ID this vintage toolbox? Boeing? 30's?

[Vegaman_Dan]

Picked up an aluminum machinist tool box I believe, 21" wide, 14" tall, 10" deep. Very solidly built and about 20 pounds empty. The precision fitment of the pieces, the construction- all of it speaks quality.

The decals stuck to it suggest it was used by a person at Boeing. The logo of the identification label is from the 1930's. There is a neat control cable color code chart on one end of the box that includes normal flight controls, but also fire extinguisher and even the emergency release of the bomb bay doors. That would say to me this wasn't on any production line of civilian air craft.

Anyone have any info on this one? I got it at a salvage metal center for $10.

 

[jimgreen]

Wow, its beautiful!

 

[wrenchr]

I bet it was hand made, Boeing fabricator is what I'm thinking.

 

[davesnothere]

That's sweet, awesome score.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Beautiful box really nice

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Never saw one like that. Very nice.

 

[DanCo]

I'll triple your money, and send you a case of your favorite brew.
YOU ****!

Dan

 

[PsRumors]

My Dad has one very similar that was my Grandfather's from when he worked private sector at Robbins AFB in the mid 60s

 

[TheGrooveking]

I'd keep it jest like that, don't do a thing to it, what a equatorial example of craftsmanship. Nice score! BTW you ****!

TheGrooveking

 

[goodspeed]

I wish our metal people had stuff like that and didn't want a retarded amount for it. Great find!

 

[lowbucktruck]

You did great, saved a piece of aviation history from the scrapper! That box is cool.

 

[Outlawmws]

I bet it was hand made, Boeing fabricator is what I'm thinking.

Looks to be all riveted construction...

Great score!

 

[930dreamer]

What a great find.

 

[dandan111]

Wow,that's a real treasure.

 

[jetmech09]

nice.

 

[Packard V8]

Agree, for $10, that's the steal deal of the year.

In an aircraft plant, anything is possible. However, it looks commercially produced to my eye.

jack vines

 

[Flatintoone]

Agree, for $10, that's the steal deal of the year.

In an aircraft plant, anything is possible. However, it looks commercially produced to my eye.

jack vines

Agreed. It's not in front of me, but the details on the drawers, slides, and cover say that to me.

That doesn't diminish its coolness one bit, however. The color chart on the side is a nice touch.

 

[hydramatic]

Fab shop made that puppy...Garonteed.

 

[SweetD]

Wow. Awesome!

DO NOT "restore" it...please! That thing is cherry just the way it is!!!!!



Dave

 

[justanengineer]

Looks hand made to me. Boxes like that used to be one of the first projects made by apprentices and were commonly improved upon by journeymen throughout their career. As said, anything is possible in aircraft plant...Very nice box indeed.

 

[danski0224]

Looks handmade to me.

Any chance of getting some close-ups of the rivet work?

I haven't used aircraft rivets. How does the outside end up so smooth? I'm guessing some type of countersunk head and solid mandrel to mushroom over on the inside.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Construction details as requested.

The more I look at this, the more I see that there aren't any indications the metal was stamped. No makers marks, and it's just flat sheet stock with aluminum angles for all pieces. The rivets are flush- one rivet is missing and the piece shows how it was countersunk. Both sides of the riviets were ground smooth so it nearly looks like a small spot weld.

Wooden handle.

The only sad thing is that the right rear corner has corrosion attacking the aluminum, pitting the metal. Hasn't affected the structure, but does mar the surface. I don't really want to touch the patina at all- this thing has a lot of history and experience in it. The most I might do is degrease the interior.

It's a great example of someone learning to build stuff- I'd love to have a full tool cart/chest built like this! But what to DO with it?

 

[nine4gmc]

thats a killer box, looks quality hand made!

 

[DanCo]

Whom ever built that box is a true artist, truly lost craft. You would think that with all the modern technology used these days, a box should look that good if not better.

Dan

 

[Chuck McB]

I salute you with a hearty "you ****". I wouldn't change one thing on it.

 

[Flatintoone]

Can I change my vote? The detail photos clear some things up for me.

 

[danski0224]

The more I look at this, the more I see that there aren't any indications the metal was stamped. No makers marks, and it's just flat sheet stock with aluminum angles for all pieces. The rivets are flush- one rivet is missing and the piece shows how it was countersunk. Both sides of the riviets were ground smooth so it nearly looks like a small spot weld.

The person that built this probably repaired airplanes, which start out as a bunch of sheet stock and a pile of rivets.

There was a crapload of layout work in that box and it would probably cost a weeks worth of labor at Boeing shop rates to buy one.

I'd like to see drawer construction and slide details.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That is REALLY cool!!! Keep it and don't do a thing to it

 

[timbitca]

Wow! That box is truly awesome looking!

 

[FJ 432]

If you decide to sell I would be interested. Send me a PM if so.

 

[Steinmetz]

Don't change a thing.

 

[real_psyence]

Well, I'm sold. Need a custom size toolbox and searched and found this from a couple years back:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59280
I love the organization on that one, but the construction with the angles on this one is amazing.
Looks like the riveted aluminum style is just what I need. These things are gorgeous. Now, to learn how to rivet...

 

[orca8589]

I know I'm digging up an old thread here, but I have a question on this chart.

My Father-in-Law's Kennedy toolbox had a chart like this one glued or taped to the inside cover. I'm wondering: does anyone know if there was a specific aircraft this chart was for? My FiL remembers working on 1950's era USAF B36's, B58's, and others.

I'd love to find an original copy of this chart and give it to my dad.

Here's another thread where a toolbox was found and it's very similar to my dad's.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2912319&posted=1#post2912319

~Chris

 

[jabberwoki]

Ok fess up which scrap yard did you find that treasure at? cause i`m gona stake it out!

 

[aaronld]

I will have to show this to my dad, but it could be for a B52. The OP is from Washington State, Fair child AFB was a B52 base until I think 1995. The B52 was made by Boeing. Also the chart looks like something the military would issue.

 

[philw]

I dont think its from a b52. It has "mixture" on the label which tells me it would have had carbs which means piston engine. It does have cabin pressure which would probably be B29 or later.

 

[Steinmetz]

Color coding schemes like this are standard in the aircraft industry, and do not necessarily apply to a specific model. There is a similar color code for aircraft plumbing (yes, I once worked as an Engineer for the Boeing Company).

 

[CNGsaves]

Wow, that's craftsmanship at it's finest. Appears to be "sheet metal worker" guy's work at Boeing for sure, since you are in Seattle, WA area. Those rivets are beautiful.

+1 on keeping it just AS IS. That's a KEEPER.

 

[philw]

Color coding schemes like this are standard in the aircraft industry, and do not necessarily apply to a specific model. There is a similar color code for aircraft plumbing (yes, I once worked as an Engineer for the Boeing Company).

That is what i was thinking until i saw the "bomb release". It must be military. If you add in the Boeing sticker and 4 throttles then I'm guessing b29.

Did Boeing make a 4 piston engined bomber that was pressurized other than the b29? I couldn't find one.

 

[RivennHewn]

A great piece of aviation history.

Definitely handmade by a technician.