Craftsman tool box age?

[kingofdogs1950]

Anyone have an idea of the age of this box? It seems like an older model but I don't have a clue how old it ls.

Mark

 

[split150]

My dad has one that looks very very similar, his is from the mid to high 90's range.

 

[chrisa7164]

I bought one of those new back in 1994.

 

[chris fresh]

yup 90 something

 

[zkling]

Look in the top compartment, facing the box far bottom left hand corner it will be stamped Made in USA and ** where the ** is a set of numbers corresponding to the date. Late 80's early 90's sounds right.

 

[kingofdogs1950]

Thanks for the replies.
I bought it used for $75 in excellent condition: no rust or dents. It looked almost like it was unused and just picked some dirt/dust sitting in someone's garage.
Just checked the stamp - 10/93, USA

Mark

 

[stage20]

Had upper and lower like that one that was mid 90s. Bought another but with 3 second row drawers. Basically the same model bought new in 07. The older box is for sure more solid. I always lookk for used. Nice deal.

 

[zakmartin]

The easiest way to tell is if the drawer pulls are concave and the CRAFTSMAN logo is small, it's pre-1992. Convex drawer pulls and a larger CRAFTSMAN logo is post-1992 (there were a few convex + small logos during the design transition). My understanding is that these boxes were built by Waterloo until production moved to China, at which point, the CRAFTSMAN logos were framed.

 

[zkling]

The easiest way to tell is if the drawer pulls are concave and the CRAFTSMAN logo is small, it's pre-1992. Convex drawer pulls and a larger CRAFTSMAN logo is post-1992 (there were a few convex + small logos during the design transition). My understanding is that these boxes were built by Waterloo until production moved to China, at which point, the CRAFTSMAN logos were framed.

Are the new ones made in china? I've looked them over in the stores, but couldn't see a COO (thanks craftsman). For some reason I thought some of the newer ones were out of Mexico?

 

[gungatim]

that's a good deal for $75, I bought the same box in '93 in a combo with the base and the 4-drawer middle box for under $300 new. I've only seen the 3-drawer middle box since...they are nice, well made units, better than what is available now. After 20 yrs, mine is like new.

 

[kingofdogs1950]

I was wondering if the box was made by Waterloo. It is solidly built and heavy. I was looking for a lot of shallow drawers for for the tools I use to build tube guitar amps and partscasters (i.e homebrew telecaster).

Mark

 

[zkling]

Yes, yours was made by waterloo here in the good old USA. If you need parts call waterloo 1st.

 

[zakmartin]

Are the new ones made in china? I've looked them over in the stores, but couldn't see a COO (thanks craftsman). For some reason I thought some of the newer ones were out of Mexico?

The portable boxes (the ones with the carry handle on the lid) are made in Mexico, but the big boxes and rollers are made in China and have been for several years (with the exception of some of the "Pro" boxes).