Anybody know anything about this Kennedy Box?

[tlpatter]

I currently work at a corrugated box plant. In a few months I will be transferring to the maintenance department there. I have been saving up to buy a good used tool truck box when the time comes. A guy that I periodically buy tools from locally, well 45 minutes away, texted me today and told me that he had this Kennedy 25 drawer box for sale at a good price. He claims the dimensions are 6x5x2 but the box looks smaller to me than that from the picture. I tried looking online but couldnt find anything. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Looks like a good one. I have an older version of a Versa-Cart that I bought around 30 years ago. Kennedy cabinets are among the top shelf, IMO. The only weak link i found were the wheels.

One thing, used ones don't go for top dollar. So if I can suggest, check the CL ads for similar Kennedy cabinets to compare prices.

 

[defektes]

Kennedy makes really good tool boxes, if it is in good shape and a good price I'd buy.

 

[jakemac]

Page 23 from the 1992 Kennedy Catalog

 

[zkling]

Pretty sure they still make something like that, but with the long drawer on the top of the bottom box. They are only ~45" wide but 20" deep.

If it has welded on friction slides I'd be on the fence even at a good price, snap in friction slides would be good, ball bearing slides even better. It's an odd box with the little compartment on the left hand side.

Page 23 from the 1992 Kennedy Catalog

Could you make that any smaller?

 

[tlpatter]

yeah i thought about that. I'd prefer the longer drawer up top for storing sockets and ratchets.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

I think that Kennedy came out with the ball bearing drawer slides in the late 80s. The old style drawer slides have never been an issue. I just periodically spray silicone in them.

 

[rsanter]

Was known as a maintence service cart or box

What is a good price?

Bob

 

[jakemac]

Could you make that any smaller?

Sorry, uploading to GJ shrank the file. I edited the post with another scan of the page. It should work better now.

 

[tlpatter]

Was known as a maintence service cart or box

What is a good price?

Bob

500 bucks

 

[Caman]

Looks like it's missing the locks. Offer $300

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Compared to the price of a new one, 500$ is reasonable. However, there are some issues:

1. No locks. Check the price of ones with cylindrical or straight keys. Straight key locks are cheaper, but easy to pick.
2. The large wheels. The plastic hubs break down. And the swivel casters get worn at the shaft. I will admit that mine was overloaded during most its work life. I replaced the old wheels with 6" cast iron hub casters.
3. Inspect the drawer slides to make sure that they aren't bent. Overloading single drawers or hitting them with a forklift will cause that.
4. If the drawers use ball bearing slides, do they latch when closed? A guy that I worked with bought a top box with ball bearing drawers that didn't latch when closed (this was in the late 80s). If he rolled his box along the asile and made a sharp turn, the drawers flew open.

IMO: It may not be perfect, but it looks good. You may get the seller to soften the price.

I hope this helps.

 

[jakemac]

The 1993 Kennedy price sheet has MSRP on the top box at $900 and MSRP on the bottom box at $1600. The standard used pricing of 50% off would put the combo at $1250 to start. Then start deducting for age and condition. A bargain offer of $500 would be a good price (the $300 mentioned above would be better).

Kennedy should still have locks that would work for the box, assuming that the parts for the locking mechanisms are still intact.

 

[zcbauer89]

Excellent box. Kennedy makes and is based here in my hometown. Love their boxes.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Kennedy should still have locks that would work for the box, assuming that the parts for the locking mechanisms are still intact.

If the rods or linkages that go between the lock and the drawer latches are missing, that would be a quagmire. Then the cabinet would be only good for home use. If only the locks are missing, you may be able to get replacements at a good lock shop also.

 

[tlpatter]

Yeah he said the locks are missing. I'm gonna look at it this Saturday. I've done so much business with him he holds stuff for me when I ask him to.... and don't worry if I buy it it's gonna be for less than 500. I'm sure he'll take 4.

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

Yeah he said the locks are missing. I'm gonna look at it this Saturday. I've done so much business with him he holds stuff for me when I ask him to.... and don't worry if I buy it it's gonna be for less than 500. I'm sure he'll take 4.

My old Waterloo box had missing lock and the actuator rod was bent. I called Waterloo and gVe them the model number off of the label inside the top drawer. They gave me a parts list and a few days later I had everything I needed to make my box like new. You may be able to do the same with Kennedy.