Craftsman Toolbox Thread

[-Brent-]

I don't exactly know what this thread could become but I'd love to see some conversation about these older boxes.









I'm pretty fortunate, my collection is made up of a good share of NOS boxes that sat in storage since early 80s late 70s.

Originally, I was looking for a long Snap On box, something that would be adequate for long items or things that could add up in weight like a decent socket collection. These boxes don't offer either BUT there's more storage real estate square inch wise at a lot less cost.

My dad used a similar box to the red and gray Cman when he was an auto tech way back in the day. That box is still in his home garage.

Anyway, I'd love for some of you to share your older Cman boxes. I know there are a lot of you out there.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I have the red/gray combo that I bought in '72. Is your mid box a 2 or 3 drawer? I have the 2 drawer style. For the long items I have one of the Craftsman Professional top boxes.

 

[-Brent-]

I have the red/gray combo that I bought in '72. Is your mid box a 2 or 3 drawer? I have the 2 drawer style.

3 drawer.

 

[zkling]

I really like those 12 drawer bottom boxes. You need one in the gray/red color scheme to complete the set.

 

[-Brent-]

I really like those 12 drawer bottom boxes. You need one in the gray/red color scheme to complete the set.

Ha! I'm a magnet for these boxes Zkling! I found another bottom like the red/silver that I figured I could swap with the other 12 drawer bottom I'm using as a grinder base and put together one more stack. I may do this when I either put up an addition or get an off site space to store the parts and such that doesn't really need to be in the garage.

However, I still have some room in these boxes. Not much, but there is some.




C'mon folks, let's see what you have.

 

[zkling]

Here's an old pic of mine.

 

[zkling]

An old carpenter's box.

 

[-Brent-]

Here's an old pic of mine.

THAT is in incredible shape!

 

[thesilverone]

those red cman bottoms are ****

 

[Cope]

Here's an old pic of mine.

I had the Waterloo version of that combination, and later sold the top and bought a deep top. When I bought the bottom in 1976 I told my wife I would never need a bigger box. I believed it too.

 

[bluebolt]

I will have to take some new pictures. I am now up to:
Heritage logo-2 bottoms and one top
Grey/red drawers- 8 bottoms, 6 tops
Red/black drawers-2 bottoms, 1 top

 

[A E Numan]

Here's one I picked up awhile back, It's been repainted a slightly lighter gray but I think it looks pretty good. It sure is heavy for it's size!

 

[crewchief888]

CM cantilever $9 flea mkt find
CM top (10-71) $20 flea mkt find

 

[crewchief888]

we cant forget 'old faithful"

late 90's CM top, 10 years of service truck abuse.

 

[Cope]

we cant forget 'old faithful"

late 90's CM top, 10 years of service truck abuse.

The least you can do is post the latest picture. It looks so much better now.

 

[zkling]

we cant forget 'old faithful"

late 90's CM top, 10 years of service truck abuse.

I strongly believe craftsman needs to commission you for the service you have gotten out of that box.

 

[MikeF2316]

I posted this in the Vintage thread a while ago, but it belongs here too.

Here is my first toolbox, possibly late 1960s, probably early 70s. It's never been restored in any way, the red on the tray is either some kind of primer, or some red trays were painted Craftsman gray after the fact.

This baby was carried around in a car trunk with a few rust holes behind the rear wheels for a number of years, as well as being stored on and slid across a concrete garage floor. Today it sits empty, except when I load a few tools in it for a rescue trip.

Here you can see the scar from when I almost backed over it with my first car. The spare tire well hanging down hit it, the noise made me stop.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Subscribed!

 

[jowwo]

That's a cool inscription. It looks like hotrod pin striping. Is it as old as the box?

 

[Gerard]

Hello everyone. I've been lurking here for a while but this is my first post. This forum is fantastic and I've already learned so much.

I recently picked up this 8 drawer machinist chest and I've been slowly filling it up with some "around the house" hand tools. As far as I can tell the paint is original. The drawers are lined with a black felt which seems too clean to be original, but I really don't know for sure.

I've looked through some old Craftsman catalogs and I think this one dates back to the early-mid 1960s, because in the late 1960s catalogs they are listed as having a wrinkled brown finish. I believe the model is a 65228C but a search for that doesn't return much info.

I'm guessing this is a re-brand of an early version of the Kennedy 526, but I've never seen a Kennedy-branded 526 without the latches for the top lid. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a Kennedy with the gray paint, either, rather than the usual wrinkled brown. Were these earlier Craftsman models possibly made by another company?

 

[-Brent-]

What a beauty, Gerard. The drawer configuration definitely matches a Kennedy.

 

[-Brent-]

That's a cool inscription. It looks like hotrod pin striping. Is it as old as the box?

No, I had it done by a buddy of mine.

I can't afford shop vintage signs to decorate the shop (and now I wouldn't want to) but I wanted to give the place some soul.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: I've bought a few Craftsman tool boxes the past couple years and this one might be my favorite. i use it almost daily and i'm still trying to figure out what to put inside it or take out because it is my traveling tool box.

i didn't realize how much nicer the Heritage badge tool boxes are and even nicer than the Crowntop ones i own. this little guy is a tank and is just about the perfect size for me. i'm hoping to find it's twin. that is original paint inside and amazing condition.

 

[Gearhead88]

Does this look familiar to anyone ?

 

[jeffmoss26]

drooool ^^

 

[-Brent-]

What's the story on that one, Gearhead88?

 

[Gearhead88]

The story , ......... I bought it a couple of months ago for $30 , it was listed on Kijiji.

My memory is a little hazy and I'm not sure but I think these were a limited edition in the craftsman catalog back in the 90's , 80's ???

I was hoping someone would look at my pics and respond with a ... Hey , I remember those , they are rare , hard to find and sold out quickly when they were available .

Only available in Canada ??

Someone knows

We get different stuff here , as in , the selection of Craftsman tools is different . It seems that the stuff that's available in US stores is a much greater selection of tools. Craftsman in Canada has downsized , what is displayed in stores now is a fraction of what was available in years past.

 

[sonvolt]

Does this look familiar to anyone ?

Wow !! That is sweet !

 

[Gearhead88]

Thank's Guys , I am tool nut , I've been a tradesman for over forty years so it only stands to reason that I'm gonna have a bunch of tools.

This oak toolbox , when it showed up on Kijiji , I had to have it , a perfect place to keep all my guitar setup tools.

Yes , I'm a music nut too ........... a good sized collection of guitars ( and other instruments ) live here with us at the house .

 

[Beerman]

An old carpenter's box.

I just bought that same, exact box (minus the tray) maybe in a HAIR better condition at the local flea market for $5.

Damned if I need it, but for $5 couldn't pass it up.


Beerman

 

[oak_park]

2 of my older Craftsman Boxes.

 

[pokey459]

they are already in the monster vintage toolbox thread,
but what the heck, they're here too now.

 

[Flattie]

Mine is in the vintage thread too. But I am proud of it. Still has a 1965 stick on calendar under the lid. I will someday find a matching bottom for sale...someday I will figure out how to post multiple non sideways pics

 

[zkling]

they are already in the monster vintage toolbox thread,
but what the heck, they're here too now.

Nice setup. What year is that 12 drawer bottom from? It is slightly different than all the others I've seen. Early to mid 90's? Friction slides?

That 6 drawer is really nice Oak Park

 

[jakemac]

Mine is in the vintage thread too. But I am proud of it. Still has a 1965 stick on calendar under the lid. I will someday find a matching bottom for sale...someday I will figure out how to post multiple non sideways pics

How'd you get that toolbox to stick to the bottom of the shelf ?

 

[pokey459]

How'd you get that toolbox to stick to the bottom of the shelf ?

and the badge is on upside down, must be custom.

 

[pokey459]

What year is that 12 drawer bottom from? It is slightly different than all the others I've seen. Early to mid 90's? Friction slides?

dunno the dom , i'll look tomorrow, i was thinking 80's, yup friction.

 

[Flattie]

How'd you get that toolbox to stick to the bottom of the shelf ?

Same reason one should never sit a beer down in my garage. Wierd stuff happens.

 

[zkling]

dunno the dom , i'll look tomorrow, i was thinking 80's, yup friction.

Check the bottom frame rail face (red part). It should be stamped USA then two digits to indicate year.

 

[Craftsman C-series]

My favorite Craftsman tool box. This is the box the Super Deluxe Amber handled Crafty BE socket set came in in 1939 (thanks to info provided by (Zkling).

Just got a key for it and thinking of the best way to maintain the origional patina without removing the stenciling. There is some surface rust that I want to clean up and may just spray with WD40 when needed.