The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

BrandyH · Jan 18, 2014

drivesitfar said:
Brandy,
you have the potential there to have a box that will be hard to outgrow. nice find with the middle and side boxes. also looks like you are new to GJ so welcome to the group.

show us this box cleaned up and with some of your tools in it when you get ready or if you are doing a complete restoration start a thread because that is an interesting set up you have there and I for one would be watching your progress.

For now I'm just going to scrub them up and clearcoat like they are doing the rat rods now. According to how clean they come I May pinstripe them for a cool effect. I'm building a new house this spring and will have a new 2500sq ft shop looking out over the gulf. So I'm starting to find cool stuff for it. I have a wood/welding shop now and also are planing a mustang resto after the house is done. All I need now is the money. Lol

Mavawreck · Jan 18, 2014

JeremyBurke said:
Thanks guys. I was just messing with it a bit. It is growing on me even more. Forgot to mention that it came with two keys as well and still locks.
Still can't see the date stamp.

My dream is to one day be as funny as I think I am.

I've had a question about these boxes. I've got one of similar vintage, but it has almost a bluish gray textured finish inside which I believe is original. Inside is the same color. I've seen a few like yours that were red inside. I'd assumed they were repaints, but now I'm wondering if that is true. Additionally, I think yours might be the machinists version since it has nice handles than mine.

Nice box! I love mine. Looking for a matching top box.

Outlawmws · Jan 18, 2014

rickhigginshtbr said:
I have two of the slightly older ones with the full front drop down covers... behind the logo on the one cover, it was "Advertising metal display company, Chicago" written on it. Maybe check the back side of the cover?

Rick, I also have several of this era box. Some have the AMD stamping, some don't :dunno:

I'm certain more than one MFG made these for Sears under the Craftsman logo over the years...

rickhigginshtbr · Jan 18, 2014

Outlawmws said:
Rick, I also have several of this era box. Some have the AMD stamping, some don't I'm certain more than one MFG made these for Sears under the Craftsman logo over the years...

must have, the one I found the stamping on is the red one with the TWA logo's all over it, where it's single drawer pulls and the walls are single, with a wide gap on the inside. the one I can't find anything in is the green one I'm about to start stripping down, with double drawer pulls and is double walled.... guess we'll see if I spot something when I start stripping it.

Outlawmws · Jan 19, 2014

Double walls sounds like MBC...

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

here are mine.

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

ooba tooba said:
here are mine.

woopsie

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

ooba tooba said:
woopsie

found this old receipt in the bottom cab of the Snap on k500 I just picked up in A vintage shop in Detroit the other day. for a set of oex dated '46

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

ooba tooba said:
woopsie

this was in the side cab drawer when I picked up the setup from the original owner. early '80s for that piece I'm guessing.

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

chad s said:

Oh man I'd love to have that old I use snap on wrenches sticker! Any idea where I might find one?

zkling · Jan 19, 2014

ooba tooba said:
this was in the side cab drawer when I picked up the setup from the original owner. early '80s for that piece I'm guessing.

O... what all is in that booklet? I've been trying to find some info on old matco boxes. If you could take a few up close scans or pics of that I would really appreciate it.

ooba tooba said:
Oh man I'd love to have that old I use snap on wrenches sticker! Any idea where I might find one?

Got a time machine? :lol_hitti

That is not a sticker but an actual decal. I don't think a modern version exist. You could probably have one made up, but not sure if it would be worth it $ wise. :dunno:

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

zkling said:
O... what all is in that booklet? I've been trying to find some info on old matco boxes. If you could take a few up close scans or pics of that I would really appreciate it.

Got a time machine? That is not a sticker but an actual decal. I don't think a modern version exist. You could probably have one made up, but not sure if it would be worth it $ wise.

the way i posted the pics; took pic with mobile, sent to my email, added as attachment to the thread. Now i am able to click on the pic, then click on it again to enlarge. not sure why if you are not able to do that. let me know if that works for you. someone reposted a closeup pic of my snap on receipt in another thread....if it doesn't work for you i can try to figure out a better way to post pics

Red_Bull · Jan 19, 2014

I bought this craftsman box Saturday for $15. I was hoping you guys could tell me what these rivits :dunno:

are called. they are pretty loose and I want to remove them so I can do some body work and paint on this box. im assuming I cant just put regular pop rivits in their place. any help would be great...thanks

ooba tooba · Jan 19, 2014

this is not a catalog, but just a 4 page brochure.

jakemac · Jan 19, 2014

Red_Bull said:
I bought this craftsman box Saturday for $15. I was hoping you guys could tell me what these rivits are called. they are pretty loose and I want to remove them so I can do some body work and paint on this box. im assuming I cant just put regular pop rivits in their place. any help would be great...thanks

They are "tubular rivets". You might find them at a hardware store that is well stocked with hardware bins. They are sized by diameter and length of shank. They can be found in steel, brass, and aluminum if you're lucky.

Red_Bull · Jan 19, 2014

thanks jakemac...a quick search on amazon for tubular rivet toll has not lead me to the tool. any idea on where to get one?

zkling · Jan 19, 2014

They should be semi tubular rivets. Search for a semi tubular rivet tool and you will have some luck. Looks like a C clamp with dies. :thumbup:

wrenchguy · Jan 19, 2014

Red_Bull said:
thanks jakemac...a quick search on amazon for tubular rivet toll has not lead me to the tool. any idea on where to get one?

mc master carr, around $35.00.

JeremyBurke · Jan 19, 2014

Mavawreck said:
I've had a question about these boxes. I've got one of similar vintage, but it has almost a bluish gray textured finish inside which I believe is original. Inside is the same color. I've seen a few like yours that were red inside. I'd assumed they were repaints, but now I'm wondering if that is true. Additionally, I think yours might be the machinists version since it has nice handles than mine.

Nice box! I love mine. Looking for a matching top box.

I can't say for sure for all of them but the red in mine really looks like a repaint. I too am looking for a top box.

Sorry it took so long to get back you you. I'm new here and just found the 12 gauge garage thread and got lost. I am just over half way finished and still at little star struck.

nine4gmc · Jan 24, 2014

I just saw this on Tubalcains video and now I need one :willy_nil

Has anyone ever seen one in the wild or know where one is for sale/trade?

1oldtimer · Jan 26, 2014

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Nice taco wagon

Is that little silver carry box with the blue handle a Union? I've got one very similar.

It's a union, slightly beat but works great. All the small boxes go into cars I have, the taco wagon was my first tool box I bought used for work (now at home) and the red Kennedy was my grandfathers and I used that for work (for a few years) before I bought the snap on. I find stuff pretty cheap most of the time, I have enough usa tools to fill each tool box but it's a lot of time at swapmeets, antique malls and ebay.

jeffmoss26 said:
Great stuff, 1oldtimer!

Thanks, lucky my girlfriend is good with all my junk. Between old cars and old tools, time and money are tight ......not having kids helps too :spit:

.

zkling · Jan 27, 2014

nine4gmc said:
I just saw this on Tubalcains video and now I need one

Has anyone ever seen one in the wild or know where one is for sale/trade?

I've seen that in a few of his videos too. I know an old timer that has one, neat but kinda random. IIRC they are from the mid to late 70's up into the early 80's. Union and Gerstner also made them, in a wood version. Anyone have a catalog image they can scan for us?

drivesitfar · Jan 29, 2014

I found this nice Kennedy (tackle box?) toolbox and for $50 couldn't pass it up. it has a nice leather handle with metal in it so I can load this baby up. i'm not a fisherman although I've fished a few golf balls out of lakes before so what is the best way to fill this up??

this one is a keeper for sure. is there another name for this style box which I can't seem to think of now?

FJ 432 · Jan 29, 2014

[QUOTEThis one is a keeper for sure. is there another name for this style box which I can't seem to think of now?[/QUOTE]

Cantilever is the most common term I've heard.

tncumminsguy · Jan 29, 2014

Buying this to try and do a slow restore project but also to house all my electric tools for wiring cars etc. Would you pay 90 for this?

FOCUS.FREAK · Jan 29, 2014

Prob could get more than 90 for that.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

tncumminsguy · Jan 29, 2014

FOCUS.FREAK said:
Prob could get more than 90 for that.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

There is a newer one for 175 local, might have to buy both? This look like the road series like the newer one.

drivesitfar · Jan 29, 2014

tncumminsguy said:
Buying this to try and do a slow restore project but also to house all my electric tools for wiring cars etc. Would you pay 90 for this?

top boxes alone get $150 for them and up if cleaned up so $90 and i'd run for it in my area and depends on your areas pricing to tell you what you should do. these are nice boxes.

Rickster55 · Jan 29, 2014

tncumminsguy,

I have one - love it!

Lump · Jan 29, 2014

drivesitfar said:

I found this nice Kennedy (tackle box?) toolbox and for $50 couldn't pass it up. it has a nice leather handle with metal in it so I can load this baby up. i'm not a fisherman although I've fished a few golf balls out of lakes before so what is the best way to fill this up??

this one is a keeper for sure. is there another name for this style box which I can't seem to think of now?

Click to expand...

Drivesitfar,
I've been a vintage tackle collector for many years. What you have there is a Kennedy TOOL box. It's an older one, with green-painted steel cantilever trays. A box just like that started my hobby collecting old tackle, because my dad had the tackle-box version of that box, and I carried that heavy SOB long distances to creeks, rivers, and lake fronts for many years.

The tackle box versions of that box had little dividers in the top-most trays, just like you see in the lower trays on your box.

Later Kennedy lightened those boxes by going to aluminum trays, painted a tan color. This is a vast oversimplification, but you get the idea.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Jan 29, 2014

tncumminsguy said:
Buying this to try and do a slow restore project but also to house all my electric tools for wiring cars etc. Would you pay 90 for this?

$90 is a fair price for that, though I'd offer $60 and see what they say.

I have one very similar to that, a 1973 KRA 59B. Mine doesn't have the fold down lid, just the box. Paid $60.

zkling · Jan 29, 2014

tncumminsguy said:
Buying this to try and do a slow restore project but also to house all my electric tools for wiring cars etc. Would you pay 90 for this?

That's an early KRA58, 12" deep. Kinda a strange box layout. As for price, up to you. I agree with Lookin' price wise. Looks like it has some serious damage to the front cover and locking mechanism, was probably pried open at one time. If you need a box I'd go for the other one, the KRA59, it is quite a bit larger and better built that the 58. :beer:

tncumminsguy said:
There is a newer one for 175 local, might have to buy both? This look like the road series like the newer one.

The other one is a KRA59, it's not a road chest, just a top box. It is quite a bit larger and better built than the other box. If you can afford both, great. Personally if I was in need of a top box and could only get one I'd go with the 59, even though it is quite a bit more $.

Outlawmws · Jan 29, 2014

FJ 432 said:
[QUOTEThis one is a keeper for sure. is there another name for this style box which I can't seem to think of now?

Cantilever is the most common term I've heard.[/QUOTE]

Yup!

ShadowRuleZ · Jan 31, 2014

Any of you guys recognize this box? I've seen the fold down front before but I just can't place it.

beatcad · Jan 31, 2014

i cant tell ya what it is, but it looks like something I need

drivesitfar · Jan 31, 2014

I second that. that is one stout little box. does the top tray pull out? really nice handles on the side too. built like a tank.

ShadowRuleZ · Jan 31, 2014

In a different picture it looks like it has one half size cantilever shelf that goes up with the lid and I think there are two removable trays.

drivesitfar · Jan 31, 2014

can you post other pictures or just the two you already did?

ShadowRuleZ · Jan 31, 2014

Here are a few more. I sent the seller an e-mail, we'll see if I hear back.

drivesitfar · Jan 31, 2014

I like it even better with the tray attached to the top and the pull out tray in the middle. Let us know if you get it and how much you paid and I for one wouldn't care who made it and I'd use it.

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