The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

Outlawmws · Oct 3, 2014

zkling said:
Those pics help alot. I'm ~99.9% sure that is not a MBC box. Thinking either waterloo under contract or remline. It doesn't have the build style of a MBC box. Those hinge supports are exactly like the old matco boxes (waterloo build). You need to source them from a real hardware store, online or even a cabinet shop. Those are also used in suitcases and briefcases.

Also check the top compartment, far left hand side towards the front for a stamp. Somewhere inside that small rectangle.

This ^^ the brick and mortars have terrible selection for basic hinge/latch/stay hardware

FJ 432 · Oct 4, 2014

About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

nine4gmc · Oct 4, 2014

Marc Benjamin · Oct 4, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

very nice!!!

wornoutoldman · Oct 4, 2014

^^^^ Bravo Sir!

KZ1000J · Oct 4, 2014

FJ,

That's some beautiful vintage boxes you have there. What year are they from...or are those maybe 1930's era? I like your choice in color.

I recently picked up a K55 from WWII era. All I've done with mine is a clean up with rubbing compound and turtle wax. A few pics:

rmalkow2 · Oct 4, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

Very well done resto. I love that style.

rickhigginshtbr · Oct 4, 2014

thats bad ***!

taumac · Oct 5, 2014

FJ, that is one bad *** box.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

930dreamer · Oct 5, 2014

The K60 is a great looking top box, nice work.

johnnybentwrench · Oct 5, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

Come on this set up needs its own thread :willy_nil

AWESOME

drivesitfar · Oct 5, 2014

FJ: I agree a thread should be made for that box. Awesome sir. Nice find and even better work bringing it back to life.

KZ: your box is pretty sweet too but you posted next to the Mona Lisa of tool boxes. I'd take yours in a minute if I was lucky enough to find one.

zkling · Oct 5, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

It lives!!! And something besides red or gray. That is so sweet. :drool:

KZ1000J said:
FJ,

That's some beautiful vintage boxes you have there. What year are they from...or are those maybe 1930's era? I like your choice in color.

I recently picked up a K55 from WWII era. All I've done with mine is a clean up with rubbing compound and turtle wax. A few pics:

Very nice, I'd like to find one of those some day. :thumbup:

alinc100 · Oct 5, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

very nicely done,well played sir!!

FJ 432 · Oct 6, 2014

KZ1000J said:
FJ,

That's some beautiful vintage boxes you have there. What year are they from...or are those maybe 1930's era? I like your choice in color.

I recently picked up a K55 from WWII era. All I've done with mine is a clean up with rubbing compound and turtle wax. A few pics:

KZ, my boxes are from the early 1940's and yours is from around the same era. I have a K55 (or what is left from it) where the top lid was ripped off the top of the box. I will probably break it down and strip it for parts.

Yours is in excellent condition and should remain like you have it. Great choice in boxes.

Thanks for all of the comments guys.

JKennedy · Oct 6, 2014

Not much but I plan on restoring it this week.
I think it's late 60s- early 70's

Outlawmws · Oct 6, 2014

FJ and KZ great jobs on those boxes. I'd love to find one of those K60 's (as well as a K300 with the roll up door). The styling is definitely cool!

KZ1000J · Oct 6, 2014

FJ 432 said:
KZ, my boxes are from the early 1940's and yours is from around the same era. I have a K55 (or what is left from it) where the top lid was ripped off the top of the box. I will probably break it down and strip it for parts.

Yours is in excellent condition and should remain like you have it. Great choice in boxes.

Thanks for all of the comments guys.

Thanks FJ,

Do you have any "before" pictures before the restoration? I agree with another that said your boxes should have their own thread.

KZ1000J · Oct 6, 2014

JKennedy,

You might want to start a thread with before, during and after photos of the restoration. It's a small box but whatever you do to restore it applies to any box, big or small. We'd all like to follow the process and see what works, what doesn't, victories, setbacks, etc, etc.

I have a similar box waiting and it's in similar condition.

KZ

JKennedy · Oct 6, 2014

KZ1000J said:
JKennedy,

You might want to start a thread with before, during and after photos of the restoration. It's a small box but whatever you do to restore it applies to any box, big or small. We'd all like to follow the process and see what works, what doesn't, victories, setbacks, etc, etc.

I have a similar box waiting and it's in similar condition.

KZ

Haven't started yet but I'll probably begin sanding today here is my thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264277

bazzateer · Oct 7, 2014

FJ - WOW!!! ....... Just WOW!!!

tynguyen · Oct 7, 2014

manic_mechanic said:
Not the prettiest thing, but I am proud of it.

thats racist man

Rickster55 · Oct 7, 2014

tynguyen,

He hasn't posted in 5 years. While true, no point in calling him out on it especially for your first post on GJ. But welcome to GJ!

tynguyen · Oct 7, 2014

I got 2 craftsman rolling cabinet but they are seriously thin sheet metal. I am thinking about buying an older vintage craftsman made in the USA but the drawback would be no ball bearing. Thoughts ?

jakemac · Oct 7, 2014

Ball bearing slides are a crutch for cheaply built boxes nowadays. A quality built box with friction slides will work well if properly lubed and cared for. Don't let ball bearings be your deciding factor on a box.

taumac · Oct 7, 2014

The friction slides on the older craftsmans are fine as Jake said. What you lose in ball bearing slides you surely gain in drawer and box construction. I have a few older craftmans and drawers slide just fine.

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

MrRaceInc · Oct 7, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

FJ, I have a K60 top as well. I love what you have done with yours. I know in most cases it is preferred to keep the original paint but mine is missing most of the paint on the outside. It is must have baked off as the inside is in good shape with no rust issues. I do need to find the correct badge, the one I have is smaller. I came up with a matching K200 bottom but it has paint that is okay. I am really up in the air as I know the top will look out of place on the bottom.

FJ 432 · Oct 7, 2014

MrRaceInc said:
FJ, I have a K60 top as well. I love what you have done with yours. I know in most cases it is preferred to keep the original paint but mine is missing most of the paint on the outside. It is must have baked off as the inside is in good shape with no rust issues. I do need to find the correct badge, the one I have is smaller. I came up with a matching K200 bottom but it has paint that is okay. I am really up in the air as I know the top will look out of place on the bottom.

Please post some pictures when you get a chance. Mine was also in bad shape. Here was my before pics.

zkling · Oct 7, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

FJ432, can you post a few details on the prep work you did? Did it need much sheet metal work? Did you strip it or did the powder coater blast it? Hasp hole filling method? What do you plan to use for liners in such a box? Have you thought about contacting snap on to see if they would have any interest in showcasing your box?

Again beautiful restoration. :drool:

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Oct 8, 2014

FJ 432 said:
About 90% done on this restoration. A Snap On K60 top and a K200 bottom. Powder coated a greenish gray. Handles spray painted flat black sanding the high spots. I need to work on the top lock by fabricating a slide mechanism cannibalized off of a K537. Plan on re keying it using the original locks. I also need to add liners. The vintage badge is something I had and decided to add...WTH.

What made you go with the color you went with? I like it, though I don't know I would've strayed that far from the original. Awesome job. I have an early '50s Mac combo I'd like to do like a resto like that on.

BFBOB · Oct 8, 2014

I'm not sure this is a toolbox, but could be part of a work station. I rescued it from a dump; it was originally about twice this height, but the bottom was rusted away to lace. there were a couple of other pieces that appeared to go with this one, but they were also rusted and mangled way beyond redemption.
So, this one fragment lives on.

taumac · Oct 8, 2014

FJ, seeing what you started with and seeing finished results shows how much work you did to bring that back to life. Great job again!!!

5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899
Florida GJ Group
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117

hemifalcon · Oct 8, 2014

Picked this up tonite...200 mile trip...it was worth it...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FJ 432 · Oct 8, 2014

Sweet Craftsman.

mcmlvif100 · Oct 8, 2014

hemifalcon said:
Picked this up tonite...200 mile trip...it was worth it

Looks like the one that was on CL in Rockford IL area for $60. If so, I watched it for a few days but couldn't rationalize driving 180 miles each way. Glad to see someone from GJ picked it up.

bodyguy16 · Oct 8, 2014

Just added the mid box, painted to match and i now have a decent home box.

Went from this:

To this :

Now i just have to add the lock and reorganize.

Sorry about the lousy lighting.

Anyone know if the mid box could be a herbrand it had a great sticker on it when i bought it, didnt know who mfg it but it matched the dimensions of my top chest heres a pic of it before paint. Ill try to post a pic of the sticker i salvaged.

rmalkow2 · Oct 8, 2014

Very cool old Craftsman set. Good find hemifalcon!

nine4gmc · Oct 8, 2014

Nice box, I'd have taken that trip as well!

drivesitfar · Oct 8, 2014

BFBOB: that is an awesome little trailer you put the salvaged tailgate on. did you make the entire trailer? also from the picture you are showing i'm jealous of a guy that owns all that grass and some trees and outbuildings.

Hemifalcon: i haven't seen one of those boxes and i do like that Craftsman logo probably the best of all of them. nice find and i bet you were smiling the hole drive there and especially home with it in the back of your truck.

tynguyen · Oct 9, 2014

I got this type of mac tool box I am trying to fix up. This is a photo of a similar one.

http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mMTPpLv9U284oKHw8xsk9aQ.jpg

It has the (chrome?) handles that has some rusting. Do I just use a dremel with a steel brush head ? I also need to clean the metal drawer slides, is the brush head good for that too ?

I also need to clean the tool box. I assume pine-sol is ok to use.

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