Kennedy Boxes

[Jacksquat0]

I picked up a couple of Kennedy Boxes yesterday. The top box is an 11-drawer unit with aluminum drawer pulls. At first look, I thought they were perfect. However, it was cold, windy, icy, and dark, and I forgot to grab my flashlight from the ashtray before meeting the guy.

All in all, I still think it was a reasonable deal: $150 for the two. As you can see in the photos, there's some rust. However, in my opinion, the corrosion is minimal and doesn't impact the integrity of the boxes. The rust seems to be stable and the boxes will now be stored in a location where further water damage is unlikely.

My first thought is to simply leave it alone. However, I could brush off the rust and brush on a clear coat, apply a coat of paste wax, or try something else. Would you leave it alone or try to clean it up? Thanks for the help, one and all.

 

[Packard V8]

Kennedy are quality and the rust doesn't impair functionality.

You paid top dollar, but you'll enjoy using them.

jack vines

 

[jakemac]

Good find, the mid boxes are harder to find.
Lightly clean off the rust, and then seal the metal with a couple coats of paste wax.
A lot of used boxes come like that. They'll be fine.

 

[Jacksquat0]

Forgot to mention earlier that the top box is an 11 drawer. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Jacksquat0]

Kennedy are quality and the rust doesn't impair functionality.

You paid top dollar, but you'll enjoy using them.

jack vines

Thanks for the response, jack. What would you say a fairer price would've been? Many thanks, once again.

 

[countryroad82]

A lot of guys will swear they could find that particular box combo for probably $25-$50. Depending on your area it's +- on what one can pick stuff up for. To be fair in my area that combo would have been listed probably at the same price you paid and maybe after much haggling you might get it down to $100 but most likely $125. I will however say away from my area that thing would have been listed at $100ish. Nevertheless I think you did pretty good, those Kennedys are stout units!

 

[Jacksquat0]

Thanks for that, countryroad82--good to know.

 

[justanengineer]

Thanks for the response, jack. What would you say a fairer price would've been? Many thanks, once again.

Unless theyre in like-brandy new condition $50-100 for the pair, depending on the boxes' contents. Kennedy machinist boxes are really lightweight and tinny, rust easily, and when you get into the older ones with real felt they often stink horribly from the felt rotting. Theyre great for measuring tools and other delicate items, but **** for everything else so the market is pretty limited. I buy them fairly regularly for <$50 bc I want the contents and flip the boxes, but to be fair I'm not posting on ebay and want things gone through a fairly local (couple hours drive) sale within 2 weeks.

 

[Robby321]

I have the same top 11 drawer box. It was/is my Machinist box. Bought in the 70's

 

[zkling]

Unless theyre in like-brandy new condition $50-100 for the pair, depending on the boxes' contents. Kennedy machinist boxes are really lightweight and tinny, rust easily, and when you get into the older ones with real felt they often stink horribly from the felt rotting. Theyre great for measuring tools and other delicate items, but **** for everything else so the market is pretty limited. I buy them fairly regularly for <$50 bc I want the contents and flip the boxes, but to be fair I'm not posting on ebay and want things gone through a fairly local (couple hours drive) sale within 2 weeks.

Even that model (3611)? That is the largest "machinist" chest they make, aluminum drawer pulls. Full 12" depth unlike the other ones (520, 526). Guy got a good deal, not sure why he had to make two threads on it though.

 

[Packard V8]

Kennedy machinist boxes are really lightweight and tinny, rust easily, and when you get into the older ones with real felt they often stink horribly from the felt rotting.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the above statement. I've used Kennedy boxes as machinist chest and as storage for drills, chisels, punches, taps, dies and found them durable and up to daily professional use.

Also, I'm only using seven of them at present, but none of them have ever had a noticeable odor.

jack vines

 

[Wamsutta]

Tape around the latches with masking tape and go over them with a Dremmel wire cup brush.

For the bottom of the box, strip it down to bare metal and spray one heavy coat of Kennedy Brown Wrinkle. Make sure the bare metal is cleaned up with lacquer thinner first and get it hot by letting it sit out in the summer sun. If the steel is too hot to touch, that's just right. The combination of the steel being hot and the single heavy coat will make the paint wrinkle like it's supposed to.

 

[Outlawmws]

Unless those drawers are felt lined, that's not a machinist box, its a mechanics box, regardless of color. The 12 deep series are in my experience never lined, and proportioned for mechanics. What throws me is the drawer cover. That IS machinist style, but I've never seen a 12" deep box with the cover. I have that mid box and the 6 drawer version of the top (same drawer pulls) and bought them new back in the day for pit crew racing use. No felt liners...

JackSquat, can you post a pic with the cover off the top? are the drawer pulls like the mid, or like the cover pull?

Wamsutta gave good restore advise, you could also hit those latches with Never-Dul cotton wads. I'd mask even though It probably won't affect the paint.

 

[zkling]

Outlaw, look up kennedy 3611. Again, it's the largest machiniststyle box they make, meaning thin drawers, small(er) pulls.

 

[drink]

I have studied the Kennedy boxes from time to time. At times I considered buying a new plain 20" tool box (I think it was a 5220?) and put it on hold. The last time I price shopped them about a month ago the price was way higher and there were fewer places selling them.

When I look on Craigslist I usually find a wide assortment of the larger Kennedy tool chest at what looks like really good prices. It looks like a lot of people have bought them and they look like they are built to last.

 

[Jacksquat0]

Outlawmws, all 11 drawers and the top compartment are lined with felt. Neither of the drawers in the chest base are lined, which surprised me. I thought the top drawer of the chest base would've been lined. I'll post additional pics tonight, when I get home. I greatly appreciate the restoration advice. Thanks to all!

 

[Jacksquat0]

The smaller seven-drawer boxes come up for sale in my area now and again and are posted from $45 to $75. The larger chests don't seem to come up that often in my area--Lansing, MI--from what I've seen.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have an older Kennedy lower box, well made unit. No better than a Craftsman of that same era, and both are solid boxes.

The easiest thing to do is to contact Kennedy and ask. They have some veteran people there and they can ID it a heartbeat. My Kennedy lower is actually a JC Penney box that I salvaged curbside.

The woman in customer service showed it to an old time factory employee who immediately recognized it as a 1972-1973 model made for JCP.

That is where experience and institutional knowledge cannot be bought.

 

[Jacksquat0]

Unless those drawers are felt lined, that's not a machinist box, its a mechanics box, regardless of color. The 12 deep series are in my experience never lined, and proportioned for mechanics. What throws me is the drawer cover. That IS machinist style, but I've never seen a 12" deep box with the cover. I have that mid box and the 6 drawer version of the top (same drawer pulls) and bought them new back in the day for pit crew racing use. No felt liners...

JackSquat, can you post a pic with the cover off the top? are the drawer pulls like the mid, or like the cover pull?

Wamsutta gave good restore advise, you could also hit those latches with Never-Dul cotton wads. I'd mask even though It probably won't affect the paint.

Please see the additional photo, Outlaw. Although not an expert, given the drawer pulls; the lock configurations; full felt in all drawers, except the Machinery's Handbook drawer; and the weight of the thing--every bit of 80 lbs, I think this is a 3611. Do you agree? Let me know if you need more information.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I think you did good.

On the other hand I passed on a machinist mid box and a 526 this summer for $160 because I thought they were overpriced. They were also in worse condition then yours.

 

[zkling]

Outlawmws, all 11 drawers and the top compartment are lined with felt. Neither of the drawers in the chest base are lined, which surprised me. I thought the top drawer of the chest base would've been lined. I'll post additional pics tonight, when I get home. I greatly appreciate the restoration advice. Thanks to all!

Because the top box is a machinist box and the middle is from their mechanics series.

 

[Outlawmws]

OK, THAT one is a machinist box, for sure. Is the intermediate also felt lined? I've never seen them use those drawer pulls on a 12" deep box.

One thing about Kennedy is no one has ever figured out their logic for some of the things they do... (Like intermediates that don't fir the rollers...)

As to specific model No.; no clue. I don't have any catalogs for Kennedy.

 

[zkling]

If people actually read every post in a thread, what a glorious day that would be!

 

[Jacksquat0]

Thanks, zkling and Outlaw. This has been exceedingly helpful. I learned a lot. Can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Outlaw, that's an interesting observation about Kennedy's reasoning for doing things. I must say, some stuff has confused me. Many thanks, once again.

 

[Jacksquat0]

The chest base is not lined, Outlaw, and I think zkling is correct about it not being in the Machinist's Series.

 

[Jacksquat0]

I think you did good.

On the other hand I passed on a machinist mid box and a 526 this summer for $160 because I thought they were overpriced. They were also in worse condition then yours.

Thanks, Sam. I'll probably always be second guessing it, but I'm still okay with the decision--I guess. LOL!

 

[countryroad82]

I think you did good with it. You'll probably wear out before those boxes do lol!

 

[Jacksquat0]

I think you did good with it. You'll probably wear out before those boxes do lol!

LOL! I know you're right! Thanks, countryroad82.