Vintage Par-X PX-1B Tool Chest

I just recently scored a Par-X tool chest that I found for sale on a Craigslist listing in Seattle, WA. I had been on a look-out for a cool, old tool chest, but didn't come across one in my local listing in Vancouver, BC (Canada).

Here's a little story behind my purchase.

When I first saw the seller's ad, I emailed the ad to myself to remind myself to look into this cool looking box. A week or so went by with myself forgetting about it. I go to check the link and ****, gone! Thinking that it got sold, I revisited the Seattle listings to find another suitable box. I browsed through to find it relisted! That gave me some hope, but the thought of going through the hassle of cross-border shopping and a 5-hour round trip was still weighing me down.

I hadn't figured out what the brand of the box was either. The title of the listing read something like: "Rar-x Tool Box". What fool would spell "Rare", put a hyphen and end it with the letter "x"? Then it dawned on me that he must've mispelled the "P" with an "R". That's a known tool brand But, the only things I remember reading is that Snap-on made their wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. ....and Par-X made boxes too

I searched GJ to see if anyone else had a Par-X box, and I found out Snaparxon had the exact same one as the ad. Ok, so it does exist. Member JAFE also provided me with more evidence on the history and connection between Par-X and Snap-on. Indeed, SO made the boxes for Par-X.

That pretty much sealed the deal. I made a long distance call to WA to make arrangements with the seller. Saturday morning, I hit the road to Edmonds, WA. From there, after parking my vehicle on land, I aboarded onto a ferry for a 20min ride to get to Kingston, WA. In hindsight, this was probably one reason why the listing was on for about a month (no one wanted to make the trip (other reason is the mispelled brand name)).

Met the seller, negotiated the price, got it for what I offered, and I was happy. I hauled this sucker (probably weighs no less than 50lbs) onto the ferry--that was a workout.

Drove back to the border, declared my purchase, and didn't get dinged. It made my trip and time worth it.

I check for a date and plant: 1963; Kenosha Sweeet! My first Par-X item and I guess I can safely say it's my first SO box.

Here's the box in the condition that I received (very good):

DSC_6029 by autobacs, on Flickr




With one drawer pulled out:

DSC_6023 by autobacs, on Flickr





Top drawer:

DSC_6030 by autobacs, on Flickr





It got a full tear-down and cleaning:

DSC_6031 by autobacs, on Flickr






All the drawers cleaned, and layed out:

DSC_6037 by autobacs, on Flickr







Lubed and assembled back together:

DSC_6047 by autobacs, on Flickr





All the slides work great, original key, very few scrapes/dings considering its age, and the color is preserved very well. Was this a common color offered back then? The shade of green is something like shamrock green or jade.

Oh, I forgot to mention how much I got it for. $80 I think it's a good price.

Very common box I see them all the time for $30 and pass on them.

I have that exact same par-x box, I bought it at an auction full of older SO tools for $45. My box is a much darker green and not nearly as nice as that one although I think it would clean up a great deal. I use it to store my vintage tools that I do not use and it is WELL BUILT!!


Enjoy it,
Dan

That is a cool looking box. I like the different color. What use do you plan for it?

Guys,

Good scores on the Par-x tool chests. Could you do me a favor and check the date code (either on back of chest or drawer bottom) on your chests and post your findings on this thread. I'm trying to establish a date range for Par-X tools and could use a lot more observations.

Thanks.

Great score on a good looking piece of history. I'd of bought it also. Haven't seen one before and didn't know Par-x had boxes.

That is a cool box.

When I win the Presidency, my first legislation is going to be the

"Stop Canadians from taking cool stuff back across the border with them ACT"

J/K

That color green is disturbingly attractive.... Great buy.. You Earned it..

-BWP

Sweet.

Awesome box!! Reaally like the color

Scott

Excellent score! I've never seen a Par-X box before (except in catalogues)...

I sold almost the exact same box here a few months back. I paid $2 for it at a flea by my house. It was dark green. Walked by it for weeks too and never even noticed it was Par-X. I think the one I sold was about 20" wide.

That is very nice. Looks to be in great shape and the color seems to be factory. Excellent score.

That's a cool looking box. Color is great!

nice box !! like the color too ! red is too boring .....

Dang thats cool! I want one!!

Superauto: Great score! Thanks for the photos and Par-X history.
Just another thing for me to look for in my travels.

RM209

I had some time to take a photo of the stampings on the back of the box. It was a little tricky to get the lettering to show up well enough, so this is the best I could do:

Manufacturing date stamp: 1963 by autobacs, on Flickr

I just noticed that the model number is actually PX-1, without the "B", like I had written on the title.

Attached are illustrations from a 1977 Par-X catalogue (courtesy of JAFE (thanks!)). Note that the model number in the catalogue is a PX-1B. What does everybody else's say?




Backtoclass,

I think you may be referring to a different model--PX-2B. Like you say, that one is a 20-3/8" wide box.

Nice score!

Hi- My names Don. I just bought a red one, do you have an idea of the date, and value?
I would appreaciate your imput.---It says PX-1b-71

Nice box, cool green!

The only one of those I ever saw was when I was on a trip with no way to get it home on the plane. It was at Tannehill Trade Days and the dealer was asking around $35 in red.

jack vines

That color looks strangely familiar.

Thrasher59don no idea on value other than I know what I'd pay for it.

The model is PX-1B and it was made in 1971.

Jafe,

I wonder what the difference might be between mine (PX-1) and the PX-1B? Could it just be because mine was an earlier predecessor, built in 1963?

are you going to lavish a nice coat of 3 stage tropical turquoise with hours of wet sanding on army issue tool box ?