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Check out my vintage 71' Snap-On KRA-396A! $200! :)

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billymade

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Well, I was at the flea today as usual; then I saw a red decent sized toolbox on a trailer in the distance.... oooh, its vintage; oh! Its a Snap-On! AAhhhh, I asked the guy if it was ok to check out his box; "Sure! No problem" he says! He continues: "I'm asking $250 but I'll take $200; thats the lowest I'll go!" Well, it didn't take long for me to think; I should go ahead and pick this puppy up! I gave him $40; went to the ATM for the remaining dough and well, the 'rest is history! :)

toolboxfrontfixed.jpg
Front

toolboxpricetag.jpg
Price tag

toolboxback-1.jpg
Rear

toolboxdatecode.jpg
Rear Stamping: manufacture date code "71" and serial number!

toolboxsmalldoor.jpg
Rear small plate inside (the right front door); this was there so you could remove it and install a extension cord and plug setup; to work in the shop and plug things in! The bottom of the box has a hole in it; so the cord can go out the bottom!

toolboxbackdoor.jpg
Rear Door; he said he used to keep all the "points" in here! Man, I don't miss replacing those on my old VW Beetles; however, I still have my Sears Penske tac/dwell meter and timing light!

toolboxsidedoor.jpg
Front door

toolbox-badge-and-name-plat.jpg
Front door logo badge and name plate; Snap-On would put a custom plate with your name on it, if you bought one these boxes! I removed the name to protect the innocent!

toolboxsticker.jpg
Sticker on the inside of front door; just think, it is 1972 and the Japanese cars are starting to come the the USA in larger numbers! Of course european stuff is metric too! What about the Ford Pinto? Metric on US cars, as well? Time to start getting metric tools to fix all the new foreign cars that are the US roads! :) "Build for a Metric future with Snap-On tools"; I bet they just loved this new found need for a whole new set of tools! :)

toolboxsockets.jpg
Drawer with sockets; he said he forgot they were in there! All classic USA stuff; Snap-On, Williams, SK, Proto and "V" series Craftsman! The socket rails were screwed into the drawer; old school style, first things to come out and I ground down the sharp sheet metal left by the screws!! Pop rivets I think are a better way to go; if I would do this!

toolboxtools.jpg
Drawer removal tools included; he was proud to show me he still had the tools to remove the drawers from the box!

toolboxdrawerprotector.jpg
Drawer protectors; unique but I think I have seen these on other boxes here on GJ! Do you think they were a Snap-On accessory or a aftermarket add-on?

toolboxkey.jpg
Original keys; very worn but they still work!

toolboxhandle.jpg
Side with handle; missing one of the rubber bumpers.... I wonder if I can still get these? The right side has electric tape on it; the sheet metal is a little sharp, it holds the rubber bumpers on. Would like to replace these!

toolboxhook.jpg
Whats this? A tow hook; he said they used to hook up small tractors to pull these around shops!

toolboxside-1.jpg
Side with magnet from Matco; the sticker on it has a newer style Matco logo on it. It Can't be too old but I don't think I have seen one like it before! It has a very strong set of magnets on there; my Snap-On 24" swivel head ratchet, stays on the magnetic bar firmly! I would love to put stuff on there (BB's, ratchets, long screwdrivers etc.) but I am afraid they would walk away!

toolboxrearwheel.jpg
Rear wheels; big ones, look like similar to the guy who has the '65 box from Crane Cams!

toolboxfrontwheel.jpg
Front wheels; zerk fittings, dirty, some chunks of rubber missing, worn down but still work!

toolboxtop.jpg
Top with cover; he said this was the original cover that came with the box! Amazing!

toolboxtopbare.jpg
Top without cover; looks like the box has been repainted in some areas.

toolboxrepaint.jpg
Top with a little "spray bomb" and notes in black marker; maybe they were trying to match the paint?

Whew! :)
 
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billymade

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I don't know if I have the energy after posting to describe all the info about my purchase! Anyone have a 71'-72' Snap-On catalog and product info on this box? I would love to see a pic of the page with the info and add-ons for this puppy; he said they had a optional top and left side box! He was the original owner and bought it off the Snap-On truck in 1972 for $750; as he remembers it! Turns out he was a former customer of mine @ Sears in the tool dept; super nice guy and he even delivered it to my brothers shop for free! Amazing! He was from So-Cal; typical of his generation; Vietnam vet in the Mekong Delta as a Army Engineer erecting bridges, raced boats, worked at a Volkswagen dealership, they sent him to Germany for further training, had a VW performance shop, built racing engines for boats/air cooled vw engines for drag racing, had a Suzuki motorcycle shop in the mid 70s, was a sheet metal worker, programmed his own computer app to design/layout sheet-metal prep.... I could go on and on! If I only had a tiny bit of his skill and knowledge! We talked shop for awhile and then he was gone! Soon his type of skilled hands on people and generation will be gone; makes me wonder about the future! What is gong to happen with that knowledge base is not with us, any longer?
I was lost in these sad thoughts and began checking out the box; took some pics for the crew here on GJ, I lubed the drawers, filled the front wheels with grease (have zerk fittings), polished it out a bit with compound, washed it down, wiped it down and called it a day! This is a decent box but it won't hold all my stuff.... for $200 you can't beat it; now I'm worried my brother will be pissed! I now have 4 rollaways in the shop, one service cart and another in pieces, because I am repainting it! I'm thinking he might give me a ultimatum; you can have this box here if you get rid of one of the other ones... or take it home! AAAhhhhh, acquisition of boxes; has its own problems that go with it! :)
 
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Bull

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Damn. Maybe I need to stop being creeped out or saddened by people at flea markets and start going to them. I hate seeing all these deals that people grab while I surf Craigslist and ebay hoping to find something half as cool.
 
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Lookin4'67Galaxieconv

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Does it roll okay? Those castors look like they've seen a lot of use.

EDIT: Krusty, what's the Snap On model number of the taco wagon they made similar to Billymade's box in the '80s?

Has seven drawers on the front, six (I think) on the side and the rear storage compartment.
 
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krusty the clown

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kra396u.jpg
 
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billymade

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Thanks Krusty! Do you have one slightly bigger/higher rez; if you could put one up that I could read the words on the page; that would be awesome....!!!! I think I can make out some model #'s for some add on accessories! Thanks so much! :) Don't necessarily have to post here but just the address or PM me! :)

How awesome are the folks on this board? Unbelievable and Amazing! How fast did that page I requested go up? People around here Rock! :) Maybe all those attempts at answering all those questions are helping me with some good karma or at least some Brownie Points? :)

What is it about the vintage stuff; it seems to have so much more character then the newer boxes?

Yes, he let me keep the sockets!

I regreased the wheels and they seem to roll fine; one of the wheels is slightly off the ground. Wether the box is tweaked or the wheel are so worn that they are uneven; is anyone's guess.....
 
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billymade

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Do you mind typing out what it says? Not all the dimensions and stuff.... Or the model #'s off the add ons? I think it say KR33... (accessory junction box or something?) Oh, that probably the electrical cord junction box add on! Thanks so much! :)
 
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Rickster

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That is a sweet box from the past! Good score! I was going to ask if those outside the box wheels were stock, but the catalog pic confirmed it. Do you think those bolts in the wheel hold the two halves together so you can replace the rubber??
 
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cruiser808

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billymade said:
Thanks Krusty! Do you have one slightly bigger/higher rez; if you could put one up that I could read the words on the page; that would be awesome....!!!! I think I can make out some model #'s for some add on accessories! Thanks so much! :) Don't necessarily have to post here but just the address or PM me! :)

How awesome are the folks on this board? Unbelievable and Amazing! How fast did that page I requested go up? People around here Rock! :) Maybe all those attempts at answering all those questions are helping me with some good karma or at least some Brownie Points? :)

What is it about the vintage stuff; it seems to have so much more character then the newer boxes?

Yes, he let me keep the sockets!

I regreased the wheels and they seem to roll fine; one of the wheels is slightly off the ground. Wether the box is tweaked or the wheel are so worn that they are uneven; is anyone's guess.....
Click to expand...

No billymade, it's not karma. It's simply that you're a great guy that has helped alot of us here on GJ. :bowdown: Oh yes, regarding that very cool vintage box, you definately ****. :beer:
 
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billymade

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I took one of the big rear wheels off; it is a "split rim" and I took all the bolts off. While I didn't get the rim split; that is the way it is setup, I was thinking I could get to the bearings this way but it looks like the bearing are pressed in somehow. They both spin freely; regardless, of no access. I tried to put some grease in the bearings and just put it back together. The other wheel was stuck on and I think needs a puller to convince it to come off. There is some writing on the rubber part of the wheel; I"m stilling trying to id the manufacturer. I'm thinking it might be hard to find replacements but I will research more... The fronts had zerk fittings which made it easier to lube; these had bolts too, so I am assuming you could replace the rubber as well... So, does the rubber look pretty low to you guys? I'm thinking it is possibly the height of the wheels could be quite low but I don't have a reference point to know for sure!
 
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billymade

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Here is my attempt at reading the cat page; my eyes are a little better after a nite's sleep!

"Snap-On Roll cab for heavy duty industrial work.

KRA-396U Industrial Roll Cab-
A portable work shop designed to withstand long, hard service and provide ample storage space for easy transport. Specially designed under-framing strengthens the Roll Cab to give it extra support when fully loaded.
Seven spacious drawers accept a wide variety of tool shapes and sizes.
A large vertical storage compartment with two removable shelves is especially useful for storing large items. A tumbler lock secures the door for safe storage. Door has full length hinges.
A bin type compartment dived into eight sections accommodates smalls parts and fittings and is located in the rear of the cab. A 3/4" lip prevents parts from rolling out of compartments and a hinged door (shown open) secures the whole section.
Two 10" pneumatic 4-ply tires mounted on a heavy duty axle and two swivel spring-loaded 6" wheels provide easy transport of the Cab. A handle is provided for manual movement, and a tongue hitch permits attachment to a powered vehicle.
KRA-303 Accessory Junction Box-
This optional item has a three conductor inlet and two three Ten outlets. Ten feet of No. 15 three conductor cord and fittings are included." Open to any corrections and if anyone has any other pages; please post them! I'm particularly interested in seeing pics or model #'s of a add-on side box or top box! :)
 
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billymade

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I guess this later modle has air (pneumatic tires) and mine are hard rubber; I guess for longevity, the hard rubber maybe the better choice and no flat tires!
 
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traab007

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What a wonderful find! I myself am looking for a Taco box and hope to find one as cheap as you did and in such good condition!
 
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stock z/28

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I bought one identical that new in 1971 for $500.00 it was great tool box, and I still have it but it looks a bit different now.

I have had a couple of others over the years that I bought used but the drawers were worn out, and I traded them off.

Here's a pic of it now.

It now has 8 casters and a heavy stainless top, plus a lot of "accessories". Its still a great tool box.

Jeff
 

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fatfillup

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Billy, mega cool box!!!!! You **** for sure!!! I also liked the tool cart at the bottom of the page Krusty posted. Darn shame you didn't take enough pictures lol.
 
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billymade

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stock z/28, a couple of questions;
I'm starting to try out the drawers and fill them up with tools! While I am just doing a "dry run" and haven't cleaned and fully lubed the sliders.... I'm wondering, do you put allot of stuff in your drawers or make a point of not over loading but keeping things lite? I know so far, I have greased a little but not full clean/lube and the drawers don't seem to like weight much. Any advice? This maybe premature but just thought I would ask! Also, what kind of grease; has worked the best for you? I maybe asking too much from a 38 year old box that was used professionally and probably heavily worn!
I'm looking at your box and wondering about the add on cab at the end; was it a matched add on or just something you found; is it the same width or smaller, do you have the model # of that accessory? Did you remember any other accessories that were offered at the time?
Your extra wheels I'm assuming are because added weight (better distribution) or did you just put a whole 'nother frame on the bottom? Did you fab some sort of extra top? I would love to see more detailed shots of your box; maybe I will "customize" my box with the inspiration of your own cool ideas and add ons! (if you don't mind!) :)
I like my both so far but am a little worried about the usability of the drawers; they do have metal dividers that kinda get in the way but if I take them out, I am concerned I will hurt the rigidity of the drawers themselves!
Tons of questions, I know... just trying to work out, how to use this box to its fullest and best potential! I am also interested in how and which tools you put in the different drawers; I am having a problem with the deep sockets not fitting "standing up but have to be stored flat.... somewhat of a space "waster" but I am still working through all of the possibilities... :) appreciate your patience with all my crazy Q's! :)
 
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stock z/28

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Hello,

I used to use that box for my main tool box, and that includes a few years at a Buick dealership, so I used to put what ever tools I desired in the drawers. At the time that was the top of the line tool box as far as I know.

I kept the drawer slides lubed quite a bit and back then I used Delco brake lube. It was a "white" grease used to lube wear points on brake baking plates, but we used it for about everything. Now I use a synthetic grease on the slides. As I said I have had 3 of those boxes over the years but the two that I bought used ($45.00 for one at a swap meet and $75.00 for one at a body shop) both had the draw slides badly worn and I traded them off. I did keep the undercarriage and wheels off of both I traded. I had so much weight in mine that over the years it would tear the rubber off of the casters, so I keep those for "spares".

The box now sets on a completely fabricated base with 8 casters. The top is a 3/8 thick stainless plate with an angle iron edge and "v" trough? on the front edge, that I fabricated. The side shelf supports a 200 amp tig and a small drill press.A bottle of argon 2 vises and an add on side cabinet are also attached, so it is fairly heavy now. It just contains specific fabrication tools now that i can roll to the job and save some steps. Its worked well.


If I were you I would inspect the drawer slides and if they are good I would lube them and not worry about babying it.

I bought mine a few months before I got married (37 years ago) for $500.00, and back then that was big dollars especially for a tool box! There was a very nice specific top box that was available for that box and a friend of mine had both top and bottom.

There were at one time probably about 30-50 of those in this area, but the "taco" wagon replaced it. (I never cared for the drawers being on the end of the taco wagon, and I have had a couple over the years).
Here is some better shots of the modifications (I hope).

Its a great box and brings back a lot of good memories! I think I will go give it a hug now:)

Jeff
 

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SocketDeviler

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billymade said:
He was the original owner and bought it off the Snap-On truck in 1972 for $750; as he remembers it! Turns out he was a former customer of mine @ Sears in the tool dept; super nice guy and he even delivered it to my brothers shop for free! Amazing! He was from So-Cal; typical of his generation; Vietnam vet in the Mekong Delta as a Army Engineer erecting bridges, raced boats, worked at a Volkswagen dealership, they sent him to Germany for further training, had a VW performance shop, built racing engines for boats/air cooled vw engines for drag racing, had a Suzuki motorcycle shop in the mid 70s, was a sheet metal worker, programmed his own computer app to design/layout sheet-metal prep.... I could go on and on! If I only had a tiny bit of his skill and knowledge! We talked shop for awhile and then he was gone!
Click to expand...

Very cool. I have a lot of questions for a fella like that. Congrats on the box.
 
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billymade

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Small update; I have been playing around with the drawers, took one out and cleaned/lubed the slides..... MUCH BETTER! I think my fears about usability are subsiding a bit; this thing hasn't been messed with in a long time and just needs some tender loving care! :)
On that steel top; how did you attach it to the top of the box? I'm trying to visualize how you did the angle iron; from what I can see you have them facing 45 degrees: left, right, and back... Then, on the front angled down; this would catch oil for assembly purposes kinda like a transmission table? Does the angle iron keep the top in place and with the added benefit of keeping things rolling off the top? I have always wanted a vise on my toolbox; I remember at the body shop many of the guys has the "workstation" style boxes with this installed and they used it all the time. That plate steel really has me thinking; for welding it makes perfect sense but in a mechanics shop.... it sounds great too! Thanks for the ideas! My mind is swimming with possibilities now! :)
 
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MrRaceInc

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Nov 21, 2012
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I know this is a REALLY old post but I was offered one of these boxes over the weekend for $450 and was doing some research. I haven't seen it in person yet but wanted to know what to expect when I saw it. They look like really good tool boxes and a decent size.
 
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jfoster

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NOW it’s an old post! :)

Any info on servicing the drawer slides? Just picked one up and the bottom slides are worn through on one side. Thanks!
 
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driftpin

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billymade's Snap On box now has a decade of his use on it. He mentioned a thread with a 1965 Snap On box from Crane Cams. I went searching for the thread, I found it.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35028&highlight=snap+crane+cams

One of the later posts there mentions, "I remember when they were in (sic) 'Hallendale' Florida.

I knew Harvey Crane. He and the business were in Hallandale Florida. It's now-called Hallandale Beach. After decades in the same location, he moved the business to Daytona Beach, it was sold.

I have been at Harvey's home in Hallandale Beach. I have friends who worked for him. The guy I use for machine shop stuff was an employee there right out of the local high school, his father was a Crane Cams machinist, so that was a foot in the door. He's still working, he operates his own machine shop in Palm Beach County, his clientele is mostly marine performance customers and rich Porsche guys. He once was a motorcycle drag racer, and he still does some stuff in that area (machining). He once did a small run of KZ1000J billet cylinder heads. Of course, with the popularity of the Hyabusas, he also has done a lot of work on those, he picks and chooses what he wants to do.

Harvey Crane faced some real challenges in life, he tried to do what he could to help his friends and family, but there was a lot of personal disappointment. In the end, I think it just wore him down, and wore him out.

The Crane Cams factory had a Horsepower Sales office/store in the front, and a lot of business and work going-on in the back. Crane Cams was world-famous. I always enjoyed the ads in the magazines for his products.
 
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calandrod

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billymade said:
Well, I was at the flea today as usual; then I saw a red decent sized toolbox on a trailer in the distance.... oooh, its vintage; oh! Its a Snap-On! AAhhhh, I asked the guy if it was ok to check out his box; "Sure! No problem" he says! He continues: "I'm asking $250 but I'll take $200; thats the lowest I'll go!" Well, it didn't take long for me to think; I should go ahead and pick this puppy up! I gave him $40; went to the ATM for the remaining dough and well, the 'rest is history! :)

toolboxfrontfixed.jpg
Front

toolboxpricetag.jpg
Price tag

toolboxback-1.jpg
Rear

toolboxdatecode.jpg
Rear Stamping: manufacture date code "71" and serial number!

toolboxsmalldoor.jpg
Rear small plate inside (the right front door); this was there so you could remove it and install a extension cord and plug setup; to work in the shop and plug things in! The bottom of the box has a hole in it; so the cord can go out the bottom!

toolboxbackdoor.jpg
Rear Door; he said he used to keep all the "points" in here! Man, I don't miss replacing those on my old VW Beetles; however, I still have my Sears Penske tac/dwell meter and timing light!

toolboxsidedoor.jpg
Front door

toolbox-badge-and-name-plat.jpg
Front door logo badge and name plate; Snap-On would put a custom plate with your name on it, if you bought one these boxes! I removed the name to protect the innocent!

toolboxsticker.jpg
Sticker on the inside of front door; just think, it is 1972 and the Japanese cars are starting to come the the USA in larger numbers! Of course european stuff is metric too! What about the Ford Pinto? Metric on US cars, as well? Time to start getting metric tools to fix all the new foreign cars that are the US roads! :) "Build for a Metric future with Snap-On tools"; I bet they just loved this new found need for a whole new set of tools! :)

toolboxsockets.jpg
Drawer with sockets; he said he forgot they were in there! All classic USA stuff; Snap-On, Williams, SK, Proto and "V" series Craftsman! The socket rails were screwed into the drawer; old school style, first things to come out and I ground down the sharp sheet metal left by the screws!! Pop rivets I think are a better way to go; if I would do this!

toolboxtools.jpg
Drawer removal tools included; he was proud to show me he still had the tools to remove the drawers from the box!

toolboxdrawerprotector.jpg
Drawer protectors; unique but I think I have seen these on other boxes here on GJ! Do you think they were a Snap-On accessory or a aftermarket add-on?

toolboxkey.jpg
Original keys; very worn but they still work!

toolboxhandle.jpg
Side with handle; missing one of the rubber bumpers.... I wonder if I can still get these? The right side has electric tape on it; the sheet metal is a little sharp, it holds the rubber bumpers on. Would like to replace these!

toolboxhook.jpg
Whats this? A tow hook; he said they used to hook up small tractors to pull these around shops!

toolboxside-1.jpg
Side with magnet from Matco; the sticker on it has a newer style Matco logo on it. It Can't be too old but I don't think I have seen one like it before! It has a very strong set of magnets on there; my Snap-On 24" swivel head ratchet, stays on the magnetic bar firmly! I would love to put stuff on there (BB's, ratchets, long screwdrivers etc.) but I am afraid they would walk away!

toolboxrearwheel.jpg
Rear wheels; big ones, look like similar to the guy who has the '65 box from Crane Cams!

toolboxfrontwheel.jpg
Front wheels; zerk fittings, dirty, some chunks of rubber missing, worn down but still work!

toolboxtop.jpg
Top with cover; he said this was the original cover that came with the box! Amazing!

toolboxtopbare.jpg
Top without cover; looks like the box has been repainted in some areas.

toolboxrepaint.jpg
Top with a little "spray bomb" and notes in black marker; maybe they were trying to match the paint?

Whew! :)
Click to expand...
I know it’s been awhile since you posted this but if you still have it, where is the stamping? I acquired a proto version and can’t find it anywhere.
 
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