Bringing old MAC box back to life: Need tips

[jay50]

Picked up this old MAC box last Saturday. It is in need of TLC. Drawers need to be lubed, cleaned, etc. Also, some surface rust in upper chest area. How are the drawers removed? What oil type to use on sliders?

One of the upper small drawers in chest can not be pulled out for some reason. What's the approach to this problem? As far as doing some painting, any source for original paint or should I just leave it in its well worn state. Also, lower lid is off; is this just a fold up type lid?

Thanks

 

[widerberg]

Hi, Jay50.

I don't have any answers, but I'll second the need for advice because I'm in the same boat with an old Kennedy machinist's chest. No one wants to do more damage trying to restore/tidy up a box.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hi, Jay50.

I don't have any answers, but I'll second the need for advice because I'm in the same boat with an old Kennedy machinist's chest. No one wants to do more damage trying to restore/tidy up a box.

I redid an old Kennedy brown wrinkle cabinet years ago. Check out Kennedy, they used to sell spray cans of the brown wrinkle paint; although I do not know if that is still the case.

 

[Kevin54]

I redid an old Kennedy brown wrinkle cabinet years ago. Check out Kennedy, they used to sell spray cans of the brown wrinkle paint; although I do not know if that is still the case.

Kennedy sells brown and red wrinkle paint. As far as the MAC...take your time, sand it down as you would your car, prep, prime, and paint. Or get it stripped and get it powdercoated. Check with a local powdercoating place as a lot of them will strip it theirselves to make sure it is prepped right. Non-the-less, you will have less in it than a new one, have the satisfaction of redoing it yourself, and have something that is worth more than what you paid for it.

 

[Junkman]

The lower box is a Snap-On box. I have the same box with the drawers missing in the lower section also. Mine is missing the lower cover also. The "door" just slips into the shelf bracket at the very top of the opening.. You should be able to find a part number on the upper section of the lower box on the back of it. It will be centered about 4" from the top.

 

[old salvage]

I think its got so much original paint left and so little rust that all it really needs is a good cleaning.
As for the stuck drawer maybe if you remove the drawers around it you'll be able to get a better look at whats going on.
When you open a drawer all the way there are movable metal slides on each. On those slides there is small metal tab that can be pried off. When you remove them the drawer can be pulled all the way out.

 

[seattlemart]

I made a miniture slim jim to get the drawers out. I made it from a 99 cents harbor freight cen-tech 6" stainless steel ruler. Works great. Use white litium grease to lube slides. Makes clean up easy!!

 

[strizzy]

The lower box is a Snap-On box. I have the same box with the drawers missing in the lower section also. Mine is missing the lower cover also.

Those drawers were optional at the time, my old man bought that box new.

 

[GDA]

.... Or get it stripped and get it powdercoated. Check with a local powdercoating place as a lot of them will strip it theirselves to make sure it is prepped right.

+1 on this plan

I'd get some quotes on getting it blasted and powdercoated. After you have disassembled, lubed all the drawer slides and put a new powdercoat finish on it - that chest set is good for anther 20 years of great service to its owner.

 

[rsanter]

I like the powdercoat idea. shop it around a bit as the prices will vary alot

first cleanup is remove all drawers and use degreaser and a pressure washer

bob

 

[edgewater]

Be careful with sandblasting. The heat and preasure can damage the large flat areas.