My first Snap-On

[pronator]

It’s vintage!

I’ve gotten a bit of toolbox fever since picking up this 3-drawer mid box:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473310

Which lead to this Disston rolling cart and top chest:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475203

And this weekend, I picked up a well-used 1981 KR-557C. I don’t have much room where I am (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473309) but the addiction does not care!

That said, I did get sign off from my better half. Still not sure if the cart being made the same year she was born helped or hurt my case. Then I borrowed some real estate in a friend’s garage to store the Snap-On for now. I likely won’t get a chance to start restoring it until summer since I need to finish the Disstons and Craftsman mid box.

Since this is my first Snap-On, can anyone point me to a resource on how to order replacement parts when I start restoring this box? I already know one of the friction slides/runners will need to be replaced; the drawer trims; and the end caps of the push handle are missing. Not sure if they warranty the casters or if those are considered consumable. I’m looking forward to cleaning up this box for myself.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

And now pictures...













Picked it on Craigslist for $150 in SF Bay Area.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

No longer a SnapOn virgin?
I think that is a good score.

 

[justanengineer]

Looks like a solid starting point. The rest is just time and love. Expect a bit of frustration but stick with it, that box will come alive again and be worth the effort. Congrats on the purchase and keep your eyes open for more deals, they’re definitely out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pronator]

No longer a SnapOn virgin?

I think that is a good score.

Happily not, cheers! [emoji482]

 

[pronator]

Looks like a solid starting point. The rest is just time and love. Expect a bit of frustration but stick with it, that box will come alive again and be worth the effort. Congrats on the purchase and keep your eyes open for more deals, they’re definitely out there.

Thanks, I’m feeling good about it and excited to apply the lessons from my current projects to the mobile cart. Appreciate the encouragement and advice!

I’ll eventually evolve this thread to a restoration log...

In the meantime, hoping to source details on how to order warrantied Snap-On replacement parts so everything’s in hand when it’s time to get started.

 

[Ralf11]

Just call 'em up and ask - the ladies on the phone are very nice and helpful.

 

[pronator]

Just call 'em up and ask - the ladies on the phone are very nice and helpful.

Good to know. And warranties are tied to the product, not the owner, right? I recall reading that on a thread: you didn’t have to be the original owner, just the current one.

 

[Bent Handle]

What are you trying to get warrantied? I’m not what’s originally warrantied. If I were purchasing that box I’d be expecting to pay for any parts.

 

[ScottsGT]

That was my first bottom box. My son has it now.

 

[nadogail]

May your “New to You” Snap On Box serve you for many years as you enjoy good health.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Enjoy your new box. I've got one of those in my home garage. Gave it a crappy re-paint, and it does very well.

Slides are still available, as is the set of wedges to remove them. Inspect the mounting rails for the slides carefully. If they're bent/cracked it's an issue. I was able to get some boogery MIG welds to stabilize what was left at the end of a few of the mounting rails. It's a home box, and will likely never be majorly loaded down.

 

[pronator]

Enjoy your new box. I've got one of those in my home garage. Gave it a crappy re-paint, and it does very well.

Slides are still available, as is the set of wedges to remove them. Inspect the mounting rails for the slides carefully. If they're bent/cracked it's an issue. I was able to get some boogery MIG welds to stabilize what was left at the end of a few of the mounting rails. It's a home box, and will likely never be majorly loaded down.

Thanks, that’s great to know. Unfortunately, the box is at a buddy’s house but I can stop by in the next few weeks or so and fully investigate. I haven’t removed the drawers. I did see that one of the drawers was sagging off a rail when I pulled them out before buying. Not sure if it’s missing a slide or if a rail is blown.

I am now curious about what the “set of wedges” are for removing the slides. I assumed they were friction slides and came off by sliding a slim Jim shim (trademark pending) between it and the rails. Tell me more!

 

[pronator]

What are you trying to get warrantied? I’m not what’s originally warrantied. If I were purchasing that box I’d be expecting to pay for any parts.

I was hoping to get the end caps for the cart handle, some drawer trims, and possibly drawer slides depending on if it’s the slide or rail that’s busted on one or the drawers.

I guess that’s part of my question is finding out what’s warrantied vs what’s not.

 

[pronator]

That was my first bottom box. My son has it now.

That’s awesome! I hope he’s enjoying it.

 

[pronator]

May your “New to You” Snap On Box serve you for many years as you enjoy good health.

Thanks, nadogail - cheers!

 

[Bent Handle]

I was hoping to get the end caps for the cart handle, some drawer trims, and possibly drawer slides depending on if it’s the slide or rail that’s busted on one or the drawers.

I guess that’s part of my question is finding out what’s warrantied vs what’s not.

I’d be curious what they say. I would consider myself lucky if all they did was replace the drawer slides if it were me. The other items certainly shouldnt be warrantied, it’s not their fault someone busted up the trim and handle caps on the box.

 

[Bent Handle]

Sorry, I’m bowing out of this thread...good luck with the box. Right or wrong, Apparently it rubs me the wrong way someone would purchase a box like that and expect a warranty of any kind.

 

[pronator]

Sorry, I’m bowing out of this thread...good luck with the box. Right or wrong, Apparently it rubs me the wrong way someone would purchase a box like that and expect a warranty of any kind.

No worries, but I didn’t mean to offend. I’m expecting to pay for missing parts like the end caps and consumables like the caster wheels. Likely the drawer trims, too, since those are customizable updates.

That said, my expectation of Snap-On warrantying their boxes comes directly from the threads on this forum. Part of my request for guidance is specifically about what is and isn’t under warranty. Does it matter if I’m not the original owner? Etc. I’m acknowledging that I don’t know much about the process since this is my first (and likely only) SO and I’m not a pro. Happy to be dispelled of my incorrect notions and learn what’s what.

Ultimately, I would’ve purchased this box regardless. It’s got a great extended work surface, lots of drawers, and a solid frame. It’ll definitely require some parts. Just trying to find out what’s covered and what’s not.

 

[pronator]

I’d be curious what they say. I would consider myself lucky if all they did was replace the drawer slides if it were me. The other items certainly shouldnt be warrantied, it’s not their fault someone busted up the trim and handle caps on the box.

Oh, I missed this reply. I definitely misspoke. I consider the handle caps and drawer trims replacement parts to order for sure. You and I agree there. If there’s a busted slide, I’d hope they could replace it but yeah, I should’ve been more clear about what I wanted to order as replacement parts that I pay for out of pocket vs finding out what was covered under warranty. Apologies.

 

[pronator]

After I brought the tool cart to my friend’s place, I couldn’t open the drawers. I thought the owner locked the drawers before we loaded it into the truck, but when I emailed him, he said he left the key in the top drawer. (I can hear it in there.)

He said the same thing happened to him when he brought the cart home originally. I laid it down on the truck bed, with the drawer fronts pointing up to the sky. The transport was less than ten miles and mostly freeway.

I’ve since given it a few yanks, some jiggles, a couple of lift-and-drops, and several more yanks. Nothing has budged and I’m still unable to open any of the drawers.

Any ideas?

 

[ptschram]

That said, my expectation of Snap-On warrantying their boxes comes directly from the threads on this forum. Part of my request for guidance is specifically about what is and isn’t under warranty. Does it matter if I’m not the original owner? Etc. I’m acknowledging that I don’t know much about the process since this is my first (and likely only) SO and I’m not a pro. Happy to be dispelled of my incorrect notions and learn what’s what.

The warranty states that lifetime warranty is extended to the original purchaser who bought it through authorized distribution channels and that ultimately, the decision to warranty or not is up to the discretion of Snap-on and the servicing dealer.

Also, per the warranty, proof of purchase indicating when, where, and by whom is required.

Now, the real world.

If it is lifetime, you should be able to get parts-IF they are not obsolete-and I'm pretty sure you're not gonna find much available, but i've been wrong before.

Again, the real world-if parts are available and the warranty code says lifetime, you'll get parts warrantied. If your franchisee refuses to warranty something that bears a lifetime warranty code, he/she is in for a world of hurt! Snap-on tells franchisees to NEVER question warrnaty replacements.

My business manager didn't even like it when I'd exclaim "How did you break THAT?" as he said it appeared to be challenging.

That said, I only once refused a toolbox warranty. I was in a Wal-Mart parking lot getting groceries when this snot-nosed kid jumped on the truck and told me I was going to replace his toolbox under warranty...

Of course, being the Snap-on guy in a small town, in the Wal-mart parking lot, I had a truck full.

Then the kid told me I needed to replace it because it fell out of his pickup as he was zooming away from a shop where he'd been fired/quit!

Yeah, the truck erupted with laughter when I told him to get out of my truck before I threw him out like his toolbox out of his pickup!

 

[Ralf11]

The other thing is that parts may be inexpensive - the ratchet repair kits are. I called Snappy for one, and the nice lady asked if I bought it on a truck; I said probably, reeled off a list of places I'd worked, mentioned it could be mail order purchase, then said I also buy off of ebay, and asked her how much the repair kit was. $10. So I just gave her a credit card, even though she was saying they'd send it out free.

I figure you are paying up front for several things. The decent thing to do would be to buy any parts you need, considering how you got the box. or, just ship it to me.

 

[c7z06]

I believe I have an identical roll-away, or at least very close to it. I don't have the shelf, and had to remove the handle on the right to fit it in its little parking place.

 

[pronator]

The warranty states that lifetime warranty is extended to the original purchaser who bought it through authorized distribution channels and that ultimately, the decision to warranty or not is up to the discretion of Snap-on and the servicing dealer.

Also, per the warranty, proof of purchase indicating when, where, and by whom is required.

Now, the real world.

If it is lifetime, you should be able to get parts-IF they are not obsolete-and I'm pretty sure you're not gonna find much available, but i've been wrong before.

Again, the real world-if parts are available and the warranty code says lifetime, you'll get parts warrantied. If your franchisee refuses to warranty something that bears a lifetime warranty code, he/she is in for a world of hurt! Snap-on tells franchisees to NEVER question warrnaty replacements.

My business manager didn't even like it when I'd exclaim "How did you break THAT?" as he said it appeared to be challenging.

Thanks! This is really helpful info! Since the box is going on 40 years, I’d be happy to know any parts I need to replace are still available.

May I ask what a lifetime warranty code is? Would that be on the receipt? Or stamped into the box?

 

[pronator]

The other thing is that parts may be inexpensive - the ratchet repair kits are. I called Snappy for one, and the nice lady asked if I bought it on a truck; I said probably, reeled off a list of places I'd worked, mentioned it could be mail order purchase, then said I also buy off of ebay, and asked her how much the repair kit was. $10. So I just gave her a credit card, even though she was saying they'd send it out free.

I figure you are paying up front for several things. The decent thing to do would be to buy any parts you need, considering how you got the box. or, just ship it to me.

Good to know, thanks! I’ll need to sort out opening the drawers to get a better look at the busted rail to get a better idea of the issue: the rail or guide. Then inventory all the parts and bits that will be needed before I give them a call.

Or I can just just ship it to you, right? [emoji6]

 

[pronator]

I believe I have an identical roll-away, or at least very close to it. I don't have the shelf, and had to remove the handle on the right to fit it in its little parking place.

That’s a nice setup and looks much newer *and* nicer than mine. Is yours about 27” wide? This one is 36” without the side table tray, and 37” wide with the handle.

 

[c7z06]

That’s a nice setup and looks much newer *and* nicer than mine. Is yours about 27” wide? This one is 36” without the side table tray, and 37” wide with the handle.

Sorry for the delay in responding. Mine is 27" wide without the handle. I bought the roll-away and box together used about 20 years ago for $1,000.