'75 Craftsman tool chest - source for locks and other Q's?

[tool_scrounge]

I recently went to a garage sale where the older owner was moving and getting rid of a lot of stuff. It was an eclectic mix of cheap Chinese and old school tools. On a bench he has a Craftsman 6 drawer tool chest. The outside has scratches but inside all the drawers really nice due to thin fitted carpet liners. He wanted $10 and on a whim I purchased it. Looking at the online 1972/73 catalog it looks to be part number 65262 (original price: $57.87). When it came time to load it in the car I was surprised on how heavy it was. Thanks to the GJ, I was able to find the date code of Jan 1975 (Waterloo mfg?). I was please to find a separate pile of stuff I purchased happened to include the tote tray for the tool chest.

But I had a few questions hopefully someone out there can answer.

1) The tool box is missing the lock and I would like to replace it. The lock appears to be a hook type that locks the lid shut. Even a lock without the proper key would be fine. I just fine tool boxes that do not have locks look pretty depressing. Any idea of where to find a lock? I did not see any on e-bay when searching for Craftsman tool box lock. The part number also does not work on Sears parts website.

2) The previous owner removed the three locking pieces that lock the drawers in place when the lid is closed. Fortunately he left these parts in the top of the box with two of the hinge pins. Unfortunately there were only two of the pins and three are required (Photo attached). Any thoughts if these are available anywhere? If not I will make up an equivalent one out of a stainless steel screw or nail.

3) The top lid has two rods going across it as shown in the photos. Any idea what these rods are for? There are holes for more rods. Was two rods the number supplied by the factory? Are the extra holes just for repositioning?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[rsanter]

The rods are to hold papers or manuals I believe

Bob

 

[Mohawk Dave]

i love those boxes...and yours is hard to find. I see the 12 drawer tops, but not ones like yours. I really like it. great find!

 

[zkling]

Very nice box, especially for $10

1.) This could be a bit tricky, do you need a lock that only hooks the top or one that also lock the top middle drawer separate to act as a security drawer? The lock isn't going to be the hard part, what will be though is the tab that goes on the lock. Can you take a picture of the inside where the lock would go and where it would engage?

2.) I forget exactly what those are called. They are a combo of a drive screw and a pin. One end needs to be larger in diameter than the center (pivot point). I would have to dig through mcmaster to find exactly what you need.

3.) Yes they were from the factory. To my knowledge they only supplied 2 rods per box. As rsanter said, the rods were typically designed to store paper or sheet goods. Manuals, recepits, books, sand paper. Basically anything flexable enough to slip behind them.

 

[DrivewayDave]

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/can probably help you with parts if not your local locksmith will make it work. Nice buy/find.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Or you can contact the manufacturer who made those boxes for Sears:

http://www.waterlooindustries.com/service-support/replacement-parts

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Very nice box, especially for $10

1.) This could be a bit tricky, do you need a lock that only hooks the top or one that also lock the top middle drawer separate to act as a security drawer? The lock isn't going to be the hard part, what will be though is the tab that goes on the lock. Can you take a picture of the inside where the lock would go and where it would engage?

Hey guys, the key lock engages with just the lid. The 3 vertical slides in the rear of the box (that the pins hold in), have catches for the drawers.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Any locksmith should be able to help you with the proper cam lock.

 

[crewchief888]

in the past, sears (in store) used to sell a 3 pack of replacement locks.

not sure if they still do or not.


nice box BTW

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

in the past, sears (in store) used to sell a 3 pack of replacement locks.

not sure if they still do or not.


nice box BTW

they do, but its one of those non-planogram items that doesn't go clearance but doesn't have a real home, so it gets moved around a lot...

 

[tool_scrounge]

in the past, sears (in store) used to sell a 3 pack of replacement locks.

not sure if they still do or not.


nice box BTW

I think you are referring to this lock set:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-26inch-professional-lock-set/p-00965584000P

The price is right, but from the reviews it looks to only rotate 90 degrees instead to 180 as the original look did. Still, if I cannot find the equivalent replacement it may work.

Thanks!

 

[zkling]

Hey guys, the key lock engages with just the lid. The 3 vertical slides in the rear of the box (that the pins hold in), have catches for the drawers.

Yes, locking the lid, does lock all drawers, but most of those boxes that had top middle drawers had a 3 position lock.

1.) Everything open
2.) Lid closed and locked thus all drawers locked
3.) Turn the lock the other way and only the top middle drawer locks, but the other drawer and top is open. This was called a security drawer. A place for the user to store their wallet or other valuables

 

[tool_scrounge]

Very nice box, especially for $10

1.) This could be a bit tricky, do you need a lock that only hooks the top or one that also lock the top middle drawer separate to act as a security drawer? The lock isn't going to be the hard part, what will be though is the tab that goes on the lock. Can you take a picture of the inside where the lock would go and where it would engage?

You are correct. The original lock appears to rotate 180 degrees and have three positions

1) all drawers locked (rotated -90 degrees)
2) open (rotated 0 degrees)
3) middle top drawer locked only (rotated +90 degrees)

The cam needs a hook at about 1.0" from centerline (approximately) to lock the lid but also needs to be about 2" long to lock the top drawer. I compared it to a Kennedy lock and the Kennedy locks are too shallow. The Craftsman lock needs to be about 0.9" deep.

I did not see anything on e-bay that looked correct. So if I want to lock the top middle drawer I probably need to call Waterloo. Otherwise the Craftsman replacement lock kit may work.

 

[zkling]

Yea, I thought so. There was a thread a while back where someone had the same issues. Trying to source that lock. Let me see if I can dig it up.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Yes, locking the lid, does lock all drawers, but most of those boxes that had top middle drawers had a 3 position lock.

1.) Everything open
2.) Lid closed and locked thus all drawers locked
3.) Turn the lock the other way and only the top middle drawer locks, but the other drawer and top is open. This was called a security drawer. A place for the user to store their wallet or other valuables

You are right. I does amuse me a bit that the security drawer could be defeated using the tools that are probably in the other now open drawers of the tool box!

Photo of drawer locking mechanism attached for future reference if needed by anyone.

 

[DandDMachine]

My local Menards has screen door locks. (I would imagine other places have these also). These can often be used to make tool box locks. They are about $5. Might be worth a shot if you are close by to at least take a look. I have done it many times with boxes that have missing locks. Occasionally they fit perfect out of the box, sometimes you may need to do a little cutting and fabrication to the tab.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Yes, locking the lid, does lock all drawers, but most of those boxes that had top middle drawers had a 3 position lock.

1.) Everything open
2.) Lid closed and locked thus all drawers locked
3.) Turn the lock the other way and only the top middle drawer locks, but the other drawer and top is open. This was called a security drawer. A place for the user to store their wallet or other valuables

zkling! I stand corrected my good man!

 

[zkling]

I does amuse me a bit that the security drawer could be defeated using the tools that are probably in the other now open drawers of the tool box!

Yea, you need one with a goofy tab. There was a thread a while back and the guy was in the same predicment you are. Let me see if I can dig it up.

Agree on the useless locking drawer feature. My new (to me) large, late 80's Snap On box has something similar. I just took it out. One good pull with a screwdriver or pry bar and it will be open. I think the logic was that it was a place for people to put their valuables while they worked, keys, wallet, watch, pocket knife (no cell phones back in the 70's). Which, while it sounds like a good idea, the practicality of it is a bit confusing. IMHO. Probably another one of those arm chair mechanic "wants" vs actual on the floor mechanic "needs".

EDIT: Wew, that was easier than I thought it was going to be. Larger box, but I'm pretty sure the lock mechanism is the same dimensionally.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194882&highlight=craftsman+lock

zkling! I stand corrected my good man!

No worries, it is an asinine and illogical system anyways. It is like a challenge to the thief, "here is one locked drawer, you now have all my tools at your disposal to try and open it, go ahead". Or, with a chest that small, you might as well just pick the entire thing up and walk off with it. I hear crackhead physical strength is pretty great.

I guess people were more honest back in the 60-80's

 

[Mohawk Dave]

lol. funny zkling. Every time I buy a tool box, people convey that the lock doesn't work. No worries for me, I already have 3 locks in the backyard, and they have a dozen large paws between them.

I know some guys need to lock their home boxes, but I am so glad I don't. That would drive me nuts...and IF I did have to, everything would have to be keyed the same.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Well I finally got around to fitting a new lock to the my Craftsman tool box. I wanted to find a drawer lock that rotated 180 degrees so I could lock the whole box or just the middle drawer. After a bit of searching I purchased the National Hardware brand Model N183-764 drawer lock. You can find them off of Ebay for $4 delivered (seller: sav$onhardware ) or from Home Depot as "National Hardware 1/2 in. Door/Drawer Utility Lock in Chrome" part number V825 for $6.50.

The kit comes with a inserts for 90 or 180 degree rotation. The only modification required were:

1) Slight enlargement of the toolbox lock cutout (flat area) with a file.
2) Hacksaw & file a notch in the locking tab as shown in the photo.

The lock works fine but if I was worried about preventing theft I might consider getting a higher grade lock.