MBC Toolbox full of tools.

[jshillin]

OK guys, I picked up an older MBC toolbox off of Craigslist today. I remember reading that MBC made Snap-on boxes back in the 60's and this box looks a lot like those. The box is really heavy, slides are in really good shape. Both of the larger drawers actually has dual slides. This box is in pretty good shape with just some surface rust, but has been painted. I was wondering what color this box is supposed to be and where I can find the date stamp on it? Anything you can tell me would be great. Can't really find much on MBC here because the search won't return anything.
It had a lot of tools in it too, mostly USA sockets/wrenches. I'd say they are 75% older Craftsman, 10% Husky USA, 5% SK and the rest is a mix of Bonney, Easco, Williams, Wizard, etc. Very few Taiwanese tools.
Here's some pics.

Some of the tools from one of the drawers:

 

[WastedAgain440]

i'm diggin that box,its got some character. is that an electrical outlet on the side of it?nice score

 

[bry@n]

Cool. I have a MBC, my dad handed it down to me.

 

[jshillin]

i'm diggin that box,its got some character. is that an electrical outlet on the side of it?nice score

Yeah, it was an electrical outlet, but the previous owner cut the wires. The plate it's on is exactly the same as the Snap-on box I had with a '72 date code.

 

[Mickey O]

Here's my MBC, it's the original paint, the date was on the front on the lower left (mine is a 1969).

 

[jshillin]

Mickey O, thanks for the pics, but I don't think mine was red. I pulled out one of the smaller drawers and it as very good gray paint on it that looks factory so I think that might be the original. This one looks a bit older than yours because of the handles, but I'm not sure on that either. I will have to clean it up to see if I can find a date code somewhere.

 

[kooldino]

Sandblast and restore!

 

[Cobra4B]

You sure it wasn't blue originally? It looks like that blue on the back is showing through the cracks in the gray.

 

[fatfillup]

Yes that box has character. Love the company name: Metal Box and Cabinet.

Nice find.

 

[Mickey O]

Mickey O, thanks for the pics, but I don't think mine was red. I pulled out one of the smaller drawers and it as very good gray paint on it that looks factory so I think that might be the original. This one looks a bit older than yours because of the handles, but I'm not sure on that either. I will have to clean it up to see if I can find a date code somewhere.

I don't think the handles would nail down the date as far as being older or not, the box I have was their "high end" box which might explain the different handles, I have some newer MBC boxes that have the same handles as yours. Maybe the bottom of the box or the inside of the cabinet would have some of the original paint. I bought NOS parts from a guy that used to sell the boxes and he did have touch up paint in gray (I didn't get any gray because all of mine are red) and red, so it could very well be they gray. Below is a picture illustrating where I found the information on my box that's similar to yours.

 

[jshillin]

I don't think the handles would nail down the date as far as being older or not, the box I have was their "high end" box which might explain the different handles, I have some newer MBC boxes that have the same handles as yours. Maybe the bottom of the box or the inside of the cabinet would have some of the original paint. I bought NOS parts from a guy that used to sell the boxes and he did have touch up paint in gray (I didn't get any gray because all of mine are red) and red, so it could very well be they gray. Below is a picture illustrating where I found the information on my box that's similar to yours.

Thanks again Mickey O... I cleaned up the bottom left corner and sure enough the info was there. The date code on it is 65. It looks like it was a ligher gray box and that it was painted over with blue and then a darker grey. I'll have to do some more cleaning on it before I can be sure though. I went through a lot of the sockets tonight and out of a couple hundred sockets all but about 25 were Made in USA!!

 

[arkangel06]

now thats a cool box

lot of sockets too you **** pending price

 

[jshillin]

now thats a cool box

lot of sockets too you **** pending price

I did OK on the price

Does anyone have an old catalog or something with original pics of one of these boxes? I'm not having any luck on google. I'm debating on whether or not I want to restore it or sell it. This makes 3 roller's for me, it is almost to nice and unique to get rid of, but at the same time I don't need it.

 

[Mickey O]

So I found out a little more about MBC boxes today. I went to look at a tool box that was on craig's list and I was BS-ing with the guy and MBC came up. Turns out I grew up not to far from the MBC plant. The guy said it was on Lake St. and Cicero, he was older than me and lived in the same neighborhood as I used to, we went to the same Catholic school (small world). He wasn't sure when they closed but he said he used to be affiliated with Snap On (not sure what that meant but he had the stuff to be) and that MBC made Snap On boxes, using Snap On dies, until they moved the box manufacturing to Iowa. He said MBC continued to use Snap On dies to make their own boxes and that Snap On had to sue them to get the dies back, I suppose that was probably around the time of their demise.

 

[jshillin]

I have been away for a while, but finally got around to giving this MBC Box some attention. When I got through the 3 -4 layers of paint I found that it was originally a light gray so I put it back to a light gray. This color is a few shades lighter, but I think it works well. Here's a couple quick pics.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Looks really good. I realize this is almost a year old, but any plans on selling the Wizard stuff if you've still got it?

 

[Canadian Charlie]

You did a great job restoring it. Wish I could find something like that out here.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

You did a great job.... colour is quite handsome. The more I see these older boxes w/ the drop down shade cover, the more I want one... it seems that the only companies that still make boxes w/ the covers are ze Germans.

 

[Even 11]

Looks great, now to find a top for it right?

-Dane

 

[mrholeshot]

Very very very nice!!!!!!!

 

[wrenchr]

Looks new, that door had to be a pain to sand and clean?

 

[tjackson]

Looks really good!