KRA-398a

[JimNC]

Hello all, new member, specific issue brought me here.

Bought this box yesterday ($400). Has a little surface rust going on at the bottom and some in pry bar box, nothing that'll be hard to remove. This is my second SO box, this one will be specifically for gunsmithing, I like the height for cleaning. Will build a wooden top for it.

Made a drawer removal tool and took out the drawers and slides, am cleaning it up. May need a few new slides, fingers crossed that they are available.

Few easy questions for ya'll:
Whole cleaning up grease/oil stains the rag pulls off some red paint. My other box is a gloss blue, I can wipe it with just about anything and it stays. Is this typical of older box paint, or do you think the box has been repainted? I hope to avoid repainting it, but might do some touch up if I have to get aggressive to remove the rust.

One of the tire stems is bad. To remove the tire do I have to unbolt the axle brackets from the box? I had hoped that the axle would slide out, but it doesn't seem to.

Sorry that I don't have pics, didn't take any before I started taking it apart. Will post when I get it back together.

Thanks all!
Jim

 

[JimNC]

... and can anyone tell me the best way to remove this plastic cap? I'd like to avoid breaking them if possible but do want to remove and repaint the handle. Thanks

 

[JimNC]

OK, it feels like I'm talking to myself, but having started the conversation I can't just stop.

The handle end caps are rubber and are removed by prying up the long sides, all good. Paint inside the handle is in perfect shape, may use it for matching if I decide to repaint, but so far I'm okay with the character marks.

Now I'm looking at 4 screws inside the handle. My guess is that those screws go through the aluminum blocks and into nuts inside the body of the box. I hope that those nuts are welded to the inside of the box, but I don't know. Would someone please confirm that this is how they are constructed so I don't have to worry about how to get the nuts back in place once I unscrew the bolts.

Thanks in advance!
Jim

 

[txvwnut]

The nuts are welded to the inside of the box and if you haven't figured it out yet the handle just slides apart giving you access to the screws.

 

[bsg1]

it's typical for the older Snap-on paint to show up on your cleaning rag. Snap-on paint is very forgiving and once the box is cleaned, a high quality polish will frequently re-beautify it's finish. i suggest that you apply a good wax after polishing and you shouldn't have a problem with paint lifting in the future. i've purchased early Snap-on boxes that i simply cleaned up with no additional measures taken after cleanup, but when appropriate i use McGuire's polish and McGuire's wax on used Snap-on boxes i purchase after the initial cleanup.

 

[JimNC]

@txvwnut perfect, will be taking the handle off tonight.

@bsg1 I like the wax idea. Tried some Behlen Blue Label (what I had handy) after cleaning up with rubbing and polishing compounds, looks great.

Thanks to you both.

Next question that probably has an obvious answer, removing the logos. They seem to have posts on the back and then a little 4-way clip on each post to hold them once inserted in the holes. Not being able to get 4 fingers in there, do you compress the retaining clip on each pin with a small washer and then push each pin out? Better way?

 

[JimNC]

Got impatient, 1/8" washers did the trick for one logo. A previous owner broke 3/4 of the tabs off the front logo and then epoxied it back in place. Probably not worth removing it, and certainly not at this point. I assume that the older style logo is no longer available, and I'm not inclined to use the new logo.

Thanks again!
Jim

 

[jn50308401]

Hey jim,

I have been doing Snap on box restores as a project for a few years now, KR537/557 combo, side cabinet, and another KR557. Hope yours is going well. I just picked up a taco wagon in May and I'm done with painting drawers and small parts. Main cab is next if I can get a break from the VA humidity.

Snap on usually has drawer slides, but most other parts have been discontinued. They warrantied some and I paid for some replacements, they were not super expensive. New slides made world of difference!

Ebay seems to be the most reliable(and expensive) source for trim, emblems etc.. I have cleaned up and repainted all my emblems and they look pretty good. I would finish off cutting the posts off the emblem and use some 2 sided automotive tape from 3M to put it back on. Just take some measurements to get in the right place.

 

[JimNC]

Thanks, Snap-on did send slides so that's nice of them. On the phone it sounded like they would have sent me liners and tires of they'd had them...of course they didn't.

Other parts are in need of cleaning and a little preventative care related to corrosion, but hopefully don't need any other parts. I'm not restoring it so much as cleaning it, making it serviceable and preventing any new creeping crud.

Did ask the company about removing the pneumatic tires, they said that they don't know how to do it. Unless someone tells me otherwise I'm planning to flip the box while I've got the drawers out and unbolt the axle mounting brackets since I don't see a better way.

Have a great weekend, but I don't think you'll be getting the lower humidity you want for another couple months.

Jim

 

[jn50308401]

Thanks, Snap-on did send slides so that's nice of them. On the phone it sounded like they would have sent me liners and tires of they'd had them...of course they didn't.

Other parts are in need of cleaning and a little preventative care related to corrosion, but hopefully don't need any other parts. I'm not restoring it so much as cleaning it, making it serviceable and preventing any new creeping crud.

Did ask the company about removing the pneumatic tires, they said that they don't know how to do it. Unless someone tells me otherwise I'm planning to flip the box while I've got the drawers out and unbolt the axle mounting brackets since I don't see a better way.

Have a great weekend, but I don't think you'll be getting the lower humidity you want for another couple months.

Jim

Good deal on the slides! They sent me 1/2 the slides I needed under warranty, I paid for the other half. Call it tool box karma..
Snap on has great customer service, very nice folks to deal with over the phone.
Restoration is a pain with these things. I bought all mine dirt cheap and very krusty looking. I hoped to just scrub them down and call it a day, but the project creep took over! The taco wag was by far the roughest shape, all the slides caked in grease, dead bugs, bolts jamming drawers shut
I put my box on jack stands, it was easier to clean/lube, fit drawers etc.. With it up in the air you should be able to pull the casters/axle off for cleaning and to get the tires off.
Wonder if you can find the tires/tubes at a lawn mower shop or tractor store?

I hear that on the humidity.. its been rough and I'm ready to get my garage back, these boxes take up a bunch of space taken apart.
Have a good one!

 

[JimNC]

I'm pretty sure that it'll be easy to replace the 10" tires. Plan to take them off, clean up the rims and then replace both tires since they probably haven't been rotated since new ;-)

Also going to start planning the top. Probably glue up some southern yellow pine since it's strong and cheap. Or maybe hard maple. Haven't decided if I want a lip on it, but probably.

Did set my 4" bullet vice on it and it's larger than I want, need to find a 3". Should be sufficient for 99% of what I do with gunsmithing.

 

[jn50308401]

I'm pretty sure that it'll be easy to replace the 10" tires. Plan to take them off, clean up the rims and then replace both tires since they probably haven't been rotated since new ;-)

Also going to start planning the top. Probably glue up some southern yellow pine since it's strong and cheap. Or maybe hard maple. Haven't decided if I want a lip on it, but probably.

Did set my 4" bullet vice on it and it's larger than I want, need to find a 3". Should be sufficient for 99% of what I do with gunsmithing.

Sounds like its going to be a sweet set up! I've not figured out what I want to do with my taco wagon, its sure cool to look at though! My father in law is a master carpenter/wood worker and is going to make a top for it.

 

[JimNC]

Looking for a little tire help. So the flat tires are Carlisle 4.10/3.50-4, 4 ply inflated to 85psi.

Axle is .75", hub length is 2.25".

I find plenty of possible replacements, but all are rated for 300-500 lbs and max pressure of 50psi.

Also find some solid tires, but again rated for just 300lbs.

Anyone able to suggest a good replacement? Happy to buy from a vendor here if there is one.

Also not sure how to change the tires and tubes, is it just like a bicycle? Same sorta tools to pry the tire off the rim?

Thanks guys.
Jim

 

[bill300d]

300-500lbs per tire should be fine. I would think that you will have bigger problems than tires if you could load up that cabinet with a ton of stuff.
As far as tire removal by the looks of it a pair of tire spoons would work.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Hello all, new member, specific issue brought me here.

Bought this box yesterday ($400). Has a little surface rust going on at the bottom and some in pry bar box, nothing that'll be hard to remove. This is my second SO box, this one will be specifically for gunsmithing, I like the height for cleaning. Will build a wooden top for it.

Made a drawer removal tool and took out the drawers and slides, am cleaning it up. May need a few new slides, fingers crossed that they are available.

Few easy questions for ya'll:
Whole cleaning up grease/oil stains the rag pulls off some red paint. My other box is a gloss blue, I can wipe it with just about anything and it stays. Is this typical of older box paint, or do you think the box has been repainted? I hope to avoid repainting it, but might do some touch up if I have to get aggressive to remove the rust.

One of the tire stems is bad. To remove the tire do I have to unbolt the axle brackets from the box? I had hoped that the axle would slide out, but it doesn't seem to.

Sorry that I don't have pics, didn't take any before I started taking it apart. Will post when I get it back together.

Thanks all!
Jim

How about posting a pic of the toolbox as purchased? If you did that I can't see hide nor hair of it.

 

[JimNC]

300-500lbs per tire should be fine. I would think that you will have bigger problems than tires if you could load up that cabinet with a ton of stuff.
As far as tire removal by the looks of it a pair of tire spoons would work.

Fair enough, I got similar tires ordered. Then I found a replacement inner tube so I'm working on cleaning and painting the rims tonight and will see if I can get by cheaply.

How about posting a pic of the toolbox as purchased? If you did that I can't see hide nor hair of it.

Don't have any but the guy I got it from said he'll said me some after the weekend. Will post them asap.

 

[JimNC]

Took the tires off the wheels to change the inner tubes and decided that I just had to repaint the outside of the wheels, rust had eaten away about all the paint. Couldn't find a paint that I liked, but finally settled on Rustoleum self etching primer topped with Rustoleum clear enamel. The quality of the paint job is low, but I'm pretty happy with the gray-green color match, here is one painted and one not.

 

[930dreamer]

Here's the one I picked up from Abq, NM Craigslist.

 

[JimNC]

Here's the one I picked up from Abq, NM Craigslist.

That's the one. The only thing I really wish it had was brakes or locking casters. For aviation I suppose that everything is pretty flat, but I plan to work on the top and having it stationary when I'm not moving it would be advantageous.

Might look for new casters, anyone else have this issue?

 

[JimNC]

Replaced the inner tubes and remounted the tires. All the drawers have been cleaned and the last is waiting for a replacement slide that should be here tomorrow. Need to finish cleaning the back and left side then paint the handle. Probably should clean and grease the casters too.

Am cutting up some traffic master all purpose modular flooring universal utility mat for drawer liners.

Here is current condition.

 

[jn50308401]

Replaced the inner tubes and remounted the tires. All the drawers have been cleaned and the last is waiting for a replacement slide that should be here tomorrow. Need to finish cleaning the back and left side then paint the handle. Probably should clean and grease the casters too.

Am cutting up some traffic master all purpose modular flooring universal utility mat for drawer liners.

Here is current condition.

Looking good! Very nice, and good job on the wheels. My taco wagon had self tapping sheet metal screws drilled into the casters to keep it from rolling

 

[JimNC]

Looking good! Very nice, and good job on the wheels. My taco wagon had self tapping sheet metal screws drilled into the casters to keep it from rolling

Thanks for the kind words.

Screws, that'd work. I clamped some chocks to the casters when I raised the back of the box to get the tires off, more easily reversed than screws in the casters.

Doesn't the taco have a leg that extends to the ground to hold it still?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thanks for the kind words.

Screws, that'd work. I clamped some chocks to the casters when I raised the back of the box to get the tires off, more easily reversed than screws in the casters.

Doesn't the taco have a leg that extends to the ground to hold it still?

A lot of them do, but neither of the two I own have one.

 

[jn50308401]

JimNC- You're welcome, anyone deranged enough, mm.. I mean determined enough to fix up these old boxes deserves some kudos. They're a lot of work.

My taco cart didn't have the landing leg/jack but it did have the hitch bar on the front of it. I took it off and its staying off as it was just begging to have an unfortunate meeting with my ankle.

Not to hijack but I successfully replaced my friction slides that were broken with ball bearing slides for the top 2 drawers in the rear end of my taco wagon.

I'll try and get some pics up, it was a lot of drilling out spot welds and tons of measuring but it worked out well.

 

[JimNC]

My taco cart didn't have the landing leg/jack but it did have the hitch bar on the front of it. I took it off and its staying off as it was just begging to have an unfortunate meeting with my ankle.

Not to hijack but I successfully replaced my friction slides that were broken with ball bearing slides for the top 2 drawers in the rear end of my taco wagon.

I'll try and get some pics up, it was a lot of drilling out spot welds and tons of measuring but it worked out well.

My box has the mounting points for the floor brake and it looks like Colson makes several with the right size mounting plate, but they are all a little too short or too long. I'm going to look at one and see if they can be cut to length or worst case add a steel plate above the mounting plate to move a short one down.

I like ball bearing slides, who doesn't, but I'd be tempted to buy another cheap box to get replacement drawers before embarking on such a conversion. Happy to look at pictures though!

Casters have been wiped down and greased, paint on the handle is drying. Have to take the kids to college so things will slow down for a couple weeks.

 

[AV8R4AA]

Looking to buy one of these. Snap On 398a.
DFW area Texas