Craftsman toolbox

[Bob/Ohio]

I just traded a friend for this Craftsman box. Don't know much about this box other than it seems to be from the 50's / 60's era, by the emblem on it. Can't seem to find one online quite like it.

Thanks
Bob

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Heritage 2 drawer circa 1950 or so. Very nice!

 

[Bob/Ohio]

Thanks for the reply!!
I would like to repaint, but the colors had me scratching my head, because I haven't seen any this color. Mine looks like it was a silver/blue hammertone on the outside, with light gray drawers.

Bob

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice box. There may or may not be a date stamp within the embossed makers mark behind the logo. Look inside that drawer face and you'll see it. Your box is no later than 58. I'd try scrubbing it down with WD40 and fine steel wool before biting off a restoration. Those things clean up pretty well and look fantastic with patina on it.

 

[Bob/Ohio]

Checked out the drawer inside, and the date is 1957. I'm going to try the WD and steel wool and see what it looks like. Thanks for the date info!

Bob

 

[Bob/Ohio]

Well I tried cleaning this box up and it had more rust on the front than paint,so I decided to do a minor restoration. I found that Rustoleum light blue hammertone paint matches very close. I had a spot on the lid that had a sticker on it, and when I removed it, the paint was pristine under it. I had the handles powder coated, as the were rusted badly. So now I am trying to fill the box with vintage era tools as it should be. I didn't paint the inside of the top as it was not bad and it still has part of the original sticker on it. Now I need to find a bottom box. I also did not do any body work on the outside, I left all the original dents and marks in it form the last owner.

Thanks
Bob

 

[FJ 432]

Well done. Did you tape around the hardware or remove them?

 

[Bob/Ohio]

FJ432
I taped off all the hardware, except the handles. I hated to remove them, but I wanted to powder coat them, as they were the worst pieces.

Thanks!!!!
Bob

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Well done. First chest I've seen done with the hammertone blue. I bought a can a while back and sprayed a test piece and liked it but thought it might not look as good on a large surface. I'd say that's as close to original as we're going to get out of a rattle can.

 

[Bob/Ohio]

Thanks JoCoSawdust!!!

I don't think you will find any paint much closer either. The original color seems to age to a more silver/gray/blue.

Bob

 

[Alienbaby17]

Nice work! That looks great!

 

[Shelbylex]

Looks great, Bob!
Did you spray paint straight on metal or used a primer?

I have a small Craftsman box awaiting some work when it gets warm in the summer...

 

[Bob/Ohio]

Thanks! Alienbaby17,and Shelbylex,

Yes I did use light gray primer on it. The Rustoleum Hammertone paint covers very well. If you sand the original paint, you will see it comes off very easy, as they didn't use any primer.

Bob

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Purdy