funny you should mention Twertsy. He shipped me a PowrKraft branded Remline center section several years ago for my PowrKraft stack.

 

[Username already in use]

Oof. I just can't help myself sometimes.
I found this Craftsman stack on marketplace last Thursday. I procrastinated in sending a message because I need to build a pole barn before I buy more boxes!
It kept nagging at me and I messaged them on Saturday. I was told at that time that the sale was 'pending' to another person.
I looked again last night and it was still listed. I sent another message today...
A short trip and $35 later. Should mate well with the Craftsman 2D top box that I have in the basement.

 

[d42jeep]

I’m starting to detect a bit of a stack fetish. What brands do you have now?
-Don

 

[Ricky Joe]

That is a great example of good picking right there. Patience, persistence, a lot of looking and a little luck does pay off sometimes!

With me, it’s more about the luck!

 

[outofbounds]

I found a Remline intermediate stack on FB Marketplace that was sandwiched between a couple of newer Craftsman boxes. I talked the seller into letting it go for a reasonable sum. Even has the key!



The box pairs nicely with a 3D box I found a few years ago (also with keys). Now I just need to find the roller for a reasonable price.

I noticed that the drawer pulls are different from your top chest....... "Those lights aren't twinkling, Clark".

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Oof. I just can't help myself sometimes.
I found this Craftsman stack on marketplace last Thursday. I procrastinated in sending a message because I need to build a pole barn before I buy more boxes!
It kept nagging at me and I messaged them on Saturday. I was told at that time that the sale was 'pending' to another person.
I looked again last night and it was still listed. I sent another message today...
A short trip and $35 later. Should mate well with the Craftsman 2D top box that I have in the basement.

I wind up with boxes that way. First I ignore them, then they keep haunting me until I buy them.

 

[outofbounds]

Oof. I just can't help myself sometimes.
I found this Craftsman stack on marketplace last Thursday. I procrastinated in sending a message because I need to build a pole barn before I buy more boxes!
It kept nagging at me and I messaged them on Saturday. I was told at that time that the sale was 'pending' to another person.
I looked again last night and it was still listed. I sent another message today...
A short trip and $35 later. Should mate well with the Craftsman 2D top box that I have in the basement.

That's a "UNAIU ****"!!

 

[Username already in use]

I’m starting to detect a bit of a stack fetish. What brands do you have now?
-Don

Errr. I'd rather not say. Let's just leave it at 'several'.

I noticed that the drawer pulls are different from your top chest....... "Those lights aren't twinkling, Clark".

Ha! Good eyes. Both pulls have the AMD man on them, but the top chest has the 3 lines to either side of him and the intermediate box is just the AMD man without the lines. I suspect the intermediate box is older.

 

[Marvin Berry]

Growing up, a black, heavy, metal tool box that reminded me of a doctor bag sat inside our back door. It was my dad's "car tools" tool box, filled with ratchets, sockets, and wrenches. I always loved that toolbox, but hadn't thought much about it for years, until stumbling across this site.

After quite a few failed searches, I figured out it was a Union Steel Union Super tool chest. I was able to find one on eBay that is in fantastic condition, I just needed/need to replace a rivet (question on this later).

This one's gray, not black, but still has the stickers. I'm going to line the bottoms and make it a "Jeep box".






Last pic is the rivet I needed to replace. I used a pop rivet, but it's wrong on the back.

What I got (left), vs what I want (right). What rivets/how do I get the back to look like that?

 

[Gunfighter556]

Errr. I'd rather not say. Let's just leave it at 'several'.

Ha! Good eyes. Both pulls have the AMD man on them, but the top chest has the 3 lines to either side of him and the intermediate box is just the AMD man without the lines. I suspect the intermediate box is older.

Actually the intermediate box is newer than the top box, AMD got a little cheaper later on hence the square corner handles as opposed to the angled ones.

 

[selectedgrub]

I brought this one back to life with some love

 

[Username already in use]

Actually the intermediate box is newer than the top box, AMD got a little cheaper later on hence the square corner handles as opposed to the angled ones.

Thanks @Gunfighter556 for the confirmation. I was going to go back and edit that post after looking at the serial numbers. The mid box is numerically higher in number than the top box.

 

[bmwrd0]

Marvin, that is a nice old box. I dig the sticker on top!

But as far as riveting goes, Youtube is your friend. There are a ton of videos showing all the aspects of this, I am sure one will give you what you need.

 

[RTM]

Marvin, looks like they used a tubular rivet, set by hand. You can get a much better finish by using a shorter pop rivet, but it will still look different.

 

[oldpliers1]

here is my oldest personal tool box paid $20 for it new in 79 , it’s been a few places and seen some landmark Icon construction projects . Made in Australia.