$20 Craigslist Craftsman Roller / Toolbox

[John316]

Just scored this for $20. Obviously, someone lost the key and is still fine tuning his problem solving skills.

I guess I am trying to decide if I should just flip it, or attempt some repair/restore on this. I am not an experienced welder, although I have been playing around with my HF90 amp here and there.

 

[Packard V8]

Re: $20 Craigslist Toolbox

Yep, worth $20 all day long.

Other than having to look at ugly every time, it functions as is. Locks aren't necessary for most home shop use.

jack vines

 

[In The Doghouse]

Just glue some kind of decorative plate over that hole and put it to use.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ilovevocs]

Odd way to resolve a lost key issue. I agree with trimming it out with a plate and using it. That's a bargain...

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Just glue some kind of decorative plate over that hole and put it to use.

What he said.

 

[vjlobel]

I disagree!! Rather than hide that beautiful hack job, Cut a similar access door into each tool drawer when you need something. Who can be bothered to open a whole drawer with those pesky sides!!

Nice grab!!

 

[mmack66]

I would keep it. I have one like that and it's a good box, made back when they were decent.

The only time I lock mine is when I put it in a truck to move it from one location to another.

 

[zkling]

Very nice, you ****

If I had the room I would definitely keep it, looks to be in pretty good shape, barring the lock hole. Those cman bottoms with more than 5 drawers are pretty hard to come by or $$$ when you do find them. That looks to be an early 90's or later model?

A little time with a dremel, hammer, anvil and mig or tig welder will have that straightened out like new. Temporary you could just put a flat magnet over it to prevent bumping any sharp edges.

 

[rsanter]

Get a strip os stainless
Rivet it over the front
Fill with tools

Bob

 

[ADSR]

Cut the rest of that out. Cut some new metal for it and practice you welding. Put a bit of filler in it, sand and prime. Fog in some red.

 

[John316]

Very nice, you ****

If I had the room I would definitely keep it, looks to be in pretty good shape, barring the lock hole. Those cman bottoms with more than 5 drawers are pretty hard to come by or $$$ when you do find them. That looks to be an early 90's or later model?

A little time with a dremel, hammer, anvil and mig or tig welder will have that straightened out like new. Temporary you could just put a flat magnet over it to prevent bumping any sharp edges.

I have had good fortune lately on CL. I have been checking for tool boxes DAILY for like a year and have always missed the very few deals posted. Just last week I scored a nearly identical 8 drawer bottom in great shape... no lock issues, lol, WITH a 5 drawer 22" wide CM top box for $50, keys and all ;-)

Here are the pics from last weeks score: The matching top box I had already and I was glad to find the matching bottom finally. The 5 drawer is a 22" top that was included in the bottom box deal and had the locking bar included. The third pic is my current setup.. not including the mangled CM roller

 

[alpinewhite]

Get a strip os stainless
Rivet it over the front

Exactly what I had in mind, too. Except that I was thinking of diamond plate. Rivets would make it look custom.

If you want to practice welding, weld on a piece of metal. Forget the keyhole.

 

[zkling]

Wow John, you really ****

I too have a weakness for tool boxes. Always looking to upgrade over what I currently have. I have a somewhat similar bottom box made by waterloo. I am like 90% that those bottom boxes you have are made by waterloo as well. Thinking from the early 90's?

Those bottom boxes are nice and somewhat rare. Nice because they the same if not more storage than a standard 5 or 6 drawer bottom, PLUS a 3 drawer middle chest.

Got any more pics of that top black drawer cman box? Is that 16 or 18" deep? Ball bearing or friction?

 

[RCStocker]

Cut the lock whole piece out and pop rivet a new piece of sheet metal over the whole. You can make a new hole but I would not bother. I would take 2 hammers and take the dents out of the drawers and then keep and use it. For $20 I would not get rid if it unless you are one of the nuts that need things perfect in life. LOL

 

[zkling]

Cut the lock whole piece out

Cut the rest of that out. Cut some new metal for it and practice you welding. Put a bit of filler in it, sand and prime. Fog in some red.

All those suggesting to cut out the original piece, why? Luckily the "fabricator" that cut it did pretty clean job. That could easily be straightened, and tacked back into place. Plus if he ever did want to sell it, I think it would be much easier if he had a hole to put a lock in, compared to some tacky riveted piece.

 

[jd_1138]

The seller made mistake after mistake -- losing the key in the first place, hacking it up, selling it for next to nothing, etc..

 

[John316]

The seller made mistake after mistake -- losing the key in the first place, hacking it up, selling it for next to nothing, etc..

Rolled it right out of the Goodyear service bay into my car

 

[John316]

Wow John, you really ****

I too have a weakness for tool boxes. Always looking to upgrade over what I currently have. I have a somewhat similar bottom box made by waterloo. I am like 90% that those bottom boxes you have are made by waterloo as well. Thinking from the early 90's?

Those bottom boxes are nice and somewhat rare. Nice because they the same if not more storage than a standard 5 or 6 drawer bottom, PLUS a 3 drawer middle chest.

Got any more pics of that top black drawer cman box? Is that 16 or 18" deep? Ball bearing or friction?

The top box I bought new in about 1995. It is 18" deep and has roller bearing slides. As you can see in the pics, there are a few surface rust issues..nothing too bad, but I am really thinking it is time for a restore... but that is another thread! The metal insert tray in the top is original to the box.

The new (to me) bottom box has some surface rust as well and has friction slides. I really need to clean both also of course.

The bottom roller here matches my top box and I believe are from the same era. Slightly gray drawer color. The newer hacked up box in the thread I believe is slightly newer. The drawers appear almost black and the metal seems a tad thinner, although I do not have a micrometer to measure.

 

[methomas70]

Weld, rivet, filler, dremmel, glue, cut, sand, prime, etc.

Ugh, that's a lot of work.

One word: STICKER

 

[G_P]

Why cut a big hole in the box when the lock could have been drilled out?

I would just file the edges smooth and put a sticker over the hole.

 

[Zeke]

Why cut a big hole in the box when the lock could have been drilled out?

I would just file the edges smooth and put a sticker over the hole.

No kidding. I bought a new box from OSH that was locked with no key. Drilled out the lock and the key was laying in the top drawer. The lock was soft brass.

Like HD, they hire brilliant people.

 

[John316]

Thanks for the replies. If I do try and repair it, I will post pics here

 

[MikeF2316]

"...fine tuning his problem solving skills."

 

[John316]

Here is what I decided to do...

Since I really don't need this, I decided to do a quick fix and flip this.

Ingredients:
1 can of Rustoleum Regal Red $4.95
1 Can of primer which I had on hand
1 Aluminum square (dollar store) = $1.00
4 1/8 Rivets which I had on hand

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Good job. Now open a hole and add a barrel lock

 

[markduncan93]

That has to be the best looking box I've seen for under $30 all fixed up. You did good.

 

[zkling]

Nice, I personally think the ruler unpainted looked slick. You could advertise it as a selling "feature". Seriously.

If you don't mind my asking, what is going to be your asking price?

 

[John316]

Nice, I personally think the ruler unpainted looked slick. You could advertise it as a selling "feature". Seriously.

If you don't mind my asking, what is going to be your asking price?

I am going to offer it for $250 including another top box (mentioned earlier in the post). I am hoping to finance the HF 44 top box with the proceeds. I may be high on the asking price.. but we will see.. afterall it is a CRAFTSMAN

 

[John316]

Just to complete the story... sold for $250 ;-)

 

[dare23]

Nice!