Another Tool Box Restore - Semi-vontage Craftsman

[Terra Nova]

Another Tool Box Restore - Semi-vintage Craftsman

Picked this up at a yard sale for $10. Date code puts it at 1979. While painting, especially with rattle cans, is my nemesis I still undertook a quick restoration.

Here's how it looked when I brought it home.

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Here it is stripped down. Quite a bit more rust than I thought. Guy had it sitting directly on the concrete so that may have been why. Air compressor was on the fritz so the little Bosch RO sander took over DA duty and held it's own. That along with a wire cup and flap wheel in the angle grinder got most of it. A little POR15 metal ready took care of the rest of the rust.

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Coat of rust converting primer just to be sure and then a coat of high build primer.

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Then I got bad about taking progress pictures. Here it is finished, not the best picture but it looks OK in person. I used Rustoleum Regal Red. I think it's a little dark compared to the late 90's Waterloo made Craftsman it's sitting on. The Sunset red is supposed to be a little lighter. I would go with that if doing it over. The drawers were grey and I wanted to match the existing cabinet. I used Rustoleum Painter's Choice in Dark Walnut satin. Seemed to be the closest I could get off the shelf. It's much closer than it looks in the picture.

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Still working on organizing the drawers but here are a few shots.

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And it's final resting place. All in all it's fairly decent considering my record with rattle cans.

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[Catalyze]

Excellent find and refreshing job! It looks perfectly matching and should give you many years of service.
Craig

 

[softailgarage]

Not to bad, nice job. I'm working on a '71 36" as I write this. I went with the candy apple red, a little lighter, but everything else was too dark.The drawer's, I used Hammered Dark Bronze. I too found more rust than I thought (had to break out the bondo). One thing I noticed about these older boxes is the construction. Heavy gauge steel,just a drawer is heavier than anything modern.I dont see anything that shows a problem with the rattlecan, It's a nice restore

 

[Link-Belt]

I have a similar vintage bottom and am looking for a matching top and possibly an intermediate before I tackle it. It's going to be for my four year old son after I got my new box he told me he wanted his own box (made me very proud) I said how about my old box he said it's not blue LOL. I guess it is going to get a blue treatment.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice work guys!

 

[metaldad]

nice restore.
you weren't spritzing the box while the bronco was parked there?

 

[whelenfan]

Great resto! I too find that the build quality of the older craftsman boxes leave the modern ones in the dust. I would love to find an older 36" box to clean up.

 

[Link-Belt]

I wonder if it is possible to upgrade to roller slides?

 

[USMCdodge]

Nice job on the resto dude!

 

[Terra Nova]

Thanks for the compliments everyone! It was a fun project and I would tackle another one at some point. Just need to work on my patience for painting , I'm meticulous with the initial prep and then rush final prep and painting...

I agree, these old boxes are surprisingly well built compared to the new ones. Don't think the metal would be thick enough to rust like that and still be saved.

MetalDad, yeah, the bronco was in there while spraying, it survived the overspray unscathed, but the garage floor didn't. I was planning to wet it down first like I've done when painting cars but fell victim to the above comment on patience... Of course that would have saved the time later on my hands and knees cleaning the floor with acetone.

 

[larryq]

Great find and a nice paint job. Well done!

 

[biscuit141]

I have the same era bottom box, which I love, however these NEVER pop up used around my area. I would love to find a matching top for it. 2 weeks ago I found a '75 Waterloo full stack so I picked that up and will put my Cman bottom up for sale (have to cover the cost to keep the wife happy). Mine had no rust, the paint has some blemishes, but after a good cleaning/degreasing it shined up nicely and will be good enough for me. I would love to do a full resto but I would have NO patience to get through it. I may wipe it down with some spray wax just to help it shine and protect it. I LOVE these older boxes, nice score for $10 btw. Here is mine when I brought it home:

 

[larryq]

I have the same era bottom box, which I love, however these NEVER pop up used around my area. I would love to find a matching top for it. 2 weeks ago I found a '75 Waterloo full stack so I picked that up

That Waterloo doesn't look like it needs much if any restoration. Very nice score. My dad's shop neighbor has one just like the bottom box and it's incredibly sturdy. I had a chance to get one on CL for $100 a few months ago but someone beat me to it by 20 minutes...so if you'll forgive me I'll just live vicariously through yours.

 

[E.T.Privott]

great job, it's always good to see someone take the time to redo a tired old box and give it new life.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i'm giving you a YOU **** on that box! i've been looking for one for a while now and can't find one around here.

 

[KCarGuy]

I like those Boxes...Great Job.

 

[zuk123]

$10 deserves the YOU ****!

Nice job on the resto. I'm working on my $75 Kennedy top and bottom from the pawnshop. Getting all the rust off is a bear with just the wirewheel. I've had great luck with soaking the drawers in vinegar, and the bottom 4 inches of the top box will be getting its bath in a day or 2. So much easier than the wheel...

For $10 and the time, that is a great score and a great job.

zuk