1960's Snap-On Box Advice

[ssjones]

1970's Snap-On Box Advice (KR555 & KR550)

Folks:
I recently inherited this Snap-On box from my father-in-law. He died peacefully at the ripe old age of 89 with no regrets. He was my mechanical mentor, that is for certain (my father had zero interest). He was the service manager for our local Chrysler dealership in the 60's, then did fleet management for a food distribution company. This was his personal tool box, which he would have probably purchased in the 1960's. Most of the tool sets are mis-matched Snap-on and Mac, with a few complete sets.

I'd like to keep the box, but need to come up with some kind of value on it to share with the others in the estate. They don't want it, but I need to come up with a value should it be sold.

I saved some Snap-on screwdrivers, ratchets and Blue Point Tap & die sets. I also saved two Snap-On torque wrenches (1/2" & 1/4" inch-lb)

It has a faded sticker on the top lid, but it's not legible. It has some dings, scrapes and paint wear.

I'd appreciate any advice/valuation comments.

Looking at past classifieds here, it looks like $600 - $800 based on condition?

 

[Wrench97]

With the tools probably a bit more, most appear to be SAE witch don't bring metric prices.
The box is in nice shape and more likely from the early 70's
From an estate $1200-$1500

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Around here 800 box. It is from 70s

 

[ssjones]

Thanks guys. I just need a ballpark to settle with the estate when the dust clears. The two boxes are a lot larger than my current Craftsman setup, so that will be nice.

 

[thehorse13]

In the Mid Atlantic area that 1970s Snap-On stack would bring $600 the same day you dropped it on Craigslist. I'd say $800 is the full retail value.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The '70's boxes aren't worth what a new one is, but yeah, I'd say in the $500-750 range. as nice a shape as that one's in, it's a keeper... even if you have to pay the estate to keep everything "even", it's worth it. It'll be a lot more durable than your c'man set (which is, if it's like my 26" top and bottom, what I use now as my "work cart") which means you'll probably be able to leave it for one of YOUR kids when you punch the clock that last time..

Just make sure (like the C'man box) you break the drawers down, clean and lube the sliders every so often... the sliders will eventually wear, as you probably already know.

 

[1982fxr]

In the Mid Atlantic area that 1970s Snap-On stack would bring $600 the same day you dropped it on Craigslist. I'd say $800 is the full retail value.

Same exact for Phoenix. If someone wanted to wait maybe a couple hundred could be added.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Here in Central Washington, the box would bring about 800.00 plus another 200.00 to 400.00 for the tools.

 

[ZRX61]

Thanks guys. I just need a ballpark to settle with the estate when the dust clears. The two boxes are a lot larger than my current Craftsman setup, so that will be nice.

They expect you to PAY for an inheritance? WTF?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Looks late '70s, could even be '80 or '81. The boxes look to be in outstanding shape, as are the tools. I agree with the $800 value on the boxes, that's very fair. I'll defer to others on the tool value.

 

[RTM]

Check eBay. Don’t get on a site where everyone brags how cheap they got stuff to establish value.

If he is swapping $$ with the estate, he wants to go as low as possible.

I am aware of $$ split equally amongst the estate members, so he might trade his share in a china hutch for someone else's share of the tool box.

"That china hutch is worth $15k.
This tool box is only worth $200."

Divide the $$ equally.


But I agree with the general ## shown here. I think here is SF Bay, it might be higher.

 

[1982fxr]

Here we go

 

[ssjones]

Thanks guys! Looks like I'll be able to keep the box without any drama. Wife's family, she has a sister, brother and Aunt who share the estate. Looks like no one wants to sell it. I locked the box to keep out the various nephews lurking. We had an appraiser come to evaluate the home contents. They couldn't unlock the box, so the appraiser listed as "old tool box".

I a 1980 catalog showing the two components KR500 & KR550, so that's pretty cool.

I'll definitely empty it, get new liner and put my tools in with a few select pieces from his set (Snap-On Torque wrenches, a few complete socket sets. Most of the stuff is SAE, which is great as my MGB is SAE. Good advice on lubing the slides, it's probably never been done!

I'll post some pix when I get it to the house, in the next few weeks. I'm sending my Craftsman box down to my son-in-law in Louisiana. I will miss the 20 years of accumulated stickers on that box.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thanks guys! Looks like I'll be able to keep the box without any drama. Wife's family, she has a sister, brother and Aunt who share the estate. Looks like no one wants to sell it. I locked the box to keep out the various nephews lurking. We had an appraiser come to evaluate the home contents. They couldn't unlock the box, so the appraiser listed as "old tool box".

I a 1980 catalog showing the two components KR500 & KR550, so that's pretty cool.

I'll definitely empty it, get new liner and put my tools in with a few select pieces from his set (Snap-On Torque wrenches, a few complete socket sets. Most of the stuff is SAE, which is great as my MGB is SAE. Good advice on lubing the slides, it's probably never been done!

I'll post some pix when I get it to the house, in the next few weeks. I'm sending my Craftsman box down to my son-in-law in Louisiana. I will miss the 20 years of accumulated stickers on that box.

Okay, around here we don't get rid of a tool box because we get another one. We add to our collection!

What year MGB? Pics?

 

[ssjones]

Ha! I hear you. But, I only have so much floor space to work with. Here's my current box and available space. The Snap-On just barely fits, without moving cabinets.

 

[ssjones]

Here's the MGB, a 1979. This winter I put in a set of SU carbs, mild head job and a set of early, high compression pistons. I borrowed a number of tools from his box for that task (1/4" drive flex-head sockets made pulling the oil pan with motor in a snap)

The other picture above is my father-in-law in better times a few years ago. He pretty much taught me everything I know about home repairs and mechanics (my father had little interest in either). He did hang out some this winter and watched me do the motor work on the B, and enjoyed getting out in a garage again. He'll be missesd.

 

[tin medic]

Ha! I hear you. But, I only have so much floor space to work with. Here's my current box and available space. The Snap-On just barely fits, without moving cabinets.

Around here we don't get rid of tool boxes, we find more floor space.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Around here we don't get rid of tool boxes, we find more floor space.

Floor space... I have heard of it but never actually seen it in my garage.

 

[ssjones]

I'm happy to get my son-in-law started with a box, so that's the upside!


The sad thing is he has a full wood working shop and we'll probably auction off those items. He also did TV/Radio repair in the 70's and has a fully stocked electronic repair shop. I have a few friends into radio and sadly, there's just no market for those items.

He had wooden tool carry's for electric repair, plumbing, etc. Son-in-Law will get some of those items His workshop is a step back in time. I keep finding stashes of good files all over the shop, I'm saving those. I'll have to take some pictures.

 

[ssjones]

Well, I have both boxes in my garage. Wow, they were not lying in the catalog page on weight. We wrestled the top off and into my wife's truck bed (no hand holds) and the heavier bottom box was actually easier.

NSI drawer liner on order (reference from a thread here of course!).



I'll start moving tools over when the liner arrives.

Two slides come out of the box, but I can't get them off the drawer (same for the other side). I've seen a few videos on putting a hacksaw blade in to release, but no luck this evening (tired now, I'll get back out tomorrow night.
Any advice on that?

 

[1982fxr]

Got any pieces of shim stock? Never had any luck with the saw blade route. Now I have the right tool from snap on.

 

[ssjones]

Got any pieces of shim stock? Never had any luck with the saw blade route. Now I have the right tool from snap on.

I'm sure I can come up with something,appreciate the tip!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Get a few of the tools from Snap On (they're cheap). Once you get the hang of it, you'll be a pro.

 

[ssjones]

Get a few of the tools from Snap On (they're cheap). Once you get the hang of it, you'll be a pro.

The link to the tool from Snap-on, in this thread is dead. Is there a new part number?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395854

Tool 52638 not available:
https://shop.snapon.com/search?q=52638

 

[ssjones]

Bingo, I got it! Further reading here revealed a large zip-tie would work - and it did! On both slides, the box-side retaining clip was not catching the stay, fixed that. Now to clean and lube all the slides.

 

[1982fxr]

After all the trouble I had with a saw blade once, I'm surprised to hear a zip tie fit in there. Win

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

After all the trouble I had with a saw blade once, I'm surprised to hear a zip tie fit in there. Win

I've used the filed down hacksaw before and that worked okay. Worked better on the bigger slides than the smaller ones.

I've probably got about a dozen of the Snap On special tools from getting them in various used boxes I've bought over the years.

 

[ssjones]

I had a few of these xtra large zip ties, similar in dimension to a hacksaw blade.

I'll start pulling, cleaning and lubing drawers this evening.

 

[1982fxr]

I've used the filed down hacksaw before and that worked okay. Worked better on the bigger slides than the smaller ones.

I've probably got about a dozen of the Snap On special tools from getting them in various used boxes I've bought over the years.

I've acquired a bunch the same way. Helped me everytime except on my old Huot top box. No dice on that one.

 

[ssjones]

I pulled all the drawers this evening cleaned, then and now ready for lube.

On one of the large draw slides (1"), the nub on the box that catches the slide clip is broken or wore off. The clip glides right past Is there any shade-tree solution for that problem? JB Weld blob?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've acquired a bunch the same way. Helped me everytime except on my old Huot top box. No dice on that one.

I've got a Huot too. I have some info somewhere about removing the drawers. Not looking forward to it.

 

[ssjones]

The zip-tie proved to take too long to release the catch. I cut down an old Blue Point hacksaw blade that was found in the box, removed the teeth and tapered it, it works in a snap.

I still need to come up with a catch for that broken box nub. (JB Weld in a small screw?)

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I still need to come up with a catch for that broken box nub. (JB Weld in a small screw?)

That should work.

 

[freeisforme]

I bought the same combo new off the Snap On truck back in 1983/84. Used it daily for 10 years before upgrading the bottom box to a KR663 triple bank.
Price wise, those early non roller drawer boxes bring a bit less than the newer models do, but I think $850 is a good number for the combo minus the tools, but if I had mine here today, there's no way I'd sell it that cheap. I think I got $600 for the top box alone about 10 years ago.

 

[ssjones]

Well, the journey is complete.

I spent about 12 hours yesterday and a few more this morning, removing all the drawers, clean, lubing and repairing (some) all of the friction slides.

Cutting the NCI liner was tedious, but appears to be worth the effort, it seems like good stuff. I had plenty leftover, I'll send it with my old Craftsman box to Louisiana for the son-in-law to tackle.

I painted a few of the interior drawers with Rustoleum (Sunrise Red, sort of matches) where there was some surface rust. I might try and touch up some of the nick on the outside, but probably not, it got them honest.

I appreciate the tips and advice from the Garage Journal folks!

I still have some of the original tools to catalog, and will probably list them here.

I have several nearly empty drawers, so room to grow! (although at 59 years, if I don't have it now, I probably don't need it...)

 

[1982fxr]

Liners look great. I hate cutting liners.

 

[Shelbylex]

Looks great!
When I was young I worked in Frame King Express. I wish I had access to mat cutting equipment - would make cutting liners much more precise and easier!

 

[ssjones]

Looks great!
When I was young I worked in Frame King Express. I wish I had access to mat cutting equipment - would make cutting liners much more precise and easier!

Thanks!
I borrowed my wife's wallpaper frame tool, it worked well, but tedious work in the hot garage (hey, she borrows my stuff all the time!)

 

[ssjones]

I called Snap-On yesterday, they are sending me a replacement slide (#8 267) and a bottle of touch-up paint. (paint was $10.50, slide free)

 

[thehorse13]

If you ever find yourself at a flea market and spot a construction paper cutter, they work fantastic for drawer liners. You're welcome!