Craftsman Toolbox Thread

[redlines]

Super clean Rally box. $10 at a estate sale. I love the wood-grain, it's so cheesy.

 

[1982fxr]

Nice score. Those are so ugly it's kind of awesome. I feel like that's the toolbox the dad on the Brady Bunch would have pulled out to fix a bicycle on the fake lawn.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I know it doesn’t look like much but I was able to get the front header panel much straighter! As you can see from the level, it is almost done! I think someone either stood on this at some point or someone dropped something on the lid when it was locked which dented the lid and pushed out the header panel. The lid is oil canned but I will try my hand at straightening it. I tried to get rileysan to loan me his heritage era body work set some it would be more correct to work on a craftsman box with craftsman tools but no luck[emoji23] I am using my vintage Proto hammers and those sure are nice !





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[Smokeshow69]

Tonight I buzzed down the inside and out side of the lid and the bottom, which someone painted a horrible blue. I have started trying to get rid of the high and low spots on the lid. It had some creases in it and it is missing the inner reinforcement panel so something hit it hard enough to break the welds or someone stood on it [emoji849] it doesn’t look like much but I started to remove the various dents and started in on shrinking the streched metal with a torch and a wet rag! I still have more work to do and am going slowly as this is my first time shrinking metal like this

Before




After





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[Gunfighter556]

Looking good Smoke

 

[Smokeshow69]

Looking good Smoke

I just picked up a donor chest for its lid. I don’t think I will be pleased with the final results, plus mine is missing the inner reinforcement. This lid has a few dings but it isn’t to bad



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[bmwrd0]

Are you going to pull the hinge pin, or spot weld in a whole new flange?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Are you going to pull the hinge pin, or spot weld in a whole new flange?

Beemer- I think I will spot weld a new flange on. The lid on this box isn’t totally gone, I just don’t think I can fix it enough to satisfy my own particular expectations since the box is getting new paint. I think if I try to drive out the pin, I will end up destroying this lid and would have to put a new lid on it anyway


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[JoCoSawdust]

Has anyone here ever pulled the hinge pin out of one of these boxes and succesfully put it back together? I dabbled around with a box that I really didn't care if I messed up or not and was only able to get the pin to move about a half inch.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I put this on the Heritage thread but I'll throw it up in here as well. Chronological Long Handle Line Up.I'm missing one of the ten variants, the big boy from 1946. It's a center-lock box that measures 12" across the end. If you have one you're willing to part with, please shoot me pics and how we can go about re-homing it. Thanks.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I put this on the Heritage thread but I'll throw it up in here as well. Chronological Long Handle Line Up.I'm missing one of the ten variants, the big boy from 1946. It's a center-lock box that measures 12" across the end. If you have one you're willing to part with, please shoot me pics and how we can go about re-homing it. Thanks.

 

[FTWingRiders]

I put this on the Heritage thread but I'll throw it up in here as well. Chronological Long Handle Line Up.I'm missing one of the ten variants, the big boy from 1946. It's a center-lock box that measures 12" across the end. If you have one you're willing to part with, please shoot me pics and how we can go about re-homing it. Thanks.

Those are just freakin’ awesome.... seriously..

 

[Crabman]

Red,

Super clean Rally box. $10 at a estate sale. I love the wood-grain, it's so cheesy.

That box is very cool, good score!

Bruce

 

[Crabman]

JoCo

Those are just freakin’ awesome.... seriously..

x2

Bruce

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Here's mine. A mid '90s 3D Rally Box. Middle drawer of said Rally Box is an early '60s 1/4 drive socket set with butterfly ratchet. And finally my Dad's 1/2 drive set he received for HS graduation in '48 found in '47 catalog. Speeder, breaker and two sockets (15/16 and 1) are still original ( Circle H annd Circle U).

 

[Gatorreb3l]

Had my daughter and son in law over for dinner tonight. Instead of bringing wine, they brought me this. I raised her well!!

I just acquired a box similar to yours. But mine is a bit more rough around the edges.

 

[Gatorreb3l]

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.

Would you be able to inform me what year that 7 drawer box is? I just got one and know nothing about it.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Weekend estate find. Few dings and dents, but should clean and straighten out nicely

 

[Auctionhunter]

$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.

I challenge you to the rustiest toolbox revival competition. Here is my entry. A tombstone Craftsman rusted to heck. I wire brushed it and treated with rust remover. I drilled out the rivets on the latches, handle and badge. I resprayed it with Rust-oleum brand red paint. I then re-riveted the handle and badge. The latches were too badly deteriorated to replace, and one had a catch missing. I got these stainless latches from aliexpress and riveted them on. Bit of a heresy I suppose, not to use the original style, but this is not a museum quality restoration, it is about making a classic shaped metal box for some of my tools, instead of using a plastic abomination. Here are the before and after pics Have you finished restoring yours yet ooba tooba?

 

[Smokeshow69]

I challenge you to the rustiest toolbox revival competition. Here is my entry. A tombstone Craftsman rusted to heck. I wire brushed it and treated with rust remover. I drilled out the rivets on the latches, handle and badge. I resprayed it with Rust-oleum brand red paint. I then re-riveted the handle and badge. The latches were too badly deteriorated to replace, and one had a catch missing. I got these stainless latches from aliexpress and riveted them on. Bit of a heresy I suppose, not to use the original style, but this is not a museum quality restoration, it is about making a classic shaped metal box for some of my tools, instead of using a plastic abomination. Here are the before and after pics Have you finished restoring yours yet ooba tooba?

This isn’t craftsman but it was pretty rusty and required welding back together [emoji15] fairly uncommon plomb tool tote





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[JoCoSawdust]

They are fun to bring back to life.

 

[Smokeshow69]

They are fun to bring back to life.

That turned out amazing! Is that vht wrinkle paint?


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[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks Ben, so did your tote. That tote is one of the few things I'd hang the "rare" title on. I like the way this longhandle turned out too but it stands out like a sore thumb amongst my other original-finish longhandles. I'd like to find another one of this version in better shape that this on came to me in the longhandle display.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks Ben, so did your tote. That tote is one of the few things I'd hang the "rare" title on. I like the way this longhandle turned out too but it stands out like a sore thumb amongst my other original-finish longhandles. I'd like to find another one of this version in better shape that this on came to me in the longhandle display.

Thanks! I agree, the nice paint stands out in the middle of the rest of my original paint items which is why I aged it. I have a few original paint long handles but they are really rough.


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[JoCoSawdust]

Yup. VHT wrinkle

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yup. VHT wrinkle

Nice!


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[outofbounds]

I'm glad that for $10 I was able to avoid the rustiest toolbox challenge. Carried this one home last night after work from FB Marketplace. Astounded it lasted 2 weeks at that price in this condition. Lady said 7 people wanted it and 0 actually showed up. Code on top reads 63351, which I'll to mean 1963? Only real defect is the previous owners Driver's License number engraved on the lid.

 

[ALLFAST]

There are so many incredible old CM boxes on this thread !

I posted this on the Gray and Red CM thread but I'll give it a go here. Can any of you CM experts give any insight as to which company. may have made this 09/1973 CM Chest?

It followed me home this week after I bought a Carpenters box from the same seller (The 6517 is maybe a 1972,and needs total repaint). I LOVE this toolbox. I'm just cleaning it and slowly deciding which way to best touch up all her scratches so as to best preserve the patina.

It has the original lock, but no key. I'm hoping to find an era correct key and get that dialed in. I have a 1980 ish 10 drawer home owner chest (I bought new at age 15) and it feels like an aluminum can in comparison, with respect to construction quality.

Here she is. A few of the sellers photos and mine.

 

[ALLFAST]

I'll begin by wiping the exposed chips and scratches down (to get the corrosion at Bay) and maybe use some Rust-oleum hammered pewter with a model brush to get the larger obnoxious areas blended first. I'm still thinking of how to best attack it. I'm not going for a total refurb. The patina is too nice, and the paint has polished up great in all my test spots so far.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice toolbox. It was made by Waterloo as were all of the gray body/red drawer chests for Sears. The dimples on either side of the cylinder lock are a dead giveaway for Waterloos as they made chests for numerous retailers through the years. Kudos to you for keeping the patina. Be aware that hammered paint applied with a brush isn't going to have the hammered finish as that happens as the paint flows while being sprayed. There is an alpha/numeric code on the lock face that tells you what key you need. Keep your eyes peeled on eBay, they pop up often. Here's a link to an entire thread dedicated to the ol gray and reds. Welcome to the club!
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289206

 

[ALLFAST]

Thank You JoCo! That's all good info, and I'm looking at different ways to mix a. possible match. The lock is numbered and I'll hunt a key down eventually (the only sticky fingers around my area are the local racoons and bears �&#56838.

My Dad's whole family Homesteaded New Bern, NC. Many are still there. I see mentioned VHT wrinkle paint for your box here. Your box looks like a rich, flat slate blue. Are you topcoating the wrinkle with something else? The photo naturally hides things. All of your unique boxes are super sweet!

What do you do for rivets on your vintage refurbs? Thanks again, Shawn

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's actually straight out of the can VHT wrinkle gray. It actually should be a shade or two darker for original color. Other members here have had success putting a light color coat over a VHT wrinkle base. I'll try that someday. For those gray/red era boxes I use Rustoleum Hammered Gray and Sunrise Red.

I order tubular rivets online. Can't recall offhand what company I buy from but a google search will give you lots of choices. Have the thickness of both materials you're wanting to match up and the diameter of both the shaft and the head and they can hook you up with what you need. You'll also need the correct setting punches. It's worth the expense and trouble in my opinion. Pop rivets on a tool box look like trash.

EDIT: My rivet source
https://www.hansonrivet.com

 

[ALLFAST]

JoCo, THANK YOU for the quality tips. Here is the Carpenters Box. Didn't find the production date yet. It gets a full rehab as the paint is smoked. I think about 1972 from the badge?

 

[ALLFAST]

To clarify, the inside finish is nice. The lid and back and sides are heavily oxidized, which the photos dont show at all.

 

[Smokeshow69]

To clarify, the inside finish is nice. The lid and back and sides are heavily oxidized, which the photos dont show at all.

If you polished that box I am quite certain you could revive the paint! I have brought back much worse from the dead


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[ALLFAST]

Smoke,
Would one follow the practices of automotive detailing, or is there a cruder way here����.

I'll try searching the CM box thread. Thanks for the heads up.

Shawn

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smoke,
Would one follow the practices of automotive detailing, or is there a cruder way here.

I'll try searching the CM box thread. Thanks for the heads up.

Shawn

That is what I do! It doesn’t take much time and you will probably be surprised with the results


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[ALLFAST]

Ok, I'll do some experimenting. Thanks again!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Ok, I'll do some experimenting. Thanks again!

You are welcome!


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[Isaiah6113]

They are fun to bring back to life.

WOW, what a great job! The perfect box.

Matthew