Another tool chest restore *WARNING heavy on pics

[softailgarage]

So I picked this Craftsman 10 drawer, 36" chest up from Craigslist along with an old Remline a couple of months ago for $40.00 each. At first I only wanted the Remline because it's a perfect match for the remline bottom that belonged to my dad. As I was leaving the dude said he had another one in the backyard and he just wanted it gone. I figured what the hell, why not and loaded it up. Got it home, started looking at it and damn ! The bottom right corners were rusted all the way thru, nice big holes.






I've never messed with bondo and know absolutly nothing about welding, so I guess it's learning time. Now, keep in mind, first time with bondo...


I also incorporated some "SteelStik" a moldable steel putty made by JB Weld. This stuff is tough, after it's cured it can be ground, drilled, tapped, etc.

 

[softailgarage]

The rails were removed and put in the ultrasonic




The handles and drawer trim were done by hand with a dremel and polish...






And the end result...

 

[north]

Good job on saving the chest for further duty. Looks good.

As much as I want to be an ace welder, I'm not and these types of repairs are what I can take inspiration from with the means I have at my disposal now.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Nice job. I did the exact same box a few years ago. It was a newer model than yours, and I didn't have the metal work that you had to do.

 

[KCarGuy]

Nice Job.

 

[metaldad]

Yes, nice job on the restore.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Good job!

 

[jeffmoss26]

You did a great job!

 

[emeraldcoupe]

nice job. that's my favorite craftsman top box.

 

[Bull]

Anyone else having trouble seeing many of the pics?

 

[FordExplorer]

Anyone else having trouble seeing many of the pics?

I did, but click on one of them, it will ask you to log in again. Then you can go back to the other page and it should work.

 

[Thumper]

Hell....that's the old Commercial box.......36 inch wide........nice work...good save

 

[softailgarage]

Anyone else having trouble seeing many of the pics?

Dont know what happened Bull, last night when I posted everything was good. This morning when I saw it some of the pictures WERE a problem. Now, viewing it hours later, on a different computer everything is good....dunno

Thanks for all the comments. Yes, it's the 36" commercial box. The date stamp is 10/ '71. This thing is sturdy as hell, not like todays Craftsman boxes, I wish they were still made like that.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Thanks for all the comments. Yes, it's the 36" commercial box. The date stamp is 10/ '71. This thing is sturdy as hell, not like todays Craftsman boxes, I wish they were still made like that.

missed that part. it's 36" wide? never seen one that wide, proportions look the same as mine in the pics.

 

[nine4gmc]

you guys are killin me, nice job on that Commercial Crown Top!!

 

[emeraldcoupe]

so that box is 36" wide?

 

[derkafer]

I tried to get my hands on that, but the guy wouldn't call me back. I'm glad you're restoring it. That was my plan too. The ad didn't show or mention that missing corner though...