Help identify my vintage tool box

[heath hamilton]

Hey all. I'm new here to the board, but I thought you all might be able to help me out. i just bought this box, but I can't identify the brand. I've searched it for any identifying marks or serial numbers but I'm falling flat. I'm an old Indy 500 buff, and found a picture taken inside the Granatelli garage during the Novi days (mid-1960's), and there is an identical box behind them, though it's drawers are white. I'd like to order a new lock for it, but other than that I'll leave it as is, the patina is the best park about it, it's pretty much perfect. Any help is appreciated!

Heath

 

[bigcaddy]

I'm not the expert but the side handles don't appear to be Snap on. It could be any number of other makers like Waterloo, MBC or a big name, minus the badges, like MAC or Cornwell. Its in great shape though!!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'm not the expert but the side handles don't appear to be Snap on. It could be any number of other makers like Waterloo, MBC or a big name, minus the badges, like MAC or Cornwell. Its in great shape though!!

+1 Those drawer handles look like Waterloo.

 

[Thumper]

+1 Those drawer handles look like Waterloo.

I concur......it's a Waterloo...

 

[DSLTRK]

My Lumidor box Built in Los Angeles has the exact same Handles. But Waterloo does use the same Handles also, so.. It probably is Waterloo.

 

[Flatintoone]

I'll add to the Waterloo chorus.

That's a great photo! And in color! Proto seemed to be the most common hand tool brand found on Indy cars of the era, and I believe their boxes were sourced from Waterloo:

 

[zkling]

Welcome to GJ

Cool box and vintage racing photo. Do you have any other photos of their shop?

As for the box, can you post a picture of the drawer slides? Just slide out one of the drawers all the way and take a picture of the side of it. Will really help to narrow down manufacturer.

 

[jakemac]

Those handles were used by Waterloo, Craftsman, MAC, Huot (?), and others from the 60's or earlier, to at least the mid 70's or later. A picture of the slides will be a better way to narrow down the possibilities.

I'm not sure that its a Waterloo. The seam on the front looks different. Check the front left side of the inside of the top pan to see if there is a date stamped there. That may tell you if it's a Waterloo. Even so, it won't tell you what name it was sold under, they made boxes for any number of labels.

Whatever it is, I like it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Welcome to GJ. I really like your toolbox. I have several now that are similar and your handles are nicer than any of mine. I'm finding out there are so many of this style box that were made so i'm just going to wait to hear what the experts say when they see your slides. I haven't heard Proto and Duplex yet in this thread and they made ones like this.

 

[zkling]

That is what I thought initially, but wanted to hold my tongue till slide pics were taken. The one in the old pic, white drawers, definitely looks like an old Duplex 1227 box. The red drawers one does look like the same 1227, but repainted?

Just an FYI, the 3 drawer split, 3 long drawer, 26"x12"x~12" tool box is a timeless standard tool box design. I think every manufacture that produced boxes made at least one of those. From the 30's up till current. It's like the mechanics version of the 7 drawer machinist chest.

 

[Flatintoone]

That is what I thought initially, but wanted to hold my tongue till slide pics were taken. The one in the old pic, white drawers, definitely looks like an old Duplex 1227 box. The red drawers one does look like the same 1227, but repainted?

Just an FYI, the 3 drawer split, 3 long drawer, 26"x12"x~12" tool box is a timeless standard tool box design. I think every manufacture that produced boxes made at least one of those. From the 30's up till current. It's like the mechanics version of the 7 drawer machinist chest.

Was Duplex a Proto brand? Because that scan, with the white drawers, sure looks like the OP's photo. And I've seen (on Ebay, sorry no links right now) vintage full page ads for Challenger and Vlchek tools combined with Duplex boxes.

 

[zkling]

Was Duplex a Proto brand? Because that scan, with the white drawers, sure looks like the OP's photo. And I've seen (on Ebay, sorry no links right now) vintage full page ads for Challenger and Vlchek tools combined with Duplex boxes.

I believe they were. According to the 1960's duplex catalog it says on the front page "Duplex Manufacturing Corporation, Subsidiary of Pendleton tool industries" they mostly made boxes. Which look like a mix of older Plomb style and some of the newer proto and MBC boxes.

 

[heath hamilton]

Here are some pics of the slides and handles. I don't think the drawers were repainted since the inside of the trays don't show any hints of it. However I could be wrong. Again, any help is appreciated. Cheers!

 

[jakemac]

Both the side and drawer handles were used by several manufacturers, so no help there. The drawer slides look similar to Waterloo, but are missing the retaining clips. Are the drawer stops hidden, or do the drawers slide out without stopping ?

I'd eliminate Waterloo, and look towards one of the other companies that followed their style. I think drivesitfar and zkling may be on to something with Duplex.

 

[zkling]

Both the side and drawer handles were used by several manufacturers, so no help there. The drawer slides look similar to Waterloo, but are missing the retaining clips. Are the drawer stops hidden, or do the drawers slide out without stopping ?

I'd eliminate Waterloo, and look towards one of the other companies that followed their style. I think drivesitfar and zkling may be on to something with Duplex.

Those slides work like the old snap on slides. A hidden bent piece of spring steel. After seeing the slides I'm pretty certain it is a Duplex/Proto box. Look on the back or in the top tray. It should be stamped someone IIRC. I'm not super familiar with Duplex boxes.