Huot Box Refurb Completed

[Jim Pelosi]

I got this box from my father in-law. He bought it off the Snap-On truck in 1968. It was pretty beat up when he gave it to me and then spent about 10 days submerged in sea water when Hurricane Sandy destroyed the foundation on my house. Over the last 3 years it had been getting worse and worse and the flaking red paint was getting on my nerves always gathering on the floor. I was about to throw it in the trash (what any sane person would have done) but I figured it might make a fun project. I could have bought a real nice new box for the amount of money I spent in abrasives, chemicals, primers and paint, but I'm glad I did what I did. Let me know what you think.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Very nice! It looks like what they currently sell as a master drill dispenser, except for the carrying handles. http://www.huot.com/products/master-drill-dispenser-u-s-sizes/

 

[Kevin54]

Very nice indeed. What paint did you use on it?

BTW....Welcome to Garage Journal

 

[Jim Pelosi]

Thanks Stuart. I did see that on the Huot web site. Looks like they just moved the bottom drawer handle to the middle of the face. I should be getting my sticker for it soon.
Jim

 

[Jim Pelosi]

Kevin,
That's Rustoleum Hammer Finish paint from the rattle can. Sprays wonderful once you realize you're not spraying regular enamel. The drawers have 5 coats, the main box 4 coats.
Jim

 

[bonneyman]

Sweet!

 

[mike93lx]

Looks great. Any pics of what you started with?

 

[Jim Pelosi]

Unfortunately I don't have any "before" pics. I didn't know how far I was going to take this in the beginning. I didn't have very high hopes for the project as it looked like something salvaged from a 1600's ship wreck. I'm kicking myself at this point.
Jim

 

[Mike W.]

Really nice contrast between those two colors. I'm restoring a Rockwell metal lathe something like that would look good on it. What color is on the box itself? If you don't mind me asking.

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[Kevin54]

Jim....was the box all dented up before you restored it, and if so, how did you get it so straight?

 

[zkling]

Beautiful job!!!

 

[ZRX61]

Really nice contrast between those two colors. I'm restoring a Rockwell metal lathe something like that would look good on it. What color is on the box itself? If you don't mind me asking.

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I used that same green on an old Craftsman box. It's called Verde Green

 

[1badbird]

Very nice!

 

[taumac]

Wow, that looks awesome. I would have loved to see a before/after pic. You must have put hours in sanding to get that as straight as you did. Great job!

 

[Jim Pelosi]

Thanks for all the compliments, guys. The color is Rustoleum light blue hammered finish. I had to order it over the net from Menards as nobody in Jersey stocks it. I think it was worth the hassle. The box had a few nice dings in it that I stretched back into place with an auto body hammer and dolly kit I bought many moons ago. Then a light coat of bondo over the damaged areas followed by a block sanding with 180 grit and feathered in with some spot putty. Filler primer took care of the sanding marks smoothed over with 800 grit dry sanding without a block.
Hope that helps.
Jim

 

[chopper1]

Very nice.

 

[twertsy]

That looks fantastic. Hope mine turns out that well.

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[jn50308401]

Great job! It's gratifying to know it's going to last longer, look better and be in your family a while longer!

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[ZRX61]

Thanks for all the compliments, guys. The color is Rustoleum light blue hammered finish. I had to order it over the net from Menards as nobody in Jersey stocks it. I think it was worth the hassle. The box had a few nice dings in it that I stretched back into place with an auto body hammer and dolly kit I bought many moons ago. Then a light coat of bondo over the damaged areas followed by a block sanding with 180 grit and feathered in with some spot putty. Filler primer took care of the sanding marks smoothed over with 800 grit dry sanding without a block.
Hope that helps.
Jim

It is???

 

[Jim Pelosi]

It is. Lighting in the pics is not the best and it is a florescent light.

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[Bryan Burns]

Unfortunately I don't have any "before" pics. I didn't know how far I was going to take this in the beginning. I didn't have very high hopes for the project as it looked like something salvaged from a 1600's ship wreck. I'm kicking myself at this point.
Jim

Great job so what do you mean you're kicking yourself? You think you put too much time into it?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I was about to throw it in the trash (what any sane person non GJ member would have done)

Fixed it for you.

Great job! What would you estimate you have in it total?

 

[ZRX61]

It is. Lighting in the pics is not the best and it is a florescent light.

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I was thinking it might be my monitor, but now I look again I can see it not being the same

https://scontent-lax3-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/200397_1793804617670_4611364_n.jpg?oh=3edc5933531a37b6d4f7b2da34730a90&oe=56F4E95C

 

[mike93lx]

Unfortunately I don't have any "before" pics. I didn't know how far I was going to take this in the beginning. I didn't have very high hopes for the project as it looked like something salvaged from a 1600's ship wreck. I'm kicking myself at this point.
Jim

eh, in the end, it only the finished product that really matters. I wouldn't worry about it.

you have a knack for this stuff. I imagine that it took so long you wouldn't want to do it again, but that box looks awesome. I would not have the patience (or skill) to take that project through.

 

[countryroad82]

Dang that looks better than it probably did when it was new!

 

[bonneyman]

eh, in the end, it only the finished product that really matters. I wouldn't worry about it.

you have a knack for this stuff. I imagine that it took so long you wouldn't want to do it again, but that box looks awesome. I would not have the patience (or skill) to take that project through.

Agreed. I repaint tool boxes, and your talent leaves my efforts in the dust.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jim: awesome job for sure and if you want to paint all of my metal cabinet and tool boxes i'd consider hiring you if you were closer. also welcome to the forum and you'll fit right in.

Bryan: i think Jim wishes he had taken some before pictures since he mentions it looks like it came off a ship in the 1600's when he started.

ALL: is that another version of my Huot drill index box? or just a box for small tools or what size is Jim's box because it looks smaller than a normal size top box?

 

[dngrmse]

Impressive work. Really nice!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

OP: That is really nice box, and it turned out awesome!

Drives: I really like that box with the dividers, I would never need to have that many drill bits on hand, but that's not going to stop me from lusting after that box

 

[zeet]

Beautiful job, Jim.... I'm working on an early Huot box as well but got stalled on the paint issue... That Rust-Oleum blue hammered paint is only available out here in California if one orders it a case at a time. I haven't quite been able to justify the expense yet (But your post may be jut the inspiration I needed! ;^)

 

[jkherd]

Excellent Job. Looks great.

 

[bwitt]

Love it! Great to see this stuff rescued.

 

[Jim Pelosi]

Zeet, Menards.com lets you buy it one can at a time. Lowes wanted me to buy a case to have it shipped to the store.

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[jakemac]

Beautiful job, Jim.... I'm working on an early Huot box as well but got stalled on the paint issue... That Rust-Oleum blue hammered paint is only available out here in California if one orders it a case at a time. I haven't quite been able to justify the expense yet (But your post may be jut the inspiration I needed! ;^)

You need to find a Paint Buddy that lives nearby.

 

[cryphi]

I got this box from my father in-law. He bought it off the Snap-On truck in 1968. It was pretty beat up when he gave it to me and then spent about 10 days submerged in sea water when Hurricane Sandy destroyed the foundation on my house. Over the last 3 years it had been getting worse and worse and the flaking red paint was getting on my nerves always gathering on the floor. I was about to throw it in the trash (what any sane person would have done) but I figured it might make a fun project. I could have bought a real nice new box for the amount of money I spent in abrasives, chemicals, primers and paint, but I'm glad I did what I did. Let me know what you think.

Ten years later, I just had to say EXCELLENT!!!!

 

[Shelbylex]

Nice revival. I know, old thread, but it looks great and has a history to it!