My Inheritance

[slob]

This was my grandfather's toolbox. He was an airplane mechanic, then worked for an Olds dealership, and then opened his own service station. He died in 1964. The box was then passed to my uncle, who took over the business. That uncle transferred the business to my other uncle who gave the box to me when he retired a few years ago.

It's a Snap-on K-60.

The contents are a mishmash of Bonney, Herbrand, S-K, Snap-on, J.H. Williams, Cornwell, Hinsdale, Plomb, and others. This is just a small portion of what was inside.

 

[Hiball]

Very cool!!!

 

[canuckian]

that's a nice item to inherit for sure. Those boxes are becoming increasingly hard to find and the fact that it was your Grandfather's makes this one and the tools in it all the more special.

 

[BoostAddiction]

More than the stuff, the value to me is the heritage.

You can get tools anywhere.

But these are ones your family members used to earn their living, and build this country. That's what is neat about them, to me.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

That box is awesome, love it!

 

[SweetD]

Super cool - welcome to GJ.

Dave

 

[2oolhound]

Good family you're from. Often one of the uncles will pass this stuff off for a few bucks to the highest bidder. What a beauty!

 

[JC23]

As much as I like painting old boxes like that, I'd just clean that one up reall good and smile at it a lot as it sat there.

Good memories, indeed!

 

[rsanter]

I would restore the thing and clean up the tools
then I would put it in my house like you would a piece of furnature
and put the tools back in it
great conversation piece

bob

 

[slob]

Thanks guys. Been lurking here a few weeks. I've already found this place to be a valuable resource.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

never ever paint or restore that box , you would be wiping off grampa's fingerprints

the pretty paint lobby here is sometimes out of hand

 

[slob]

It's staying just the way it is. I would like to find a proper roll cab to put it on, though.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

very high priced red kap stuff

 

[Scout Driver]

never ever paint or restore that box , you would be wiping off grampa's fingerprints

the pretty paint lobby here is sometimes out of hand

Agreed. That's a very cool box, especially with its history.

Scott

 

[torqueman2002]

I love it! Never seen one like that!

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice toolbox.

 

[oldgoat]

Cool box and if it was something I'd picked up at a sale I probably would consider redoing it, but in this case with the family heritage behind it I wouldn't touch it. Nice that you was able to have it passed on to you.

 

[SweetD]

never ever paint or restore that box , you would be wiping off grampa's fingerprints

the pretty paint lobby here is sometimes out of hand

Could not agree more...

 

[luv2diy]

very cool!

 

[balane]

If that toolbox could talk I bet it could tell a lot of very interesting stories... probably heard a lot of swear words in its day too.

Very nice legacy item there.

 

[jabberwoki]

As they say on the antiques road show "You sir have a national treasure"
Super cool cause it was your grandads!

 

[WhiteTrash]

That, Sir, is a **** box.

 

[american lockpicker]

Thats awesome!!! Old tools are the best.

 

[toolmiser]

You can alway's "restore" it, but you won't be able to bring it back to this stage.

 

[91bronc300]

That's a dang cool box. It looks more like a machinist style box to me than a mechanic's box. My opinion, I would probably clean it up a LITTLE bit, just to get the dirt off it. And maybe put some Boeshield T9 or something on it.

What are those strange looking pincers in the upper right of the fourth photo? Aviation related probably? I can't think of what they might be for just by looking at them.

 

[therealwormey]

Cool box and if it was something I'd picked up at a sale I probably would consider redoing it, but in this case with the family heritage behind it I wouldn't touch it. Nice that you was able to have it passed on to you.

i agree,keep it real. sometimes old stuff should look old. a restore would take away character.cool that you ended up with it

 

[MartyO]

Awesome!

Simply awesome!!

 

[mcmlvif100]

Not sure I would even clean it up. Have my Dad's SO cart / chest and tools. Feels good to open it up and see everything just the way he left it. Even smells good - combination of years of use, grease, oil and a little Saskatchewan farm dirt.

He had many specialty tools that I don't have in my collection. Subtle reminder that I have a long way to go before I'll be the mechanic that he was.

 

[Flatland Dave]

Very cool.

I would give my left nut to have anything from either of my grandfathers.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

A truly awesome box and tools.

Great to keep that family history !

Rob

 

[Thumper]

That my friend..........is a true piece of history......your family history and heritage.......be proud and keep it safe. Men like him will never walk amongst us again.

Oh and to whoever asked about the "pincers" in the upper right hand corner....those are brake spring pliers.

 

[GreenGooey]

Very nice! I love the curves.

 

[Doxhog]

Very cool. Your grandfather is smiling and watching over you.

 

[briandrex]

I would restore the thing and clean up the tools
then I would put it in my house like you would a piece of furnature
and put the tools back in it
great conversation piece

bob

I think you read my mind Bob. Whether fully restored or just cleaned up real nice. I'd bring that into the house and make it a center piece. The wife might think otherwise, but if there are enough tools in it to weight it down, how's she gonna move it?

Thanks for sharing this and reminding us what helped build this country. Time to get back to basics. Hard work, integrity and honesty.

 

[whelenfan]

looks awesome and I love the background story with it. I might clean it a bit and use that the way it is. I like the little box drawers on the sides.

 

[Griff93]

That's cool. Thanks for sharing it with us. I'd vote for maybe clean it up a bit and leave it alone. It has character as it sits.

 

[littletoes]

Awesome! Keep that Tradition alive. When you go, leave it to a Family member that will USE it! Perhaps a son of your own.

What would I do??? I'd restore it.....you can't tell me Your old Grand-Pappy wouldn't smile if he could see that thing SHINE.

 

[littletoes]

Sorry folks......tools were meant to be used.

I have very few tools that were left/given to me by anyone, in fact I can't think of one....but I do have quite a few Plumb wrenches at work that are old, but work great. Haven't broken one of them yet, and they still fit nuts well. Broken a Wright, and Williams, but none of the Plumb stuff.

The only time this stuff will be put "up" is when it breaks....then it will go in the scrap can, but I'll remember how good it was, just hope it gets replaced with something as well made. Guess that's My job?

***Need to add, IF you restore it, its more likely to get "used" or "saved" then thrown in the scrap heap by one of your family members. Guaranteed.

 

[91bronc300]

Oh and to whoever asked about the "pincers" in the upper right hand corner....those are brake spring pliers.

Oh ok. Thanks. Just couldn't figure out what would need to be shaped like that.