Matco restoration

[MartyEric]

]First off I would like to say hi. I'm a newbe here. I purchased this super heavy toolbox for cheap and decided to restore it. I will keep everyone updated as I go

 

[Johnny Generic]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking box. You'll find many here to help you with their helpful advice. Take what you can apart, clean it, polish it, scuff it, paint it. You'll have many hours into restoring that box. Take your time , do it right.
Please keep us tool box junkies updated and take lots of pictures. We do love pics. Any helpful advice from me ( I'm not a expert but I have restored many of boxes ) just pm me. My wife say's that I have a problem. I ask, and what might that be? All those damn tool boxes you have in the garage and basement.
I'm an addict. One box at a time. Enjoy, Johnny Generic.

 

[MartyEric]

Well my boss has been keeping me pretty busy, but I received help in the form of my Grandson and his friend.


Started by dismantling the box, removing all drawers and hardware. Followed this by a thorough cleaning with simple green. Next was the wire brushing the parts and pieces.


Next came the cleaning again with scothbrite and mineral spirits, followed by another cleaning with simple green and a final tack rag.


Parts and pieces are now going to paint

 

[Heap64]

That is a cool box

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[MartyEric]

Got all six casters cleaned up and bearings greased. Hardware shined up and put on and drawer liners in.



Next project is the old Craftsman smaller toolbox

 

[BarryWells]

That's a real beauty there. Nice work. That was one of the first "monster boxes" when all the Japanese stuff took over. Metric one side and SEA the other is what a bunch of guys did. You should scrounge up a chunk of hardwood or butcher block to keep that top nice.
Up in Williston check with a sawmill guy or cabinet shop. Even some 3/4 x 6 or 8 tongue and groove cypress with a simple oil finish would be cheap and slick and when you toss a starter on it, no biggie.

 

[LNKMK8]

Looks great! Very impressive results

 

[rustyzman]

I have an MB8100/8200 series Mac top/bottom set that was my original box at work(slightly newer style). I remember my OLD Mac guy telling me that they made a kit to attach two of those bottom chests together to make a double bay like you have. I almost picked up a second one to make that set, but alas a screaming deal on another used Matco double bay showed up instead. Neat to see what that would have looked like. Kept my first ones, not letting them go!

Nice work on that unit, looks great!

 

[thehorse13]

This looks great. You can throw a black rubber mat on top of this rig and have yourself a work bench too.

 

[bobemmerich]

Very cool! Nice going!

 

[my58]

Sweet! Nice job. Looking forward to your next box rebuild.

 

[y'sguy]

That turned out great. Very fast too!

 

[Snappychip]

Wow don't often see one of those cleaned up. Well done. You know what year that is?