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Craigslist Find 1940's Snap On Toolboxes & Snap On Cart

briandrex

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
296
Location
Elkton, MD
Was able to pick up these vintage Snap On toolboxes on Craigslist for $50 for the top and bottom. I think the bottom is a KR-50W produced 1941-46 and the top is a K-55W produced 1941-46. There are no markings on the box which is normal from my understanding. Both boxes came with the flat front pieces which was a surprise as they were not show in the ad.

Each front cover has the Snap On Logo stamped into the metal which is really cool. Also the top box has the original vintage Snap On logo. These came from a guy that was buying a tractor and noticed them in the woman's garage. They were her late husband's and he asked to buy them. The guy apparently had no room for them and was selling them for $50 on CL. He had a lot of calls but no one actually showed til I went and picked them up.

I'm planning on keeping them the way they are as the drawers slide unbelievably well and the vintage look is great! I think sanding and repainting would take away from the look and be completely the wrong thing to do. I do need to find what holds the top flat cover in place from falling out. It has two pieces that attach to the bottom, but when you open the top of the box there are to slots about 3/8 inch wide that looks like something would slide down and engage the top. Looks like two slides or something is missing. Loving these boxes and can't wait to put them to good use! :thumbup:
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Also picked up this service cart for $50. Said it was about a 20 year old snap on cart. It has some drawers which the guy removed as I had to go out and grab another $50 from the MAC machine. I didn't realize he was taking the drawers out and since I had already done well on the original boxes I figured even for $50 it was heavy duty. Will be perfect for working on the motorcycles. Not the best deal but a pretty sturdy service cart. The Snap On stickers have me wondering if it's really Snap On as I can find no stampings or markings on it.

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jtbinvalrico

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Joined
Jan 2, 2010
Messages
1,375
Location
Tampa FL
Wow....nice find. That's why I always bring extra coin on my CL runs. I agree on leaving the finish alone. I'd put a mat on that work space and put it to work.
 

Ohio Auto

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Joined
Dec 25, 2010
Messages
1,494
Location
Ohio
You **** and I hate you.

I have a completely different take...I would restore the boxes. I would probably get them powder coated black with gold accents. But that's me.

Nice score dude..really nice.
 
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briandrex

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
296
Location
Elkton, MD
You **** and I hate you.

I have a completely different take...I would restore the boxes. I would probably get them powder coated black with gold accents. But that's me.

Nice score dude..really nice.

I just finished restoring two boxes from 65 and 66 respectively. Those boxes I'm really glad I took the time and made them look brand new. These boxes have the hammered paint look on them and I think it would take away from the vintage look. If I had a way to make them look the way they did new I would, but new then isn't the new gloss paint of today.

Still plenty of time to think about it as these are in usable shape with really no rust to speak of so I won't be having metal loss anytime soon. I'm always interested in seeing if anyone has done a restore on something of this time period and was able to keep with the original look and texture.
 

fordbroncodave

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Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
4,555
the cart is indeed snap on. same one at my work. old, beat to hell and very well used but still sturdy and standing
 

Outlawmws

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Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,243
Location
The Badlands
I just finished restoring two boxes from 65 and 66 respectively. Those boxes I'm really glad I took the time and made them look brand new. These boxes have the hammered paint look on them and I think it would take away from the vintage look. If I had a way to make them look the way they did new I would, but new then isn't the new gloss paint of today.

Still plenty of time to think about it as these are in usable shape with really no rust to speak of so I won't be having metal loss anytime soon. I'm always interested in seeing if anyone has done a restore on something of this time period and was able to keep with the original look and texture.

Really? I was trying to look at the surface (Great pics BTW) and I was thinking the drawer fronts looked almost like wrinkle finish in gray, and other areas looked smooth? :dunno:

If its hammer tone, Rustoleum makes gray and a silver in hammered finish, (at least) and may have a light gray, (I can't recall)
 
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SweetD

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Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
3,265
Location
Rhode Island
Maybe one of the best scores of the year so far on this site. What a find. Congrats.

I would clean and lube, and leave as is...

Thanks for sharing!

Dave
 

geologist

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
5,326
That's one epic **** award for you. Unbelievable score. Cant' wait to see the boxes cleaned up a bit.
 

mtkst19

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Sep 20, 2009
Messages
1,248
Location
blitzburgh pa
+1 for keeping it og paint finish. Congrats on the haul. it is stories like this that feed my fire to go tool hunting. the next great deal is out there to find :)
 

larryq

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Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
2,421
This find almost requires a youtube video, so we can see firsthand A) how smooth the drawers slide, and B) exactly how much you ****.
 
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briandrex

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Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
296
Location
Elkton, MD
Didn't realize how well I had actually done on the find. Thanks for all the compliments! :thumbup:

I will try and do a youtube video this weekend for sure. All drawers slide perfectly. I'm wondering if I want to keep it the way it is what the best way of cleaning it up will be? Any cleaners anyone would recommend?

Also I'm not thinking of selling but what would these possibly go for on the free market? I knew they were old but wasn't actually sure how collectible. I like them because they are old school, American made and built very well. Every time I look at them I think about who must have been involved in building them and how they actually took pride in what they did for a living. Quite awesome just to think about it. :beer:
 
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briandrex

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2010
Messages
296
Location
Elkton, MD
Really? I was trying to look at the surface (Great pics BTW) and I was thinking the drawer fronts looked almost like wrinkle finish in gray, and other areas looked smooth? :dunno:

If its hammer tone, Rustoleum makes gray and a silver in hammered finish, (at least) and may have a light gray, (I can't recall)

I stand corrected they are the wrinkle gray finish. I would love for them to look like they did the first day the original owner bought them. I'm a little hesitant to take that leap since the boxes look....you know vintage :lol_hitti

I'm in no rush but if I could get the right game plan together and do this right then I would take on the project. It would be nice for the stamped Snap On logos on the flat panels to pop again. Also would be great to take the locks to a locksmith and have keys made so they function as intended.
 
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