Craftsman Machinist box ID

[Hoorn]

This Craftsman machinist box is for sale in my general area. I believe it to be a Kennedy but I have never seen drawer pulls like that before. Union? Added intrigue with the rounded corners, side latches and leather handle. Appreciate any insight.

 

[Zrxrunner]

The rounded lid corners and side lid latches are unique too. Not sure I can help on maker, but I'd be jumping on that if it was reasonable and near me.

 

[Cruzan80]

The CM Heritage I have is Union, but different drawer pulls.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

No clue but that’s unique. I’d be on that like white on rice.

 

[Hoorn]

@JoCoSawdust I hear ya, only issue is I'm in a suburb on the eastern outskirts of LA County, that box is on the west side of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles is currently floating away; 12-in of rain in the last 48 hours with more coming.

I just want to establish that the drawer pulls are OEM Craftsman.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My daughter lives in Venice Beach, so I hear you on the weather and travel conditions.

As for the box, it certainly is "unique," as others have said, due to the unusual combination of features. That deserves more thought.

I would go so far as to say it looks like someone wanted to build a wooden machinists' chest (06535) in the late 40's era - but made it out of steel instead. That sounds much more trite than it really is. The same cannot be said of the steel chest (06522), for example, which did not have a leather handle, rounded corners, side clasps, or formed sheet metal pulls. The 06522 on page 8 of the 1948 catalog is not simply a steel version of the wooden 06535 sitting right next to it on the same page. This L.A. box you have spotted would be, though. Almost like a missing link, where they styled it, in almost all respects, after the wooden 06535 offered between 1945 and 1949, but made it out of steel instead, and dropped the center clasp for a cylinder lock. Those boxes were supplied by Union. Granted, the formed sheet metal pulls did not have the same shape, but they were not knobs.

That could point to Union. Or it could point to an alternative OEM that nobody knew about.

Why are you thinking Kennedy? The brown crinkle finish? Or is there some other feature that smacks of Kennedy to you? (I am not a Kennedy guy.)

 

[d42jeep]

The Kennedy feature is the two spring loaded pins that lock the front cover in place when the lid is fully closed. Common on Kennedy boxes, uncommon on other brands although my Gerstner has them too.
-Don

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

@JoCoSawdust I hear ya, only issue is I'm in a suburb on the eastern outskirts of LA County, that box is on the west side of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles is currently floating away; 12-in of rain in the last 48 hours with more coming.

I just want to establish that the drawer pulls are OEM Craftsman.

PayPal the dude. Good thing is no one else will be running over to get it

 

[Etchase]

I thought the two pins were unique to Kennedy until I read another thread on here about a craftsman box that Kennedy denied making and Waterloo claimed. Kennedy did say they made some of them though. The key that fits the lock helps identify the manufacturer sometimes. It almost seems like manufactures could build to whatever spec Sears asked for.

 

[d42jeep]

I thought the two pins were unique to Kennedy until I read another thread on here about a craftsman box that Kennedy denied making and Waterloo claimed. Kennedy did say they made some of them though. The key that fits the lock helps identify the manufacturer sometimes. It almost seems like manufactures could build to whatever spec Sears asked for.

I read that too. It added to the confusion for sure. My Craftsman Crown box doesn’t have them and neither does my Waterloo box. All my Kennedy machinist’s boxes have them.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Kennedy feature is the two spring loaded pins that lock the front cover in place when the lid is fully closed.

I thought the two pins were unique to Kennedy until I read another thread on here about a craftsman box that Kennedy denied making and Waterloo claimed.

That is not unique to Kennedy or Waterloo. In fact, I don't think I own a machinists' chest that does not have them, and that includes Union.

 

[Hoorn]

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses, I too was of the opinion that the push pins were unique to Kennedy, and I felt the two front clasps were Kennedy style as well, but I see that is not the case from comments. The front metal pull handles I've never seen before on any Craftsman but they are so uniform in appearance that it looked OEM.

The individual selling is a "cash only firm on price guy". As far as going to get it, we are receiving public warnings several times throughout the day about not traveling to the greater LA area and many beach cities. Everyone I've talked to in the last 2 days that has even tried the outskirts of LA is talking about 4 hours of traffic for what should be a 1 hour drive.

The flood control channels and storm drain systems of Los Angeles are not really equipped to handle this volume of water in such a short period of time. I won't drive out there for a couple days as I don't want to be that guy on the 5:00 o'clock news rolling down the LA River in my SUV.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...they are so uniform in appearance that it looked OEM.

Definitely concur.

Here's a shot of my Union with front panel lock/release pins.

 

[bmwrd0]

It isn't a Kennedy. Kennedy's don't have latches on the sides.

 

[Hoorn]

Here is Page 8 that @Private Lugnutz pointed out and he is quite correct about its features resembling the wooden chest.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

How do we think those pulls are attached? Besides the different shape, that is also a little different than Union. Union pulls had a bend into a flattened piece that was flush with the box and either attached with a split rivet (majority) or a screw (rare).

 

[Hoorn]

Here are two more pictures, not sure if these will shed more light.

Regarding how the pull handles may be attached, it appears the metal prongs go through drawer slits and are folded over on the other side.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is one coolass box!

I wonder if that raised area around the badge is any hint. Did the well-known steel machinists' boxes with the pull knobs and the other expected features after '49 and into the 50's have that?

 

[Etchase]

That is not unique to Kennedy or Waterloo. In fact, I don't think I own a machinists' chest that does not have them, and that includes Union.

Well there is that! I’ve been thinking and coming up empty. It’s possible I’ve only become familiar with Kennedy and wood machines boxes, which made me associate the pins with Kennedy. I’ve lead a sheltered life!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No worries!

 

[d42jeep]

This Waterloo doesn’t have the spring loaded pins.
-Don
Neither does this Craftsman Crown box.

 

[Provincial]

The drawer slides seem to be distinctive. Simple, with no retaining stops showing.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Here is my wife’s toolbox. It has the pins. It is Advertising Metal Display Products, 1957.

 

[RTM]

It isn't a Kennedy. Kennedy's don't have latches on the sides.

I'm just gonna leave this here, top right chest.

Kennedy Tool Kits and Cases : 1924 : Kennedy Manufacturing Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

1 p., illus., 27.0 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Wrong age, I know, but some did.

 

[Etchase]

This Waterloo doesn’t have the spring loaded pins.
-Don
Neither does this Craftsman Crown box.

Don, any idea on the year of the Waterloo box?

 

[d42jeep]

I never really looked into it. I just brought it home and filled it up.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The CM Heritage I have is Union, but different drawer pulls.

Is it steel, with side latches, and a leather handle? Or are you talking about a wooden one, like mine, posted above?

Here is my wife’s toolbox. It has the pins. It is Advertising Metal Display Products, 1957.

Where on the box is that branding located, RJ? @LesserSon also has a Heritage era AMD, quite a bit different than Mrs. RJ's. In post #18 upthread I mentioned a raised outline around the badge on the bottom drawer of Hoorn's "find" (pre-find?). Your AMD box does not have it, I noticed. Neither does LS's AMD.

This raised outline can be seen on several boxes like this one (mine)...



...posted in the Heritage thread.

Nobody identifies the OEM of these boxes, but there are a few guesses for Kennedy. Not sure why, though.

I hope I am not treading old ground here in an effort to try to possibly derive the OEM of Hoorn's box. I'm starting to wonder if any of the Crafty guys have done a concise study (features, timeline, OEM's etc) of the late 40's to 50's boxes. Maybe @JoCoSawdust knows.

...he is quite correct about its features resembling the wooden chest.

It's uncanny.

 

[Hoorn]

Barring any further weather-related incidents or road closures, I plan to pick it up tomorrow. Perhaps going through the box will provide some evidence of manufacturer or a date stamp.

I've even considered the possibility that the drawers themselves were taken from a Craftsman branded machinist box and inserted into this one. Ive seen other machinist boxes that were two tone, as the drawers and front panel seem to be the standard 1950s Craftsman gray-blue whereas the box appears in the photos to be crinkle brown paint.

 

[Mintgrun]

When I see rounded corner boxes, I think of Simonsen. Searching Google images doesn't bring up any boxes in this style though. Simonsen was also fond of embossing their boxes, similar to the detail around the emblem.

I don't recall ever seeing a rounded corner Kennedy box, but have seen them on Union made boxes.

 

[Username already in use]

Rounded corners and generic metal pulls smacks of HUOT to me.
Mine is likely newer. No side latches, metal top handle, different drawer configuration, but it has other similar features.
Cool box regardless of the OEM.

 

[Mintgrun]

There you go! Hout also embossed their boxes. That's a cool one!

 

[d42jeep]

Rounded corners and generic metal pulls smacks of HUOT to me.
Mine is likely newer. No side latches, metal top handle, different drawer configuration, but it has other similar features.
Cool box regardless of the OEM.

Username,
How is your front cover held in place?
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Username,
How is your front cover held in place?
-Don

It's a unique design. One on each side (shown here) slide into the front panel.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Barring any further weather-related incidents or road closures, I plan to pick it up tomorrow

...the drawers and front panel seem to be the standard 1950s Craftsman gray-blue whereas the box appears in the photos to be crinkle brown paint.

Interesting.

 

[PugetDude]

I have this one if anyone in the Phoenix area is interested... rough but restorable.

 

[Cruzan80]

Is it steel, with side latches, and a leather handle? Or are you talking about a wooden one, like mine, posted above?

Where on the box is that branding located, RJ? @LesserSon also has a Heritage era AMD, quite a bit different than Mrs. RJ's. In post #18 upthread I mentioned a raised outline around the badge on the bottom drawer of Hoorn's "find" (pre-find?). Your AMD box does not have it, I noticed. Neither does LS's AMD.

This raised outline can be seen on several boxes like this one (mine)...



...posted in the Heritage thread.

Nobody identifies the OEM of these boxes, but there are a few guesses for Kennedy. Not sure why, though.

I hope I am not treading old ground here in an effort to try to possibly derive the OEM of Hoorn's box. I'm starting to wonder if any of the Crafty guys have done a concise study (features, timeline, OEM's etc) of the late 40's to 50's boxes. Maybe @JoCoSawdust knows.

It's uncanny.

Mine is similar to the one pictured in the reply (silver steel/metal). Can go out and take some better pics/compare features of needed. Not guaranteed to be Union, just going off of others comments from here.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Is it steel, with side latches, and a leather handle? Or are you talking about a wooden one, like mine, posted above?

Where on the box is that branding located, RJ? @LesserSon also has a Heritage era AMD, quite a bit different than Mrs. RJ's. In post #18 upthread I mentioned a raised outline around the badge on the bottom drawer of Hoorn's "find" (pre-find?). Your AMD box does not have it, I noticed. Neither does LS's AMD.

This raised outline can be seen on several boxes like this one (mine)...



...posted in the Heritage thread.

Nobody identifies the OEM of these boxes, but there are a few guesses for Kennedy. Not sure why, though.

I hope I am not treading old ground here in an effort to try to possibly derive the OEM of Hoorn's box. I'm starting to wonder if any of the Crafty guys have done a concise study (features, timeline, OEM's etc) of the late 40's to 50's boxes. Maybe @JoCoSawdust knows.

It's uncanny.

Branding is located behind the Craftsman emblem on the drawer.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Mine is similar to the one pictured in the reply (silver steel/metal). I can go out and take some better pics/compare features if needed.

Please post photos.

Branding is located behind the Craftsman emblem on the drawer.

Thanks.

 

[alinc100]

Watching this hoping to learn more. Went through all the catalogs 1940-60 and of course found nothing similar in the illustrations. Huot, Simonsen all good possibilities. Longshot, any idea when Sears Canada started having boxes built in Canada? I know Beach did build them for awhile but that was 1960's-70's ish eras I believe.

 

[Hoorn]

Update: I've been in communication with the seller, but he's now let me know he is unavailable for the entire day with no rescheduling or open date. I will keep on this until I purchase it or it's no longer for sale.