The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!
- Thread starter mjozefow
- Start date
early 70's also had the ribs,
or at least mine does
i dont recall 70's era CM boxes being black/red
all i remember is grey/red up through at least '76 or so....
I am not sure exactly what year the uppers changed, does yours have the flip out side handles?
My ribbed 3 drawer upper with flip out handles is dated 12-67, my un-ribbed uppers with the inset side grips are dated 10-74, 04-75 and 07-75.
ZRX61
Well-known member
I have a similar model, dated it to "pre-1927". I cleaned it up with #0000 steel wool. If you pull the drawers out you may find a serial # written in chalk or pencil..
Mid cleaning:
https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/564524_3955893548542_604447453_n.jpg
I am sure the date code is there, look at the following pictures.
In the first pic look just below the clothespin on the left, the shiny spot is where I cleaned off the spot where the date code is.
Second pic is the date code. This is a 3 drawer version of what you have with the ribbed lid and flip out handles
Third pic is the date code on my three drawer bottom which is the exact same style as yours.
Attachments
a990dna
Well-known member
Wow, thanks ... I got my wires crossed.
My red/grey nine drawer box date is 04/78....
My dad's grey/red three drawer box date is 02/73 ....
For the life of me... the grey/red two drawer box I just bought has no date code. I've looked all over that thing. In the place you've indicated and every place on the exterior that's visible. Next step is take the drawers out and look inside to find a stamp somewhere.
.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
wow Holt, that box is beautiful, and has a lot of history for you I am sure.
CAR27
Member
Nice boxes CAR27
"What are they worth?" To a collector or a user? Two completely different target buyers.
What did you pay for them?
Thanks zkling. Yeah to a collector. I bought them cuz of their age and I figured it would be cool to give my son someday. I paid 250 for the bottom rolla bench and 100 for the top box.
Hmm don't know where else the date code would be, all four of my top boxes is there.
I think that 2 drawer top is just slightly earlier than your bottom, the boxes changed in the early 70's around 1972 I think. They are still the same style and will make a nice matched pair. The bottoms changed a lot more than the tops did. I don't have a lot of early 70's Craftsman catalogs to look at.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Those are GREAT looking Wood machinist boxes! Maybe someday...
On the Craftsman box Date code some had it inside and you have to take the bottom drawer out (at least) to find/see it. (Use a good flashlight)
On the Craftsman box Date code some had it inside and you have to take the bottom drawer out (at least) to find/see it. (Use a good flashlight)
a990dna
Well-known member
Thanks ... I really appreciate your feedback and guidance.
As long as it's within the same period I'm good with it. As I was looking at various photos, I noticed on some grey/red boxes, the Craftsman name plate is on the left side. Therefore, I figured as long as I have an upper box that matches my lower box in that respect, then I'll have a closer match.
.
Yeah some of mine are on the left and some on the right, no rhyme or reason to it either. All my sets I bought together match though.
I don't think that is too bad. Those bottoms are very sturdy. And $100 for a good 26" wide top is pretty good these days.
My comment on the collector vs user was. Some guy that needs a tool box might come along and say o, I can get something much larger/shiner/cheaper/"useful" for the money. Where as a collector may need one for their collection and appreciate the rarity of the item. Kind of like a 60's corvette. Someone looking for a grocery getter may think it is way over priced. Another person who appreciates it for what it is may be willing to fork over a good chuck of change.
They look used, but not rough. Looks like they are pretty dirty, but not rusted or majorly deformed. If you just wiped them down I am sure you could at least get your money back and them some if you so decided. Bottom line, I think you got a fair to good price on those boxes. Enjoy them. They have stood the test of time and probably will for a few more......... decades.
Last edited:
a990dna
Well-known member
I found a 1970 catalog...
Page 106, item 10 ... exact same 2 drawer I bought over the weekend.
Page 107, item B ... exact same as my dad's 1973 box.
I'm happy ... both will be turned into pristine circa 1970 period correct upper / lower set.
Thanks for the help!
.
Attachments
littlebritishcar
Well-known member
I bought this Pressteel roller over the weekend. Would like more info on it if anybody knows the year, etc. The original owner worked at a Nash dealership in the 1950s, which explains the Nash badge covering the Pressteel logo. Very cool history!
I also found this ribtop Craftsman. Not sure how to find the exact date but I know it is 1960s. Unfortunately it was repainted by the seller who had it on a barter site looking to trade it for some weed (San Francisco, what can I say). I had a hard time convincing her that I don't have any weed but she can take the money I give her and buy all she wants. She apparently smoked her fair share over the years because that concept took a very long time to soak in!
I also found this ribtop Craftsman. Not sure how to find the exact date but I know it is 1960s. Unfortunately it was repainted by the seller who had it on a barter site looking to trade it for some weed (San Francisco, what can I say). I had a hard time convincing her that I don't have any weed but she can take the money I give her and buy all she wants. She apparently smoked her fair share over the years because that concept took a very long time to soak in!
Cool now I know the ribbed and flip up side handle top box was made the same years as the newer i-frame bottom cabinet!
I bought this Pressteel roller over the weekend. Would like more info on it if anybody knows the year, etc. The original owner worked at a Nash dealership in the 1950s, which explains the Nash badge covering the Pressteel logo. Very cool history!
I also found this ribtop Craftsman. Not sure how to find the exact date but I know it is 1960s. Unfortunately it was repainted by the seller who had it on a barter site looking to trade it for some weed (San Francisco, what can I say). I had a hard time convincing her that I don't have any weed but she can take the money I give her and buy all she wants. She apparently smoked her fair share over the years because that concept took a very long time to soak in!
Cool love the Craftsman box, check my post #1411 to find the date, it will be like 10-72 and Made in USA should be near it. I think your Craftman box is between 1970 and 1974. it has the ribbed lid but the side handles are the inset type.
D350RDV
Well-known member
This is my first post on this forum - well second actually, but the first one was eaten in the server swap of yesterday.
There's some lovely tool boxes on this thread, and here's a few of mine just to make up numbers:
I'd never heard of Beach toolboxes until a few weeks ago when I went to look at a job lot of vintage Britool tools from someone who was retiring. I wanted the tools for a second set I'm putting together and had intended to sell the boxes on, but they're so nicely made that I decided to sell the mix of Britool and SO ones I had at home and keep the Beach ones instead. I don't think they're very common in the UK, but I managed to find another roll cab and top box on Ebay only about 40 miles away over the weekend, so I now have a matching set of cabinets to put all my automotive type tools in - happy days!
Regards,
Anthony
There's some lovely tool boxes on this thread, and here's a few of mine just to make up numbers:
I'd never heard of Beach toolboxes until a few weeks ago when I went to look at a job lot of vintage Britool tools from someone who was retiring. I wanted the tools for a second set I'm putting together and had intended to sell the boxes on, but they're so nicely made that I decided to sell the mix of Britool and SO ones I had at home and keep the Beach ones instead. I don't think they're very common in the UK, but I managed to find another roll cab and top box on Ebay only about 40 miles away over the weekend, so I now have a matching set of cabinets to put all my automotive type tools in - happy days!
Regards,
Anthony
PCO6
Well-known member
D350RDV / Anthony - I didn't know that Beach boxes were available in the UK. Yours are the first that I have seen. Beach boxes were made in Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada. They are great boxes and will last you a long time. Here are 2 of mine that I bought over 30 years ago ... and will never get rid of. There are a lot of "Beach fans" on GJ.
pcos
Well-known member
You now have a very complete representation of what Beach had to offer - the 8" drawer in the left lower roll cabinet is relatively rare even here in Ontario, Canada. The mid chest is also harder to find. All are keepers for sure. I've included an image I created of the Beach catalog pages covering those boxes for parts reference, etc. Enjoy.
Attachments
D350RDV
Well-known member
@ PCOS, PCO6, lilredex,
It was as a result of searching for information on the 'net about Beach that I found this forum, and the Beach threads. From them, I learnt a lot so thank you all!
I've been in and out of hundreds of workshops over the years and watch Ebay for all sorts of tools and never seen a Beach box before - I think I've been very lucky that the right combination of what I needed happened to come along all at about the same time.
Does anyone happen to know a name/number for the shade of red used by Beach? One roll cab and the 6 drawer top box are near mint, but the other top box especially could do with an external re-spray.
Thank you very much for the extra info posted above, and here's one of my portable boxes, a 1960's Britool one I use if I'm not driving the vehicle that has my mobile kit in:
Thanks again,
Anthony
It was as a result of searching for information on the 'net about Beach that I found this forum, and the Beach threads. From them, I learnt a lot so thank you all!
I've been in and out of hundreds of workshops over the years and watch Ebay for all sorts of tools and never seen a Beach box before - I think I've been very lucky that the right combination of what I needed happened to come along all at about the same time.
Does anyone happen to know a name/number for the shade of red used by Beach? One roll cab and the 6 drawer top box are near mint, but the other top box especially could do with an external re-spray.
Thank you very much for the extra info posted above, and here's one of my portable boxes, a 1960's Britool one I use if I'm not driving the vehicle that has my mobile kit in:
Thanks again,
Anthony
Last edited:
It is very close to Tremclad's Fire Red. You might find something similar where you are, or a good paint shop should be able to mix it up.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...P/Tremclad+Rust+Paint,+Fire+Red.jsp?locale=en
A sample using that particular paint.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...P/Tremclad+Rust+Paint,+Fire+Red.jsp?locale=en
A sample using that particular paint.
I have a similar, made in England, box that I have narrowed down to a TALCO.
http://www.talcotoolstorage.com/Tool Boxes/Barn.html
Mine....
http://www.talcotoolstorage.com/Tool Boxes/Barn.html
Mine....
pcos
Well-known member
Lilredex probably has the best suggestion re: paint colour. The actual Beach colour varies over time in my experience as well as over retail label (Mastercraft-darker red, Craftsman-lighter red, Beach, etc.)
pcos
Well-known member
Great - now I have to ad a B63 and B64 (third attached pic) to my Beach shopping list. Will this ever end???? Thanks for the additional images.
D350RDV
Well-known member
I've made some tapered socket rails for my socket drawers which I've painted in Rustoleum Hard Hat 2166 Traffic Red which is a fraction lighter than the Beach colour, though now you mention colour variation, the step-up chest I have is a darker red than the other bits.
I've got some of the 27D dividers shown in the catalogue pics above, but there must be some kind of clip (spring clip?) that holds them in place which I am missing.
That's a nice little box with the lift out tray - I have an Enox one very similar which I'll post some pics of.
I've got some of the 27D dividers shown in the catalogue pics above, but there must be some kind of clip (spring clip?) that holds them in place which I am missing.
That's a nice little box with the lift out tray - I have an Enox one very similar which I'll post some pics of.
D350RDV
Well-known member
I think I need one of those B64 cantilever boxes too!!
Here are the drawer divider clips from my Beach Machinist's box. The drawer is about 1" deep, the deeper drawers had similar clips. Will look in the morning to see if I can find one.
If you are careful in its use, you could make some from metal crate strapping, although they have more of the feel (springyness) of a watch spring. Maybe stainless steel might work too.
Not a really good picture, but you can see my Tremclad painted items look right at home here.
If you are careful in its use, you could make some from metal crate strapping, although they have more of the feel (springyness) of a watch spring. Maybe stainless steel might work too.
Not a really good picture, but you can see my Tremclad painted items look right at home here.
Last edited:
PCO6
Well-known member
I have a few sets of the 27D dividers and they work well. I seem to recall you could buy them in boxes of 3 at Canadian Tire.
pcos
Well-known member
Thanks, filed for future acquisition.
Off topic - have you ever seen a Canadian Sears Craftsman catalog featuring Craftsman branded Beach made boxes (red body w/ dark grey drawers) with the rectangular Craftsman logo (not grey/orange with the crown logo)? It would likely be late 70's or early 80's vintage. I have the boxes, would love a catalog.
Can't say I have, these are the ones I remember...
But wait, we are not yet finished, there is more Beach! You might of missed this..
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185978
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
I need to find one of those beach side shelves!
pcos
Well-known member
Yup! that's it. That Craftsman logo series in Canada is Beach Industries made for sure - your portable in the pic is a Beach product as well, have a few of 'em, identical to the Beach series of the day. Still looking for some 25" portables in grey or red.Can't say I have, these are the ones I remember...
No, I have just drawn a line in the sand and don't even look at the industrial stuff - my Beach tool room would become a Beach warehouse!
PCO6
Well-known member
ShadowRuleZ - The side shelf on mine (post #1425) is actually a Husky that I picked up at Home Depot a few years ago for about $30.
pcos
Well-known member
You will find one - I did shortly after posting the same thought here on GJ a while back. The good news is that it will probably be free - attached to the roll cab you have to buy to get the vintage shelf! (ask me how I know).
mcmlvif100
Well-known member
Perhaps someone closer to Ventura might be interested.
From ★★ Hot Deals ★★ Found a deal on craigslist? - List Here!
CRAFTSMAN vertical tool crib - $200 (Newbury Park, CA)
From ★★ Hot Deals ★★ Found a deal on craigslist? - List Here!
CRAFTSMAN vertical tool crib - $200 (Newbury Park, CA)
