The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

Jtoddaz · Jul 11, 2012

Jtoddaz said:
I bought these old craftsman boxes with plans to build them into a custom workbench. (i have taken a couple drawers out for cleaning, they're not missing.) When I purchased them, these two machinists boxes/chests were sitting on top of them, part of the package. I'm looking for some help identifying them. They look like the old Kennedy boxes, but I cant find any markings at all. They are very similar, but there are minor differences between the two.

There was a little name badge inside one from an aviation inspector, dated 1944. Very well built boxes, any help on ID'ing them would be greatly appreciated.

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I'm hoping someone can help me with drawer slide issues on the Craftsman base cabinets. It looks as if 3-4 clips that hold the drawers in place have fallen off. Also, a couple welds on the drawer portion of the slides has come undone. I'm not sure what I can do. It looks like I have 2 options.

1. Remover current glides and replace with new. The current parts are no longer available for repair. This is my preferred option, but I will have today for remove of old welds, etc. might price me out.

2. Fight for a warranty replace,won't of some sort. I do NOT want to go this route, but I can't sit with 2 non functioning cabinets. There are no model numbers anywhere. The sears part dept. can't locate anything and I can't find anything online. I found an advertisement in an old thread, but the number is not the same format that they use now. Any help would by greatly appreciated.

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Outlawmws · Jul 11, 2012

Jtoddaz said:
I'm hoping someone can help me with drawer slide issues on the Craftsman base cabinets. It looks as if 3-4 clips that hold the drawers in place have fallen off. Also, a couple welds on the drawer portion of the slides has come undone. I'm not sure what I can do. It looks like I have 2 options.

1. Remover current glides and replace with new. The current parts are no longer available for repair. This is my preferred option, but I will have today for remove of old welds, etc. might price me out.

2. Fight for a warranty replace,won't of some sort. I do NOT want to go this route, but I can't sit with 2 non functioning cabinets. There are no model numbers anywhere. The sears part dept. can't locate anything and I can't find anything online. I found an advertisement in an old thread, but the number is not the same format that they use now. Any help would by greatly appreciated.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Some pics of the actual damage might help. Not sure what you mean by "Clips"...

That badge indicates a 1950's box, (I have a couple of these) and they did use different slides, depending on who actually made the box.

If it is coming apart at the welds, the proper way to repair the existing slides with broken spot welds would be to re-spot weld them, but that requires clean metal. another option is to pop a 1/4" hole in them and silver solder or braze them on, but that may warp the drawer.

ZRX61 · Jul 28, 2012

Scored this today at an estate sale..

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/292388_3954791921002_26877614_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/603747_3954791720997_1169622641_n.jpg

& 2 of the drawers were full of taps, dies & reamers, some of which are VERY small...

https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/559362_3954791240985_577523700_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/563937_3954790360963_1062790086_n.jpg

Outlawmws · Jul 28, 2012

Man ZRX61, you and BC sure cleaned up at the Estate sale! :thumbup:

ZRX61 · Jul 28, 2012

Here's the link:

http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/309948.aspx

They wanted $1000 for that cheap *** lathe...

jeffmoss26 · Jul 28, 2012

That box is awesome!!

PeteMoore · Jul 28, 2012

Shot at 2012-07-28

FIL gave this to me last week, well chuffed

ZRX61 · Jul 28, 2012

jeffmoss26 said:
That box is awesome!!

It's going to get the steel wool/BLO treatment at some point to clean it up.

Bill in Texas · Jul 28, 2012

Okay All,

Apart from a handful of recent postings on the Vise thread and a new member intro post, I'm relatively new here...

-And, this site is too cool!

I just finished 6 or 7 weeks on a pipefitting / plumbing job in a school (installing new chillers, HVAC, carbon steel pipe, etc.).

This is the toolbox I carry (formerly my grandpa's):

It holds quite a lot; I've actually removed some really large channel locks and put them away in my rolling "garage box". I can fit more tools, if needed.
(I tend to carry more than I need.)

Everything has it's place.

-Bill

Bill in Texas · Jul 28, 2012

Outlawmws said:
That badge indicates a 1950's box...

Outlaw,

Is that how old my box is?
From the 1950s?

Thx
-Bill

williewill · Jul 28, 2012

guess i can share some pics of mine . this is my k60 k200 set up . had it for about 6 years now . i never got around to restoring it just keep slapping stickers on it

nine4gmc · Jul 28, 2012

that Snap On is classy!!

Bill, I bet your carry box weighs 100 lbs!! lol

ZRX61 · Jul 28, 2012

Turns out it was made by Union... didn't even see the decal until I made a couple of passes with the #0000 steel wool..

Ugh, dirty...

better...

Getting there..

Oh, look what I found...

ta daaa...

Outlawmws · Jul 28, 2012

Bill in Texas said:
Outlaw,

Is that how old my box is?
From the 1950s?

Thx
-Bill

Most likely. They used that badge for boxes and power tools etc, a little from 47-49 on various things, almost exclusively through the 50s and tapered way off from 60-64

Outlawmws · Jul 28, 2012

My SO find from today. I was poking through the box for over five minutes before I finally saw the SO emblem from the back of the drop cover:

Anyone know the model number or age?

Dark wrinkle on the outside same color smooth on the inside, marked "Made in USA" on the back, but no numbers...

jeffmoss26 · Jul 28, 2012

ZRX, any more tools in the box? I looked at the link, that sale had a TON of cool stuff!
Bill, very nice! I bet that weighs a ton lol
Will, that's a very cool setup! I am envious
Outlaw, awesome as always!

bluebolt · Jul 28, 2012

Jtoddaz said:
I'm hoping someone can help me with drawer slide issues on the Craftsman base cabinets. It looks as if 3-4 clips that hold the drawers in place have fallen off. Also, a couple welds on the drawer portion of the slides has come undone. I'm not sure what I can do. It looks like I have 2 options.

2. Fight for a warranty replace,won't of some sort. I do NOT want to go this route, but I can't sit with 2 non functioning cabinets. There are no model numbers anywhere. The sears part dept. can't locate anything and I can't find anything online. I found an advertisement in an old thread, but the number is not the same format that they use now. Any help would by greatly appreciated.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Good luck trying to get a warranty, hand tools are warranteed forever, tool boxes are not.

ZRX61 · Jul 28, 2012

jeffmoss26 said:
ZRX, any more tools in the box? I looked at the link, that sale had a TON of cool stuff!

I grabbed this lot off the tables in the garage:

Then I went in the house & cleaned em out of all the old tech books etcs.

jeffmoss26 · Jul 28, 2012

Aha! I have a hammer just like the one on the right, in my trade pile for Outlaw. Not sure what it would be used for.

Honch · Jul 28, 2012

I have a KR-56 and a KR-420 which I believe to be from 1954-55.

I purchased them off of CL a few years ago with the original keys and tote tray.

lowbucktruck · Jul 29, 2012

ZRX61... that oak "Union" chest is fricking sweet! I would just clean it and wax it. Don't strip the finish if you can help it.

lowbucktruck · Jul 29, 2012

This is one of my boxes, an old Mac MB920 33-inch roller cab I picked up some time ago when I needed to upsize my vintage tool storage; mfg'd in 1970's. Got the roller cab and the road chest from a retired industrial mechanic. They just don't make 'em like this anymore! All I needed to do was grease the drawer slides.
I called Mac and Matco and told 'em what I had, asked for parts and their reply was "we could sell you a new box". No thanks boys.

Outlawmws · Jul 29, 2012

OK, I think I have ID'ed this box as a KRD21, from 1953-5. Can anyone confirm please?

EDIT further research showed this box style/size from 1948, though 1955 (1958 catalogs had the KRA box with the full width integrated drawer pulls)

So does the grey wrinkle paint get to a more specific date range for this box?

Outlawmws said:
My SO find from today. I was poking through the box for over five minutes before I finally saw the SO emblem from the back of the drop cover:

Anyone know the model number or age?

Dark wrinkle on the outside same color smooth on the inside, marked "Made in USA" on the back, but no numbers...

HarrisonTX · Jul 29, 2012

Honch said:
I have a KR-56 and a KR-420 which I believe to be from 1954-55.

I purchased them off of CL a few years ago with the original keys and tote tray.

Good grab on that 420. IMO they're the hardest older pieces to find.

I'm about to pick up a 56 just like that one you have. My question is about the logo. Is that like a porcelain material, or just paint. Is the logo rivited on, or screwed? I'd like to redo the logo, and I realize if it's porcelain it would be just about impossible.

Burgerkong · Jul 29, 2012

HarrisonTX said:
Good grab on that 420. IMO they're the hardest older pieces to find.

I'm about to pick up a 56 just like that one you have. My question is about the logo. Is that like a porcelain material, or just paint. Is the logo rivited on, or screwed? I'd like to redo the logo, and I realize if it's porcelain it would be just about impossible.

Mine's enamel I believe, and it's riveted on.

redwrench60 · Jul 29, 2012

I rode along with a buddy of mine to a guys house to buy a 1976 vette and while there I spotted this box on the floor in the corner. I asked the guy if I could check it out and he said sure, you wanna buy it? Then he said $100, I said take $80? Deal. So I got this KRA 59A date coded 1967. It's missing the lock and has light rust on the exterior but the inside is cherry, even has most of the cork drawer liners intact. I also got a partial set of MAC (Sabina Ohio) short deep offset combo wrenches in it.

DarkMonohue · Jul 31, 2012

^Definitely a "you ****" deal. Nice score.

emeraldcoupe · Jul 31, 2012

my 1975 craftsman. bought it at a thrift store about a month ago or so. paid $150 for it with the original keys.

NCCheesehead · Jul 31, 2012

Can anyone ID this one that I snagged off CL last night? The front cover has a flip down section on the front that covers the bottom 1.5 drawers. It has 2 holes for a emblem on the bottom right of the upper drawer cover currently covered by the "Ross Tools" stick on emblem. These pictures are bad but it was late after the "rescue".

Bill in Texas · Jul 31, 2012

emeraldcoupe said:
my 1975 craftsman. bought it at a thrift store about a month ago or so. paid $150 for it with the original keys.

That was an excellent score! :drool:

I would've gladly paid $150 for that!
Having the keys is just a bonus! :thumbup:

-Bill

donmillerx · Aug 1, 2012

Already posted this in the garage sale thread but I'm just excited I can finally join the "vintage club"!

I recently picked up this 70's style Proto box for $30. I love it!

The guy was selling a $3,000 Snap-on box on craigslist and I spotted it in the background of the ad. He said he's got the bottom box too and that I'll be the first to know when he eventually gets it cleaned out.

Now, is there a middle box out there somewhere?
I don't plan on restoring it but I might replace the lock if I can find one.

Anybody have any more info?

Thanks again!

nine4gmc · Aug 1, 2012

Cheesehead, I think you bought a Snap On.

RedWrench, EmeraldCoupe and Don Miller all ****!!! sweet deals!!

ZRX61 · Aug 1, 2012

That Union machinists chest (post #938) has now been dated to *no later than 1920*

The serial # on it is #136.

bobcatdan · Aug 1, 2012

nine4gmc said:
Cheesehead, I think you bought a Snap On.

RedWrench, EmeraldCoupe and Don Miller all ****!!! sweet deals!!

I don't think SO, I have ever seen that style of drop front on a SO, but I could easily believe it is a MBC who made SO boxes for years.

nine4gmc · Aug 1, 2012

AAh, just saw the lil hinged door at the bottom, I thought the door on the lid went all the way down. Interesting box!

bobcatdan · Aug 2, 2012

View media item 22473This is a picture of my grandpa's box. I finally found the date code, 6-62, just turned 50 years old! He is 86 and still going pretty strong, that box has been worked out of damn near everyday since new and still works perfect.

nine4gmc · Aug 2, 2012

nice set Bobcatdan, I just picked up a similar top, looking for a matching bottom now.

jeffmoss26 · Aug 2, 2012

That's what I like to see!!

ChevyZ71 · Aug 2, 2012

Here is my SK tool box I just got the other day for $5.

emeraldcoupe · Aug 2, 2012

bobcatdan said:
View media item 22473This is a picture of my grandpa's box. I finally found the date code, 6-62, just turned 50 years old! He is 86 and still going pretty strong, that box has been worked out of damn near everyday since new and still works perfect.

nice! i have basicly the same box, but i have the mid box also.

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