Yes Another Snap-On Box Restoration......

HarrisFD · Nov 4, 2014

Hi I'm a newb here but I recently picked up a set of SO boxes on Craigslist that I plan to restore. I'd been looking at various stainless box sets to replace my overcrowded Craftsman rollaway but was unimpressed with the overall quality of the Chicom stuff everyone is selling. Then I ran across these, 1991 KR-660 (BB slides), a 1989 KR-290 (BB slides) side box , and a 1983 KRL-61(edited: KRA-61) (friction sides) for $530. I must say these things are built like tanks! They have some dents/dings & need some serious cleanup and detailing, but overall they are rock solid with no rust issues at all. I had already started removing trim when I shot the pix, but everything is there. I figure once they are cleaned up and painted they will last the rest of my lifetime and then some.

A few days later I picked up this big 1 3/4" Maple butcher block for $100 (last pic) that I plan to cut down for the top of the chest.

The end handles on the KRL-61 were originally flash plated and were a bit rusty so i already dropped them off at the plater to be stripped and rechromed.

One question I had was on the end pull handle, it has been bashed into something (see pix) and dented the cab plus the middle piece is missing. I pretty sure I can work out the dent no problem but does anyone know where I can get the D-shaped middle piece of the pull handle? I think Snapon disco'ed the original.

Also the strut for the lid on the right side of the KRL-61 appears to be broken

Any ideas, suggestions, alternatives, or leads on parts would be most appreciated. :bowdown:

gsingh · Nov 4, 2014

subscribed. Really wanna see the end product. Wish you the best man

zkling · Nov 4, 2014

Lots of potential. That is going to be a really nice setup when all said and done. Alot of storage in a good layout. :thumbup:

The lid support locks for the KRA-61 top box (not KRL) can still be bought from snap on.

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?item_id=638861&group_id=678143

As for the handle, if you can't get one from snap on or ebay, maybe ask on here for parts. Personally I'd either leave the handle off, or replace it with a piece of square tubing.

HarrisFD · Nov 4, 2014

Thanks guys, actually I misspoke, the top box is a KRA-61, looks like they don't list the strut as being available though. I have the two front handles too, but they are pitted so I'm looking for a stainless replacement with the same 4" centers.

zkling · Nov 4, 2014

HarrisFD said:
Thanks guys, actually I misspoke, the top box is a KRA-61, looks like they don't list the strut as being available though. I have the two front handles too, but they are pitted so I'm looking for a stainless replacement with the same 4" centers.

They still sell both the front handles the top lid locks and the side handles. The front handles are ~$5 each, side ~$18 each and the lid supports are around $15 each IIRC.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Nov 4, 2014

HarrisFD said:
I must say these things are built like tanks!

That they are. You got some nice pieces there. :beer:

90zcar · Nov 4, 2014

Really lookin forward to this. Looks like ur willing to dump some time and money into this as see that u are getting the handles re chromed and that isn't cheap

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RedneckWelder · Nov 4, 2014

Nice

Just brought a KRA-61 today myself off the Cornwell guy, who had it on his truck from a trade-in. I needed a top box to go on top of my main rollcab for extra storage space.

I need to get a new lock for it and take it home one weekend and refinish it...thinking about stripping it down and sanding out some rust and repainting it royal blue.

zkling · Nov 5, 2014

RedneckWelder said:
Nice

Just brought a KRA-61 today myself off the Cornwell guy, who had it on his truck from a trade-in. I needed a top box to go on top of my main rollcab for extra storage space.

I need to get a new lock for it and take it home one weekend and refinish it...thinking about stripping it down and sanding out some rust and repainting it royal blue.

Out of curiosity what did that cost off the truck? I've asked the 2 snap on dealers I talk to about the older boxes and they said they get them in from time to time, but they are pretty uncommon these days. I've read where people have gotten some good deals off smaller truck trade in boxes.

JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN · Nov 5, 2014

Seems like a very fair price for those boxes, can't wait to see the end product. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the new Snap On boxes but I sure do have a thing for ones like you have and older.

Ruger_556 · Nov 5, 2014

Nice box man! One of the guys at work has almost that exact same box setup...

HarrisFD · Nov 5, 2014

zkling said:
They still sell both the front handles the top lid locks and the side handles. The front handles are ~$5 each, side ~$18 each and the lid supports are around $15 each IIRC.

I may be missing it but I'm not seeing the struts on the SO website, maybe listed under a different model?

FJ 432 · Nov 5, 2014

Welcome and you **** at that price. I may have the strut for the 61. I will have to check to see if I do. I will PM you if I have one.

Cope · Nov 5, 2014

HarrisFD said:
I may be missing it but I'm not seeing the struts on the SO website, maybe listed under a different model?

Call Customer Service, they are great.

zkling · Nov 5, 2014

HarrisFD said:
I may be missing it but I'm not seeing the struts on the SO website, maybe listed under a different model?

I'm pretty sure these are correct.

Front handles are 8-6033A

Lid support locking consisting of
550A1033
and
550A1035A

RedneckWelder · Nov 5, 2014

zkling said:
Out of curiosity what did that cost off the truck? I've asked the 2 snap on dealers I talk to about the older boxes and they said they get them in from time to time, but they are pretty uncommon these days. I've read where people have gotten some good deals off smaller truck trade in boxes.

He wanted $200 to start with but I ended up with it for $170. I don't seem to be able to find decent deals on decent boxes in this area (if it says Snap On, Mac, or Matco the craigslist idiots want a lot for it even in poor condition) so I think I got an OK deal, and it fits on top of my box nicely.

The Cornwell guy says he has the matching bottom to it but I have no interest in it myself. Maybe if he has a decent price on it later...

Cdstahlman · Nov 6, 2014

This is a really cool project, subscribing to see how it turns out.

alpinewhite · Nov 6, 2014

The side handle may be a warranty item. I got a free one to replace the broken one on my KRL-761.

blown94conv · Nov 6, 2014

If he was the original owner.

Why does everything have to be a warranty issue around this site?

HarrisFD · Nov 6, 2014

Thanks for the input & the help. Replacement side handles are painted only so rechroming or good used are my only options for nice originals. Rechroming may be a little over the top but I'm budgeting a grand for the total cost of the project including the $530 initial outlay. Should be a relative bargain at that price. We'll see if I can pull it off. My objective for this weekend is to get that dent worked out.

HarrisFD · Nov 6, 2014

alpinewhite said:
The side handle may be a warranty item. I got a free one to replace the broken one on my KRL-761.

Just a quick update, I called SO customer service to order parts this afternoon on my break at work. The rep was really helpful, and yes they did have the strut and yes they did warranty it even though I told them that it was not their responsibility & I'd gladly pay for it. They also warrantied the front handles. So for the strut, lock, handles, 5 trim caps, &2 slide removal tools the total was $25.48 shipped to my door. Looks like maybe I can come in under budget?

HarrisFD · Nov 9, 2014

This weekend's progress......

Spent a few hours this weekend working the dent out of the end of the KR-660. The first thing I figured out is (no surprise) this thing is made of some hefty metal. If you look at the first pic, you can see where I used a Dent Killer to pull the majority of the dent out, followed by a stud-welder and a slide hammer . Although the dent looks fairly localized, a straight edge revealed that the dent extended all the way out to the boundary of where I ground the paint off. I pulled the dent out as best I could but the inner part of the dent was so stretched that I could not pull it with the Dent-Killer and the welded pins would merely snap in half. So I cut the center of the dent out wit a dremel, used a hammer & dolly to flatten it, used more pins & the slide hammer to pull what was left of the dent out, and welded the piece I cut out back in. I still have a few holes to finish welding but my Mig welder was having some feed issues and I ran out of time. I'll try to finish it out next weekend, but I'm happy with the progress so far.

HarrisFD · Nov 21, 2014

FJ 432 said:
Welcome and you **** at that price. I may have the strut for the 61. I will have to check to see if I do. I will PM you if I have one.

FJ - thanks, hey any luck on finding a strut? Apparently Snap on did not have any left since all parts showed up except that . Even a pic would do because I can probably fab the part that's broken. I did get the sliding lock piece tho.

HarrisFD · Nov 24, 2014

Got the Handles Back From Rechrome

90zcar said:
Really lookin forward to this. Looks like ur willing to dump some time and money into this as see that u are getting the handles re chromed and that isn't cheap

Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

Finally got the KRA-61 end handles back from rechrome, the look better than new, but I've found a source for new chrome ones which is likely a way more cost-effective solution:

http://www.cdhardware.net/partsdetails.asp?partID=45&catID=2

Ordering Paint soon.....

HarrisFD · Nov 25, 2014

Emblem restore

I noticed the emblem of the top box was pretty dull so I attempted to clean it up a bit. The emblem appears to be much harder material than your typical pot-metal emblem, I think its actually cast stainless. First I polished the silver letters with some 400 grit wet-or-dry , then worked my way up to 1000 grit with some Flitz metal polish on it, then Flitz and a soft rag. Needs a little more elbow grease, but I like the results.

HarrisFD · Nov 26, 2014

HarrisFD said:
FJ - thanks, hey any luck on finding a strut? Apparently Snap on did not have any left since all parts showed up except that . Even a pic would do because I can probably fab the part that's broken. I did get the sliding lock piece tho.

Anybody got a pic of the strut and lock for the lid on a KRA-61?

HarrisFD · Dec 2, 2014

zkling said:
I'm pretty sure these are correct.

Front handles are 8-6033A

Lid support locking consisting of
550A1033
and
550A1035A

Still looking for pix of the strut. Ordered paint this past weekend, I decided to go with Kirker Viper red urethane since its about half the cost of a custom SO red mix. Hope it turns out, I like the color, bright but a little more red than SO red. Tried my hand at leading my dent fix, not quite done, will have pix later. Spent a little time this weekend cleaning the bottom of the KR-660 and replacing the casters. I tipped it up onto some wood blocks and towels to make it easier to access. No small feat when you are working on your own. The SO casters use plastic wheels that tend to wallow out in the hub area. Guess we'll see if these new urethane units will resist flat-spotting, at least the hubs are iron. You can see where the original owner put duct tape over the 1" holes in the bottom, presumably to keep out mice. I plan to replace the tape with 1" plastic auto- body plugs.

90zcar · Dec 2, 2014

Looking great man. I look forward to seeing new updates from you. Not sure u may have said but where did the new casters come from?
Wouldn't be a bad idea to clean up the bottom and coat it with some POR15.

Did u get to do any more filler/body work? Pics!

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zkling · Dec 2, 2014

HarrisFD said:
Still looking for pix of the strut. Ordered paint this past weekend, I decided to go with Kirker Viper red urethane since its about half the cost of a custom SO red mix. Hope it turns out, I like the color, bright but a little more red than SO red. Tried my hand at leading my dent fix, not quite done, will have pix later. Spent a little time this weekend cleaning the bottom of the KR-660 and replacing the casters. I tipped it up onto some wood blocks and towels to make it easier to access. No small feat when you are working on your own. The SO casters use plastic wheels that tend to wallow out in the hub area. Guess we'll see if these new urethane units will resist flat-spotting, at least the hubs are iron. You can see where the original owner put duct tape over the 1" holes in the bottom, presumably to keep out mice. I plan to replace the tape with 1" plastic auto- body plugs.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170826

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Snap On Toolboxes/100_4061.jpg

They used the same lid support on a number of the 80's top chests, KR537, 637, KRA59, 61, 63 and 65 IIRC.

beatcad · Dec 3, 2014

looking good.
i look forward to the progress.

the holes in the bottom that the PO had taped up. couldnt you just get/buy a few hole plugs? cleaner and easier.

i'm guessing w/ the work youve done so far you may be a bit experianced w/ auto body work :thumbup:

the plastic plugs for car floors and more often trunk floors.
sold at the better supplied M&P hardware stores.

keep up the good work :beer:

90zcar · Dec 3, 2014

HarrisFD-
U actually made me go out today to my local body supply store and get some 1.5" hole plugs for my krl toolbox but they didn't have any and they could order me in some but I had to buy a box of 25. So I stopped at he hardware store and the biggest plugs they have go to 1"

Anyone have any other suggestions for some 1.5" hole plugs?

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HarrisFD · Dec 3, 2014

90zcar said:
HarrisFD-
U actually made me go out today to my local body supply store and get some 1.5" hole plugs for my krl toolbox but they didn't have any and they could order me in some but I had to buy a box of 25. So I stopped at he hardware store and the biggest plugs they have go to 1"

Anyone have any other suggestions for some 1.5" hole plugs?

Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

90z,

Check fleabay, search on 1.5" body plugs. 60's mopars used various sizes for years and many restoration suppliers have them. I found 1 inchers for mine at a buck a piece. BTW thanks guys for the support!

90zcar · Dec 3, 2014

Thank you. I thought they would be cheaper than that on ebay. Can get a pack of 10 for around 15 bux....hmmm

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HarrisFD · Dec 3, 2014

zkling said:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170826

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n345/comet_man_1965/Snap On Toolboxes/100_4061.jpg

They used the same lid support on a number of the 80's top chests, KR537, 637, KRA59, 61, 63 and 65 IIRC.

Thanks again ZKling :beer:

e30bradley · Dec 3, 2014

Don't tell anyone about kirker paint. My secret..

HarrisFD · Dec 4, 2014

beatcad said:
looking good.
i look forward to the progress.

the holes in the bottom that the PO had taped up. couldnt you just get/buy a few hole plugs? cleaner and easier.

i'm guessing w/ the work youve done so far you may be a bit experianced w/ auto body work

the plastic plugs for car floors and more often trunk floors.
sold at the better supplied M&P hardware stores.

keep up the good work

Actually I'm kind of a rookie at metal work so I figured this box would be good practice. Kind of cheating though because thick metal, while harder to bend, is also harder to screw up :thumbup:

FJ 432 · Dec 4, 2014

Sorry HarrisFD.

I thought I had a strut but I'll be damned if I can find it.

HarrisFD · Dec 4, 2014

FJ 432 said:
Sorry HarrisFD.

I thought I had a strut but I'll be damned if I can find it.

Hey no prob, thanks for looking. After studying the existing parts a bit. I think I might be able to fab the broken piece.

90zcar · Dec 7, 2014

Anyone know why they even put them big circular holes in the bottom of the boxes?

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Faisal · Dec 7, 2014

wooooow you are professional ,really that box is worth

good luck

Yes Another Snap-On Box Restoration......

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