The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

[mrb1]

In Kennedy news^ Recent garage sale find that was full of tackle. Sold all on the bay.

 

[mrb1]

Simonsen from the same sale

 

[Patrickm82]

Very nice Simonsen! @mrb1

 

[RTM]

Kennedy news^ Recent garage sale find that was full of tackle. Sold all on the bay.

That’s about the only way a normal human is gonna carry one of those full.

I ran into one full of pipe *******. On a cart.

 

[four.cycle]

The beast box is done:

black carpenters box 32" L x 8" W x 10" H

I'll let this cure for a couple weeks at least - takes a while for this stuff to really harden properly - and then this will be relegated to "reciprocating saw" duty out in the garage. Only thing I could find long enough to store the thing!
Paint is Rustoleum "Barbecue Black" - comes in a quart can. Apply with sponge brush, using side of brush. (dab-dab-dab-dab-dab.)
NO need for sanding or a lot of fancy prep work. Wash with boiling hot water and trisodium phosphate, rinse, dry, paint. Done.
The small Kennedy box got the same treatment. (Do NOT try to "brush it on" - the brushmarks do NOT lay down with this stuff.)

 

[Outlawmws]

(Do NOT try to "brush it on" - the brushmarks do NOT lay down with this stuff.)

Try thinning some of it a bit to get a glossy smooth finish. Try it on a test piece...

 

[Hooterville]

I picked this up this Kennedy 1017 at a thrift store for $6. I researched the name Harry L. Dixon and I believe I found who he is per internet search. If I am correct he was very active in the miniature steam engine community including working with Walt Disney. I can't be 100% sure this is the same Harry L. Dixon but the copper nametag is a clue. Note, I think the plastic handle on the Kennedy boxes started in early 70's ...maybe someone else knows.

I haven't cleaned it up yet, except for the nametag. Also, I am not sure what the "Master" thing is used for ....maybe for a cable lock?

Excerpt from my internet search:

"Harry L. Dixon (1900–1984) was a highly prominent figure in the American "Live Steam" hobby, a community dedicated to building and operating miniature working steam locomotives. Operating out of the San Francisco Bay Area (Hayward, California), he served as the Secretary for the Western (or Pacific Coast) Region of the Brotherhood of Live Steamers (BLS) from 1951 through 1973. .... As the Western Region Secretary, Dixon kept the community connected across a massive geographic territory (including Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the Western US). He coordinated national meets, corresponded with enthusiasts, and maintained close ties with other pioneer live steamers like Walt Disney and Seymour Johnson."

last pic is Harry Dixon on the left.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Remline top I picked up Saturday to go with the roller I got in December.

 

[Shelbylex]

Nice! Now you need a mid box (one with the same emblem just sold in MA for $60 (not mine, but I was tempted...)

 

[INSP380]

I picked this up this Kennedy 1017 at a thrift store for $6. I researched the name Harry L. Dixon and I believe I found who he is per internet search. If I am correct he was very active in the miniature steam engine community including working with Walt Disney. I can't be 100% sure this is the same Harry L. Dixon but the copper nametag is a clue. Note, I think the plastic handle on the Kennedy boxes started in early 70's ...maybe someone else knows.

I haven't cleaned it up yet, except for the nametag. Also, I am not sure what the "Master" thing is used for ....maybe for a cable lock?

Excerpt from my internet search:

"Harry L. Dixon (1900–1984) was a highly prominent figure in the American "Live Steam" hobby, a community dedicated to building and operating miniature working steam locomotives. Operating out of the San Francisco Bay Area (Hayward, California), he served as the Secretary for the Western (or Pacific Coast) Region of the Brotherhood of Live Steamers (BLS) from 1951 through 1973. .... As the Western Region Secretary, Dixon kept the community connected across a massive geographic territory (including Alaska, Hawaii, and much of the Western US). He coordinated national meets, corresponded with enthusiasts, and maintained close ties with other pioneer live steamers like Walt Disney and Seymour Johnson."

last pic is Harry Dixon on the left.

I love researching the past owner. Men made a living with these tools and put food on the table. Caretakers of history…..

Steve

 

[four.cycle]

posting again as a public service announcement:

HUOT DRAWER REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS


Huot Drawer Removal Instructions

 

[four.cycle]

another public service announcement. can't get it on one image and have it still remain legible. I'm sure Mark will do better with it.

SNAP-ON DRAWER REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS


SNAP-ON DRAWER REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Four.Cycle. These posts really help when one needs the instructions!!! (I also copied this to my toolbox computer folder in case I need it in the future)

 

[y'sguy]

posting again as a public service announcement:

HUOT DRAWER REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS


Huot Drawer Removal Instructions

Yes, Same for my Blackhawk Boxes!

 

[INSP380]

Here is my “unknown” machinist chest. This came in a package deal with two other boxes a few months back. Finally got around to going thru it. Neat box, the rounded front lower edge is something. The only ID are the two remaining rivets above the lock. They are 2.750” apart. I’m leaning towards Duplex..?? Any who, gave it a bath, rub down and some liners. Slides were packed with grease, took em’ all out and soaked them, light oil and sliding nice again. Pulls and handles cleaned up with some buffing. Added some Lufkin, Diamond and some elect hand tools to keep the liners flat, and shoot some pics….Still searching for clues..

Steve

 

[Cruzan80]

The only one I know who did the blue like that was Huot, but they did silver drawers with s blue outer shell. Pull handles are simimar. Missing the oval "swoopy" on the front if it was them, though

 

[INSP380]

The only one I know who did the blue like that was Huot, but they did silver drawers with s blue outer shell. Pull handles are simimar. Missing the oval "swoopy" on the front if it was them, though

That was my first guess as well. But all the Huot embossing is missing and the tag rivets don’t jive. I have a nice Huot decal too….but I can’t do it.

Steve

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Left behind this box at the flea this morning. Guy wanted $40 for it. He wasn't a tool guy. He was talking it up and he didn't even know what Brown & Sharp was. It had no clasps. No felt lining inside, which would be easy enough to replace. I would've used it for a display case for pliers or something. When I started to walk away he said, "Make an offer," and I said, "It would be an insult, we're too far apart." A typical exchange. When he insisted, I offered $15, and he said $25 was as low as he could go. I liked it, but not that much.

 

[Shelbylex]

Cross posted from S-K Red Tool Wagon post:

Does anybody want to save this one in Virginia? (FM)

)

 

[Smokeshow69]

Cross posted from S-K Red Tool Wagon post:

Does anybody want to save this one in Virginia? (FM)

)

Somebody grab this one! Its a rarity for sure.

 

[Tynee]

Somebody grab this one! Its a rarity for sure.

Can somebody educate me? I would have walked by that at a yard sale without stopping to look.

 

[SHawk]

Picked this up on Marketplace for $65. The Heritage logo and drawer pulls are standard but the rest is a mystery to me... modular "drop in" design of the chest to the wheels, the folding side tray, and the drawer holes and dividers. Can anyone provide any insight into this roller? I'm dying to know more about it and am fairly new to this.

 

[Outlawmws]

modular "drop in" design of the chest to the wheels

Roller frame was user made/fabbed. these have places to attach castors (but may have gotten destroyed, hence the frame)

the folding side tray,

Common factory add on

the drawer holes and dividers.

Dividers almost certainly added

 

[Outlawmws]

Got this a week or so back - No indication of it being an actual Kennedy (until today - ), Smooth black finish outside brown felt inside, but it is the std 520 footprint and it may be OK to stack with another intermediate from Kennedy - $12 with contents -and included the keys - marked (drum roll) Kennedy! Maybe made as a spacial run foe a customer?:

 

[RTM]

Got this a week or so back - No indication of it being an actual Kennedy (until today - ), Smooth black finish outside brown felt inside, but it is the std 520 footprint and it may be OK to stack with another intermediate from Kennedy - $12 with contents -and included the keys - marked (drum roll) Kennedy! Maybe made as a spacial run foe a customer?:

They did have the MC-28, which matches the 526 in size, but bigger than the 520. Maybe the 520 size was made later

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

14 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

I think I have the brother around here somewhere. Mine came without a key, but the key # was stamped on the inside, on the cam arm.

 

[Shelbylex]

Can somebody educate me? I would have walked by that at a yard sale without stopping to look.

Tynee, this is a rare SK Red Tool Wagon box. They made them between 1939 and 1942/3 (1942 catalog mentions it as Discontinued Due to War Effort). For $30 it's free!!! (I wish it was close to me)
I am aware of only 3 boxes (one mine, one I just posted and one GJ knows about, but nobody wants to get it from far away...)

 

[Outlawmws]

They did have the MC-28, which matches the 526 in size, but bigger than the 520. Maybe the 520 size was made later

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

14 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

I think I have the brother around here somewhere. Mine came without a key, but the key # was stamped on the inside, on the cam arm.

I have an MC-28 and two more of the 520 size intermediate boxes. I wasn't expecting this one to be Kennedy in black (the rattle can job was well done)

 

[four.cycle]

CRAFTSMAN 65325 "Rally" 3-drawer Tool Box - 20.5" L x 12" H x 8.5" W

 

[682bear]

Yard sale find...












It needs a good cleaning and the top is faded, but otherwise is in very good condition.

-Bear

 

[Outlawmws]

Yard sale find...

great box! I have its brown brother, plus the 2 drawer intermediate. That was my "Take to the race track box for many years - it replaced a 10 drawer Craftsman that simply was too heavy for even 2 strong guys to move from the roller to the truck. Separating into two boxes and I could do it myself. I still have that setup even after retiring from racing.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Passed up this Snappy top box at the flea, but struck Olive Drab "gold" with two WWII boxes, both wooden with reinforced steel, one Air Corps and the other Signal Corps. I'll get them cleaned up and posted later.

 

[555]

Wow! AAC and Signal, that's a haul!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Passed up this Snappy top box at the flea, but struck Olive Drab "gold" with two WWII boxes, both wooden with reinforced steel, one Air Corps and the other Signal Corps. I'll get them cleaned up and posted later.

The OD boxes would certainly have come home with me! Can wait to see 'em all "churched up"!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow! AAC and Signal, that's a haul!

The OD boxes would certainly have come home with me! Can't wait to see 'em all "churched up"!

"Tech Order 00-30-60-1, Kit, Metal Worker" and "CH-263", to be more specific than I was yesterday.

I ended up posting them in the Wood boxes thread, here...

Wood cabinets for tool, parts or nuts and bolts or even your socks. please show them

If the tall slot was just a little wider, it would've made a great little portable wine and cocktail bar, with bottles to the right, glasses above, and swizzle sticks, olive picks, coasters, doilies and whatnot in the drawers.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Mintgrun]

I picked up a little WWII metal military tool box yesterday. The ends of the box are marked CHEST STEEL M5 D28243. Apparently, it held tools for a Browning machine gun.







There are quite a few examples online with some variations in tray type and hinge styles. Mine does not have the tray and its supports are higher than a similar example I found. Some of the other trays hang off of the box lip without supports. Aside from a few little scratches and some light surface rust, it's in excellent condition.







I found this on a French site. It's difficult to read, but still pretty cool.



Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

^ Very nice example, Tom. Additional references, info, and a few of my examples for you to peruse HERE, including the only one I was ever lucky enough to find with the key attached.

 

[bmwrd0]

A couple boxes came home with me yesterday

This unmarked cantilever, and

this Fiber Products tube case

opened, and

all four trays fully extended. I need more tool boxes like I need another hole in my head, but these are too cool to pass up.

 

[Mintgrun]

Very nice example, Tom.

Thank you, Lugz. After I posted, I searched this thread for the number D24283 and saw a box Don posted, as well as a few comments about it, but I had not seen the boxes in your link. It's kind of interesting that all of your M5 boxes have a slight step on the lid and mine is just flat. I was a little surprised by how thin the metal is, but in spite of that, I don't think this one has any dents. I'm guessing those scratches on the underside of the lid are from when it was made and the person riveting the handle on simply drug the tool across the surface. The thin matte green paint is super easy to mark up.

I need more tool boxes like I need another hole in my head, but these are too cool to pass up.

Those are cool. I'm in the same boat. I can easily fill up more boxes, but finding places to put them is getting harder.

I'm getting pretty good at Tool Box Tetris.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anybody else watching Lucky on Apple tv? It's a gritty thriller series about a ****, savvy, con man's daughter on the run from a crime boss and the FBI in Vegas and L.A. after a double cross. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy (who I'd watch in a 60-minute soap commercial), Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, and Timothy Fichtner.

Why am I posting here?

Couldn't help but notice this toolbox in Ep 3!

Looks like a Proto badge to me.

 

[1982fxr]

Here is my “unknown” machinist chest. This came in a package deal with two other boxes a few months back. Finally got around to going thru it. Neat box, the rounded front lower edge is something. The only ID are the two remaining rivets above the lock. They are 2.750” apart. I’m leaning towards Duplex..?? Any who, gave it a bath, rub down and some liners. Slides were packed with grease, took em’ all out and soaked them, light oil and sliding nice again. Pulls and handles cleaned up with some buffing. Added some Lufkin, Diamond and some elect hand tools to keep the liners flat, and shoot some pics….Still searching for clues..

Steve

OTC ?