Snap On box resto KRA-53

HarrisonTX · Nov 9, 2011

Snap On box resto KRA-53 *finished*

*finished pics post #15
*I made a post about lining up the drawers, but now that it's actually in progress, figured I'd make a "build thread"

Picked this up for a cool $20. Pretty straight box, I had to straighten some drawers, and fix the lid, it was sticking. I'm no sheet metal guy, but I read a "metal bumping" book, and gave it my best shot. Looks like someone lost a tool behind the drawer, and pryed the hell out of it to get back there.

I figured I'd see how much it would cost to get it sand blasted, and I'd tackle the painting myself. Since money is tight, I said if it was less than $50, I'd get it blasted, if not, I'd clean it up by hand. Went to a powdercoater today (just to sand blast) and he said he would blast, AND powdercoat for $55. Awesome.

The slides and the groves are all in perfect shape, other than a little surface rust. I'm looking for a soaking product to lift the rust. The sawblade method did NOT work for me. I flagged down a snappy guy, and bought the drawer removal tool for $1. Worked so good.

I'm leaning towards red right now, but I'd take suggestions on another color to paint it. Black box with gray drawers? Solid black? I think a dark green would look very good, too.

Also, it dosnt have a lock. I've seen a couple on e-bay, are all snap on locks the same? I'd like to get one from the period, but its not critical.

Ive considered getting the logo and handle re-chromed, but I'm getting quotes for $50, which is a little too much right now.

NJHandyGuy · Nov 9, 2011

$20 you **** SO BBAAADDDDLLLLLYYZYYYYY

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Nov 9, 2011

Wow...seems like a lot of these are getting restored right now.

Here's mine, painted Rustoleum Regal Red. Feel free to ask me questions...either here or PM.

Also, you can click on the thread in my signature. That may answer a lot of your questions. :pimpflash

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Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Nov 9, 2011

You can clean up the logo and handle with fine steel wool and it will probably come out looking great.

For color, I'd suggest either the red or '80s Snap On orange. Black would look okay a darker blue too, but I think these boxes look best red or orange.

HarrisonTX · Nov 9, 2011

Galaxie. No logos or lock on your box? Do you still have the lock? It looks like the lock cylinders are just that, and I would need to fab, or find the locking mechanism that goes into the groove in the box.. Would you by chance still have yours?

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Nov 9, 2011

Harrison, this is what mine looked like when I bought it in late September. No SO logo, and no locking mechanism...just a shell for a lock.

Firefyter-Emt · Nov 9, 2011

Wow, $70 invested for the box, blasting, & powder coating??!! That's a great deal! I would of expected the blasting and coating alone to cost almost twice that around here.

Personally, I would go red given that it's a Snap-On box and not some box store box. Although, if I ever paint my Snap-On roll a way, I will repaint it in the cranberry that Snap-On has. I LOVE that burgundy color myself!

That one above is not my box, mine is not quite as nice as that one... but when I refurb my box, I will be painting it that color for sure! This is my Snap-On box I bought 20 years ago.

PS: That lock is just a standard tab style drawer lock. I would pick one up at any hardware store and test fit it into the hole before powder coating. Sure, you can spend big bucks on the Snap-On one if you really want the key to say "Snap-On"... but a universal drawer lock will work for that box just fine.

JMcFly · Nov 9, 2011

Now I have to go back and get that box I found....

USMCdodge · Nov 9, 2011

dont re-chrome the handle or logo, they will **** you on the price. just clean it up with steel wool or light sand paper thats what i did. Im also working on a few snap on boxes now and they are all going to be red with flat black handles/emblems it looks good. good luck with the resto and ya. you SSSUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKK

HarrisonTX · Nov 10, 2011

Looks like I've deceided on a baby blue.
My options were
Red
Black
Black w/ grey drawers
Dark green
Dark green w/ beige doors
baby blue

I love this blue

Farmer Joe · Nov 10, 2011

i'm really liking that blue too! very nice

JSBriggs · Nov 10, 2011

HarrisonTX said:
Looks like I've deceided on a baby blue.

I love this blue

I like it as well. What paint (brand/color) is that?

-Jeff

HarrisonTX · Nov 10, 2011

JSBriggs said:
I like it as well. What paint (brand/color) is that?

-Jeff

No idea. Got it off the HAMB. I'm just going to pick a similar color at the powdercoaters tomorrow. I'm excited to get it back.

hawk1014 · Nov 17, 2011

I am restoring a Snapon KRA 53 tool box that belonged to my brother that recently passed away. How do I get the drawers out of the box?

HarrisonTX · Nov 30, 2011

I used evapo-rust on the slides. It was $8.99 from orielly's.

I picked up the box from the powdercoater today. There are two issues that I discovered when I got home. He drilled two holes in all three drawers, and two holes in the bottom of the box, I assume to hang them while coating. To be honest, I wasn't too happy about it, especially since he didnt mention it. They're on the side of the drawers too, visible when the drawer is pulled out? Why not put them in the back of the drawers? Whatever.

Also, there is a spot on the handles where it looks like water was splashed on the handle when it was still wet, and left little impacts.

I went with black because he didnt have anything close to the blue I had decided on, and I had already talked myself out of red. I'm indifferent. In retrospect red would have been good, but I don't hate the black, although, I expect a lot of negative feedback about it. The color is a "semi-flat black".

ALSO, the cover (with the logo and handle) wasnt near as straight as I thought it was, clean black paint REALLY brought out a couple small dings I could have easily beat out.

I lubed the drawer slides with white lithium, and they're so smooth.

I got a quote of $50!!! to re-chrome the handle and logo. I will probably eventually do that, but I cant afford it now. I hit them with some fine scotch bright, and it really shined them up, but did put some micro scratches in the old chrome.
All I need is a lock and key.

HarrisonTX · Nov 30, 2011

hawk1014 said:
I am restoring a Snapon KRA 53 tool box that belonged to my brother that recently passed away. How do I get the drawers out of the box?

I tried the saw blade, and I couldnt get it to work. I found a truck driving around, and bought the $1.50 "drawer removal tool". Worked like a charm, totally worth it.

BLACK DEATH · Nov 30, 2011

I found one of those locally but he wants $100 for it with tools I think but they arent high dollar tools, probably just junk tools.

You did a nice job on that box. Looks awesome

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Nov 30, 2011

That evaporust does wonders, does it not?

I wouldn't bother with getting the logo and handle rechromed. I really don't think it would be at all worth it.

I would've been very annoyed that the guy drilled those holes, esp. where he did, without telling you. If he wanted to drill holes, for any reason, he should've discussed that with you first.

HarrisonTX · Dec 1, 2011

Galaxie. Man, it really upset me. It was such a nice box. You can see a hole in the bottom drawer of the side shot. After looking at them, they were drilled after primer/powercoat. There just had to be a better way for him to do it. Hell, the stops for the slides would have worked for what he was doing.
I guess that's what I get for a $40 sandblast/powercoat job.

DonkDonk · Dec 1, 2011

That is the problem with black, magnifies every imperfection 10x.

HarrisonTX · Dec 1, 2011

DonkDonk said:
That is the problem with black, magnifies every imperfection 10x.

Yea, makes me reconsider selling it. I was going to list it, but I think the dents would shy away most people. I sure don't mind hanging onto it though

HarrisonTX · Apr 1, 2012

Just wanted to update this thread. The box was sold for $246.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Apr 1, 2012

Wow...that's a lot for that box. Thought you were keeping it for yourself?

HarrisonTX · Apr 1, 2012

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Wow...that's a lot for that box. Thought you were keeping it for yourself?

Eh, it didn't fit on the same year bottom box that I got, so I sold it, and bought a mid box, and an 8 drawer top for and made $100 on the deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300660403335?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649

This 9 drawer sold right after mine for $500+
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150750366165?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Apr 1, 2012

HarrisonTX said:
This 9 drawer sold right after mine for $500+
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150750366165?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Wow! I bought the exact same box, but it was missing the top...otherwise in good solid shape...for $60 last fall and was wondering if I paid too much!

Coleman · Apr 5, 2013

Looks awesome!! I would have smacked that guy for drilling holes!

j.c.whitney · Apr 5, 2013

I've some photos of the original KR-53 Lock assembly. PM if anyone needs them.

JBL · Apr 27, 2013

I am looking for a 53 box. Any leads appreciated!

[email protected]

j.c.whitney · Apr 27, 2013

Here are photos of the KR-53 lock assembly. The first picture shows a new ebay Snap On lock cylinder I purchased but was too long to use. I ended up having a Locksmith make a key for the old Lock as there are no records kept on the key cut for the old cylinder. A regular cam lock with a straight end piece won't work.

dbaal · Apr 29, 2013

Your lock cam looks similar to the cams on my KR1000a. I had to replace locks that were removed by the previous owner. The original cams were left loose in a drawer, and I'm having a very difficult time figuring out the correct position of the notched cam to the locking rod. Would it be possible for you to pull open your top drawer and aim a camera towards the intersection of the lock cam and the locking rod? to take a quick digital pic of the cam position on your box? Even a sketch would do. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.

j.c.whitney · May 2, 2013

The KR-53 has a drop front and the lock simply latches into a slot in the center of the box frame below the lowest drawer. Posts 1, 3, and 6 in this thread show what I am referring to. Not familiar with the KR1000 but after looking at pictures it appears to use an entirely different scheme and components for locking the drawers.

Chris321 · Jun 24, 2019

I just bought an identical three drawer box. I cannot find a KRA number stamped on it. Did Snap On not code stamp these three drawer boxes?

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Jan 16, 2020

Chris321 said:
I just bought an identical three drawer box. I cannot find a KRA number stamped on it. Did Snap On not code stamp these three drawer boxes?

It might be a Canadian model. They're not stamped the same way.

luvwrench · Jan 17, 2020

Nice purchase!

luvwrench · Jan 17, 2020

I have an early 1970's Snap top box and bottom "bench" with aluminum roll down locking front. I'll have to confirm the exact model numbers in the catalog I have with them.

Snap On box resto KRA-53

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