My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

pronator · Feb 10, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

03/05/2021 Update: now a full strip down and repaint thread. (Pretty sure stamped metal next to “MODEL” are month and year.)

02/15/2021 Update: now a clean-up-and-reuse thread. Additional info still welcomed, especially on the stamped numbers (if they are month and year of production or not). Thanks!

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Does anyone have any info on - or recollection of - a rolling cart and top chest of drawers made by Disston Tools, maybe in the 80s?

ACtC-3c0RdKe-ADJqj1QrO6BldB5TRf6-DIbQyk6pu_k7HfMkBBLkv0wMrTvjmrTNzZ9Z2YxMPRLf03tBb4UB4yUS0HkZlr-zbqO4o1JrZFoTxEufb84VEWYDfZJjEuuHb-Hwy-2a4zPqHnZC2U3ruCsYoi6=w600-h828-no

I picked up this set for myself on Craigslist and there's a sticker on the bottom rolling cart that reads:

Disston Tools
My Buddy
6200
Made in USA
Danville, VA

ACtC-3fxr2uqxFnhVYTPsRaSPgNEUp0w3YZjdbF-NRdtVdUx7LooKHD0s51ipNF8S3SyS09sBKCTZl40KlGUqA4E82IHu2PdKx1zsmc8eXrEKKAtfBGFPTppIP4Z-tcKLwngdbjiK0vXI6keeN4rzs9U8mSO=w600-h356-no

And the top chest has this stamped in the top tray:

7 84 MODEL

ACtC-3f-0H1xCX46FB9GTYGwVxoYsbd6Ee3vAMkP3gmdXPjwac2f2YjYaNiTE4VpfcURUOKuqaI2wzkNzsgzoBBipY5ExURRQnKgp2vjk8cof0tkODc6wKafA-2c-_UzAmTofVqW4KTR7hDo5KHOs4ZKO0oe=w600-h216-no

I've sent an email to the folks at Disston Tools to see if there's anyone there who has some historical knowledge or archival info.

That said, you all have been an incredible resource as a forum so I'm reaching out to what folks may know or remember. Thanks!

[Hopefully, this will eventually become a restoration thread.]

CharlieM · Feb 10, 2021

Pictures not working, for me at least.

rustyzman · Feb 10, 2021

Not that it helps much, but I had a Disston My Buddy two drawer lift-top carry toolbox in the 80's thru 90's. It was fairly lightweight in construction, friction slides on the drawers. I used it when I first apprenticed as an Auto Tech before I bought a used MAC top/bottom. Did what it needed to do for sure, not a bad unit. Don't have it anymore though...

I think it originally was bought from either Handy Andy, Builders Square, Courtesy Home center or Mr How Warehouse. All four were popular here at the time.

captain14 · Feb 10, 2021

No photos are showing

pronator · Feb 10, 2021

CharlieM said:
Pictures not working, for me at least.

captain14 said:
No photos are showing

Sorry - fixed!

pronator · Feb 10, 2021

rustyzman said:
Not that it helps much, but I had a Disston My Buddy two drawer lift-top carry toolbox in the 80's thru 90's. It was fairly lightweight in construction, friction slides on the drawers. I used it when I first apprenticed as an Auto Tech before I bought a used MAC top/bottom. Did what it needed to do for sure, not a bad unit. Don't have it anymore though...

I think it originally was bought from either Handy Andy, Builders Square, Courtesy Home center or Mr How Warehouse. All four were popular here at the time.

Thanks for the info, rustyzman! These indeed have friction slides. I wouldn't say it's lightweight, but certainly not truck standards. It feels pretty solid to me at least.

As you can see from the pictures that are now loading, the paint is pretty beat up on the top and front. The drawer interiors are in great shape after I spent some evenings cleaning off a lot of very old, double-sided tape adhesive.

rustyzman · Feb 10, 2021

Nice! That is certainly bigger than what I had. Mine was maybe 20-ish" wide and not as deep. Mine would have been a "portable" toolbox with a handle on the lid (though full it was tough to carry with one hand). I'd bet yours is a fair bit heavier duty all around.
Good save there. Good layout of drawer sizes and a larger storage area on the bottom. I like that.

pronator · Feb 11, 2021

rustyzman said:
Nice! That is certainly bigger than what I had. Mine was maybe 20-ish" wide and not as deep. Mine would have been a "portable" toolbox with a handle on the lid (though full it was tough to carry with one hand). I'd bet yours is a fair bit heavier duty all around.
Good save there. Good layout of drawer sizes and a larger storage area on the bottom. I like that.

Thanks! I've seen some of the standard portable Disston tool boxes when searching online, but nothing like you've described, rustyzman.

None of the images I've found of the same top chest online have good enough resolution to make out the sticker text except for this one that reads 6106. It's a different layout with matching pulls (to the bottom) - and in much better shape!

ACtC-3dEhkovcqBImLD-ENqjYl9DXxL58nTxeV-3mqT1Qu5iFrtGmx-oijlT61bGgDV7iMi4UfyhN3Cv0E70PnBZHt6kDSw9EZCk68SLSKWBSrncEDp37H9N53Y3NaH5GBMQBVpZb5yHbte_SNCZA-sK68gO=w522-h797-no

ACtC-3ePzK9_mUapXmopm1lkOIdS-hxAM4sOmLXkQHz6XGXZCKNnlcqSM6oHJC1K18pzaTYrkkPPw3Zy8undtdfZMwCTEyHACABp1u_zyvFuh8XhBsLazWTUsGDeNgCQeBRqrohalGLSm1CE_S-16pdMnmEY=w580-h731-no

I found this auctioned set that looks more like mine with the handles:

ACtC-3d5E8QVyOw-2TBCpD3E0F-1MesmfKHwl_c73CbA_0PVZo-KiY9kXTjenugNWNA-P826tzRSQ6QpycmamJg9c5bndqzseLVpmraeyyRNLUjwIXB77TBU-3ytxUPmJIGDSa15VqwkhKZcbrIwqbnCk3ie=w532-h798-no

And there was this thread from GJ thread from 2015:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312305

pronator · Feb 15, 2021

I started stripping the rust and paint off just the face of the rolling cabinet since that was the worst part. The plan was to prime and use.

And then...

pronator · Feb 16, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

Haven’t decided on color yet so I’m just giving it a solid coat of primer and letting it cure for use.

Also replaced the original 1984 caster wheels. I’m guessing these were made in 1984 since the stamp in both the rolling cart and top chest has that stamped in it preceded by another number that I’m guessing to be the month.

7 1984: top chest
9 1984: rolling cart

pronator · Feb 16, 2021

The drawers were in pretty good shape on the inside but the fronts had both rust and peeling/blistering paint.

I was able to pull off the Disston My Buddy sticker and keep it for later. I may end up applying it to the top of the cart rather than it’s original location on the first drawer.

joey1320 · Feb 16, 2021

Nice!

pronator · Feb 16, 2021

Drawer pics, stripping paint and pre-primer:

atch · Feb 16, 2021

My comments (yes, I know no one asked):

1. It looks like you got yourself a good, useable box, even though it might not be a Cadillac. It's still better than what many folks have and it'll be even nicer when your restoration is complete. I'd be happy to have that myself.

2. You'll be very glad you're painting/refurbishing them now 'cause you'd never have done that once you started filling and using them,

3. I have two roll-arounds. The 2nd set I bought had the top box the same depth as the bottom, so the fronts of all the drawers line up. After I had used it for a while I realized that I hardly ever used the bottom drawer (or 2) of the first set top box because there was always something (or things) sitting on that front 3" or so of the bottom box top. It was inconvenient to use these drawers in that I had to move stuff to open them. At that point I decided to move the top box forward so that the fronts lined up. Now I have full use of all the drawers and use them regularly. I'm a "horizontal surface challenged" sort of guy so every horizontal surface in my shop is covered. Maybe you aren't in which case disregard this note #3. As I can see in your pix you're a much more organized person than I am.

I'm looking for a 3rd set of roll-around boxes. I'd like to find a set just like yours, but around here they sell for just about as much as new sets.

b-t-w; my first set is Grizzly (green) and the 2nd set is whatever the brand is that Home Depot sells (black). The HD set is newer (by about 5-10 years) than the Grizzly, larger, and cost less than the Grizzly set. The roller drawer slides work equally well in both sets. I wanted the 2nd set to be Grizzly to match the first set but these three issues persuaded me to go HD. If I buy the 3rd set new I'll probably go to HD and get another set just like the 2nd set.

rburke65 · Feb 16, 2021

Looks like a great buy/find. Doing a nice job

pronator · Feb 17, 2021

joey1320 said:
Nice!

Thanks!

pronator · Feb 17, 2021

I think a thread like this inherently asks for comments so I appreciate them.

1. Agreed, I’m very happy about my rolling cart and top chest - plus a middle set of drawers this forum helped me identify as a mid-80s craftsman. Everything totaled $100 on Craigslist. I have two gallons of evaporust in use, three cans of primer, a couple 4” nylon abrasive wheels, and a set of 5” locking caster wheels invested so far. It’s been fun to do, and I’m learning a lot in the process.

2. So true. I was torn between just using it as is or getting it cleaned up and properly painted. I decided to at least get it cleaned and primed because pieces of paint just kept flaking every time I touched it.

3. Oooooh, such good advice! I, too, have “HSC” and can totally see those drawers getting blocked. I’ll need to leave an inch up front for the locking bar. There are two slots: one for storing the bar and one for locking the drawers.

Do you have pics of your green Grizzly posted anywhere? Would love to see!

atch said:
My comments (yes, I know no one asked):

1. It looks like you got yourself a good, useable box, even though it might not be a Cadillac. It's still better than what many folks have and it'll be even nicer when your restoration is complete. I'd be happy to have that myself.

2. You'll be very glad you're painting/refurbishing them now 'cause you'd never have done that once you started filling and using them,

3. I have two roll-arounds. The 2nd set I bought had the top box the same depth as the bottom, so the fronts of all the drawers line up. After I had used it for a while I realized that I hardly ever used the bottom drawer (or 2) of the first set top box because there was always something (or things) sitting on that front 3" or so of the bottom box top. It was inconvenient to use these drawers in that I had to move stuff to open them. At that point I decided to move the top box forward so that the fronts lined up. Now I have full use of all the drawers and use them regularly. I'm a "horizontal surface challenged" sort of guy so every horizontal surface in my shop is covered. Maybe you aren't in which case disregard this note #3. As I can see in your pix you're a much more organized person than I am.

I'm looking for a 3rd set of roll-around boxes. I'd like to find a set just like yours, but around here they sell for just about as much as new sets.

b-t-w; my first set is Grizzly (green) and the 2nd set is whatever the brand is that Home Depot sells (black).

pronator · Feb 17, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

rburke65 said:
Looks like a great buy/find. Doing a nice job

Thanks - appreciate it!

atch · Feb 17, 2021

pronator said:
...Do you have pics of your green Grizzly posted anywhere? Would love to see!

Here ya go. There are actually 3 Grizzly boxes. There's a 3 drawer intermediate box. I wasn't going to post the pic with the H-D in the way but the perspective of the other pic made the Grizzly look smaller than it actually is (or the Huskey larger than it really is). The little red one is a bottom-of-the-line Craftsman. The drawer slides are not roller, but slide amazingly well for a dirt cheap buy at an estate sale. b-t-w; you see what I mean by horizontal surface challenged?

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pronator · Feb 17, 2021

Hahaha - horizontal surface challenged, indeed. I really like the green on the Grizzly. And the drawer layout, too. I find that the older boxes have more drawers and don't go as deep, which is my preference.

I do have something of a pipe dream of pricing out a paint job with a body shop that's repainting cars. I'll touch up the primer, tape off what needs to be prepped, and bring them in for spraying when they have a job come in for navy blue or similar. Maybe even white, but that just sounds like an exercise in frustration. :lol:

Looks like you do most of the wrenching on your bike?

atch · Feb 17, 2021

pronator said:
...Looks like you do most of the wrenching on your bike?

Not at all.

The tools are for hot rods and general maintenance. I have a 1966 BSA that I'll wrench on if I ever get back to it. It's been buried in the back of the shop for 10-15 years. The two Harleys I take to a very talented pair of brothers who have been in business for several decades and work only on Harleys. I might replace a battery on one or a light bulb, but for everything else I let Larry and Gary maintain and fix them. I don't even change the oil any more. When they change it they also check a host of other things that I would never remember to do. The bike in the pic has 107,*** miles on it and they have kept it running like a new one for 20 years. I wouldn't hesitate for even a second to get on it and ride it to the coast and back. The other H-D has 7,*** miles on it and I expect them to make it run another 100,*** miles too.

Besides, at my age (69) I'd rather ride them than wrench on them.

atch · Feb 17, 2021

BTW, both of the top 2 Grizzly boxes are the same shallower depth.

pronator · Feb 20, 2021

atch said:
Not at all.

The tools are for hot rods and general maintenance. I have a 1966 BSA that I'll wrench on if I ever get back to it. It's been buried in the back of the shop for 10-15 years. The two Harleys I take to a very talented pair of brothers who have been in business for several decades and work only on Harleys. I might replace a battery on one or a light bulb, but for everything else I let Larry and Gary maintain and fix them. I don't even change the oil any more. When they change it they also check a host of other things that I would never remember to do. The bike in the pic has 107,*** miles on it and they have kept it running like a new one for 20 years. I wouldn't hesitate for even a second to get on it and ride it to the coast and back. The other H-D has 7,*** miles on it and I expect them to make it run another 100,*** miles too.

Besides, at my age (69) I'd rather ride them than wrench on them.

Ha! Fair enough. I do most maintenance on my Suzuki and leave the heavier duty wrenching to a mobile mechanic who works motogp. He’s on the road a lot but does great work when I can book him.

Oh, I finally made this clock I’d been saving my sprockets for years to make. Thought you might get a kick out of it.

I really like how the the front loaded mid and top chests look on your grizzly. Matches the Husky and gets rid of that horizontal surface temptation!

pronator · Feb 20, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

More stripping and priming today. Took all the rust and paint off the rolling cart door. It was in the worst shape among the “fronts” on that cabinet.

I also made a decision while reading through the red and gray Craftsman thread that I’m gonna move forward with repainting my setup with Rustoleum’s Enamel Gloss Dark Machine Gray and Safety Red. Only the middle box is a Craftsman, and not even of that era, but I love the color combo! Plus, it lets me take advantage that *most* (7 of 10) of the existing drawers are already red and in pretty good shape.

Not sure how far off Disston Red and Safety Red will be from each other so there may be more repainting in my future. I’ve already switched over to a red primer for the drawer fronts and door. The frame is already prepped with its gray primer. I may do a bit of bond-o-ing on the most obvious dents (or not) before spraying the gloss. The weather is supposed to be nice and sunny this upcoming week...

rustyzman · Feb 21, 2021

Looking Good!

pronator · Feb 21, 2021

rustyzman said:
Looking Good!

Thanks, Rustyzman!

pronator · Mar 4, 2021

In reading through some of the Craftsman gray and red toolbox posts, it looks like the closer color for the frames is Rustoleum Hammered Gray.

Lucky for me, Lowe’s had the 12oz standard spray paint cans on “clearance” for $4.50:

I think they’re replacing them with these 11oz new style sprayers:

rustyzman · Mar 4, 2021

Big fan of the Hammered Finish paints. For a spray can, the finish is quite durable. I get the quarts for some bigger projects, thin them with Xylol, add hardener and spray them too. Also a very durable paint.

Good stuff

pronator · Mar 4, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

I also ordered a couple cans of this SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Clear Coat. Recommendation from the guy who sold me the snap-on mobile cart when I told him I’d be restoring it for myself.

I haven’t used it yet but I’ll update when I get to that phase. Each can requires activation and is only good for 24 hours post so I want to make sure I’ll have plenty to clear coat when I activate the can.

pronator · Mar 10, 2021

My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

Evening projects that can be done indoors, while warm. Creating drawer liner templates from postcard mailers and Girl Scout cookie boxes.

Then cutting the liners out of some bright teal, 3mm (3/16”) yoga mats that were on sale at Target. The color is a nod to my wife and will offer a nice contrast to the tools when they’re finally moved in.

The Rustoleum Safety Red enamel rattlecan matches the original Disston paint closely enough that it’s not an eye sore. The seven drawers only needed their fronts stripped of paint and rust. Interiors required double sided tape removal and a good cleaning. These pics show a finished drawer with the new primed and painted front with original interior.

pronator · Mar 17, 2021

Re: My Buddy | Disston rolling cart & top chest

While in convo with provincial on the vintage toolboxes thread, I took more pics of the top chest of drawers, minus the drawers.

Yellow highlight shows location of “7 84 MODEL” stamp in the metal.

Provincial · Mar 19, 2021

I think the buckling of the vertical pieces at the top drawer opening is due to the stress concentration of cutting away the vertical to accommodate the front panel. It both reduced the strength of the vertical by reducing it's cross-sectional area, and adding a point that concentrated the stress in a sharp corner. If the top compartment was loaded down, the weight concentrated in that area, and any accelerated load, like jouncing around or dropping a heavy tool in the top compartment, multiplied that stress. The metal is so thin, it couldn't take it.

I tried to straighten the buckles a little, but had no success. I'm going to apply pressure to raise the front panel and see if that helps. I have to TIG the holes where they mounted the hasp, so I'll repair the cracks then.

From your description of the original paint, Union and Disston must have used the same shortcuts on paint prep! I find no primer under my paint, and just bare, untreated steel. The paint very thin and flakes off because of poor adhesion.

I'm making mine a "user" box, so I'll just paint the external surfaces and do a preservative paint job on the inside floor. I'll paint the floor of the top bin, but not get carried away, since I'll put drawer liner there.

I'll probably bead blast the handles and paint them with silver. Too far gone to save the chrome. The slides are like new, and the guides are still straight and show no wear. All in all, it will be pretty straightforward to make it useable and reasonably presentable.

atch · Mar 14, 2023

@Provincial

You're undoubtedly done with refurbishing this roll-around. Would you post up pix of the finished product?

Provincial · Mar 14, 2023

Actually, no. I've been busy with many other, more pressing, projects. I did a little TIG work, then set it aside.

nadogail · Mar 14, 2023

I doubt that there are any better looking Diston tool boxes to be found. You have definitely done a fine job.

Provincial · Mar 14, 2023

I haven't posted any pictures of my project. I think people may be thinking that I am pronator.

atch · Mar 14, 2023

Provincial said:
I haven't posted any pictures of my project. I think people may be thinking that I am pronator.

Yep. My bad. I tagged the wrong person. Should have tagged @pronator.

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