My Fathers Craftsman Tool box

[larrythedog]

I was hoping someone of this forum could help me. I just finished moving from southern California to north California. While cleaning out my shed and found my fathers Craftsman roll-a-way tool box from the 50s. I had forgotten about it after being stored in my shed almost 15 years. I really would like to restore this box to it original condition. Can anybody help me with the following?

1. What is the original color?
2. Does anybody have a picture of a similar box?
3. Can anybody tell me what model number this might be?
4. What year is this?

 

[bobemmerich]

Sorry I cant help with your questions, but I will say that is an awesome box. Good luck.

 

[930dreamer]

Can you remove a drawer and look underneath it for original paint color?

 

[wasupdu]

Sorry, can't help...but that is a great looking box. Call me crazy, but I'd keep it as is. Nice piece.

 

[Mmfh]

That is a very cool box, wish I knew the original color but I don't. Is there a panel that pulls out and down over the lower two drawers? I wondered if that pulled out might show some of the original color.

Good Luck! Very nice and cool way to remember Dad!

Mm

 

[onewaydave]

Yeah, that is a cool old box. I'd guess the 60s or so (emphasis on guess), Monitor colors are hard to decipher, maybe grey or gold. Like advised, look inside and under drawers and such for a better idea. Others will be along shortly with more specifics.

Dave.

 

[BigAl62]

If I remember correctly it should be silver hammertone (should be available at hardware store). As for year and model, sorry I can't help there. Very cool box BTW!

 

[Zeke]

Silver hammertone. And it's a deep silver, not the color of the usual silver metallic. I have the top box for that.

Well, maybe I don't as the handles are not the same and the badge is different. But mine is circa 1956.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

Its only original once. Don't repaint it!!

0000 steel wool, a little alcohol, gently rub it down, then some fine compound and wax it (no silicone products please!!)!!

You can always paint it if that doesn't make you happy...but you can never unpaint it.

Nice box!!!!

 

[vgarage]

Its only original once. Don't repaint it!!

0000 steel wool, a little alcohol, gently rub it down, then some fine compound and wax it (no silicone products please!!)!!

You can always paint it if that doesn't make you happy...but you can never unpaint it.

Nice box!!!!

Agree with Ric on trying to keep it original. Get it cleaned and back to full functionality but keep the aged patina and history in place.

 

[mgilde13]

My dad has two very similar to that one. One is a hammer tone as already stated. The other has the hammer tone on the drawers and the side and top is blue.

If you want to keep it orginal, you can spray on a 50/50 mix of CLR and water to remove the surface rust but keep the orginal patina. Spray it on, let sit for bit then wash it off with water. Test it in a small area first but it works great with minimal effort.

 

[bazzateer]

A great box! I'm so glad that everyone is saying keep the patina, so often I see cool old stuff being over-restored to 'better-than-new' condition and they end up looking like some over-shiney plasticky pastiche of the real thing..............................

 

[Capt Chrysler]

Kool! looks like an old Rem-Line that I have.


Capt. Chrysler

 

[magnusk750]

What is CLR?

 

[James Aiello]

I like things both ways. Restored and original. Something that your dad worked with for decades and made all those marks on it... Clean it.

Now I have a old Olds 455 that I got from my dad... Covered in crude... has a spun bearing and trashed crank. It's from a 74 98.(He gave me the car, my first) I'm planing on cleaning it up and painting like new, mounting it on a stand and putting it on display in the man cave or garage.. depends on if the wife is home at the time.

James

 

[James E]

Sorry I cant help with your questions, but I will say that is an awesome box. Good luck.

What he said!

I'm not on board with some of these guys. I'd like to see that box restored.

 

[Basskiller]

What is CLR?

http://www.jelmar.com/CLRbasic.htm

 

[Blackbomber]

Very nice box. Cleaned up original, or restored, make a thread or update this one. We'd love to see how it comes out.

I vote for cleaning it up, but wouldn't judge you for repainting, either.

 

[BigAl62]

What is CLR?

Calcium, Lime and Rust remover. You can get it at Walmart, Kmart or your local grocery store. Look in the cleaning product aisle (by the Pine Sol, Mr. Clean and such). It works good, just don't let it dry on the surface - it's a ***** to remove! (I just did this, boy do I feel stupid!)

 

[dumper]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35099. Here's another vintage CM box before and after a light cleanup.

 

[4Tigers]

Whether you go original cleaned up or restoration the best part is you have a cool box with family history!

like to see pics when you are done

 

[Red Leader]

Beautiful rolling tool chest.

When I have the budget for the garage, I'm going to get one of those and the top box that goes with it. I will restore it. There is nothing wrong with keeping as is, but there is something to be said about doing it justice and resurrecting a fine piece of Americana

 

[magnusk750]

Calcium, Lime and Rust remover. You can get it at Walmart, Kmart or your local grocery store. Look in the cleaning product aisle (by the Pine Sol, Mr. Clean and such). It works good, just don't let it dry on the surface - it's a ***** to remove! (I just did this, boy do I feel stupid!)

Send me a few bottles over the pond, will you

Found out it it mostly lactic acid, guess we must have something similar here, cool if it takes rust too.

 

[Carl B]

As I understand it:
"Original" means - as it left the factory. That tool box was NOT originally rusty. It is no longer "original" in the sense of how it looks today.

If a painted metal surface ages - resulting in a slight color change and loss of gloss - then that painted surface has developed an "aged patina"... "RUST" is never considered "patina" on any thing that was originally painted to begin with.

Strip it to bare metal and refinished it. With that much surface rust - most of its original patina of the paint has been destroyed anyway.

So if you don't eliminate the rust - it will simply continue to eat the metal.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[camarotoolman]

Maybe just paint the back and see how you like it.

 

[sbin]

I have a Craftsman hand tool box the same age and color.
Bought it at an estate sale and use it regularly.
Was adding to the "patina" last night working on a timing chain tensioner.

 

[onemore]

very nice, good luck with the project

 

[magnusk750]

As I understand it:
"RUST" is never considered "patina" on any thing that was originally painted to begin with.

So if you don't eliminate the rust - it will simply continue to eat the metal.



FWIW,
Carl B.

Who says rust can't be patina? Original, if I dare to say that word here, meaning of 'patina' is the green surface corrosion that occurs on copper, but I think the word have a wider meaning than that. Even wifes get some patina over the years

If oiled, with WD40, linseed oil or other thin oil and kept indoor it wont continue to rust. Rust is not a cancer or virus.

Still, owners choice what he does with his tool box.

 

[ClassicGMJunkie]

A spray bottle blasting with distilled white vinegar will disrupt the bond that is still holding the rust onto the metal. from there,it will keep the distressed paint's patina but not overly cleanse it. I would clear coat it after a rinse and dry, preserve the look and keep the damage from getting worse. awesome box regardless what you do !

 

[half_full]

I picked this one up from a CL ad this summer. Been meaning to post a pic. Guess now is a good time.

 

[Jeeprz!]

what about carefully removing a handle or two, the finish under the flanges of the handles could be as good as new because it wasnt exposed to the light or air if the handles are still tight.

 

[wornoutoldman]

My vote would be to preserve the patina as found. So yea I'd do the clr/clear coat thing. Sweet box whatever you choose.

 

[larrythedog]

Wow, I didn’t think I would get so many posts so soon. Thanks to all who have posted. I will make an attempt to clean up the box this weekend. I wouldn’t even think of repainting if it wasn’t for all the rust. I don’t remember it being quite so rusty when I stored it in the shed years ago. If the clean up doesn’t go well I’m thinking I'll just restore it. Either way I’ll post updates on my progress.

 

[premierplayer]

I think yours is a 50's box
remove a drawer and check the bottom for a color match, hammered silver I think

This one was my dads and a little earlier (40's), I toyed with the idea of restoring it, but chose not to, the memories are strong seeing it as we used it.

 

[larrythedog]

I picked this one up from a CL ad this summer. Been meaning to post a pic. Guess now is a good time.

Thats the color I see, only the drawers seem to be the Hammertone silverish/light blueish/grayish. Thanks for posting the pictures. It looks to be in good shape.

 

[larrythedog]

That is a very cool box, wish I knew the original color but I don't. Is there a panel that pulls out and down over the lower two drawers? I wondered if that pulled out might show some of the original color.

Good Luck! Very nice and cool way to remember Dad!

Mm

It does pull down, but the paints not much better.

 

[larrythedog]

I like things both ways. Restored and original. Something that your dad worked with for decades and made all those marks on it... Clean it.

Now I have a old Olds 455 that I got from my dad... Covered in crude... has a spun bearing and trashed crank. It's from a 74 98.(He gave me the car, my first) I'm planing on cleaning it up and painting like new, mounting it on a stand and putting it on display in the man cave or garage.. depends on if the wife is home at the time.

James

Both dad and me used this box for years. I always remember it being larger.

 

[larrythedog]

Can you remove a drawer and look underneath it for original paint color?

Yeah, that is a cool old box. I'd guess the 60s or so (emphasis on guess), Monitor colors are hard to decipher, maybe grey or gold. Like advised, look inside and under drawers and such for a better idea. Others will be along shortly with more specifics.

Dave.

I will check the bottom of the drawers this weekend.

what about carefully removing a handle or two, the finish under the flanges of the handles could be as good as new because it wasnt exposed to the light or air if the handles are still tight.

Thats a good idea.

 

[ZRX61]

Well shoot, I may as well throw mine in here.... 1954 model, $52.95 when new..

 

[ZRX61]

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