Kenndy Boxes (Machinist Boxes) Thread

IdahoMan · Sep 4, 2018

Kennedy Boxes (Machinist Boxes) Thread

Has there been a thread about machinist tool boxes, such as Kennedy boxes?

I got a Kennedy box in gorgeous condition at a yard-sale for $5 (pic), and have decided it will probably be used for parts..

(click for larger)

But it brings up the question of machinist tool boxes and keeping precision tools in good condition.

1. What material are the drawers lined with? It has to be soft and not hold moisture.

2. What glue is used? It can't be corrosive.

Musicinabottle · Sep 4, 2018

I see you're from Idaho. You better not have bought that from my area! Nice box. You ****!

Wamsutta · Sep 4, 2018

Machinist boxes are usually lined with felt; not sure on the glue though.

M_George · Sep 4, 2018

I used 3M spray adhesive to glue the felt in mine. Same glue used for replacing a auto headliner.

Rickster · Sep 4, 2018

They're great boxes but those tiny little handles are the worst idea ever!

Air21 · Sep 4, 2018

Those tiny handles are designed to keep ham fisted mechanics and carpenters out

OccupantRJ · Sep 4, 2018

Air21 said:
Those tiny handles are designed to keep ham fisted mechanics and carpenters out

I am a machinist and was thinking something along the same lines! Delicate work requires delicate handles to set the tone of the job.

M_George · Sep 4, 2018

My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement? :headscrat

Musicinabottle · Sep 4, 2018

M_George said:
My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

Ebay? Chances are slim, but you never know.

OccupantRJ · Sep 4, 2018

M_George said:
My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

This fast enough?

http://buykennedy.com/product/82060/

tool_scrounge · Sep 4, 2018

M_George said:
My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

As shown, Kennedy sells the current plastic drawer pulls.

I have some of the older metal drawer pulls I was going to put in the forsale section of you need that type.

dr_clyde · Sep 4, 2018

Here is my machinist toolbox setup. My Kennedy was a christmas gift from my dad. He and I have the same first inital and last name, so the lettering matched names. He used these during his time as a tool and die maker in the early 80's. When I got into metalworking, he gave them to me.

SRX · Sep 4, 2018

Air21 said:
Those tiny handles are designed to keep ham fisted mechanics and carpenters out

Thank you. I almost spit out my coffee this morning as I read this response.

Packard V8 · Sep 4, 2018

I'm a big fan of those, so I remember there have been a dozen threads on the Kennedy 520B 7-drawer machinist chest. They retail for approx $250 today.

There are at least five of them around my shop. IMHO, every machine should have one sitting close at hand.

Additionally, I use them for all the small, flat and round tools, like drills, reamers, end mills, punches, files, hole saws, taps, dies and scribes.

jack vines

IdahoMan · Sep 4, 2018

ducksface said:
The spare handles I have are the three hole version with bend tabs in the center.

Does anyone know what kind of plastic these handles are made of? ABS I assume.. Although Kennedy has been around for a while, maybe they used to be Bakelite? Anyone know the history there?

jumbojak · Sep 4, 2018

I'd like to have a Kennedy or two. I passed on a really nice cantilever at the ReStore a few years ago that I'm still kicking myself about. It was $15 on Monday and I decided to come back on Tuesday for the 10% discount. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

The smaller machinist chests would come in handy for bench top organization. My new to me Delta DP 220 could use one too for fiddly bits. I keep my eyes open but they are rare around me.

jumbojak · Sep 4, 2018

ducksface said:
They're not rare, they're full of **** tools no one wants to sort out and they're likely too heavy to drag out of the garage for a yard sale.

Place a wanted adv on CL.
I'll bet there are 15 within a 10 minute metro drive.

I'll mail you a very clean one that's missing the drawer cover.
You pay postage and send me something to trade worth 5 bucks.

Metro?! Metro... I have my location on my profile ducks. Surry Virginia is just about as far from metro as you can get. Heck, to get to a small city you have to catch a boat or drive at least an hour.

But, how much would the postage be?

Mark in Indiana · Sep 4, 2018

I'm a huge fan of Kennedy tool boxes. They're a good basic tool storage system. I've used them throughout my industrial maintenance career and afterwards. Here are my shop sets, a Kennedy 520 and a Craftsman box that's identical to the Kennedy 520 machinist box.

My problem is that every time I buy a Kennedy box/cabinet to resell, I end up adopting it.

jumbojak · Sep 4, 2018

ducksface said:
I figured you were rural.
I was going to do a house count a density algorithm, a per capita, but I figured anyone could visualize a drive across town and contemplate those boxes.
12x21x14 should ship it.
22lbs plus packing material.
You can see the drawers in my prior post.

Arizona 86046 is where it will come from.

I'll be in touch.

shoe1 · Sep 5, 2018

M_George said:
My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

I made new handle for mine out of key stock.

larry_g · Sep 5, 2018

View media item 70287
I was given the above box that I use at the lathes. What really makes it special is the stickers that are on it;

View media item 70293
View media item 70292
View media item 70291
View media item 70290
View media item 70289
View media item 70288
I don't know what the previous owner of the box did but I assume it was in the aircraft field

lg
no neat sig line

M_George · Sep 5, 2018

ducksface said:
The spare handles I have are the three hole version with bend tabs in the center.

That's the type I need one of. IM me if you can spare one. :bounce:

M_George · Sep 5, 2018

ducksface said:
I have to hear from the guy I offered the whole box to.
If he doesn't want to pay the freight, a knob is yours for free.
It's from the box in the picture.

That works, and thanks either way.

jumbojak · Sep 5, 2018

ducksface said:
I have to hear from the guy I offered the whole box to.
If he doesn't want to pay the freight, a knob is yours for free.
It's from the box in the picture.

Send him the handles. I want one but $70 is a bit steep for that little three drawer. I do appreciate the offer though.

2oolhound · Sep 5, 2018

Some nice Kennedys showing up here. Those are the kinds of decals I could live with Larry!

Here's a link to my restoration of my 526 (post 1035 of the "The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal!" thread) They are rarer up here.

Toothaker · Sep 5, 2018

larry_g said:
snip

I don't know what the previous owner of the box did but I assume it was in the aircraft field

lg
no neat sig line

Larry, that box is a gem! :drool:

For the love of goodness please leave it as is. :thumbup:

Toothaker · Sep 5, 2018

I've got a Kennedy 526 and a MC-28 two drawer mid box that I inherited from my father-in-law. My dad has a Kennedy 520 that he once told me I would get "when you grow up". I'm 59, he's 84 and I guess I'm not grown up yet. :lol_hitti

jeffmoss26 · Sep 5, 2018

got this one a while back at a garage sale - works perfectly for all my locksmithing tools and parts at home.

larry_g · Sep 5, 2018

Toothaker said:
Larry, that box is a gem! For the love of goodness please leave it as is.

Other than some cleaning, lubing, and light repair of a couple of slides it is how I received it and will remain so.

lg
no neat sig line

mr natural · Jan 23, 2019

I need one! lol (linton Indiana.. millwright)

Packard V8 · Jan 23, 2019

If one is patient and goes to enough garage sales they come along at a good price about once a year here. I've now got six of the 520s, one 526 and one 5150 intermediate and they're all full of the small stuff.

jack vines

jsteih · Jan 23, 2019

My current work setup. The top box is the oldest at 22 years. My parents bought it for me when I graduated high school. The rest have been added on over the years.

mr natural · Jan 29, 2019

six of them eh? lol.. I figure eventually i'll find the perfect one

buying new overseas **** just isn't my style!

lowside67 · Jan 29, 2019

What would a reasonable but original condition 8-drawer machinist chest (with flip top) with the full width 2 drawer riser be worth? Have found a friend with a pair for sale but wants big $$$ for them and I am unclear how far out of market he might be.

Thanks,
Mark

Packard V8 · Jan 29, 2019

All I can tell you is the retail as nearly $600 a pair.

What they can be bought for on the used market depends on how patient one is. I bought a combo like that filled with tools for $300.

jack vines

Jim_No_Garage · Jan 29, 2019

One Kennedy 520 sits on the bench near my drill press and holds accessories like countersinks and step bits. I replaced the felt with red acrylic felt and used Elmer's glue to hold it in place. Nothing stored in it is rusting - but I'm not storing fine machinist tools like micrometers and such.

Another Kennedy is on top of my tool box stack and holds taps and matching drill bits along with screw extraction sets. This one arrived in perfect shape but was missing it's front cover.

A Crown Top Craftsman (not a Kennedy but wishes it were) holds all my pen making supplies for the lathe.

I gave another Kennedy to my son and it's holding all his computer related tools and supplies.

I grab them every time I can get them for a reasonable price.

Cheers

Jim

jeffmoss26 · Jan 29, 2019

Just made keys for a few of these at work yesterday.

pepi · Jan 29, 2019

lowside67 said:
What would a reasonable but original condition 8-drawer machinist chest (with flip top) with the full width 2 drawer riser be worth? Have found a friend with a pair for sale but wants big $$$ for them and I am unclear how far out of market he might be.

Thanks,
Mark

Can tell you the age late 60's, top and bottom cost range 100 - 150 for both. And it could be on the high side, I

Have the machinist, and not the bottom, purchased while in the Navy.

What's ball part $$ just curious .... The newer dark brown style are worth big $$ not those.

Pep

BFBOB · Jan 29, 2019

M_George said:
My box is missing one of those tiny handles. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

I carved one out of a chunk (technical term) of aluminum. Took all of ten minutes on the table saw.

BFBOB · Jan 29, 2019

larry_g said:
View media item 70287
I was given the above box that I use at the lathes. What really makes it special is the stickers that are on it;

View media item 70293
View media item 70292
View media item 70291
View media item 70290
View media item 70289
View media item 70288
I don't know what the previous owner of the box did but I assume it was in the aircraft field

lg
no neat sig line

Not a big fan of stickers on tool boxes - but for yours, I'll make an exception! :bowdown:

Kenndy Boxes (Machinist Boxes) Thread

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