Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

[Jc2043]

Here’s about an hour of cleanup. I found the upper box date so they are both 1969. There’s only two bad spots on the roller. I think I’ll try some localized respray.

Two questions - missing the top box lock and two of the lower box drawer clips. Any ideas where I can get them?


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[txlonghorn1989]

Those middle boxes are so cool! Hopefully one day I’ll find one.

Sounds like you had limited exposure to the virus, but now you have a project to keep you occupied.


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Thanks Jc! I have no shortage of projects but there's a new one at the top right now! ;0)

Nice job cleaning your boxes up! Love those 9-drawer rollers!

 

[Car hobby]

That will clean up nice!

 

[Car hobby]

Here’s about an hour of cleanup. I found the upper box date so they are both 1969. There’s only two bad spots on the roller. I think I’ll try some localized respray.

Two questions - missing the top box lock and two of the lower box drawer clips. Any ideas where I can get them?


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I found a 3D printable file of a drawer clip that will work on our Gray/Red toolboxes. It is the M3163 rather than the double loop clips normally used. They probably won’t take a beating, but with care they seem to be ok. I used them on a 6 drawer upper not too long ago. ABS plastic is fairly durable. Time will tell. Here’s the link:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1882247

 

[IowaM1N1]

My father's first tool box.

It's from the early 60s I'm guessing, is there a way to date it?

Open the lid. Look inside at the floor of the top section. Should be a date code in the lower lefthand corner as you look down from above.

 

[uncwstudent]

Here’s about an hour of cleanup. I found the upper box date so they are both 1969. There’s only two bad spots on the roller. I think I’ll try some localized respray.

Two questions - missing the top box lock and two of the lower box drawer clips. Any ideas where I can get them?


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There's a guy on EBay who sells reproductions of the drawer clips. I used ones from him on my old MAC tool chest and they were great! He has ones for Craftsman boxes too. Here's the link: https://www.ebay.com/sch/diggersteen/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[DD T/A]

Here’s about an hour of cleanup. I found the upper box date so they are both 1969. There’s only two bad spots on the roller. I think I’ll try some localized respray.

Two questions - missing the top box lock and two of the lower box drawer clips. Any ideas where I can get them?


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JC, I have the exact same box and when I went to find those clips, I found that the clips on eBay that are "Craftsman" look nothing like the ones on the box. And oddly enough, the clips advertised as "NOS Kennedy Tool Box Friction Slide Spring Clips #80956" looked identical to what was on my box. So thats what I ordered, and they work.

You can buy two or four at a time, but he has different listings for each number you need to order.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-KENNEDY-...314500?hash=item41e33d38c4:g:PVYAAOSwq4lbDGUS

 

[Jc2043]

UNCW and DD thank you! Ordered.


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[Smokeshow69]

NC find JC. I picked up this early 10/9 a couple of days ago. Both boxes dated 1965. All of the full width drawers in the roller have roller bearing drawer slides. An interesting feature of the top chest is that you can fit an entire saw in one of the small drawers.

9 drawer with roller slides. You ****!


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[Lesserstore]

Just out of curiosity, what is the gauge of steel used on the old gray and red boxes? The catalogs just say "heavy gauge steel" and google turned up nothing.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Nice my dad has one that’s just a little box with a tray he picked up at a yard sale in 2007 for $5 I never seen a date on it or anything it’s gray and red and nice he used it when he was a Boy Scout leader.


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[Jc2043]

Just out of curiosity, what is the gauge of steel used on the old gray and red boxes? The catalogs just say "heavy gauge steel" and google turned up nothing.

Lesser, I have no idea if I’m doing this correctly but my grandfathers old Sterret gauge seems to indicate 20 gage on the box and 22 on the drawers.


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[Lesserstore]

Lesser, I have no idea if I’m doing this correctly but my grandfathers old Sterret gauge seems to indicate 20 gage on the box and 22 on the drawers.


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Thanks!

 

[Jc2043]

Thanks!

Actually looks like the drawers are 24 gauge...


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[Lesserstore]

I'm actually surprised I thought it would be thicker. Maybe since it's U.S. steel it doesn't need to be as thick as the import boxes.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Anybody need a lower box for $40? Its not mine. Just thought I'd pass it on.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/913287297/

 

[FSS56]

Guys can someone please tell me the correct way to remove the door on a three drawer roller. I recently acquired one that I am cleaning up. Thank you in advance.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

You'll have to bend the L shaped brackets that act as guides/stops down slightly to remove the door. When reinstalling just bend them back up into position. I've never had one break off myself but I do know of one guy that broke a bracket off doing it so be gentle.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

You'll have to bend the L shaped brackets that act as guides/stops down slightly to remove the door. When reinstalling just bend them back up into position. I've never had one break off myself but I do know of one guy that broke a bracket off doing it so be gentle.

What great timing!! I was going to ask if that was the way to do it on the 3-drawer middie I recently picked up. Looking at it I didn't think it could really have been any other way. The concern was in breaking them. Thanks for answer my question too JCS! :0)

 

[FSS56]

Thank you JoCoSawdust I appreciate it. After reading all the posts in this thread I have gotten very interested in these old style boxes. The enthusiasm is infectious and once I acquired one tool box ( a two drawer top tool box) the disease has set in and now seven boxes later I am hard at it! I am sure I am going to have more questions for everyone.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

My pleasure. I had to ask the exact same question in here a couple years ago. This is a great place to learn. I know what you mean about the addiction!

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Guys, what's my best bet for removing the early generation of Craftsman gray & red badges? Here's bad pic of the back side. Thanks!

 

[taumac]

Guys, what's my best bet for removing the early generation of Craftsman gray & red badges? Here's bad pic of the back side. Thanks!

Small pick try bending taps holding the pin.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Small pick try bending taps holding the pin.

taumac, thanks! I assume you're talking about a curved pick and bending them back from the bottom under side. Correct? Are the fasteners going to need to be replaced after that? It looks like those pins are easy to break off. Is that the case?

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Another question...I picked up three gray & red boxes today. 10-drawer Chevron chest and a 3-drawer rectangular Craftsman badge and a 5-drawer with lower hatch an early Chevron but the box is REALLY tall. Almost feels like some kind of franken box. It has replacement casters as well. I only got it for the 10-drawer chest. It will replace a 10-drawer just like it that's missing a drawer and couple of slides are bent too. I'm just going to move all three down the road. The door/hatch on the 3-drawer was stuck and when I pulled it out forcefully that two pieces came out. I'm wondering if some spot welds have come loose on the piece I don't recognize? I also don't know how these pieces go back together either. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Oh yeah, the guy I bought these from said his wife gave them to him while they were dating. The 10-drawer chevron (missing) chest and the 3-drawer rectangle cabinet came together as a set. ??? Interesting. The chest was made in '76. I didn't check on the cabinet yet. They moved to Texas recently from Chicago to be near the grandkids.

 

[taumac]

taumac, thanks! I assume you're talking about a curved pick and bending them back from the bottom under side. Correct? Are the fasteners going to need to be replaced after that? It looks like those pins are easy to break off. Is that the case?

IIRC I used like a ice pick and slowly worked it between pin and part of clip holding it. Moved it just enough to relieve some tension and worked it off. I never broken one but if not careful I assume you could. I reused the original clips.

 

[taumac]

Another question...I picked up three gray & red boxes today. 10-drawer Chevron chest and a 3-drawer rectangular Craftsman badge and a 5-drawer with lower hatch an early Chevron but the box is REALLY tall. Almost feels like some kind of franken box. It has replacement casters as well. I only got it for the 10-drawer chest. It will replace a 10-drawer just like it that's missing a drawer and couple of slides are bent too. I'm just going to move all three down the road. The door/hatch on the 3-drawer was stuck and when I pulled it out forcefully that two pieces came out. I'm wondering if some spot welds have come loose on the piece I don't recognize? I also don't know how these pieces go back together either. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Oh yeah, the guy I bought these from said his wife gave them to him while they were dating. The 10-drawer chevron (missing) chest and the 3-drawer rectangle cabinet came together as a set. ??? Interesting. The chest was made in '76. I didn't check on the cabinet yet. They moved to Texas recently from Chicago to be near the grandkids.

My 5D bottom roller is on original casters. They are 4” and as tall as my HF 44 with 5” casters.



Those tabs/ angled pieces that hold the door aren’t spot welded but held in a slot with a detent on the clip. You should be able to get those back in place. Remove the drawer above the door and it will be easier to work on. Also helps removing and installing the door.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

My 5D bottom roller is on original casters. They are 4” and as tall as my HF 44 with 5” casters.

Those tabs/ angled pieces that hold the door aren’t spot welded but held in a slot with a detent on the clip. You should be able to get those back in place. Remove the drawer above the door and it will be easier to work on. Also helps removing and installing the door.

Thanks taumac! I'll take pics tomorrow. There's a metal cross piece under the 5 drawers. I've got some dental picks that I'll use on the Chevron badge. Sounds like a workable method of attack.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Okay. It's not clear how these are supposed to work together (or separately) for the door. I've also taken pics of the metal ledges that hold the door (and whatever the other piece is). At the ends at the front both pieces were bent, right side about 1/2" and more on the left side. I've assumed these should have been level and just over time got bent down. taumac mentioned clips for the "other piece" and as you can see in the pics the right side still has a piece of spring steel while the left side is missing. I'm not sure if that right side "clip" is complete or has something broken off.Fyi, the two pics of the other part of the door which I don't know what it does are in two different positions with either side against the back wall of the tool cabinet.

I'd appreciate any help anyone can provide in putting these right.

 

[taumac]

That panel is upside dow and yes those clips are broken and missing. What I’ve said before is that people can unhook the panel and slide it back pushing up the locking bar so don’t have to have bottom door open to open drawers. Mine is disconnected. To make it functional all you have to do on yours is flip it right and topside of door fits in that slot.

[ ATTACH]1039481

 

[txlonghorn1989]

That panel is upside dow and yes those clips are broken and missing. What I’ve said before is that people can unhook the panel and slide it back pushing up the locking bar so don’t have to have bottom door open to open drawers. Mine is disconnected. To make it functional all you have to do on yours is flip it right and topside of door fits in that slot.

[ ATTACH]1039481

 

[damon18]

Been trying to find an upgrade for my Craftsman household three piece stack.

Found this for sale for $400, kind of mixed bag. The bottom nine drawer is what I'd like, but the top two boxes are the shallow 12 inch deep and don't match the bottom.

Whole thing kind of wobbles around, don't know if its bad castors or uneven floor.

I think its way too much money, what say you?



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[taumac]

Thanks taumac!



Is that piece held there or does it move back and forth? When all the way back it locks the drawers in place?

No it unlocks the drawers.


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[taumac]

Been trying to find an upgrade for my Craftsman household three piece stack.

Found this for sale for $400, kind of mixed bag. The bottom nine drawer is what I'd like, but the top two boxes are the shallow 12 inch deep and don't match the bottom.

Whole thing kind of wobbles around, don't know if its bad castors or uneven floor.

I think its way too much money, what say you?



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IMO I think so. I wouldn’t paid over $200 myself. I know market for older boxes is up there but that’s high to me.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

damon18, I think it's way too high. I don't see that many gray & red boxes here in central Texas but I still wouldn't pay that. $400 and you're just after the 9-drawer? I'd be shocked if you could get $200 for the 4-drawer middie and the top chest. If they're full of vintage and/or tool truck tools it might be a different story. That's my $0.02. Reminder: They say free advice is worth what you pay for it.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

damon18, the gray/red top chests that match that 9d roller in your pic aren't full depth either. Region dictates price to a degree but I think that's far to high for that stack, especially if the top two pieces aren't exactly what you want. I have three 3 pc gray red stacks (2x10/9 and 1x 12/12) and haven't paid anything close to 400 for any of them. Be patient and find what you want. They're out there.

 

[FSS56]

Guys I have a few questions that I’m sure you can help me with. I located an older 5 drawer roller with bearing slides dated 3/64. I could not find the model number on it anywhere. Did they put them on those older boxes? Also I need a lock assembly for the lower garage door, any suggestions? Are there aftermarket replacements?

 

[FSS56]

One more question on the older five drawer roller. There is a spot on the side labeled 9-65326 knockout that I assume was for some sort of an electrical plug. I have searched in vain to find out anything on this. Can anybody shed some light on this. Even a picture would be great so that I know what I am looking for. Thank you.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I've used cam locks purchased from big box hardware stores a few times to replace a lock in a gray/red. Usually have to do some tweaking to the latch portion. Here's an image of the power panel.

 

[FSS56]

Once again JoCoSawdust you have come thru. Thanks for advice.