The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[RTM]

Got this semi abused Craftsman mish mash a couple weeks ago.

I agree with Lugz, that is practically virginal by local standards.

 

[Johnny Generic]

Got this semi abused Craftsman mish mash a couple weeks ago.

I know one thing for sure. YOU ****.

 

[rust in the eye]

Please help me establish when this ubiquitous Kennedy 520 was made.
Handle has clearly been replaced and drawers re-felted.
My thoughts are 1940's.
I want to sell it so wish to represent it accurately
EDIT: for anyone that may want this for their own it is now listed in our classifieds: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/kennedy-520-7-dr-machinist-chest-circa-1940s.555718/

 

[four.cycle]

^ Nice condition. I have no clue on vintage.
Old rusted beat-up Kennedys on CL locally start at asking prices north of $65

 

[RTM]

Handle has clearly been replaced and drawers re-felted.
My thoughts are 1940's.

Rectangular pulls are around 1941.

 

[TheRealZeus]

On topic/relevant to the type of pulls, this gentleman made his own.

 

[Outlawmws]

On topic/relevant to the type of pulls, this gentleman made his own.

Someone was making/selling them on Eprey IIR.

 

[ALLFAST]

Someone was making/selling them on Eprey IIR.

I only saw them on Etsy and there were multiple color options at the time.

 

[Cruzan80]

I think somewhere I have the STL or STEP file for these...

 

[59Sled]

Saved this rusty thing. Got it for a display piece. Will probably use it to display some of my restored vintage tools in it. Can’t see any markings on it. So not really sure of its age.

 

[Farmer J.]

Saved this rusty thing. Got it for a display piece. Will probably use it to display some of my restored vintage tools in it. Can’t see any markings on it. So not really sure of its age.

It looks just like an old Talco box that I have, apart from different knobs and handles, and I use that for the same thing now.
Post up some pics when it has become the display item

 

[d42jeep]

To me the plastic handle gives it a Craftsman look. Possibly a post Crown homeowner grade box.
-Don

 

[Red Tractors]

In the all-things-are-relative category, I wouldn't consider either the roller or the top box to be even lightly abused in my experience. As for mish-mash, I see what you're saying with the Heritage and Crowntop badges, but with the finishes matching in color and condition and the drawer pulls matching in style, the two different eras are barely noticeable, and it's actually kind of neat that the whole set-up probably highlights a period of transition consistency moving from one to the other.

The only thing that really bothers me is that they pop rivited the handles on on the top box. She went though a fire at some point. It's not bad but definitely looks better in pictures.

I figured I'd never find another Heritage 10 drawer so I'm super happy to have it!

 

[RTM]

The only thing that really bothers me is that they pop rivited the handles on on the top box.

You can find tubular or split rivets, learn how to crimp them down nicely, and replace them. I’m at the learning stage now. Need to get a likely victim agreed upon soon, and time to play.

 

[Outlawmws]

Need to get a likely victim agreed upon soon, and time to play.

Dosen't have to be a tool box. just some sheet metal with holes for the handles.

 

[RTM]

Dosen't have to be a tool box. just some sheet metal with holes for the handles.

Shh! Stop making sense. you are messing with my procrastination Excuses with the crazy talk.

 

[INSP380]

Went and picked this one up last night. Made a deal a few months ago and had to wait for the seller to return. Ferret box in really decent condition. Worst part, the hinges were wired together. Must have been done decades ago too. Gave it a good clean up to find the original color, then onto the glass bead cabinet. Cut some new pins cut out of .062 312 and got it ready for paint.

Steve

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my complete wartime Ferret set.
-Don

 

[Flatlander45]

Just picked up this pair of old Craftsman toolboxes last weekend. Excited to put them to use. Does anyone know if replacement keys exist/can be found for the lock on the top box?

 

[RTM]

Does anyone know if replacement keys exist/can be found for the lock on the top box?

Depends on the number. Should be under the flap part of the hasp. Think they are a K frequently.

Try this post, but usually just googling Craftsman key number works

Old crafsman tool box

Hello all, I picked up this old craftsman tool box all the drawers are working and it has a small tray in the smaller drawer I don’t know the year of it maybe 60’s ? Anyone know the original color code I was thinking of painting it how ever I like the character of the box now any suggestions I...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[bugnut]

pair of old Craftsman toolboxes last weekend.

Hey folks, as soon as I looked at @Flatlander45 post about the Craftsman box, I had a flashback. I have the tool tray for one of those boxes. I posted it on the 2nd for sale. It is still available for the postage to ship it if someone can use.

My image duplicated

 

[Hooterville]

I will share a few memories. Dad died of Covid in 2020 so I don't have him to tap into.

My father started at Advertising Metal Displays in Cicero, IL in 1957 and moved out to Model Industries in Yorkville, IL in 1977. Both were owned by the same man at that time, Lou Krueger (hope I spelled that right). Dad was the designer of their tool boxes from 1977 until retiring in 1997. He was a self-taught engineer with a high school degree from Crane Tech in Chicago. I posted some background and info about his US Patent in the Advertising Metal and Rem Line thread.

The name "Model Industries" for the Yorkville facility was a hope for a more modern, "model" of a manufacturing plant.... I am guessing it was built in the early-mid 1970s.

It changed hands a couple of times in the 1980s and 1990s (Lyon Metal owned them for a bit). Now the building is something called the "Aurora Specialty Textiles Group."

They cranked out small boxes, tool chests, and roller cabinets for the most part. Their own brand was Rem Line and they also made them for Montgomery Ward for quite a few years - from what I recall the differences were cosmetic.

Coiled steel came in one side of the building, was cut/punched/bent/welded/painted/riveted/assembled in the middle and warehoused/shipped out the other side. When I worked there in the late 1970s, everything was painted red or grey, with sometimes red or grey drawers contrasting with the box color. It was a non-union place.

They ran one shift, 5 days a week, one assembly line of the painted parts. Usually ran one type of box each day, more of the Rem Line than Montgomery Ward styles. If I had to guess, I would say more than 500 units of the roller cabinets or chests per day, more of the small boxes?

The largest roller cabinet was 120 lbs and it got tiring to wrestle onto skids all day - but I was a lot younger and stronger then. Got really hot in the summer, with large fans positioned in the factory. I was not a great forklift driver....

In the 1990s, they also made medical carts for Armstrong medical, which were modified roller cabinets. It was Dad's one "sales account", as they only wanted to deal with him for design, changes, and prices. To this day, when I am in an older part of a hospital in the Chicago area, I often see one of his all-steel units. The medical staff acts like they believe me when I say "my father designed that," but I'm sure not all of them do. Armstrong's catalog shows steel and aluminum ones now.

It was a great summer job, back in the days when you could pay for half of college with a full-time summer/Christmas job. And I got to hang out with my Dad for about 90 minutes in the car each day, which I now realize was priceless.

The picture below is of my 6 drawer chest that my father gave me in the mid 1980s. Ironically, the Rem Line logo got broken off in a move, so I taped one my father's old business cards to it.

Thanks @gythoody for your story. Late response but I found you post as a result of searching for info on a "MI Rem" 6 drawer tool box. I am familiar with Rem Line but not "MI Rem". Your post was helpful for making my decision to purchase this box on Craigslist ...I will be picking it up tomorrow!

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Saved this rusty thing. Got it for a display piece. Will probably use it to display some of my restored vintage tools in it. Can’t see any markings on it. So not really sure of its age.

That looks like an old JC Penney box I had that I purchased in the early 70's.

 

[59Sled]

That looks like an old JC Penney box I had that I purchased in the early 70's.

Thanks for the info. I just looked those up and it could be. The only ones I can really find that have a single latch and little metal drawer knobs is a Simmonds brand. But I cant find a Simmonds or a JcPenny with a plastic handle. Also all the ones I find that look like it, the holders for the handle points outward. My handle holders are inward.
I just washed and scrubbed it last night and found some markings. Getting it ready to put some boiled Linseed oil on it..

I can make out Made in USA
and a date of 08-7?
Cant read the last part of the year but looks like it could be a 0 or a 8

 

[RTM]

I can make out Made in USA
and a date of 08-7?
Cant read the last part of the year but looks like it could be a 0 or a 8

If you look at Waterloo, in the 80s, their handles turn in. No catalogs before that til the 60s. Might be a clue.

Waterloo Total Tool Storage : Catalog No. 75 : Waterloo Industries Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

24 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[INSP380]

Todays find, Aluminum skinned, steel drawer Snap-On. Black wrinkle paint exterior, cork lined interior, cork gasket for the top lid, zero lift handles & locking lid hinge, Thinking late 1940’s, but have not found it in any catalog yet. Never seen another one. I just wiped it down…Gently..

Steve

 

[Hooterville]

Thanks @gythoody for your story. Late response but I found you post as a result of searching for info on a "MI Rem" 6 drawer tool box. I am familiar with Rem Line but not "MI Rem". Your post was helpful for making my decision to purchase this box on Craigslist ...I will be picking it up tomorrow!

Update: I picked up the Rem Line model 1166. Overall, I am happy with the purchase, disappointed with the rust on top of lid but cannot complain for the price I paid. Lubed the slides and they are buttery smooth.

For now I just cleaned it up and future project is to repaint. Good news is I can just repaint the exterior, bad news is painting is not one of my skillsets.

The label on front says model 1166, however stamped inside is model 11 86 ....so I think it is model 1166 with date code 1986.

 

[Outlawmws]

Picked this one up at a yard sale yesterday for $20. its cleaning up really great, and both the leatherette and the felt are in remarkable condition. I'll get after cleanup pics tomorrow:

It's not the box I hoped for (all oak) but it also wasn't all metal, it is leatherette covered wood case and metal drawers - it is an old Long C Craftsman machinist's box with the Long C logo intact. Good enough! The ask was thirty, I offered $20 and he took it:

It is old enough that it has no slides at all... I already got the whoppies out of he bottom drawer front.

 

[59Sled]

Here's the 1970's rusty old tool box somewhat cleaned up.
Washed it then scrubbed it with a scotch brite pad. Did one coat of Boiled Linseed oil on it. Now that it cured for 2 days I will probably do one more coat today. Added some tool box liner to the drawers and top.

Saved this tool box just to use as a display piece for the tools I've restored. Here's a mock up of what I was thinking to display.

Before picture.



After picture
Might change it around and put wrenches in the middle drawer.

 

[RTM]

doesn't look like they were around a long time

Digging into the PDF's from this post, and this image from the 1937 Sears Catalog (different brute force search), makes me think the Green Case company or its successors made something for Sears, but the dates are all wrong. And the dimensions are only slightly off.

So, looking at how both the Green-Case and the SIPCO have the top bead, and they were both in Racine, wonder if the "case making" part of the Baker Case business was sold. SIPCO was not known for tool chests prior to what 1938.

Argh, who knows. It was actually in the Sears Catalog as early as the 1934 Hardware catalog. And I thought Union, but their case does not show the big flap lock. Search story for another night, gotta finish this other one first.

 

[CommanderCarry]

Here are a couple top boxes I picked up recently. The drawer slides will need to be cleaned up and lubricated. Anybody got an easy way to remove these drawers?

Okay, I'm ready to give. I've watched a half a dozen Youtube videos, tried the ground down hacksaw blade method, tried the bent screwdriver method, I've wriggled, jiggled, and iggled but I can't get those drawers to come out. The drawers seem to catch at the back of the drawer, not close to the front as in some videos. Here are a couple of pix of each side of a random drawer.

Help! TIA!
Scott

 

[Outlawmws]

Okay, I'm ready to give. I've watched a half a dozen Youtube videos, tried the ground down hacksaw blade method, tried the bent screwdriver method, I've wriggled, jiggled, and iggled but I can't get those drawers to come out. The drawers seem to catch at the back of the drawer, not close to the front as in some videos. Here are a couple of pix of each side of a random drawer.

Help! TIA!
Scott

IIR: Hold the slide, close the drawer 1/2" or so. Then slide the metal strip you are using in.

If its full open the metal to metal contact prevents the strip from getting past the catch spring; making a slight bend in the tip and maybe rounding it a bit also helps.

 

[Beerhippie]

Okay, I'm ready to give. I've watched a half a dozen Youtube videos, tried the ground down hacksaw blade method, tried the bent screwdriver method, I've wriggled, jiggled, and iggled but I can't get those drawers to come out. The drawers seem to catch at the back of the drawer, not close to the front as in some videos. Here are a couple of pix of each side of a random drawer.

Help! TIA!
Scott

I found that a hacksaw blade wasn't thick enough. I took a piece of steel pallet strapping and folded it tightly in half over the hacksaw blade. That did the trick.

 

[RTM]

Okay, I'm ready to give. I've watched a half a dozen Youtube videos, tried the ground down hacksaw blade method, tried the bent screwdriver method, I've wriggled, jiggled, and iggled but I can't get those drawers to come out.

Well, obviously your toolbox is defective, and should be removed from the pool. Send it my way, will make sure of safe disposal.

But seriously, I use the hooks from a green Pendaflex file folder. Fits down the middle of the slot you show quite nicely. The single bracket can give you two tools, so you can do each side at the same time, but it's not required. As noted, push the drawer closed a bit, bend the tool away from the drawer, and away you go.

 

[Shelbylex]

Okay, I'm ready to give. I've watched a half a dozen Youtube videos, tried the ground down hacksaw blade method, tried the bent screwdriver method, I've wriggled, jiggled, and iggled but I can't get those drawers to come out. The drawers seem to catch at the back of the drawer, not close to the front as in some videos. Here are a couple of pix of each side of a random drawer.

Help! TIA!
Scott

Where are you located? May be there is a GJ member nearby to help you (if somebody has original SO tool, even better!)

 

[ALLFAST]

For anyone trying to source any toolbox handles I recently found CD Hardware in Pennsylvania.

This is a screenshot of their most vintage item, the HA-1121, which comes in five finishes and is spring-loaded on the backside.

A few years ago I scored a NOS pair of the exact same style of the HA1121, but in OD green. They came from a military collector and he believed them to be Korean War era. Mine are extremely strong and very heavy.

I don’t doubt that they might be from the same company. Anyway, while not exact reproductions, their offerings may be very suitable for those “off beat” projects that we may find ourselves bringing back to service.

Stay safe everyone, and have a great weekend.

 

[rust in the eye]

Dragged this forlorn looking 1970's Williams stack home this afternoon. I'm a sucker for intermediate chests.
It's filthy, the drawers are all sticky, no keys and missing the bottom compartment door. All there aside the door and undamaged so I believe it will clean up well. Mercifully it is not all stickered up.

If anyone has a lead on that missing door for the roller cabinet (# TC101C) give me a shout.

 

[RTM]

For anyone trying to source any toolbox handles I recently found CD Hardware in Pennsylvania.

This is a screenshot of their most vintage item, the HA-1121, which comes in five finishes and is spring-loaded on the backside.

How do these fit your hands? Lots of the vintage one are too small for my hands. I've picked up many vintage chests, looking for the perfect handle. Still looking.


I wear size 8 gloves.

 

[ALLFAST]

How do these fit your hands? Lots of the vintage one are too small for my hands. I've picked up many vintage chests, looking for the perfect handle. Still looking.


I wear size 8 gloves.

I’ve got big paws and they are quite acceptable. Not too big nor small.

 

[ALLFAST]

Dragged this forlorn looking 1970's Williams stack home this afternoon. I'm a sucker for intermediate chests.
It's filthy, the drawers are all sticky, no keys and missing the bottom compartment door. All there aside the door and undamaged so I believe it will clean up well. Mercifully it is not all stickered up.

If anyone has a lead on that missing door for the roller cabinet (# TC101C) give me a shout.

Until you find an OEM door, you can build a fake sheet steel panel, rig some strong magnets in appropriate positions, and drill two finger holes in the center ( or use a similar handle? Do a faux patina job on it to match the rest, and it should be quite acceptable?