Craftsman Toolbox Thread

[Car hobby]

Here are the rest of the pictures. I didn't realize pics were limited.

 

[RubiconJK]

Found this 1975 upper this weekend and began the cleanup and sanding process. It had been stored in an old shed and had quite a bit of exterior rust spots, but no pitting. In great shape otherwise and had the key. It also came with a carry tray. Did these come new with a carry tray? I'll show an after photo once I'm finished with the repaint.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

The 64 catalog lists the 10 drawer chest as coming with a tote so I would assume the 10D had a tote all or at least most years. Nice box!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Here are the rest of the pictures. I didn't realize pics were limited.

That 12D top chest is a difficult sucker to track down. I've only found one and it was beat up beyond what I wanted to mess with. The search goes on....

 

[RubiconJK]

The 64 catalog lists the 10 drawer chest as coming with a tote so I would assume the 10D had a tote all or at least most years. Nice box!

Thanks. Should the tote be marked Craftsman? Mine is not marked, but the size fits and color matches.

 

[d42jeep]

Any idea on what came in the crown logo carry boxes with serial numbers?

Here are some sets in the ‘60 catalog. I’m not sure how much they changed from year to year.
-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks. Should the tote be marked Craftsman? Mine is not marked, but the size fits and color matches.

I've only seen one tote marked Craftsman, the name was embossed but I believe it to be a stand alone tote, not part of a chest. None of the totes in my boxes from any era are marked.

 

[RubiconJK]

I've only seen one tote marked Craftsman, the name was embossed but I believe it to be a stand alone tote, not part of a chest. None of the totes in my boxes from any era are marked.

Got it. Thanks again.

 

[WagonHo!]

Here are the rest of the pictures. I didn't realize pics were limited.

Never seen a 12 drawer chest like that looks to be in great shape. Does it have the “chevron” emblem anywhere and what is the date on it?
Uh huh u ****!

 

[Car hobby]

Never seen a 12 drawer chest like that looks to be in great shape. Does it have the “chevron” emblem anywhere and what is the date on it?
Uh huh u ****!

The 12 D was born September 1976. I guess it was one of the last Gray bodied chests. It originally had the "Sears/Craftsman" emblem on it. I still have it. I may put on the "Chevron" emblem so that it matches everything else.

 

[RubiconJK]

Found this 1975 upper this weekend and began the cleanup and sanding process. It had been stored in an old shed and had quite a bit of exterior rust spots, but no pitting. In great shape otherwise and had the key. It also came with a carry tray. Did these come new with a carry tray? I'll show an after photo once I'm finished with the repaint.

I didn't think I'd find a lower as quickly as I did, and had to drive a ways to get it, but here is my 1967 model I picked up today. Everything is straight and even though there is some surface rust, it should clean up and look great after the restore. Showing both it and the upper "before" pics and now have both disassembled and sanded ready for paint.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That was quick! Nice stack.

 

[WagonHo!]

I didn't think I'd find a lower as quickly as I did, and had to drive a ways to get it, but here is my 1967 model I picked up today. Everything is straight and even though there is some surface rust, it should clean up and look great after the restore. Showing both it and the upper "before" pics and now have both disassembled and sanded ready for paint.

Nice find. Never saw “pat pend” with a date stamp before.

 

[RubiconJK]

That was quick! Nice stack.

Nice find. Never saw “pat pend” with a date stamp before.

Thanks. I've not done any searching about the "pat pend" mark yet. After completing the clean up yesterday I was doing some looking on this and the other related thread and began noticing that the earlier lowers like mine had the gray lower fold down door as opposed to red and the logo is on the right side rather than left as is the case on the later models. I'm going back with the Rustoleum hammered gray and sunrise red colors on both the upper and lower and think I'm going to use cork as drawer liners.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

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.

Man...the Vanadium rat, the C-98 AND that box?? You're rolling in the rarities there!!

 

[RubiconJK]

Here is the "after" photo of the 1975 upper and 1967 lower shown in their "before" condition in post #333 up above. The upper came with a OE key and I bought a key online for the lower. I don't have my drawer liners in yet but plan to get that done hopefully tomorrow.
Edit: Added photo after installing drawer liners. I have more invested in the cork liner material than I do the boxes!

 

[Dibiase77]

So I picked this up an hour or so ago off of letgo. Got the top and bottom for $20. They look rough but it's just surface rust. Nothing that can't be repaired. I know what the top box is someone helped me out earlier before I decided to buy. My question pertains to the bottom box. Where would I find a model number or year stamped on the craftsman? Thanks in advance.

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[taumac]

The bottom is Craftsman and you’ll find date above right side front caster. I believe the top chest is a snap on chest

 

[Dibiase77]

The bottom is Craftsman and you’ll find date above right side front caster. I believe the top chest is a snap on chest

Thanks. Yeah I wasn't going to grab them earlier unless I was sure the top was SO. For the price I'm happy. Ive had problems trying to find dates on the cman toolboxes at times so it's nice to know where to look. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

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[tombell572]

Two Craftsman wall-mount tool cabinets on Portland C/L, both located in Washington:

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/d/castle-rock-rare-vintage-1950s/6901955147.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/d/seattle-vintage-mid-century-craftsman/6887180220.html

Tom B.

 

[Dibiase77]

The bottom is Craftsman and you’ll find date above right side front caster. I believe the top chest is a snap on chest

So I've spent part of this morning searching for the date code and there isn't one. The craftsman logo that's on there was stuck on using double sided tape. There are two holes behind the tape. But I can't find any date codes on it at all. Any chance this might not be a cman?

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[taumac]

It should be right here. Yes that box is a Craftsman. The top side of the roller has rounded corners, the handle on side and the badge being on the right side of the box makes it a IMO pre 1970 definitely. I’m guessing 65 ish because of the bottom rail above the garage door. Those only came on certain years. If I remember right it’s not directly above like later ones but alittle left on bottom rail. Biggest issue your having is the box has been painted red. The box and door should be gray and drawers red.

 

[Dibiase77]

It should be right here. Yes that box is a Craftsman. The top side of the roller has rounded corners, the handle on side and the badge being on the right side of the box makes it a IMO pre 1970 definitely. I’m guessing 65 ish because of the bottom rail above the garage door. Those only came on certain years. If I remember right it’s not directly above like later ones but alittle left on bottom rail. Biggest issue your having is the box has been painted red. The box and door should be gray and drawers red.

Yes I noticed someone painted it there is paint runs on the back. Figured no company would ever sell a product like that. I'll have to take some paint off which is no big deal its going to get fixed up. Thank you very very much. I really appreciate the hwlp

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[Dibiase77]

It should be right here. Yes that box is a Craftsman. The top side of the roller has rounded corners, the handle on side and the badge being on the right side of the box makes it a IMO pre 1970 definitely. I’m guessing 65 ish because of the bottom rail above the garage door. Those only came on certain years. If I remember right it’s not directly above like later ones but alittle left on bottom rail. Biggest issue your having is the box has been painted red. The box and door should be gray and drawers red.

Removed a bunch of red paint and found it right where you said it would be buried under a few coats of red paint Made in 62. Thanks again.

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[koraapbt]

I'm looking for two replacement drawer slides for this three drawer box. Searching around pictures from others, I think the vintage is somewhere around 1969. Anyone know the model number, or even better where I can find replacement drawer slides?

Dave

I have searched every inch of this box for a stamp or label, there is none

 

[taumac]

Check inside the top compartment for the date. Why do the slides need to be replaced? If they are bent you can get them back in shape.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I'm looking for two replacement drawer slides for this three drawer box. Searching around pictures from others, I think the vintage is somewhere around 1969. Anyone know the model number, or even better where I can find replacement drawer slides?

Dave

I have searched every inch of this box for a stamp or label, there is none

Nice score for 10 bucks. Like taumac said, the slides can be straightened with some patience. Look in the main compartment near the front left corner as you're looking at the box. Should be a date stamp. That box has been spray painted so you'll probably have to knock down some paint with some fine steel wool in order to see the stamp.

 

[taumac]

To straighten slides it’s important to get yourself some long square shanked screwdrivers.



Theses are perfect size to fill the channel while trying to reshape.



Do not clamp slide in vise without the driver in place. You end up crushing it and then having to spread it back open. Once you get first one done the second should be easy.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have had some luck using allen wrenches and a vise

 

[Dibiase77]

In regards to removing the paint to find the date stamps on a few CMAN boxes I've had luck with cheap dollar store nail polish remover and the green 3M pads.

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[tool_scrounge]

I'm looking for two replacement drawer slides for this three drawer box. Searching around pictures from others, I think the vintage is somewhere around 1969. Anyone know the model number, or even better where I can find replacement drawer slides?

Dave

I have searched every inch of this box for a stamp or label, there is none

Call Waterloo industries at 800-833-4405 to order parts. You may need to email them a photo or give slide dimensions

 

[koraapbt]

Nice score for 10 bucks. Like taumac said, the slides can be straightened with some patience. Look in the main compartment near the front left corner as you're looking at the box. Should be a date stamp. That box has been spray painted so you'll probably have to knock down some paint with some fine steel wool in order to see the stamp.

Thanks JoCoSawdust!. I found the date stamp "1066" in that top compartment, underneath some dirt and paint. Is that October, 1966?

The drawer slides for the middle drawer were just plain missing when I bought it, so nothing to repair. I'll give Waterloo Industries a try based on the other helpful suggestion from tool scrounge. Thanks all!

 

[RubiconJK]

Posted previously on the other Craftsman toolbox thread, but here is the 1972, 6 drawer upper I found earlier today which also had the original owner's guide still in the box. Including links to the posts on the other thread showing pics of the pages in the pamphlet.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7965575&postcount=1699
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7965577&postcount=1700

 

[d42jeep]

I found this small box on Thursday. I cleaned it up Friday and added some of the =v= tools I’ve found recently.
-Don

 

[Jumpman-Z]

Acquired these two at an auction back in May. The one on the left is a 1974 I believe, and the one on the right is a 1956 or 57, I forget.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice boxes Jumpman! The top chest on the left would have to be early 60s. The drawer pull on the whiskey drawer is the giveaway. I believe it was 65 (or perhaps 66) that they moved the pull to the top of the drawer. I'd love to have a centered pull chest as I was born in 64. I believe the roller on the right has to be 59 as that's the only year I see that box offered with the Crown logo. In 60 the gray and reds show up. I'm considering making a drive to pick one of those up solely because I have the Crown top chest for it. That Heritage top chest looks brand new! Great set of boxes you have there.

EDIT: I checked to confirm since it was bugging me (I think about this stuff FAR too much). The first time the whiskey drawer pull shows up aligned at the top is the 69 catalog.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This is already posted in the Vintage Tool Box thread but it belongs here as well. 1946 only center-lock long handle.

 

[Jumpman-Z]

Nice boxes Jumpman! The top chest on the left would have to be early 60s. The drawer pull on the whiskey drawer is the giveaway. I believe it was 65 (or perhaps 66) that they moved the pull to the top of the drawer. I'd love to have a centered pull chest as I was born in 64. I believe the roller on the right has to be 59 as that's the only year I see that box offered with the Crown logo. In 60 the gray and reds show up. I'm considering making a drive to pick one of those up solely because I have the Crown top chest for it. That Heritage top chest looks brand new! Great set of boxes you have there.

EDIT: I checked to confirm since it was bugging me (I think about this stuff FAR too much). The first time the whiskey drawer pull shows up aligned at the top is the 69 catalog.

JoCoSawdust, you know your stuff! I was comparing it to another that I previously had which was a '73 or '74, but totally missed the detail on the whiskey drawer! I hadn't actually checked for the stamp lol.

Thanks for the info on the Heritage chest as well. It really is pretty minty. It's hard to tell from that angle, but the paint is still very shiny. All it needs is a clean up and removal of the sharpie labeling. I had an older, smaller 1956 one with out the top box that I was going to fix up and use as my roll around box, but I think this might be the one instead.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

JoCoSawdust, you know your stuff! I was comparing it to another that I previously had which was a '73 or '74, but totally missed the detail on the whiskey drawer! I hadn't actually checked for the stamp lol.

Thanks for the info on the Heritage chest as well. It really is pretty minty. It's hard to tell from that angle, but the paint is still very shiny. All it needs is a clean up and removal of the sharpie labeling. I had an older, smaller 1956 one with out the top box that I was going to fix up and use as my roll around box, but I think this might be the one instead.

I'm not that knowledgable, I cheat! I have the catalogs and learn something new every time I look at them. Yeah I'd keep the Crown roller, it's actually more scarce than the Heritage ones and yours looks to be in fantastic condition.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here's a few...