whitetrash1
Well-known member
whats this worth in yalls opinion?
http://images.craigslist.org/3kc3K83Hf5L75E95K1cam2b1771c056461093.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3kc3K83Hf5L75E95K1cam2b1771c056461093.jpg
kennedy box value?
- Thread starter whitetrash1
- Start date
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
From what I have seen lately, a 7 drawer goes for around $75. It looks to be in decent shape. If it was an 8 drawer around $125.
In my area (northeast) they seem to range anywhere from $50 - 150; depending on condition. Some are deals, others are a bit much. What do you think of this? 
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bar/3424622610.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/bar/3424622610.html
bobcatdan
Well-known member
That box's pricing is all over the board from giving it away to well pass insane. For it's size, i would say $50 is a good price used. One in great shape I don't think $100 is too bad. I'm a bad judge since I was given mine for free.
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
Ok thanks guys. I offered him 50. Now the waiting game
Packard V8
Well-known member
Yes, $50 is about right for a good one. $75 for a mint. I've gotten some missing locks or with crappy repaint for $20. Still work fine, just not much to look at.
IMHO, every machine tool should have a Kennedy box next to it for tooling. I also use them for drills, reamers, punches, chisels, hole saws, taps, dies, files; anything small or flat or round.
jack vines
IMHO, every machine tool should have a Kennedy box next to it for tooling. I also use them for drills, reamers, punches, chisels, hole saws, taps, dies, files; anything small or flat or round.
jack vines
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
My plan for it if I can snag it is drill bits and gun cleaning supplies. It will be a bench top box
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
I've seen a couple in pawn shops. Rough ones starting around 90. Seemed overpriced so I never messed with them
uniballer
Well-known member
I've got that box with bottom and side cart. Paid 300 for all. So no more than 50.
Provincial
Well-known member
Try to get him to throw in the little drawer unit on the right. Those are great for tool bits, bearing balls, and the other small items around a shop. I have two of these small drawer units, and would get 10 more if I could.
balane
Well-known member
You gotta love the Kennedy stuff. They have that vintage look fresh out of the box.
RCStocker
Well-known member
$40 tops. I just picked one up last week on Criags list for $35 and it has some tools in it.
I never pay more than $45 for the larger size with the middle drawer for holding the machinest hand book. I am lucky to get $75 to $95 out of the larger ones. It is a nice littel box and I have had none sens 1968. A few years back they were common and I would find a top and middle box every few months. Now they are harder to find. The prices of them has gone way up. I would not give more than $60 for it if I needed it. I got a Kennedy tote box that has the lid that folds out on top. It is $120 new. Last week at the swap meet I paid $10 for it and it had never had a tool in it. Not a scratch. They come up all the time on Craigslist.
I never pay more than $45 for the larger size with the middle drawer for holding the machinest hand book. I am lucky to get $75 to $95 out of the larger ones. It is a nice littel box and I have had none sens 1968. A few years back they were common and I would find a top and middle box every few months. Now they are harder to find. The prices of them has gone way up. I would not give more than $60 for it if I needed it. I got a Kennedy tote box that has the lid that folds out on top. It is $120 new. Last week at the swap meet I paid $10 for it and it had never had a tool in it. Not a scratch. They come up all the time on Craigslist.
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
should pick up this weekend. he agreed to 50 and it has some tools in it. unsure of what but im stoked to find out!
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
ill see what i can find out
IndyGarage
Well-known member
You can buy that one new at Enco for about 220-250. It's the cheapest Kennedy they make.
I agree with others - $50 is OK, if it doesn't have any major flaws.
I agree with others - $50 is OK, if it doesn't have any major flaws.
OP
whitetrash1
Well-known member
has keys and the front panel. i've found a few others in my area at higher prices and without both. i may not have got a steal but i think its very fair
Mike14k
Well-known member
I've got one just like it...
when I graduated college in '75 I bought the Kennedy 7 drawer, a set of Bonney sockets (deep and shallow), a set of Proto Combo wrenches and a few other items. My folks thought I was nuts.
These special tools all still live in the same box on the edge of one of my benches.
when I graduated college in '75 I bought the Kennedy 7 drawer, a set of Bonney sockets (deep and shallow), a set of Proto Combo wrenches and a few other items. My folks thought I was nuts.
These special tools all still live in the same box on the edge of one of my benches.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Some locksmiths can't cut Kennedy keys. We had two different ones at our shop that would come in to cut keys for different locks and neither one carried blanks that were remotely close to what a Kennedy is. Also Ace Hardware and WallyWorld do not carry blanks.
The good news is, if you have a Kennedy and need a key for it but don't want to go back through Kennedy to get one, if others around you have Kennedy boxes, check their key numbers. Kennedy hasn't made millions of different key combinations and chances are that someone in your shop has a key that you need.
And if anyone needs a key and lock set, let me know as I have a few just laying around.
justanengineer
Well-known member
Kennedy apprentice box? Either free with the purchase of tools, or as a box its not more than $20 assuming its in nearly perfect shape. If its got any rust, or the rotten Kennedy odor it better be free. The bigger Kennedy's go a bit more, but IMO those boxes are all pretty crappy.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Care to explain those remarks? I have a few Kennedy's and I just don't have that rotten Kennedy odor in any of mine. That rotten Kennedy odor came from the handle of tools that were pot in them.
And if those boxes were free or even worth the $20, I'd like to have the money that machinist over the years have spent on that box or similar. I'll pay $20 all day long for a good Kennedy box and still come out ahead.
Packard V8
Well-known member
X2 Kevin - Kennedy boxes have been the standard in machine shops for about a hundred years.
The Gerstner, Union and other wooden boxes are pretty, but for a working shop, a Kennedy is the way to go.
I've got five of the small, two larger and one mechanic's box. None smell and the Kennedy finish is definitely a better protection from rust than most any other similarly priced box. If they're rusty, they've been recovered from a flood.
Your opinions may vary.
jack vines
IndyGarage
Well-known member
A Kennedy or Gerstner to a Machinist is like certain brands of luggage to a frequent traveler.
It's the "secret code" that says you are a machinist. Others might look at it and say it's an ugly brown toolbox and it means nothing, but to another machinist you are a member of the club.
It's the "secret code" that says you are a machinist. Others might look at it and say it's an ugly brown toolbox and it means nothing, but to another machinist you are a member of the club.
Provincial
Well-known member
+1
An Gerstner's are for the kind of machinists that work in a clean, climate-controlled shop. Machinists that get dirty at work prefer Kennedys.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Kevin, 7 drawer (20"width) is a 520; a 526 (26" width the rest the same) has 8 drawers (IIR), is that the 8 drawer you are talking about?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
3X!
I don't know if justanengineer has his wires crossed or what. and I have no clue what he means by "apprentice" box...
Kennedy just about owns the machinist trade, and when Silicon Valley was huge with a lot of hands-on techs, they owned that too, and probably still do wherever there are techs doing electronics, as the 520 and 526 are stellar for small tolls and delicate measuring tools.
I have 16 Kennedy's not counting carry boxes w/o drawers.
10 tops, 3 intermediate and 3 rollers
Al work great even the couple that were abused by PO's
justanengineer
Well-known member
Free with the purchase of tools means you pay for the contents, not the box. Personally, I'm not a fan of the small Kennedy's as theyre rather tinny, flex very easily, and are reminiscent of the cheaper Cman in quality, but nonetheless, the 520s arent worth diddly. The larger top boxes are worth $50+ and the nicer/heavier bottoms worth a bit more than that, but the OPs box isnt one of those. Granted, if youre only storing measuring or light precision tools you dont need a very heavy box but Ive had quite a few of those that got up to 100+ lbs and needed to be pried open due to being full of bits, drills, reamers etc.
I think if you look back in time through a few threads on this board and a few machinist boards you will see many agreeing with me on used value/prices, even if they disagree with me on quality. 1st I found is linked below.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105453
The "Kennedy odor" is a rather common problem that occurs when the felt begins to decompose. Let it get wet and heaven help you...its also a royal PITA to remove the felt. If you care to pm me an address, I will gladly go pull a small chunk of felt, drop it in an envelope and show you know how bad it gets....Ive got a few of these boxes in various conditions with the worst sitting in a trash bag in the garage awaiting some attention and an acid bath. If it wasnt for the trash bag, you would not want to set foot in the garage.
"Apprentice" box means exactly what it implies. The 520s are very commonly the first box an apprentice machinist buys, and one which is often quickly outgrown once they become a journeyman and start collecting tools.
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timbitca
Well-known member
I love the look of old Kennedy's. I want to buy one for drill bit storage and such, I don't do any machining at all but I love the look of 'em.