Caterpillar Serviceman's Tool Kit (BlackHawk)

[LNKMK8]

Picked this up this morning at an estate sale. The guy said it had belonged to his Grandfather. It cleaned up pretty well; I think it may have been repainted at some point in its life (a little over spray on the chrome trim) and sadly is missing one of the drawers, but was still too cool for me to leave behind.

Only tools that were still with it was the BlackHawk 3/4" Drive ratchet, socket set, and extension. I found date codes that would indicate they were made in 1951 and 1952, which given the design of this box, I think early 1950's would be correct. Thought you guys would enjoy seeing this; not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice find. If you want to part with it lmk!

 

[stormking]

Nice find, they also made a road box. Yes on the repaint, there is supposed to be a decal on the inside of the lid. The drawers are the same as the Blackhawk box, only the emblem is different.

 

[rharman]

Very nice. A little sheet metal work and you can have a new drawer for the missing one.

 

[Dave455]

Nice find!

Not sure what to do with it...? Track down all the missing tools and fill it up of course...!

 

[Snaparxon]

Was a guy in Idaho found one of these earlier this year. Pics are gone though.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381291&highlight=caterpillar+service

 

[jd_1138]

It'd make a great toolbox for the basement or shed to keep a lot of basics in.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just wanted to say thanks lnkmk8, box looks great!

 

[LNKMK8]

Glad it arrived safely!

 

[snapmom]

the snap on box.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Same box just snapon tools?

 

[snapmom]

Same box just snapon tools?

Yes, same box, name changed, SO tools.
It is not mine. Wish it was.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I would not mind finding the snap on one as well, but I collect blackhawk stuff too so I am happy to have gotten this one.

 

[southalabama]

That's a cool find.

I know some people have no use for tools and I'm glad it went to someone who appreciates it but I could not have parted with my grandfathers toolbox.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I suspect most people may not consider a tool box to be a family heirloom.

 

[southalabama]

Perhaps not.

My grandfather and great grandfather were carpenters. I consider their hammers to be family heirlooms.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice to have your grandfather's tools. My uncle got them in my case.

 

[Farmer J.]

Nice find, they also made a road box. Yes on the repaint, there is supposed to be a decal on the inside of the lid. The drawers are the same as the Blackhawk box, only the emblem is different.

Does anyone have a good picture of the decal which was originally inside the lid of these?
There's an old one on another thread but it's gone into the photo bucket...
If I can get a good picture maybe I can get a decal made, for a friend with old Cat tractors.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have been looking for one as well fj. If I find a source I will post it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If I were you guys looking for reproduction toolbox decals, I would contact the guy on eBay selling them. Even if he doesn't have the one you need for sale now, he may add it to his list of decals to create.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I did find this one in the ebay history

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks for your help on this OTG and Lugz.
OTG, if i do plan to have decals made I will keep you 'in the loop'.
Lugz, I presume you mean Jim Lovelace at jimenginedecals? He's made some nice ones for me in the past. There's also a couple of places in UK may be able to do it. I will keep posted if I make any progress on this.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, I presume you mean Jim Lovelace at jimenginedecals?

I don't know the guy's name, J., and I have never bought any. I've just noticed Otg and other guys showing up here with repro S-K decals on their boxes.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks for your help on this OTG and Lugz.
OTG, if i do plan to have decals made I will keep you 'in the loop'.
Lugz, I presume you mean Jim Lovelace at jimenginedecals? He's made some nice ones for me in the past. There's also a couple of places in UK may be able to do it. I will keep posted if I make any progress on this.

Definitely put me down for one!

 

[jusridin]

I don't know how I missed this post a few months ago but I am glad I found it.
Old tule guy did you ever find a drawer for it? I think its awesome LNK found it and now you have it. Looks like the badge is in great shape.
Have you filled it with Blackhawk tools yet?

 

[Farmer J.]

Unfortunately I have not made any progress getting any decals made.. yet. J.

 

[jusridin]

I have the snap on box, my decal on the inside is blacked out on the bottom where the one above says Blackhawk. If you need dimensions let me know Farmer J

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I know someone who does sheetmetal work. They made me a drawer. Have collected a few tools.

 

[jusridin]

Pretty impressive Otg! Mine is still empty. I think you would have to agree that pictures don't do the badges justice.

 

[CRTDI]

I know someone who does sheetmetal work. They made me a drawer. Have collected a few tools.

Sweeet...

 

[Farmer J.]

Progress on getting some decals made. I have sent pm's to jusridin and to Oldtuleguy but of anyone else has images better then the ones already posted here please post them up. Looking for that under the lid decal and the front badges, in both Blackhawk and Snap On versions.
The chap making them, Jim, says it's easier for him if I send all the images to him and he would love to reproduce the decals. If this works out they will then be easily available from him.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good news fj. Missing the decal on mine.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Badge is 3" across. Here is a pic... I can email some pics to jim if he needs them. I have used a few of his decals and they are of good quality

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That replacement drawer looks great OTG. Really cool set up you've got going there.

 

[Farmer J.]

Badge is 3" across. Here is a pic... I can email some pics to jim if he needs them. I have used a few of his decals and they are of good quality

Thanks for that OTG, just need the measurements for the one you don't have under the lid now, and preferably a good image of one. I do remember seeing one of the Snap On decals a few years ago but it has gone away now as it was photo bucket.
I think these also may have had a 'A Blackhawk Product' decal on the lid, there's one shown in a picture on worthpoint, which is the same style box as my friend has.

 

[Shelbylex]

Oldetuleguy, this is one great box!!! Congratulations!

 

[jusridin]

Sent pictures to Farmer of mine. Here is another Gj post with a Blackhawk box.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231893

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks for that link jusridin. Interesting scans of the catalogue with listings for the tools.
I will send the pics off to Jim so he can make some more decals, but not this evening as there's a storm here, tiles blowing off my roof, internet is dodgy and our electrical power has only just come back on.. so for this evening i'm going to take the advice in your sig line and 'have another beer'. Cheers!

 

[eggs73]

I love this stuff, vintage tools and tool boxes. very nice find and rescue. awesome!

 

[Farmer J.]

I emailed all the pictures to Jim, to make new decals, but he says he needs to get a better quality photo of this one to get the text below the banner. The small writing at the bottom of it.
It's the under-the-lid one from the kits with Blackhawk tools.
Does anyone have any way of getting a better pic of just this one?