Buying a Used MAC Tools Toolbox, anything I need to know?

[articfox]

I am buying a old MAC Tools toolbox (53"LX36"HX18"D) today for $500. First off I have no idea what model it is so that is one bit of info Id like to know, but mainly I would like suggestions on what to do to it, to keep it in optimum shape. I was wondering if I should grease the drawers where it makes contact to the rail, or anything like that. This is my first toolbox as I slowly step into my career as an A&P mechanic so I would like to keep it up as much as possible. Thanks in advance!

 

[RKSpeed]

Looks like a good deal for $500. Not sure about MAC boxes but I would look on the back near the bottom for a model number. Lube the slides, wax it and put it to work.

 

[larryq]

Looks like a good deal for $500. Not sure about MAC boxes but I would look on the back near the bottom for a model number. Lube the slides, wax it and put it to work.

Second what he said regarding this being a deal. You done good. Also, the recommendation regarding the slide lube is one to follow.

 

[454ragtop]

I think someone else asked about this same box a couple days ago. Somebody mentioned it was 2 boxes bolted together.
Good luck, Jim

 

[fortson]

i have that exact same bottom box with the middle section and the side cabinet that goes with it. i bought them slightley used in about 1991 - 1993.
cant help you with the model number ive long forgotten it. as stated in your other post though im pretty sure thats 2 bottom boxes joined together. what i can tell you is mine has never given me any kind of problems. occasionally i lube the drawer slides with wd40 or what ever penetrating lubricant were using at work at the time. the only negative thing i can say about it is its not wide enough to hold the really long prybars or extensions you may need. not sure how much extra long stuff like that you use, its not to much of a problem for me because for the stuff i work on i dont need it. im very happy with mine. good luck with yours. i think you got a real nice set up for a good price.

 

[articfox]

i have that exact same bottom box with the middle section and the side cabinet that goes with it. i bought them slightley used in about 1991 - 1993.
cant help you with the model number ive long forgotten it. as stated in your other post though im pretty sure thats 2 bottom boxes joined together. what i can tell you is mine has never given me any kind of problems. occasionally i lube the drawer slides with wd40 or what ever penetrating lubricant were using at work at the time. the only negative thing i can say about it is its not wide enough to hold the really long prybars or extensions you may need. not sure how much extra long stuff like that you use, its not to much of a problem for me because for the stuff i work on i dont need it. im very happy with mine. good luck with yours. i think you got a real nice set up for a good price.

Thanks for the info! Huh a box that's about the same age as me... Interesting =)

Do you think perhaps it was put together with a kit by MAC Tools?

 

[fortson]

Thanks for the info! Huh a box that's about the same age as me... Interesting =)

Do you think perhaps it was put together with a kit by MAC Tools?

im not sure, ive never seen 2 put together like that until a day or so ago when someone posted a picture of this same setup, (i thought it was you). someone responded to his post that there was a kit you could buy to join them together. you should read that post, it might help you some.

 

[bobcatdan]

There was suppositly a kit from Mac to bolt two 26" boxes together, that is what you have there. A former coworker has the exact same set except his is the older style pulls. They are very well built box and however they actually connect must be good. His had a top box on one and is heavily loaded and there have been no failures. I'd make a one piece plywood top to span across the unit.

 

[rsanter]

I am the one that posted about MAC making a kit to bolt them together. I remember it well because I wasted to do that back in the day.
There were not that many big boxes out there at the time and most people had the smaller boxes so they made a kit where you could bolt 2 together to make your own larger box. The kit was nothing more than a pair of formed brackets that bolted where the casters were and then you could also drill the side of the box to bolt them together there too. It was a factory kit so I am assuming they believe that the boxes would handle it.
To this day I still want to find the matching bottom 26" snap on box to go with my 33" bottom so I can put them together like I wanted to back in the day. Just can't seem to find a deal on one that's not beat to he'll for a ton of money

Bob

 

[454ragtop]

Yep, same box, different poster, guess he didn't get it http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181776

 

[crewchief888]

i'm guessing those are 2 500 series boxes with mac's brackets between them.

if the drawers are dragging or "sticky" clean them, and lube them up with some type of dry silicone spray or some waxy stuff i used to get called "door slide"
kinda looked like an overgrown tube of chapstick

it's the only thing i've ever lubed a slide with in over 28 years.

usually the 1st thing i do with a used box is take a trip to the car wash and hose it down good with HOT water and degreaser.

 

[Boiler]

Not trying to be rude but I think 500 is steep for two small boxes in that shape. I'd say they're 200 each on the top end.

 

[jetmech09]

Not a bad start at all, but, depending on which sector of aviation you are in you will immediately wish you had at least one wicked long drawer. Fill that box up first.

 

[davesnothere]

Did you get the anvil too?