Dayton tool box: Restore or not?

[bonneyman]

Picked up a Dayton two-drawer tool box today. Alot of rust, but, being the metal seems to be quite thick, I think it might be worth a restore. Or maybe just a quickie clean-up and use on the job?
Dimensions are 18L by 9W x 8H Weight: 13 lbs, 6 ozs.
Manufacture date seems to be January, 1974.

Any thoughts?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Outside looks good, but if you had the time and resources to stop the rust, it would be worth the effort for longevity sake.

 

[bonneyman]

Since most of the pitting is on the inside where no one will see it, I figured I could scrape a little and wire brush as best as I can get and put some thick coats of Rustoleum in there. Definitely have to protect that decal during the restore though.
It appears to be "sprung" just a little as well, but I think I can spring it back.

 

[crewchief888]

i'd clean up the loose rust inside, and put it to use....

 

[frankush]

Looks like a victim of a flooded basement. Seen the same thing a few times before.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Dayton made electric motors. I don't think they made tools.

I wonder if this was a box made for employees?

 

[rusty65]

All the Dayton tools I have seem to have been made by Thorsen. In fact I have a action and a Dayton 3/8 drive ratchets and when laid next to each other the only difference is the name stamped.

 

[ffemtdisp]

Dayton is a Grainger brand name, IIRC. Dayton is to Grainger, as Craftsman, Kenmore is to Sears.

I have my Dad's Dayton chainsaw. It is a Poulan, with different paint and badge.

The crew here should be able to suggest who might have made it.

If it looks solid, why not restore?

 

[davesnothere]

i'd clean up the loose rust inside, and put it to use....

I'm with the crew chief on this one.

 

[Scout Driver]

i'd clean up the loose rust inside, and put it to use....

I'm with the crew chief on this one.

I'm agreeing with these guys too.

Scott

 

[bonneyman]

Well, I decided to do a partial restore. It was too bad to leave as is, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it perfect. So, I sanded and painted and cleaned the chrome as best as I could. Greased the drawer slides, and she's good to go!

 

[bonneyman]

I've decide to make it my bike tools box. Here it is loaded using the coiled wire tool organizers I've seen.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Well, I decided to do a partial restore. It was too bad to leave as is, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it perfect. So, I sanded and painted and cleaned the chrome as best as I could. Greased the drawer slides, and she's good to go!

Daddy Like!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lulz.

Awesome job.

 

[2oolhound]

Cool, ready for a new life!

I think you should start a new thread "Show your Bike Tools"
I'd like to see photos of those tools individually or in small groups. I've never paid much attention to bike tools but they are interesting and unique. I guess everything on a bicycle has to be light and as small as possible so special tools for the special parts are mandatory.

 

[pooterguy]

Very nice job. From a junker to a jewel.

I pondered those same possibilities for this old Craftsman 2-drawer portable.

But after seeing the OP's resto work, I felt so inadequate that I pondered going upstairs and jumping out of a second floor window instead.

However, if anyone here wants to go for it you can have it for a shipping label or pick it up in south ATL.

 

[Cope]

All the Dayton tools I have seem to have been made by Thorsen. In fact I have a action and a Dayton 3/8 drive ratchets and when laid next to each other the only difference is the name stamped.

Waterloo made their boxes.