How old are these?

[txlonghorn1989]

I need more toolboxes and got these two Craftsman rolling cabinets today. They seemed solidly built but I'm doubtful they're that old. The guy selling them said they belonged to his wife's grandfather. I took a quick look but didn't see any obvious manufacture dates on them. Where would I find them on these? Can anyone tell me a span for these being sold by Sears? I'll use them until I can find better (read older, more vintage, more gray & red) options. There going to reside under a workbench I recently picked up. Thanks for any feedback.

PS If these don't qualify as vintage I'll understand if someone moves my thread.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Look nicely made. I'd go for them either way.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Look nicely made. I'd go for them either way.

Thanks! Wasn't as killer as the $100 I paid for top and bottom 12-drawer gray & red full of tools a month ago but I'm happy with them at $90. Won't lose money when they're eventually replaced.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Naw, that's a great set. I got one of the black sets, about 10 years old I figure, but it was free. I'd trade it off and give the $90 for those. Nicely done!

 

[charlez]

Based on the ball bearing logo and handle design, I would say 2000 give or take a few years. I bought one of that design in June of 2000. I purchased another box from Sears a few years later and it had a different logo plate.

 

[Rileysan]

Based on the ball bearing logo and handle design, I would say 2000 give or take a few years. I bought one of that design in June of 2000. I purchased another box from Sears a few years later and it had a different logo plate.

That's reasonably close. I don't know what year the "Ball bearing" tool boxes came out (with that logo, that is) but I bought mine around '98. I recall they were sold for only a few years.

Brian

 

[1982fxr]

Might be a Waterloo label inside the top drawers on the right inner drawer wall. May have a number that Waterloo could look up for a year but I agree with the others very late 90's or newer.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

I got most of the dirt and grime off. The cabinets themselves are solid. During cleanup I could tell the drawers weren't on the same level as the cabinets. I realized then these were not going to be vintage. I also suspect these bearing slides may also be problematic for other owners of these toolboxes. Like I said already, these are going to help me further organize my "shop" and I fully expect (hope?) they'll be fine until I can find some better vintage boxes.

You guys were spot on with your estimates regarding the manufacture date! I was able to locate the dates on the front lower right of both. Both have a 09-00 date.

In order to get them under my work table I'm going to have to remove the handles which means removing the top drawers. Can you experts advise me how to get the drawers out of the slides without breaking them?

Thanks! Mike

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Disregard advising on the drawer removal I figured it out. With the top drawer out I realized there's no access to put a nut on the screws that hold the handle on and that those holes in the handle must be threaded.

These ball bearing slides look as cheap as they come. Flimsy plastic stop. All that remains is to cut out the drawer liners from some stuff I got at HF. It appears to be just about the same material as the Husky brand liner I've used from HD. Prices are about the same too consider HF is cheaper but has square footage.

Here they are in place. Not bad if I do say so myself but gray and red it look so much finer! :-D

 

[charlez]

Looks good. Those cleaned up pretty nice and are provide some really nice storage for the money. It looks like you made them fit with the handles still attached. If you do remove the handles, here is a tip for you. After removing them, remove the bottom drawer and toss/tape them in the bottom of the cabinet. They will be out of the way and 5 years from now when you go to sell them to someone else, the handles will go with the cabinets even if you don't remember.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Looks good. Those cleaned up pretty nice and are provide some really nice storage for the money. It looks like you made them fit with the handles still attached. If you do remove the handles, here is a tip for you. After removing them, remove the bottom drawer and toss/tape them in the bottom of the cabinet. They will be out of the way and 5 years from now when you go to sell them to someone else, the handles will go with the cabinets even if you don't remember.

Good idea charlez! I just unscrewed the handles and let them drop all the way down into the handle slots. This gave me enough room to fit the cabinets under the table but there isn't enough to remove the handles.

 

[dkroth]

That's reasonably close. I don't know what year the "Ball bearing" tool boxes came out (with that logo, that is) but I bought mine around '98. I recall they were sold for only a few years.

Brian

Ditto.


.

 

[1982fxr]

Can you post a pic of where you found the dates?

 

[1982fxr]

When you say the flimsy plastic drawer stops, if you mean the piece I think you mean, you may be surprised that even many of the better more expensive boxes from several different brands used the same style. If we're talking about the same piece...

Looks like a nice set up under the bench, I just did something similar in my garage a few weeks ago.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Can you post a pic of where you found the dates?

The dates on both of these, like my 1976 gray & red Craftsman 12-drawer rolling cabinet are on the face of the cabinet at the bottom right about 7-8 inches left of the lower right corner. If you still want a pic I'll be happy to oblige.

 

[1982fxr]

Ok thanks

No need for the pic

 

[bubinga]

Disregard advising on the drawer removal I figured it out. With the top drawer out I realized there's no access to put a nut on the screws that hold the handle on and that those holes in the handle must be threaded.

These ball bearing slides look as cheap as they come. Flimsy plastic stop. All that remains is to cut out the drawer liners from some stuff I got at HF. It appears to be just about the same material as the Husky brand liner I've used from HD. Prices are about the same too consider HF is cheaper but has square footage.

Here they are in place. Not bad if I do say so myself but gray and red it look so much finer! :-D

Look Great Paint e'm gray and red for now?