Kr-300d?

[TheCraneGuy]

I’m purchasing an older S-O roller box. I’m buying it without looking at it first, other than a couple pictures. For everything I can see, it looks like a KR-300D, but it doesn’t have the outlet, light, or screw-on cover under the push handle. I’m thinking it might be a KRH-300D instead.

Not sure how common that model is, since it isn’t the standard model. Regardless, $50 is still a deal in my book.





Thoughts?

 

[zkling]

What style drawer pulls does it have?

You could be correct on the H variant. Typically ordered when it was to be used as a bottom box.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

What style drawer pulls does it have?



At that point in time (late 50s through 60s) the light and outlet box were optional. Typically not ordered when the box was to be used as a bottom box.

Not sure on the drawer pulls, but I assume they look like the ones on the roll-up door.

 

[zkling]

Not sure on the drawer pulls, but I assume they look like the ones on the roll-up door.

After doing some thinking i had to edit my response earlier. That is either an H, or a transition period box with full length drawer pulls but the steel tambour door.

 

[thehorse13]

I'd buy that all day long for 50 bucks. That overspray will wipe right off with acetone based nail polish too.

Outstanding find. Send it to me for safe keeping.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I have the version with the aluminum tambour. What really makes a difference to my use in the value and utility is whether it has the optional two lower drawers. Without them, the big open space just becomes a catch-all for larger stuff and finding something down that low in a black hole is frustrating.

jack vines

 

[bmwrd0]

I would buy that for $50, no matter the open space. I put socket sets in those, keeps them somewhat organized.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have two of them. Great entry way table! Also for storing vintage stuff.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have two, 1954 and 1985

 

[TheCraneGuy]

I did have them send me a picture of the inside. I am not sure why it is yellow, but it is what it is. I don’t think it is primer.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is odd.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I did have them send me a picture of the inside. I am not sure why it is yellow, but it is what it is. I don’t think it is primer.

No big deal. Get it and give it a nice restoration.

 

[zkling]

I did have them send me a picture of the inside. I am not sure why it is yellow, but it is what it is. I don’t think it is primer.

The whole thing has been spray bombed. Can tell that from the outside pic. Ronald McDonald must have gotten ahold of ot.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

No big deal. Get it and give it a nice restoration.

Is it easy to take the roll up door off? I’ve taken drawers out before, but wanted to give everything a good clean/degrease and see what needs to be done. I’ve seen these with the chrome, or bright aluminum look, but doubt this is one and not sure it can be done anyway.

 

[bmwrd0]

The tambor (roll up part) got in there somehow, I am sure it can come out. But that box is perfect for a resto.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They come out. Drill out the track rivets.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

They come out. Drill out the track rivets.

I think they can be taken out even easier than that. Do some searching on here, I know this process has been detailed.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

They come out. Drill out the track rivets.

So the track and door come out as one?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Drill out the 3 rivets in each track, tilt them out at the bottom so door will slide out. Easy does it! Not difficult to bend.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Picked up the box tonight. Will have more pictures tomorrow when there is more light and a warm shop at work. I haven’t been able to find the model number stamped on it so I’m not sure what I have yet. It does have the removable electrical plate on the back.

I’m beginning to think the inside was not rattle can sprayed. The inside of the drawers are painted as well and it looks more professional than amateur. Even the empty cavity under the drawers is yellow.

So, the mystery begins...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Never saw a yellow one that old

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Never saw a yellow one that old

I know, but it sure looks good on the inside.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Never saw a yellow one that old

Did they make them in yellow? Here are what I am seeing, and it makes me think it was yellow at one time.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Also, I cannot find a model or serial number on it anywhere. I wouldn’t think the paint would be thick enough to cover it up.

Another theory I have is, I live in Waterloo, Iowa, home of the original plant of Waterloo Industries. They used to make boxes for S-O along with other companies. Makes me wonder if this box was shuffled out the back door, before it was shipped and stamped by S-O.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

It is officially yellow. Just took the plywood off the top, that was screwed down. There are two threaded holes that have yellow in the threads.

 

[FJ 432]

Hey nice box. and you **** for $50!

I do disagree that the box was originally yellow. I believe your close up would indicate a somewhat professional yellow repaint. It appears to me that there's quite a bit of dirt trapped under the yellow paint. Someone who didn't like a full yellow paint job then painted the exterior red.

My .02.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those were made by mbcentury. Interesting color. Bit of a mystery, maybe a special edition or something

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Those were made by mbcentury. Interesting color. Bit of a mystery, maybe a special edition or something

So now my question is, where would the model number be, and how old do you think it is?

 

[TheCraneGuy]

Hey nice box. and you **** for $50!

I do disagree that the box was originally yellow. I believe your close up would indicate a somewhat professional yellow repaint. It appears to me that there's quite a bit of dirt trapped under the yellow paint. Someone who didn't like a full yellow paint job then painted the exterior red.

My .02.

The exterior is no where close to being professional! It has runs and bubbles, etc. If the yellow wasn’t original, then it was done very well. Absolutely everything was yellow at some point. You can see the yellow through the red, the backside of the door, the entire inside of the structure is yellow. But, I am definitely no expert on painting or old toolboxes.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They did not start stamping them until 58 or so. May just predate that.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Hey nice box. and you **** for $50!

I do disagree that the box was originally yellow. I believe your close up would indicate a somewhat professional yellow repaint. It appears to me that there's quite a bit of dirt trapped under the yellow paint. Someone who didn't like a full yellow paint job then painted the exterior red.

My .02.

+1, no way that thing came out of production yellow

 

[TheCraneGuy]

They did not start stamping them until 58 or so. May just predate that.

Well, I finally found the numbers. 1956

 

[TheCraneGuy]

+1, no way that thing came out of production yellow

I just found the numbers and they are yellow.

 

[zkling]

Lock on the folding cover is correct for that badge style / era. I really do not believe that it left the factory yellow. They may have made a custom, but I really doubt it.

 

[thehorse13]

These units all came out of the factory red. Someone stripped it down to bare metal and did an amateur respray in yellow.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks yellow alright. How it got that way is the question. Bottom line is cool box that needs a paint job.

 

[jethro29]

I would be all over that one.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

I was looking on another thread about MBC boxes this style. There was a post by someone who had the same box, but the outside looked yellow.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

These units all came out of the factory red. Someone stripped it down to bare metal and did an amateur respray in yellow.

It sure doesn’t look like an amateur job. I’m planning on tearing it down and washing it. Maybe that will give more clues.

 

[TheCraneGuy]

I would be all over that one.

Already mine.