The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!

Shelbylex · May 15, 2018

Thank you, 454ragtop.
I got more at that place - nice people. Some relatives already took wrenches and other things, I was looking through what was left. I just asked prices and except for one thing, did not even try to go lower.
Look at post 3491: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7204022#post7204022
Got lucky today!

One thing I regret is missing Kennedy middle box (2draw) last week for $30 (later decreased to 25) in Wayland. Saw it during the day, skipped as I am not into Kenendy, remembered some hours later (well, for a good price, I decided may be I should get a Kennedy and keep it). Wrote him - somebody already e-mailed him (he replied if smbd does not show up, I can get it... No luck...)

Batjac65 · May 16, 2018

Hi there - long time lurker, taking in as much info as I can. But, I finally have something I can post about. I found you guys because I was searching for information on Red and Gray Craftsman boxes. I've been looking for some for a few years now, but have just not had much luck. I'm trying to replace a set that I inherited from my dad, which was stolen from my garage. He bought them new in the 60s, and I always remember oohing and aaahhing over those shiny boxes.

Then, about three years ago - I was helping my wife's family get an estate sale together for her father and I discovered his roller cabinet. He was a lifelong commercial artist and had bought the cabinet new in 1958. He kept his art supplies in there and rolled it around his work area. None of the kids wanted it, so I scarfed it up.

And now? Well, I finally found a top box, it's a little rough but very serviceable. It's a different logo and I haven't found a date, but the handles match. Thinking I’m probably going to sand it down and paint it - thoughts? Also, going to try to find a correct latch for the top. But - here she is.

Outlawmws · May 16, 2018

Bat, Sorry you had your dad's set stolen. you have some nice finds there though!

On the dates - Open the drawers with the logo's and look on the inside in that location; many of this era had markings there, and sometimes dates.

Smokeshow69 · May 16, 2018

Batjac65 said:
Hi there - long time lurker, taking in as much info as I can. But, I finally have something I can post about. I found you guys because I was searching for information on Red and Gray Craftsman boxes. I've been looking for some for a few years now, but have just not had much luck. I'm trying to replace a set that I inherited from my dad, which was stolen from my garage. He bought them new in the 60s, and I always remember oohing and aaahhing over those shiny boxes.

Then, about three years ago - I was helping my wife's family get an estate sale together for her father and I discovered his roller cabinet. He was a lifelong commercial artist and had bought the cabinet new in 1958. He kept his art supplies in there and rolled it around his work area. None of the kids wanted it, so I scarfed it up.

And now? Well, I finally found a top box, it's a little rough but very serviceable. It's a different logo and I haven't found a date, but the handles match. Thinking I’m probably going to sand it down and paint it - thoughts? Also, going to try to find a correct latch for the top. But - here she is.

Nice craftsman roller and top chest. Those where both made by the auto metal display company (amd) who also made boxes for remline. Those boxes are not nearly as rough as most you see or that I have bought [emoji23] I don't think the top chest needs to be repainted , maybe just cleaned up and soaked in wd40 for a couple of days and then rinsed off. This will get most of the surface rust off and then you could just wax it!

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Oldtuleguy · May 16, 2018

Here is my old snap on pride of America stack. I use it for parts storage now.

Rideless · May 17, 2018

Just picked these guys up, cleaned them a bit (They really were just a bit greasy).

$150 CDN ...so about $117 Americans.

Now I can't figure out what the bottom box actually is. It is a "Made in Canada" Mac Tools box as it states with a stamp on the back, but no Date code or model # stamp I can find anywhere like the other boxes I've seen pictures of.

The top Beach Box also just says "Made in Canada" and no other stamps.

I really like the top box style and I haven't had any repairs on the boxes to do yet. Knock-on-wood.

beatcad · May 17, 2018

Rileysan said:
This belongs to a co-worker who is interested in learning more about this box. It belonged to his grandfather. Guerstner or Union? Something else? What era is it from?

sorry, so long to reply, i've been busy. i did see this the other day.
not a gerstner.
with those side straps my 1st thought was star or sipco, but i dont think that anymore.
Yale lock, but many makers used them.
could be union, but i dont think they used side straps.

txlonghorn1989 · May 17, 2018

Rideless said:
Just picked these guys up, cleaned them a bit (They really were just a bit greasy).

$150 CDN ...so about $117 Americans.

Now I can't figure out what the bottom box actually is. It is a "Made in Canada" Mac Tools box as it states with a stamp on the back, but no Date code or model # stamp I can find anywhere like the other boxes I've seen pictures of.

The top Beach Box also just says "Made in Canada" and no other stamps.

I really like the top box style and I haven't had any repairs on the boxes to do yet. Knock-on-wood.

Nice pick up! I really like that bottom roller. Of course, the Beach boxes are nice as well.

beatcad · May 17, 2018

drivesitfar said:
Riley: that is a nice looking box and whatever brand it is it's a KEEPER especially if your friend had it passed down from a family member.

ALL: I picked up another old wood machinist box and not sure it's a Gertsner, but instead of most likely damaging it more trying to save it or having to build a new frame for it I passed in on to more capable hands and he's confident he can restore it to it's past beauty.

i had to check the hardware on some other chests. i was certain that isnt a gerstner.
the mirror frame tells me its UNION.

drivesitfar · May 17, 2018

Beat: thanks for giving us your expert opinion. I passed it on and the new owner is very happy. I did see some writing on the lock when in the sunlight as I handed the box to the new owner, but my old eyes needed a magnifier with more light for me to read it and he was happy so if he tells me what it said i'll post it.

thanks for letting us know what you think about Riley's friend's box too.

timbitca · May 18, 2018

Rideless said:
Just picked these guys up, cleaned them a bit (They really were just a bit greasy).

$150 CDN ...so about $117 Americans.

Now I can't figure out what the bottom box actually is. It is a "Made in Canada" Mac Tools box as it states with a stamp on the back, but no Date code or model # stamp I can find anywhere like the other boxes I've seen pictures of.

The top Beach Box also just says "Made in Canada" and no other stamps.

I really like the top box style and I haven't had any repairs on the boxes to do yet. Knock-on-wood.

Nice pickup, I'm a bit of a Beach collector myself. That top box is a later model from when they were owned by Stanley. I also really like that style of Mac boxes.

What part of the country are you in?

dodge610 · May 19, 2018

Not sure on vintage or brand haven’t found any markings yet thought it was odd removable top shelf.

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Rileysan · May 19, 2018

beatcad said:
i had to check the hardware on some other chests. i was certain that isnt a gerstner.
the mirror frame tells me its UNION.

Thank you for taking the time to figure out what it is! Your effort is appreciated.

Brian

Private Lugnutz · May 20, 2018

I'm no carpenter, but I couldn't leave this =CRAFTSMAN= Heritage era badged Carpenter's Box behind at the flea market this morning. In the 1948 Craftsman catalog, this box has a leather handle. In the 1952 Craftsman catalog, it's metallic, like this one, so I am dating it to c. 1952. It maybe 1949 through 1951, but we don't have catalog coverage for those years.

I could tell it was a carpenter's box by the length, and the saw holder under the lid. There was a little steel tab on one corner (see Pic 5) I couldn't figure out until I looked under the lid, where I found a peeling label (see Pic 6) that reads, "OPTIONAL KNOCKOUT FOR SQUARE." As I said, I'm no carpenter, and I don't normally collect carpenter's boxes, even if they're wartime, but I have a few large squares, and I can see how it would be impossible to carry one in this box without the knockout slot.

Ironically, it reminds me of the WWII GMTK boxes that you may have seen some of us WWII guys own, with the flip-top lids. There is a hole, sometimes two, in the removable trays in these boxes so that you can stand a spring-bottom oiler up in the bottom. The 4" spout goes through the hole in the tray.

In this case, I am guessing the shorter arm of the square goes through the slot in the lid. Call me easily amused, but that's nifty.

Private Lugnutz · May 20, 2018

1952 catalog shots....

Outlawmws · May 20, 2018

Lugz, those boxes can be used for anything long. I have one completely full of hand saws, alternating the handles, and another full of the larger Whitney punches (like the No. 5 Jr, but huge and able to punch heavier metal), as well as a strap cutter, and the big bolt cutters.

You could also do axes if the handles are short enough.

I don't have one with general carpenters tools. :evil:

Private Lugnutz · May 20, 2018

Absolutely. Even the Craftsman catalogs acknowledge that. The box was actually full of 1-inch drive military "AN" tools, unusual in their own right (including a huge pair of brake spring pliers, thin walled tube steel sockets from OTC, Blue-Point, and MATCO with drive plates welded on the base - see pic), when I found it. But there's no doubt it was designed ideally for carpenter's, which that little clever knockout slot for a square pretty much makes undeniable without a catalog to tell you so. And even though I am practical and utilitarian about a lot of boxes, including some vintage boxes (especially if they're no-namers or junkers), I generally retire vintage badged collectibles to the Lugzsonian, or move them on to someone who needs them for a matching tool-set.

Batjac65 · May 20, 2018

Outlawmws said:
Bat, Sorry you had your dad's set stolen. you have some nice finds there though!

On the dates - Open the drawers with the logo's and look on the inside in that location; many of this era had markings there, and sometimes dates.

Thanks for the tip on the dates. Found it on the top box and it looks like it was built in 1955. Also, I found a red and gray top box, that I'm going to try to save. Got it for $15 so I don't think I can get hurt - and maybe I'll end up with a usable box. At the very least, I'll learn a few things about the process.

I'll post a few shots of the tear down, degrease and pressure wash...

Batjac65 · May 20, 2018

...well, I guess this used to be a red and gray box. It's mostly brown, blue, rust and red-ish. You get the point. My dad's box was taller with way more drawers, but I've been looking for one for a long while, and this one is a start.

Tynee · May 21, 2018

Lugz, that’s a score!

Bat, with the pitting you’re likely to find after you de-rustvthe lower half, do you have experience with bondo, or other filler? What’s your plan there. Looking forward to seeing what you do with that one.

Batjac65 · May 21, 2018

Tynee - I've done a bit of bondo, but the worst of the pitting is on the inside under/behind the bottom drawer. Not sure I am going to get too crazy in there - I might even POR15 that area to try to stop the rust. I just want to be careful of the locking slider thing to make sure it works smoothly. It really all worked fairly well, but one of the locking tabs was bent and made the lid not shut all the way, but I think I can straighten that back out.

I will smooth the out the exterior and the drawer faces to make it as nice as I can. Either bondo or lots of layers of filler primer. We'll see how deep it gets. This is going to be a fun little project, I cant do too much damage, I don't think. I'm more concerned about what to do with the homemade latch that was added - thinking of maybe adding a latch kinda like this one.

RegeSullivan · May 21, 2018

Wanted to share this because I had such a hard time tracking down the friction draw slide clips at a reasonable price. Calling Sears was useless. After 20 minutes of online chatting to get the part # I was told the are unavailable at this time when I tried to order... at $7 bucks each plus shipping you'dthink they would at least ha a few on hand!!! On this forum I read Waterloo was the manufacturer of most Sears boxes. I called Waterloo (800) 833-4405. 10 clips for $19 including shipping and they should be here in a week.

The manufacture date is 9/76. I bought in 1976 or 77 to lock up hand tools where I worked as a teenager. It sat in moms garage until her recent passing. I wished I had taken a few "before" pictures. It looked pretty bad but cleaned up ok except for some scratches. Great to have it back in my shop, it seems tiny compared to my Husky's. Not sure what I'll put in it.

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RegeSullivan · May 21, 2018

Sorry for the second post related to the one above. I could not get the photo to attach to the first. It just kept saying "failed".

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Outlawmws · May 21, 2018

Bat, do what you can mechanically (wire wheel in a drill?).

Then use some Phosphoric acid (Jasco Metal etch) to treat the rust and kill it. Then get some rust killing primer in there.

Oregon rock crusher · May 22, 2018

Here is a military vehicle repair / tool cabinet I picked up for $60 at a shop sale. I'm pretty sure I could have got it for less but the old boy in his 80's was selling almost all of his tools and I didn't feel like dickering over a few bucks. I have a spot for it where it will replace two standard file cabinets that aren't quite as robust as this and use it for saws, routers, grinders, and similar corded tools. After a quick pressure wash and slide lube it's ready to go again. Ed.

twertsy · May 22, 2018

Oregon rock crusher said:
Here is a military vehicle repair / tool cabinet I picked up for $60 at a shop sale. I'm pretty sure I could have got it for less but the old boy in his 80's was selling almost all of his tools and I didn't feel like dickering over a few bucks. I have a spot for it where it will replace two standard file cabinets that aren't quite as robust as this and use it for saws, routers, grinders, and similar corded tools. After a quick pressure wash and slide lube it's ready to go again. Ed.

Nice cabinet ORC! I'm sure the military collector gents will be along to specifically note what vehicle(s) that went in. Are there any other manufacturer marks? Is "EMCO" decided to be the manufacturer?

Alchymist · May 22, 2018

Finished up the mid chest yesterday, primed all the tiny rust spots, rattle canned the paint. The grey was a little lighter than original, but I can live with it. The red was so close it was difficult to spray, because I could hardly tell old color from new. Now working on the 6 drawer top box, bigger challenge, it has a lot of rust/grease. So far it's cleaned and partly primered.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6900371&postcount=8566

drivesitfar · May 22, 2018

ORC: if I had any room I know a guy that had a couple of these in his shop. they are pretty stout and I love the look. you can maybe post it up on the metal cabinet thread and see if anybody subscribed to it might have more answers for you.

the guy that owned the ones I saw said he bought them at a government auction about 40+ years ago.

nice find!!

txlonghorn1989 · May 22, 2018

Alchymist said:
Finished up the mid chest yesterday, primed all the tiny rust spots, rattle canned the paint. The grey was a little lighter than original, but I can live with it. The red was so close it was difficult to spray, because I could hardly tell old color from new. Now working on the 6 drawer top box, bigger challenge, it has a lot of rust/grease. So far it's cleaned and partly primered.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6900371&postcount=8566

What color red did you use?

Alchymist · May 22, 2018

txlonghorn1989 said:
What color red did you use?

Krylon Gloss Cherry Red.

jeffmoss26 · May 22, 2018

Looks great! ^^

Oregon rock crusher · May 22, 2018

twertsy said:
Nice cabinet ORC! I'm sure the military collector gents will be along to specifically note what vehicle(s) that went in. Are there any other manufacturer marks? Is "EMCO" decided to be the manufacturer?

Thanks twertsy, I am not sure if EMCO relates to manufacturer or simply a military acronym. There were no other marks I've found so far but I did find the exact cabinet on a website and under the top lid (that I'm missing) there was this faint image of a globe and the initials BM. Below is a pic of the emblem on that box as well as the markings on my box in the 2nd pic. Ed.

drivesitfar said:
ORC: if I had any room I know a guy that had a couple of these in his shop. they are pretty stout and I love the look. you can maybe post it up on the metal cabinet thread and see if anybody subscribed to it might have more answers for you.

the guy that owned the ones I saw said he bought them at a government auction about 40+ years ago.

nice find!!

I'm pretty sure I've seen one of these before too Drives and I nearly let this one stay where it was but I really didn't want to leave the owners sale without buying something and there just wasn't that much else I could use there. I would have put this post in the metal cabinet thread but couldn't find it yesterday and this one was right up top so it landed here. I'll look again and put it there too. Ed.

twertsy · May 23, 2018

Oregon rock crusher said:
Thanks twertsy, I am not sure if EMCO relates to manufacturer or simply a military acronym. There were no other marks I've found so far but I did find the exact cabinet on a website and under the top lid (that I'm missing) there was this faint image of a globe and the initials BM. Below is a pic of the emblem on that box as well as the markings on my box in the 2nd pic. Ed.

I'm pretty sure I've seen one of these before too Drives and I nearly let this one stay where it was but I really didn't want to leave the owners sale without buying something and there just wasn't that much else I could use there. I would have put this post in the metal cabinet thread but couldn't find it yesterday and this one was right up top so it landed here. I'll look again and put it there too. Ed.

Hmmm.....I'm only up to 1913 on Trademarks and the only similar ones I have thus far are for Bausch and West Haven Mfg. (acquired in the teens by Millers Falls). I don't think they qualify?

Private Lugnutz · May 23, 2018

Oregon rock crusher said:
Here is a military vehicle repair / tool cabinet I picked up

Dang, that thing is big! It may have gone in the back of a repair truck. Maybe a shop. The WWII jobbies were smaller (mine is posted a few pages back on Driveses cabinet thread), they had overhanging butcher blocks on the top for clamping vises and hand grinders, and they bolted them on the backs of CCKW's and some smaller Dodges. In twos or threes or fours or more, side by side, depending on the size of the unit the automotive maintenance team was supporting. They continued making those, but they must have went to a bigger design at some point. Yours is missing the butcher block. (That should be easy enough to replace with anything, but if you're interested in it being to spec, I will provide you the specs on the butcher block.) That 11-digit number (7125-357-5517) is a Federal Stock Number, a forerunner of the current NSN system. They were first established in 1931, with a phonetic system (41-C-15 was the WWII cabinet). They went to an 11-digit all numeric system in 1953. Yours comes up 1963. They went to 13- and then 14-digits later.

See those brackets on the top and bottom aligned with the right and left edges of all the drawers? Those are for security bars. Long flat steel bar stock. With the bars in place the drawers couldn't open.

twertsy · May 23, 2018

Private Lugnutz said:
Dang, that thing is big! It may have gone in the back of a repair truck. Maybe a shop. The WWII jobbies were smaller (mine is posted a few pages back on Driveses cabinet thread), they had overhanging butcher blocks on the top for clamping vises and hand grinders, and they bolted them on the backs of CCKW's and some smaller Dodges. In twos or threes or fours or more, side by side, depending on the size of the unit the automotive maintenance team was supporting. They continued making those, but they must have went to a bigger design at some point. Yours is missing the butcher block. (That should be easy enough to replace with anything, but if you're interested in it being to spec, I will provide you the specs on the butcher block.) That 11-digit number (7125-357-5517) is a Federal Stock Number, a forerunner of the current NSN system. They were first established in 1938, with a phonetic system (41-C-15 was the WWII cabinet). They went to an 11-digit all numeric system in 1953. Yours comes up 1963. They went to 13- and then 14-digits later.

See those brackets on the top and bottom aligned with the right and left edges of all the drawers? Those are for security bars. Long flat steel bar stock. With the bars in place the drawers couldn't open.

Greg,
Any chance you know who made those?

Oregon rock crusher · May 23, 2018

Thanks for the additional info Lugz. There are some internet pics (from industrial artifacts site) https://www.industrialartifacts.net...chest-locker-supply-storage?variant=510685445 of the same type cabinet and the top cover looks like it was just piece of sheet steel with folded edge so not sure if this is after the butcher block tops or just different. I'll probably stack one more large box on top so an original style cover is not going back on anyways. Ed.

Private Lugnutz · May 23, 2018

Oregon rock crusher said:
Thanks for the additional info Lugz. There are some internet pics (from industrial artifacts site) https://www.industrialartifacts.net...chest-locker-supply-storage?variant=510685445 of the same type cabinet and the top cover looks like it was just piece of sheet steel with folded edge so not sure if this is after the butcher block tops or just different. I'll probably stack one more large box on top so an original style cover is not going back on anyways. Ed.

Oregon rock crusher said:
I am not sure if EMCO relates to manufacturer or simply a military acronym. There were no other marks I've found so far but I did find the exact cabinet on a website and under the top lid (that I'm missing)

Sorry, Orc, I replied and then ran off to my Early Early Bird, and just read these two posts now.

There are tools out there with EMCO stamped on them, Signal Corps pliers if I'm not mistaken, now that I think about it. It's not a verified supplier, so there might be something to your theory. Emergency Maintenance Company? The Ordnance Dept did refer to the trucks as Emergency Repair trucks. I may just have to look into this one.

As for the top, that fitted lid-like steel top on the Industrial Artifacts site might not be original, either, but I hear you. Whatever works. There were so many variants of these, it's very possible they abandoned the butcher block. Although I've seen them with butcher block well into the 1980's. But, if it's not going to be a historical display piece, machts nichts.

One feature on yours I like is that they finally wised up and left the very top of the cabinet empty - no long drawer. Something all of us who have them notice right away. When you have a vise or a grinder clamped to the top, you can't use it anyway.

Tangentially, I have never seen or heard of that Industrial Artifacts site before. Dang, that's my dream job! Dream business, really. Picking, restoring, and flipping vintage cabinets and equipment and tools as re-purposed high-end furniture (or ornaments) for the hipster segment of the 1-percenters? Hell yeah. Guys in the Garage Sale thread probably get sick of hearing me say stuff like, "That would make a cool coat rack!" about something they plan to use! :lol:

twertsy said:
Greg,
Any chance you know who made those?

Mine was made by Utility Metal Products Company in Beverly, Mass. I don't think anyone else's has ever had the OEM on it. And I've never seen one like Orc's before.

zachzach · May 23, 2018

There is no way this thing is worth that much in that condition.

I don’t know much about tool boxes but I think this guy is crazy.

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Oregon rock crusher · May 24, 2018

Private Lugnutz said:
Sorry, Orc, I replied and then ran off to my Early Early Bird, and just read these two posts now.

There are tools out there with EMCO stamped on them, Signal Corps pliers if I'm not mistaken, now that I think about it. It's not a verified supplier, so there might be something to your theory. Emergency Maintenance Company? The Ordnance Dept did refer to the trucks as Emergency Repair trucks. I may just have to look into this one.

As for the top, that fitted lid-like steel top on the Industrial Artifacts site might not be original, either, but I hear you. Whatever works. There were so many variants of these, it's very possible they abandoned the butcher block. Although I've seen them with butcher block well into the 1980's. But, if it's not going to be a historical display piece, machts nichts.

One feature on yours I like is that they finally wised up and left the very top of the cabinet empty - no long drawer. Something all of us who have them notice right away. When you have a vise or a grinder clamped to the top, you can't use it anyway.

Tangentially, I have never seen or heard of that Industrial Artifacts site before. Dang, that's my dream job! Dream business, really. Picking, restoring, and flipping vintage cabinets and equipment and tools as re-purposed high-end furniture (or ornaments) for the hipster segment of the 1-percenters? Hell yeah. Guys in the Garage Sale thread probably get sick of hearing me say stuff like, "That would make a cool coat rack!" about something they plan to use!

Mine was made by Utility Metal Products Company in Beverly, Mass. I don't think anyone else's has ever had the OEM on it. And I've never seen one like Orc's before.

All really good info Lugz and I appreciate your input very much. This cabinet is back in use in the shop now but if some future collector....or a crazy hipster willing to pay ridiculous prices comes along it will be in as found condition as no modifications were made to it. I spent time last night and with a modified truck side box sitting on top of it and a LED light mounted it is now loaded up and helping keep a lot of tools organized. It held way more than what I had in this space before and there's still a couple of empty drawers. A few pics of it in the shop between the welder and the rod fridge. Ed.

bmwrd0 · May 24, 2018

So look what followed me home!

The top drawer has the mesh bottom, the middle is normal, while the bottom has a nice little sliding insert.

It needs a new receptacle and a grounded plug on that part of things

Overall pretty nice, but what is wild is the paint that was under the piece on the top to protect it. Kind of a hammertone blue. And under the main paint and inside the drawers is blue. But the Olive drab seems to be factory, as the trim on top workes perfectly with it. It has a stop where someone obviously removed a tag of some sort. It wasn't free at $160 but I feel it was worth it. The guy selling knew old tools also, listed it as a Pressteel, mentioned Plomb in the ad. I emailed about 2 hours after the ad went up, but it was still there.

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