Cool vintage Blue Point tap & die box

[MAD]

I found this old Blue Point box at the flea market today. None of the taps that were in it were original but a cool box nonetheless. I found this site when I searched for RIMAC / RINCK-McILWAINE

http://www.rimactools.com/index.html

 

[billymade]

Its amazing to think back in the day; they were willing to use a router or whatever tool to make these boxes for tool sets like this! Although they probably has a jig set up and could knock these out in seconds; I always imagine what these assembly lines must have looked like but I assume it was easier then we think! Then again, this probably was made in an era when labor was cheap and materials were expensive, tools had a substantial cost to them (not like now with the chinese junk) ; really cool box! A quality tool deserved a quality storage container for it! I wonder if they came unstained from the factory and someone shellacked it; it looks like they put it over the sticker or is this the factory finish; cool none the less!

 

[MAD]

Its amazing to think back in the day; they were willing to use a router or whatever tool to make these boxes for tool sets like this! Although they probably has a jig set up and could knock these out in seconds; I always imagine what these assembly lines must have looked like but I assume it was easier then we think! Then again, this probably was made in an era when labor was cheap and materials were expensive, tools had a substantial cost to them (not like now with the chinese junk) ; really cool box! A quality tool deserved a quality storage container for it! I wonder if they came unstained from the factory and someone shellacked it; it looks like they put it over the sticker or is this the factory finish; cool none the less!

I think it is the the factory finish. It looks like the OEM "HEXET" label on the inside was applied first, then the red finish (shellac?), and then the Blue Point label on the top last.

 

[chammyman]

the old days were better for things like this!

 

[Frank Elson]

and my wife wonders why I wander around boot sales etc looking under the stand at the stuff thrown in a big (usually blue and plastic) box.
That's where the best stuff usually is.

 

[chammyman]

indeed, many a hidden gem is regarded as junk so its under a nasty table with a 50p each sign on

 

[eschoendorff]

indeed, many a hidden gem is regarded as junk so its under a nasty table with a 50p each sign on

And that's when I start to get interested.

 

[dxdexter]

Nice find. Now the fun begins: you have to start filling it.

 

[billymade]

CHECK THIS OUT!!!! I happend to be looking through the current Snapon catalog and low, behold the same set is still being sold!!!!! It looks really close and is in a wood case!!! LOLOLOL!!!!!

Set, Tap and Die, U.S., 14 pcs. (4-40 to 12-24)
Stock#: TD2500 $93.95

Description:
Taps and dies from 4-40 thru 12-24, a die stock, and a tap wrench (14 pcs) in a wooden storage case.
Additional Description:
An important feature of the dies in these sets (except GA541 and GAM540) is a small adjusting screw which changes the nominal size .003" under or over to give a tight or loose fit to your thread. Die size 1/4" to 1/2" and 7 mm to 12 mm are a one-piece, 12-point design that can be turned with a 1" socket wrench (5/8" socket wrench for 3 to 6 mm dies) when working in places where a normal die stock cannot be used. The three largest die stocks (TD10A, TD35, and TD40) are self-centering and adjust to the diameter of the bolt.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...d=1166&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all