MAC MB1700 Restoration

[Cookie]

I recently bought a rough condition MAC MB1700. It's missing a drawer and drawer pull from another drawer. Also, a couple of the drawer pulls are loose due to missing screws. Does anybody know the specs on the screws. I used a 1/4in socket to remove on of the screws. It appears to be a course thread self tapper style screw, but that doesn't seem like a screw MAC would used to a drawer pull. Can anyone give the specs on the OEM screws used by MAC?

Thanks...

PS:I bought an older style MAC drawer pull the (Handle Style)off of eBay but its missing the screws as well. If anyone has the screw spec on those as well Id be grateful...

 

[Wamsutta]

The screws that hold the drawer pull handles to the drawer fronts are #8 x 1/2 inch sheet metal screws. And you're correct, they require a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove.

The screws that hold the slides to the drawers are 8-32 x 1/8 inch machine screws. I've got the part numbers to the drawer detents too. I used to own an MB1500.

 

[Cookie]

Here's a picture of the box. I'm ordering the screws today and some thin vinyl washers. My plan is to remove the drawer pulls then TAL-Strip the outer box and repaint it. I'm thinking metallic flake red. I contacted MAC about ordering the missing drawer and drawer pull, but customer said they no longer support this unit

 

[Cookie]

Well, it seems I can't post images until I've made at least 5 Posts. Hopefully soon...

 

[Cookie]

I noticed when I removed the loose drawer pulls the screw holes seemed to matched up with the approximate width of the previous generation MAC drawer pull handles. I had ordered a few of them off of eBay as a backup plan incase MAC wasn't able to help.

 

[Cookie]

wrong image

 

[Cookie]

whats a good image hosting site?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

whats a good image hosting site?

Just upload it directly to the site.

 

[Cookie]

Think I figured it out...

 

[Cookie]

My plan is, if I cant find the correct matching drawer pull. I'll put the older style pull handles on the 3 large bottom drawers. I already checked and older style MAC handles match up with the new drawer pull holes.

 

[zekgb64]

I just went through this with an MB1500 and after a lot of legwork I can tell you the one piece pulls are unobtanium so you're on the right track with the older style.

 

[zekgb64]

FYI for cosmetics I decided to vinyl wrap instead of respray and am very happy I did even if my technique wasn't that great and would do a much better job if I had to do it again.

 

[Cookie]

Dang, that turned out great... Yea, I called a place about powder coating but they wanted like $400-$600 depending on the color. If they would of said $200 I would of done it. So, now I'm thinking metallic red paint, or just stripping to bare steel and wheel polishing it then clear coating or just waxing the heck out of it. I'll keep posting my progress.

Thanks for your help!

 

[seber]

Toolboxes shouldn't need the toughest paint. Unless you are reckless with it, you should be fine with a quality rattlecan job. Tractor paint is pretty rugged.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

When looking at painting options, I have had very good luck with Rustoleum rolled on with a 4 inch microfiber roller. It dries flat and has been very hard. I 'm surprised how well its held up. I painted an old card file cabinet I use for tools and parts, and an old steel work bench.