Craftsman Toolbox Thread

[Car hobby]

I always thought the cantilever boxes were cool. This one lived a very rough life before it was rescued from someone tossing it out. Since then, it’s been sitting in my shed. Lots of rust damage inside and out. The bottom had holes in it and all of the chrome was rusted and pathetic. I took it completely apart to sandblast and I cut out a new floor for the bottom. I was very happy with the way the chrome came out. Buffing wheels do miracles. I’m thinking about using this as my travel box, having metric on one side and SAE on the other.

 

[Rileysan]

Is there a secret to removing the drawers on these?
Just picked up a far less desirable 3 drawer and would like to take them out for a good cleaning.

I don't have any useful photos available, but yes - there's a trick to them!

First off, they weren't designed to be easily serviced. The spring loaded tabs are located on the drawer and cabinet sides of the slides, not on the slides themselves. The slides merely have a "stop" punched through on either side to catch on the metal tab.

I took a piece of 1/2" flat bar, 1/8" thick and ground it flat with a flapper disc on an angle grinder and kept test fitting until it fit between the slide and cabinet.

Once you have a tool that fits, you shove it in ~6" until it stops, then force it past the metal tab. The slide should then release.

It takes a little practice and patience, but once you've got it down, it's not too painful.

Brian

 

[lafester]

Thanks! Looks like you have a few of them there...
Maybe tomorrow I will work on getting those drawers out.

A crown label top box came up a few months ago and I didn't snag it unfortunately. I do have a Remline/PowrKraft box that matches pretty well style wise.

I don't have any useful photos available, but yes - there's a trick to them!

First off, they weren't designed to be easily serviced. The spring loaded tabs are located on the drawer and cabinet sides of the slides, not on the slides themselves. The slides merely have a "stop" punched through on either side to catch on the metal tab.

I took a piece of 1/2" flat bar, 1/8" thick and ground it flat with a flapper disc on an angle grinder and kept test fitting until it fit between the slide and cabinet.

Once you have a tool that fits, you shove it in ~6" until it stops, then force it past the metal tab. The slide should then release.

It takes a little practice and patience, but once you've got it down, it's not too painful.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks! Looks like you have a few of them there...
Maybe tomorrow I will work on getting those drawers out.

A crown label top box came up a few months ago and I didn't snag it unfortunately. I do have a Remline/PowrKraft box that matches pretty well style wise.

Man, you're not kidding! I won't say how many I have (or have had) but it's quite a few.

I also have a Powr Kraft box made by AMD/Remline from the late 50s that I've never actually taken apart, but assume it uses the same slides. Keep us posted on your progress!

Brian

 

[bubinga]

Is there a secret to removing the drawers on these?
Just picked up a far less desirable 3 drawer and would like to take them out for a good cleaning.

Nice Score.................That Box Is Bad @$$

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks! Looks like you have a few of them there...

Maybe tomorrow I will work on getting those drawers out.



A crown label top box came up a few months ago and I didn't snag it unfortunately. I do have a Remline/PowrKraft box that matches pretty well style wise.

Craftsman only had the crown top label on the AMD boxes in 1959 an D.C. I believe part of ‘60. They are not very common. What style of box was it?


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[lafester]

Craftsman only had the crown top label on the AMD boxes in 1959 an D.C. I believe part of ‘60. They are not very common. What style of box was it?


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Just like the one in your sig... It was listed for a couple weeks and I kept staring at it, but I had just set up my Powr Kraft 10 drawer and it was in much better condition.

Here is my new heritage box and I'll see if I can find a pic of the powr kraft.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Just like the one in your sig... It was listed for a couple weeks and I kept staring at it, but I had just set up my Powr Kraft 10 drawer and it was in much better condition.



Here is my new heritage box and I'll see if I can find a pic of the powr kraft.

Dang.... those are not very common around here. Oh well, I get you wanting the nicer box!


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[lafester]

Yeah it had poorly replaced latch and one of the drawers looked crooked but if it popped up again today I would grab it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yeah it had poorly replaced latch and one of the drawers looked crooked but if it popped up again today I would grab it.

That is exactly the reason why I purchased this AMD/remline 10 drawer top chest. I paid $50 but if I need parts, it will be way worth it! If I don’t need parts, I know someone who wants it!


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[bmwrd0]

Craftsman only had the crown top label on the AMD boxes in 1959 an D.C. I believe part of ‘60. They are not very common. What style of box was it?


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My bottom box is crown top and dated '58. Which might just be from the very tail end of '58. I don't really know, the guy I got it from bought it at auction.

 

[Smokeshow69]

My bottom box is crown top and dated '58. Which might just be from the very tail end of '58. I don't really know, the guy I got it from bought it at auction.

I need to check the catalog but I think it is heritage in the 58 and crown in 59. Of course, I think there was a transition period in there sounds like you have one. We know sears wasn’t always very good about hard and fast cut off dates on logos... hence my newer red and grey with rectangular logo


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[Smokeshow69]

I need to check the catalog but I think it is heritage in the 58 and crown in 59. Of course, I think there was a transition period in there sounds like you have one. We know sears wasn’t always very good about hard and fast cut off dates on logos... hence my newer red and grey with rectangular logo


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Bmw-you got me thinking and i had a few moments...I did some research off the catalogs on cd... You were correct on the dates!

1958-showing heritage

 

[Smokeshow69]

1959-showing crown top logo. Note the 8 drawer roller is gone but the rare, 1 year only 7 drawer AMD roller is present

 

[Smokeshow69]

1960-Newer red and grey style boxes appear. Note the smooth sides and that these do have ball bearing slides, as opposed to later red and grey that have friction slides. The machinist chest shows crown top logo but the red and grey tool chests show the classic chevron logo.

 

[bmwrd0]

Mine must be a transition, as it is an eight drawer with crown logo. If I find a Heritage, you will be the first call to offer this one to.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Mine must be a transition, as it is an eight drawer with crown logo. If I find a Heritage, you will be the first call to offer this one to.

Much appreciated! Either heritage or crown, they are not very common!


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[lafester]

I don't have any useful photos available, but yes - there's a trick to them!



First off, they weren't designed to be easily serviced. The spring loaded tabs are located on the drawer and cabinet sides of the slides, not on the slides themselves. The slides merely have a "stop" punched through on either side to catch on the metal tab.



I took a piece of 1/2" flat bar, 1/8" thick and ground it flat with a flapper disc on an angle grinder and kept test fitting until it fit between the slide and cabinet.



Once you have a tool that fits, you shove it in ~6" until it stops, then force it past the metal tab. The slide should then release.



It takes a little practice and patience, but once you've got it down, it's not too painful.



Brian

Got them out, thanks!



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[bubinga]

Got them out, thanks!



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[JoCoSawdust]

Bmw-you got me thinking and i had a few moments...I did some research off the catalogs on cd... You were correct on the dates!

1958-showing heritage

My Crown 8d is 59 but I know one other collector that has a Crown 8d dated 58. You're right about the catalogs not being THE source for pin point dating of boxes and what not. I have a 68 dated 10d gray/red that has 67 catalog characteristics. Lots of examples of stuff like that out there.

 

[ooba tooba]

$5 at a garage sale last year. Forgot I had it. Perhaps I’ll work on it a bit, and give it a new life.

 

[ratchetfever]

After all this time reading every ones postings, it's time for me to finally ask a question. I have an older Craftsman top box 12"x25" and am searching for a base for it. I do not know if Craftsman made a single drawer base or a two drawer base like every one else. I really need to store my torque wrenches, so the base would be a perfect solution. Does any one have one for sale?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Zeeman]

Welcome Ratchetfever. You could put a wanted ad, but I believe you have to have a certain number of posts first. I'm not sure what you are looking for, a rolling cabinet with one drawer?

Check out the Red/Gray Craftsman thread for lots of pics if you like the 70s-ish Craftsman toolboxes.

Here is a roller with 5 drawers I just completed.

 

[ratchetfever]

Thanks Zeeman. I am looking for a base that rests between the top box and the rollaway.

 

[Zeeman]

Oh, you're looking for a middle/intermediate chest. Those are a little hard to find. I think there are a whole lot of guys and gals that would love to find one at a decent price.

Keep us posted.

 

[DaveT]

I picked up this Craftsman Heritage badged machinist box last weekend and was surprised when I pulled the first drawer out that is was not on slide rails. Drawers are just free floating and pull all the way out. Anyone ever see this before?

 

[outofbounds]

Wondering what you call this logo......seems to fall between "Long C" and "Heritage" I'm thinking. Can anyone offer a estimate of date? Looks like Heritage logo, less the two stripes each side.....

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/7140196751.html

 

[DaveT]

Wondering what you call this logo......seems to fall between "Long C" and "Heritage" I'm thinking. Can anyone offer a estimate of date? Looks like Heritage logo, less the two stripes each side.....

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/7140196751.html

That’s a great question. I have a roller chest with the same logo and I fount it in the 1956 Sears catalog so it is in the same date range as “Heritage” logo. I’m thinking it is a heritage logo and probably a different vendor.

Never mind the fact that some previous owner spray bombed it red & black!

 

[Rileysan]

Wondering what you call this logo......seems to fall between "Long C" and "Heritage" I'm thinking. Can anyone offer a estimate of date? Looks like Heritage logo, less the two stripes each side.....

https://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/7140196751.html

That’s a great question. I have a roller chest with the same logo and I fount it in the 1956 Sears catalog so it is in the same date range as “Heritage” logo. I’m thinking it is a heritage logo and probably a different vendor.

Never mind the fact that some previous owner spray bombed it red & black!

Great box, DaveT!

The vendor for these boxes was Advertising Metal Display Co (AMD). That version of the Heritage logo was commonly used from 1954-58 on rolling tool cabinets. However, there is no other useful information available on why that version of logo was used. I am confident that ALL Heritage era 8d cabinets used it, but not so certain about when are where the 3 drawer version used it. The link provided by OOB is only the second 3d cabinet I've seen with the large, oval Heritage logo.

 

[outofbounds]

Great box, DaveT!

The vendor for these boxes was Advertising Metal Display Co (AMD). That version of the Heritage logo was commonly used from 1954-58 on rolling tool cabinets. However, there is no other useful information available on why that version of logo was used. I am confident that ALL Heritage era 8d cabinets used it, but not so certain about when are where the 3 drawer version used it. The link provided by OOB is only the second 3d cabinet I've seen with the large, oval Heritage logo.

Rileysan,

So it's priceless, in other words? and I should be racing at $89 to make it mine?

 

[DaveT]

Rileysan,

So it's priceless, in other words? and I should be racing at $89 to make it mine?

YES! that would be a good deal

 

[Rileysan]

Rileysan,

So it's priceless, in other words? and I should be racing at $89 to make it mine?

Personally, I would be buying it at that price. If it were a regular Heritage 3d cabinet with the smaller logo, I wouldn't bother with it.

Brian

 

[Smokeshow69]

Rileysan,



So it's priceless, in other words? and I should be racing at $89 to make it mine?

At $89 you ****! 8 drawer rollers are not easy to find. I hate you in the nicest way right now


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[Zeeman]

I picked up this Craftsman Heritage badged machinist box last weekend and was surprised when I pulled the first drawer out that is was not on slide rails. Drawers are just free floating and pull all the way out. Anyone ever see this before?

That's the way they are on the machinist's chests. There are some pins that go up and down through the top part to keep the drawers in place when the lid is closed.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They did not expect you to put alot of weight in a machinist chest so no slides.

 

[outofbounds]

At $89 you ****! 8 drawer rollers are not easy to find. I hate you in the nicest way right now


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For clarification the $89 asking price is for a 3d Roller with the odd Heritage logo, not an 8d, however I slept on a 8d recently at $115 and actually am still regretting it.

 

[Rileysan]

for clarification the $89 asking price is for a 3d roller with the odd heritage logo, not an 8d, however i slept on a 8d recently at $115 and actually am still regretting it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

For clarification the $89 asking price is for a 3d Roller with the odd Heritage logo, not an 8d, however I slept on a 8d recently at $115 and actually am still regretting it.

That is rough [emoji23]


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[JoCoSawdust]

First large Heritage logo I've seen on a 3d. Every 8d I've seen has the large one as well. Nice find. Is there a date stamp behind it? I'm wondering if it's a late one and they were just getting rid of stock as they ramped up to the Crown change.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

$5 at a garage sale last year. Forgot I had it. Perhaps I’ll work on it a bit, and give it a new life.

Save it!! Nice find, 49-57.