Craigslist Score

[MC1983]

Just got this toolbox off craigslist the other day. Needs some work, the previous owner just sprayed the drawers without much prep. I plan to strip down the paint and doing a restoration on the box. Any recommendations on the best way to strip the old paint (aircraft paint remover, sandblast, wire wheel)?

In general, the box is pretty straight. Little surface rust, nothing really bad. I do need to get a few things (key, mac badge, few slide clips, hinge, liners).

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-7BZY7RyegEdcSy5Y2zVsq_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/S_iWNpAQmFI/AAAAAAAAAUs/UBKVwVCSOXE/s400/MAC%20box.jpg" /></a>

 

[panel pete]

Nice score! What's the model #, looks like an old KR59.

 

[MC1983]

Its a MAC Tools Box. Not sure about the model #, I can't seem to find the stamping on the back of the box. Maybe it has been painted over.

 

[selohssa]

I can't seem to find the stamping on the back of the box. Maybe it has been painted over.

The info should all be on the side, close to the bottom.

 

[MC1983]

I looked pretty good and couldn't find any stampings. I think it has been painted over. I just got all the drawers and slides out. I will start getting the paint off in those areas and hopefully I'll be able to find the stampings.

Anybody know where I can locate repair parts and MAC tools badge for this thing?

 

[MC1983]

I found the stamping on the back of the box. I had to get the paint off the area with a wire wheel. It was located on the back of the box on the top left corner.

Other than the model number MB910, what does the G2 stand for?

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M_DFZOsMLY_BqqCvDGaN-K_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/S_lsVRU6iZI/AAAAAAAAAVI/eNNP7YDXLsI/s800/MAC%20stamping.JPG" /></a>

I am in the process of getting all the paint off of it. Trying to decide what color to paint it. I kind of like the idea of just painting it flat black. Or just go over it in sunrise red like the other toolbox refurbs I have seen on the site.

 

[arkangel06]

How much did you pay?

 

[MC1983]

Well, the box was listed for $80 a couple weeks ago when I went to go look at it. It was a little more than I wanted to spending since it does need some work so I passed at the time. I sent them an email a couple days ago asking if it was still for sale. It was and I made them an offer and was able to take it home for $40? I figure after sourcing a badge, hinge, and some clips, and repainting it, I will have a pretty stout toolbox for a decent deal.

 

[fatfillup]

Yes, you will have a stout box and something to take some pride in. Those old boxes just ooze coolness. As far as stripping, and I'm no expert, sandblasting or chemical would make sense to me and you might have to do a little of both.

 

[MC1983]

I don't have access to a sandblaster so I just started doing it the old fashion way, by hand. This is all happening inside the living room in my apartment. Still have to figure out the paint part. Don't think I can paint inside and management isn't going to like me painting it in the parking lot. Maybe I can find someone to do it for cheap on the side.

 

[Rockaholic555]

When I was stuck in an apartment i painted my valve cover to my XJ on the patio. Just layed out enough stuff to keep the paint contained.

 

[MC1983]

Yea, I was thinking about that. I could probably get away with that for small items, but this box is pretty big. Its 33"L x 19"T x 16"D so it would be pretty obvious on my front porch.

I am looking into painting it by brush and just doing a lot of sanding between coats to keep it smooth. Sort of follow the steps from the "$50 paint job" people were doing on cars a while back. I would be able to do that in the kitchen with the vent on and window open. Shouldn't be too bad I don't think. I could also get away with doing it piece by piece as the parts get sanded/prepped.

It's going to be interesting, but hopefully it turns out good.

 

[Tom2]

Yea, I would probably just brush paint it if youre in an apartment. Should still turn out decent. Looks like a great deal.
Sanding and wire wheeling would be the messy part..

 

[jdcompman]

I recommend the aircraft remover route. That stuff smells terrible but the paint will just fall off of that box. Nice box BTW.

 

[MC1983]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am trying to stay on top of the mess as I go along. I laid a tarp down on the floor before I started and am trying to vacuum up as I go. I will keep you guys updated on the progress.

 

[crbnfbr]

One thing you might want to consider is wrapping it in vinyl. I'm thinking about wrapping my box with matte black vinyl. The same kind I'm going to use on the roof of my car. You'd probably want to put a coat of paint under the vinyl though to protect against rust.

 

[Tom2]

I recommend the aircraft remover route. That stuff smells terrible but the paint will just fall off of that box. Nice box BTW.

Yea, that stuff is awesome. Make sure you wear gloves - and change them often. No way I would spray that stuff in an apartment though. I'd take it out to an empty parking lot, families driveway or something.

 

[MC1983]

Its good stuff, but like you said, no way i'm spraying that stuff in here. I have just been stripping the paint by hand with a sander, wire wheel on an angle grinder, and sanding block. I got the bottom, back, and top done so far. Just need the front and all the drawers to go.

It's really a lot of work, but a fun project so far. I think there were 2 coats of paint on top of the original paint. Still trying to decide if I am going to keep it red or go flat black. If I keep it red, I can get away with just cleaning the inside of the drawers instead of scuffing with 220grit and painting black.

I'm still trying to find an emblem for this box so if someone got a lead on either a MAC or MATCO badge, let me know.

 

[MC1983]

Just a quick update with a little bit of progress. Got the box broken down and removed the drawers and slides. Started to bring it all down to metal to get all the previous repaint attempts off. Just need to finish one side and then I can get started on working on the drawers.

There are a couple of dents in the box. On the side, it looks like it is double walled and framed on the inside and reinforced on the slides so I really can't do anything about the dent on the side. For the dent on the lid, I plan to hammer it out a bit.

Does anyone know how to remove the drawer locking mechanism? You can see them in the pictures on the inside of the box. The rail juts slides up and down and there is a spring at the bottom. I just can't figure out how to remove them so I can clean and grease them. Any advice is greatly appreciated.


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tDo1kMGmxEqH68OvRrQTwK_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/S_x196-tSZI/AAAAAAAAAVs/27otpo095Us/s800/DSC_3417.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oKjFe7K3xiofZvfg6qyLaq_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/S_x2AemUToI/AAAAAAAAAVw/L3gtfrn9obc/s800/DSC_3418.JPG" /></a>

 

[mkdive]

Looking good. *subscribed*

Since you said you lived in an apartment complex. I bet if you asked the maintenance staff nicely...they would let you paint it near their maintenance shop. I would ask the maintenance guys not the rental office.

 

[MC1983]

Just a quick update on this box. Special thanks to warmpancakes for providing me an emblem for this box. I am not sure if it is the right era emblem, but it fills the space nicely. Once I finished prepping it for paint, I decided to put it back together to see how it looked and I kind of liked it so I didn't bother painting it. This box is in my apartment living room to store frequently used tools so it won't be enduring any shop/garage environment. I like the vintage look and contrast of the raw metal and sanded red. Let me know what you guys think. It was definitely a lot of work, but I had a lot of fun doing it.


<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Crq21eDXWVjyoFdYIqxNFa_dcUmG5KSpcSPlU_GDsKk?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uzc6PkbBIR0/TGrjTeXm92I/AAAAAAAAAhw/sJ-fuJ7F1sI/s400/DSC_3573.JPG" /></a>

 

[leftyz]

Arent you worried about surface rust?

 

[hguerrero]

yeah, i would at least shoot clear on the exposed metal...

 

[MC1983]

I was a little concerned about surface rust, but the box is inside the apartment with very little variation in moisture. I did wipe it down with some WD40 once I got it in place. I guess I will see how long it takes before I notice any surface rust then take care of it then.