Help w/ vintage Snap-On boxes

[Jon_E]

A few years ago, I went to an estate sale and picked up three boxes for the princely sum of $75. The roll cabinet was a Kennedy from the late '50's or early 60's, not sure of the model either. I cleaned it up pretty good and I use it for a lot of my hand tools. I know it doesn't have a lot of value. I have no pictures of it.

The other two boxes remained untouched and collecting dust in a corner of my basement. I didn't have the time to clean them up and both of them have a little bit of damage and/or drawer adjustment issues that put me off the project. Nothing major. No rust and a lot of dried-on black crud and grease.

So I got to reading some of the other Snap-on threads in this forum and decided to figure out what I have.

First one is a KRA-429 "drawer section", with a date of 1960 according to the stamp on the box. It has an original lock but no key. There is some minor damage to the bottom drawer and it looks like someone hammered on and then re-straightened the drawer pull.



Second one is a KRA-58 tool chest, also dated 1960. I looked at the 1960 catalog and they sold a KRA-58B chest. What is the KRA-58? Were they stamped with the 'B' designation or not? It has eight drawers, the bottom one of which the drawer slide appears to be jammed badly and will not close. Also looks like it took a beating. The lock body is there but the cylinder is missing.



The insides of both of these are full of crud, dust, grease, and who knows what else. I would like some advice on the best way to approach cleaning, repair and/or restoration on these boxes. I don't think I have anything very rare or valuable here. I have a good idea of value from eBay. I would like to get them fully functional, including locks and keys, and start looking for a matching roll cab (KRA-352?) of similar vintage.

I am a woodworker so most of what would go in here would be my small collection of mechanics' tools, machinist tools and other items that need reasonable protection.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice boxes. Roll cabs are pretty common for those, usually less than 100$ around here. Locks and keys maybe contact snapon? I have seen the occasional drawer and slides on ebay.

 

[Shelbylex]

Good evening, Jon E Great price for great loot!

I am a new guy here and am in the process of figuring out what to do with KR-56 box from 1955.
I am just starting the same project and am getting a lot of advise from other forum members. Please check https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382229

I started by disassembling the box. Subsequently sprayed several draws with Simple Green, wiped it and then followed with the car soap and brush cleaning. Now am waiting for advise as my paint seems to be rubbing off just with paper towels.

Lower draw: either get the draw tool from Snap on or create one (be careful and use strong metal. Mine ended up curling behind the spring and it was not pretty taking metal out (and caused some damage near slide side of the draw).
I would start by removing the upper draws. There is a good possibility that you have something stuck behind or under (I found some sand paper and some oiled paper from antifreeze product, you could have a tool, towel or may be even the map with the hidden location of KR56/260 hidden in abandoned barn : ) )
Once you take out all the top draws and if there is nothing stuck behind, try to take out the drawers. If it does not work, take out the sliders from behind (that's what I ended up doing with the unlucky draw.
Once out, examine sliders for damage. I also found it useful to use tiny flashlight or bore light (which has the flexibility) to shine in the small opening between the slider and the draw and see if anything is stuck here.
Please post the reply - will try to figure it out with you.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think I made a drawer tool out of a hacksaw blade. It was a while ago...

 

[Shelbylex]

Yes, a lot of people make it out of hacksaw blades. I made a mistake of using much softer metal. There are couple of posts and videos on this topic.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It took me a while to figure it out. Came close to throwing some tools!

 

[Jon_E]

How about a metal strip from the top of a hanging file folder? Would that be thin enough?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Has to be a tough piece of metal

 

[crewchief888]

ive always used a hot water pressure washer and degreaser to clean up boxes.

a trip to the car wash is what i'd do if i didnt have access to a hot water pressure washer or steam cleaner....

 

[Jon_E]

I would be worried about water getting in places that it would remain and start to rust.

 

[ssdave]

Before I got a snap on drawer tool, I used a zip tie to remove the drawers. Worked, just not as well as the spring steel metal strip.

 

[crewchief888]

I would be worried about water getting in places that it would remain and start to rust.

hot water evaporates, i flip the box in all directions and use an air hose to blow out the corners.
let it sit outside in the direct sunlight, or if it's winter time, take it in the house/basement to dry.

heat gun or blow dryer might "help"

every time i switch service trucks, my boxes come out and get the hot water/degreaser treatment. they are dry by the time they get set up in the new truck.

typically i have 1 day to unpack my tools and boxes, clean out the truck, steam clean the body inside and out, and have my boxes set up in the new truck.
reorganizing inventory usually takes at least another day, sometimes 2.
my last truck was brand new, and a different body style/type, i spent an additional weekend moving some of my tools and inventory around.

 

[Packard V8]

Good deals all around.

Guarantee you can get your $75 back for the KRA-429 alone. They're rare, so the guys who want them have to pay more than they're worth.

Those boxes are made from pretty good steel and even though I'm more blacksmith than body man, I've had success dinging drawers and cases back into usable condition.

Roll cabs are pretty common for those, usually less than 100$ around here.

X2 on looking for the matching roll cab and making a triple stack. Now that GJ has decided the older, narrower friction slide boxes are valueless junk, good buys are to be had for those who know differently.

jack vines

 

[Kent_B]

I'd love to find a middle box at that price. Well done, sir!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The middle boxes are hard to find. This one is bolted under the top of a service cart.

 

[tealetm]

Reviving an old post...

Did the OP ever figure out more information on their KRA-58? I also have a KRA-58 (not a 58A, 58B, etc) and can't find much info on it. Just curious if the original poster or anybody else knew anything.

 

[Rtboss]

From what I can tell, the kra-58 or may have a different upper drawer arrangement. A common layout is from left to right is 3,2,1. The kra58b seems to always have a 2,3,2 arrangement. The kra-58 is quite a bit harder to get ahold of compared to the other - at least where I live.