My tool box re-do

selohssa · Dec 23, 2009

I decided that i needed to freshen up my tool box that will house my growing vintage snap-on tool collection. The box is not as old as i would like but it is a good size for my needs and the older ones that i have found are just too small. It was not in bad shape but did have a fair number of bruises on it. I also found that snap-on boxes of this vintage have many waves in the metal from the spot welds. I am used to building street rods and other show cars, so this box had to be straight. I am not done yet but i will post pics as i progress.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Dec 23, 2009

Wow, you really went to town! I redid a top box like that, but didn't take the top panel off. How did you get it off?

Bull · Dec 23, 2009

That is a serious toolbox rehabilitation. Hats off to you...great facility you have to work in, too :bowdown:

selohssa · Dec 23, 2009

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Wow, you really went to town! I redid a top box like that, but didn't take the top panel off. How did you get it off?

I just drilled it off. It took me 4 hours just to disassembe those boxes.

Mickey O · Dec 23, 2009

I've taken off lids by removing the long hinge pins, sometimes easy, sometimes a big pain in the ****. I've got a box now that I want to make a new top lid for but the existing top part of the lid hinge seems to be a part of the box not a spot welded on hinge, not sure what I'm going to do.

Mickey O · Dec 23, 2009

Great job on the box refinishing.

59flatbedford · Dec 23, 2009

what model of box is that ive seen a couple and i really like the drop front and the row of little drawers.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Dec 23, 2009

59flatbedford said:
what model of box is that ive seen a couple and i really like the drop front and the row of little drawers.

KR537D

ten characters

Rusty Kustoms · Dec 23, 2009

Nice booths!!

Cobra4B · Dec 23, 2009

Wow that's some serious work.

Stick Figure · Dec 24, 2009

mine next! i just picked up the same combo last weekend. I'm planning on redoing the top, but this is going to be tough to follow.

selohssa · Dec 24, 2009

Mickey O said:
I've taken off lids by removing the long hinge pins, sometimes easy, sometimes a big pain in the ****. I've got a box now that I want to make a new top lid for but the existing top part of the lid hinge seems to be a part of the box not a spot welded on hinge, not sure what I'm going to do.

I have had to do the same thing with the rod in the piano hinge on 20's and 30's car hoods. You are right, big pain, especially right after you have painted the hood. Could you just cut the section of the old top that you are talking about and spot weld it to the new one that you make?

MarkHoward · Dec 24, 2009

Nice Job. I just completed a rehab on a Snapon KR557C. Istill have to do the top box. How much primer and paint did you use?

I used DuPont Centari.

selohssa · Dec 26, 2009

MarkHoward said:
Nice Job. I just completed a rehab on a Snapon KR557C. Istill have to do the top box. How much primer and paint did you use?

I used DuPont Centari.

This box is like painting a motorcycle. It looks small but there is a lot of surface area that is eating up a lot of materials. I used 3 pints of etch primer, a gallon and a half of primer surfacer, 3 quarts of sealer, a gallon of viper red base coat, a gallon of clear with Alsa red metalflake, and another gallon of clear over that. I am wet sanding everything right now so that I can reclear it. That will give me a nice finish so that I can sand and polish everything to a true show car finish. The picture that I attached is what some of the parts are looking like so far. I will post more pics as I progress.

ImportTuner · Dec 26, 2009

Wow, nice setup .. you must have a huge garage ..

selohssa · Jan 1, 2010

Well, it is finally done. I just finished polishing it an put the last couple of pieces on. The only things left are to cut new drawer liners and figure out what I want to do with the black masonite piece that went on the top of the chest. I have a total of 5 gallons of material on this including all primers, sealers, waterborne basecoat and clear coat. I have about 100 hours into it. If I can find a side cabinet or middle box locally, I will buy it and paint it to match. Now the fun part, FILLING IT.

selohssa · Jan 1, 2010

Some more pics.

GeorgiaHybrid · Jan 1, 2010

If I had the middle cabinet or the side cabinet to that set, I would GIVE it to you just to be able to see the end result. I never thought a paint job on a tool box could look **** but I was wrong...

That is a gorgeous looking box and **** looking to boot even if it isn't female.

billymade · Jan 1, 2010

I think you should contact Snapon public relations with your restoration project!

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Jan 1, 2010

Absolutely beautiful job! :thumbup:

Griff93 · Jan 1, 2010

Man that's a beautiful tool box! I'd almost be afraid to use it cause it might get scratched.

Shadowdog500 · Jan 2, 2010

Griff93 said:
Man that's a beautiful tool box! I'd almost be afraid to use it cause it might get scratched.

+1 Looks beautiful, but I'd be afraid of dinging it.

Chris

colt zantop · Jan 2, 2010

wow...awesome work!

quattrojon · Jan 2, 2010

What a fantastic job you have done.

mkdive · Jan 2, 2010

All I can say is WOW. Great job....thanks for sharing!

selohssa · Jan 2, 2010

Griff93 said:
Man that's a beautiful tool box! I'd almost be afraid to use it cause it might get scratched.

If it gets scratched (It will), then so be it. I am going to use it as it was intended. I learned long ago that things are only new or perfect for 5 miniutes. I will post some pics once it is full.

norry · Jan 2, 2010

Wow, beautiful job you've done, and good attitude about using it too. A good paint job that acquires some 'patina' from use is just that - the quality will still show through.

Vinko · Mar 25, 2010

THis is the best I've seen. You're doing it right.

I'm going to be starting a 537 thread myself soon. I've found some more parts and got some helpful info from others, as well as a guy at SO corporate who had some old internal docs on the box.

Fubar · Mar 25, 2010

GeorgiaHybrid said:
If I had the middle cabinet or the side cabinet to that set, I would GIVE it to you just to be able to see the end result. I never thought a paint job on a tool box could look **** but I was wrong...

That is a gorgeous looking box and **** looking to boot even if it isn't female.

I had one of those in the ninety's and finding a mid for it at that time was nearly impossible.

Nice job....

Vinko · Mar 25, 2010

Fubar said:
I had one of those in the ninety's and finding a mid for it at that time was nearly impossible.

Nice job....

I've been searching for a mid as have many here! Maybe in a pawnshop on a road trip one day :beer:

e30bradley · Dec 9, 2014

Holy.. Wow. I am used to people telling me I am wasting my time on the cars I like.. If I only I did the same to tool boxes, everyone here would approve. Really nice job on that box! I've never sprayed water paint. Do you typically use more material with it? I think I remember reading water basecoats cover super well.

bonneyman · Dec 9, 2014

Very nice! :thumbup:

KSB · Dec 9, 2014

Very nice restoration, it is a work of art.

Bunit98 · Dec 9, 2014

Wow now that's a clean and professional job you did. I would love to restore one of my own one day

My tool box re-do

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