Vintage Craftsman Tool Chest Parts Needed

dcarden · Dec 11, 2013

I just picked this up today for $100. I am needing the handles on the top chest and the lower panel on the cabinet. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Also, I have read a lot about restoring vintage boxes. Sand blast or power sand to bare metal?

KF5LCH · Dec 11, 2013

I'm a big fan of blasting. The time it saves alone is worth the trouble. However, we're talking about very thin material here. An industrial blaster will warp the metal real quick. I'm not sure if you plan to do the blasting or if you plan on taking it somewhere & having it done, but if you use a big blaster on it, you'll have warped panels.

If you have a local outfit that does soda blasting I would go that route. You can do just as well with a sander, but it will take quite a bit of time to do that box properly.

A lot of natural patina on that old tool box. It would look very nice with a good cleaning. I've restored a couple of smaller boxes that turned out real nice. However once you remove that original patina that tells a story they're just never the same. Anymore I just restore them mechanically & leave the finish alone.

dcarden · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks for the info. I can appreciate petina but my OCD makes me want it to look new. I might try chemical stripper to it. If anyone could provide the dimensions to the lower panel I could have one made.

stratman977 · Dec 11, 2013

I did one in a blast cabinet with plain old sand it didnt warp. Thats being said, It took way too long to go that route. I'm going to try aircraft stripper on my next one and then just manually sand the problem areas. Depending on what you are going to paint it with you don't nessesarily have to strip all of the old paint off as long as you scuff up everything and feather out all of the scratches, rust and dings.

Your probably screwed on that bottom door. You might be able to make one yourself with some sheet metal, something to bend it with and rivets or a welder. I bet someone could take measurments and pics for you to help. The door looks like the same configuration as my waterloo built cornwell so I could maybe help you out with dimensions.

dcarden · Dec 11, 2013

That is a good looking box. Did you spray bomb or use a gun?

stratman977 · Dec 11, 2013

I used a spray gun. It was cheap acrylic enamel with hardener and epoxy primer. I still probably have $120 in paint into it though. 2 quarts of primer and almost a full gallon of paint. Cheap automotive paint doesn't cover real well. The box has alot more surface area than you think.

Scout Driver · Dec 11, 2013

Keep an eye on ebay for the handle and panel. I've picked up a couple tool box handles and some other odd parts from ebay.

Or....find an old-school hardware store. You never know what you may find for replacement handles and such.

Scott

Deskmechanic · Dec 11, 2013

I personally wouldn't refinish them. Unless you are experienced with catalyzed automotive/industrial paint systems, you won't be able to get a durable finish on them. Also, there's something charming about the original scratched finish.

However, if I were to do a toolbox restore I would take it all apart, straighten the worst dents and have it powdercoated.

dcarden · Dec 11, 2013

Powder Coating is an option I have considered. My only concern would be matching the gray as close as possible. I cannot remember what the original handles were plated with? Zinc?

rsanter · Dec 11, 2013

The original paint was baked on and is very durable
I would only go bare metal were there is rust or down to metal scratches.
You can sand blast the rust areas and use sand paper to feather out to the paint.
Also use the sandpaper (after wiping with thinner or wax/grease remover) to scuff all the painted areas in prep for painting

Bob

Steven67fr · Dec 11, 2013

My perspective is that box isn't hammered enough to warrant a full resto. I'd just give it a good cleaning/wax. But these boxes to look nice restored also. So it's your call.

You'll have to make the panel most likely unless you can find a really beat up box on CL (They come up fairly often around here) and cannibalize it for parts.

Good luck!

dcarden · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks, If anyone can take pics of the panel and dimensions and send them to me it would be greatly be appreciated

stratman977 · Dec 11, 2013

Can you measure the opening? I think my box is possibly the same as yours since they were made by the same company? I will gladly do it if its the same opening size.

ZRX61 · Dec 11, 2013

dcarden said:
Sand blast or power sand to bare metal?

Plastic beads.. which is also what your local powdercoater would use.

mopar01 · Dec 11, 2013

What's it cost to do a tool box going the powercoat route? I just piced up an mb 510 mac box and have a kennedy mechanics tool box that id like to do. Any ideas on what it cost to do boxes like that?

NY_treeguy · Dec 11, 2013

I have that bottom at work. I will take a pic and measure tomorrow.

DHS · Dec 11, 2013

Cool box, where are you located?

larryq · Dec 11, 2013

For handles on the top box I'd suggest surfing McMaster Carr or Reid Supply, they carry an interesting variety.

zkling · Dec 12, 2013

I think the handles are going to be kinda hard to find. IIRC they are an aluminum insert that pops into open cutouts on the side of the box. Craftsman has used that style for a long time, but the ones on that red/silver combo were much heavier than the later and todays offerings. Maybe try to look for a super beat up box to use for parts. Other than that I'm not sure if any company offers those. Maybe a call to waterloo. :dunno:

Nice setup BTW, good deal at $100 :beer:

WWIIjeep · Dec 12, 2013

zkling said:
I think the handles are going to be kinda hard to find. IIRC they are an aluminum insert that pops into open cutouts on the side of the box.

I think that depends on the actual age of the box. IIRC, they changed the handle style around 1970. 60s-vintage boxes used surface-mounted bail type tool box handles and 70s-vintage ones used recessed aluminum inserts.

Waterloo might still have the aluminum type, but I doubt they still have the bail type. Easy enough to call Waterloo customer support and ask. At the same time, if you need any of the spring-clip drawer stops, they still supply those.

Nice find at a decent price. :thumbup:

I'd vote for just cleaning the box and leaving it original.

If you can't accept that, then powder coating will give you the best and most durable finish. Color match won't be perfect, but it won't be original anymore anyway.

zkling · Dec 12, 2013

WWIIjeep said:
I think that depends on the actual age of the box. IIRC, they changed the handle style around 1970. 60s-vintage boxes used surface-mounted bail type tool box handles and 70s-vintage ones used recessed aluminum inserts.

That one uses the aluminum insert handles, I think. The boxes before that, most have individual drawer pulls, are the ones that use bolt on, surface mount handles.

EDIT, There were a few of the first ones made of that used the bolt on style with those drawer pulls, but a very high % of the boxes you see like the OP has will have the insert handles. :dunno:

Good old craftsman and their production design changes.

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

It does not have the aluminum insert handles. It has the three bolt holes for the handles.

zkling · Dec 12, 2013

dcarden said:
It does not have the aluminum insert handles. It has the three bolt holes for the handles.

Wow, really? If so you must have one of the first few made, (late 60's). Majority of those chests have the insert handles. The external ones will be much easier to find. What is the date on your box?

Example of what you see on the vast majority of those boxes.

$T2eC16V,!ykE9s7tw3lTBR2u2kFLUg~~60_57.JPG

WWIIjeep · Dec 12, 2013

zkling said:
That one uses the aluminum insert handles. The boxes before that, most have individual drawer pull, are the ones that use bolt, surface mount on handles.

You're forgetting the 60s vintage boxes in-between the older style single handle boxes from the 50s/early 60s and the later style 70s boxes with the recessed handles.

Hopefully this 1968 catalog image is clear enough to see the bail type handles:

They switched to the recessed handles around 1970. It might have been even a little later than that, but certainly by 1972.

At the same time that they switched to the recessed handles on the chests, they also switched to recessed sides and a cross-bar handle instead of flat sides and exposed handles on the roller cabinets.

zkling · Dec 12, 2013

WWIIjeep said:
You're forgetting the 60s vintage boxes in-between the older style single handle boxes from the 50s/early 60s and the later style 70s boxes with the recessed handles.

.

Yea I remember that one, but I was also going off the position of the center handle on the middle drawer. The OP's has it top mounted which was later production (I think), compared to the center mounted like in the catalog you posted. :dunno:

Please note, I had to edit my original post to pull my foot out of my mouth.

WWIIjeep · Dec 12, 2013

zkling said:
Yea I remember that one, but I was also going off the position of the center handle on the middle drawer. The OP's has it top mounted which was later production (I think), compared to the center mounted like in the catalog you posted.

Yeah, the center drawer handle thing is strange. It might even be artistic license with the catalog artwork. I can't remember ever actually seeing one of the 10-drawer boxes with the low handle, but there's a lot of things I don't remember anymore. :sad:

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

I haven't checked the box for dates. The reason behind this search for this type of Tool Box. My Dad who was into street drag racing and performance in the 60s. When he returned from Vietnam in '68 he got a job at a local Chevrolet Dealership as a mechanic. The Service Manager loaned him the money to buy a tool box and he bought this model Craftsman top and bottom box. He worked out of that box for decades, it traveled the country, and he opened a very large Corvette restoration business and still used this box as well as others he had. He has now retired and has rather large man cave and still goes to swap meets as a vendor to pass the time. He called me about 8-9 months ago and said "you remember that old gray box I had? I got $100 for it at the show" He seemed pretty excited he was able to turn that into cash and get it out of his way. Knowing I would never be able to locate his box, I have been searching for one just like it. I was looking at vises on Craigslist and caught a glimpse of this box in in the back ground and emailed the seller if it was for sale. He replied he bought it new in the late 60s, later gave it to his dad, his dad passed away so he got it back and it wasn't for sale. I told him if he changes his mind I would be interested. He emailed me this week to see if I was still interested and I could have it for $100. I picked it up yesterday, and it looks just as my Dads box did with the same type of handles.

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

WWIIjeep said:
At the same time that they switched to the recessed handles on the chests, they also switched to recessed sides and a cross-bar handle instead of flat sides and exposed handles on the roller cabinets.

His box never had the exposed handle on the bottom cabinet, I guess im looking for that as well.

WWIIjeep · Dec 12, 2013

dcarden said:
I picked it up yesterday, and it looks just as my Dads box did with the same type of handles.

Cool story. In that case, wouldn't it be more appropriate to just clean up the box and keep the original finish, which likely looks closer to the way your dad's box did after years of use?

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

I want the rust spots taken care of before it is to late.

jakemac · Dec 12, 2013

Are these the type of handles you're looking for ?
If so, they were used by several manufacturers from that time period. Including Waterloo, Huot, Mac, and Craftsman in the 60's to 70's. I don't know where you can find them now, but you can keep an eye out for a cheap beat up box from any of those mftr's to use as a donor.

They are stamped steel, not cast.

WWIIjeep · Dec 12, 2013

dcarden said:
I want the rust spots taken care of before it is to late.

Oh, yeah, looking at your photo more closely now, I see what you mean, but you might still be able to clean most of that up and protect it with Boeshield or something similar. Just a suggestion. Might be worth a try. You can always go for a complete refinish later if it doesn't do enough to satisfy you.

http://boeshield.com/

FWIW, I picked up a small 70s-vintage Craftsman 2-drawer box of the same style recently and was able to clean it up and minimize and protect similar bare and rusty spots that way.

bluebolt · Dec 12, 2013

#$%@ I just got rid of one of those boxes that was in poor condition but it did have the lower panel.

bluebolt · Dec 12, 2013

And get the dates off of the lower box and I will try to match up one of my panels and post pictures and measurements. There are some slight differences depending on year. I ahve seven of those gray lowers. Date will be on the front lower right corner.

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

I will look it up when I get home tonight. I really appreciate all the help.

Alchymist · Dec 12, 2013

Scroll down to item # 30....
http://www.sprucemtsurplus.com/hardware.html

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

Alchymist said:
Scroll down to item # 30....
http://www.sprucemtsurplus.com/hardware.html

To many bolt holes, I appreciate the effort.

dcarden · Dec 12, 2013

jakemac said:
Are these the type of handles you're looking for ?
If so, they were used by several manufacturers from that time period. Including Waterloo, Huot, Mac, and Craftsman in the 60's to 70's. I don't know where you can find them now, but you can keep an eye out for a cheap beat up box from any of those mftr's to use as a donor.

They are stamped steel, not cast.

Those look like the ones I need, Be great if I could find some NOS.

stratman977 · Dec 12, 2013

I have one spare of those handles. I snagged it at a flea market for a $1. If you find one and can't locate a second one I might part with it. See if you can find a pair elsewhere first though.

stratman977 · Dec 12, 2013

Heres a rough set of those handles. Maybe when it doesn't sell you can ask them to part out the lot?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-DRO...ural_Garden&hash=item4d16121f61#ht_237wt_1087

Vintage Craftsman Tool Chest Parts Needed

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