To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

My "Mac" Tool Box resto

Cameronl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
572
Location
Connecticut
I put Mac in quotes, because in an earlier thread, the consensus is that it probably isn't a Mac, but a MBC built unit made for another brand. I decided to honor the memory of the former owner, and replace his Mac Tools sticker.

Anyway, I picked up this top and bottom set at an estate sale for $25. :thumbup: Here are the before pics:
1003975e.jpg

1003977c.jpg


A lot of stripping... I experimented with various chemicals, sanding, wirebrushing... finally the best thing was sandblasting. Boy, that was fun! Then I primed with rattlecans. Finally, I tried my hand at painting with an air gun. Ugh, what a mess! Man, you have to seal off every square inch! :(

Put on some new handles, drawer liners and some custom made vintage Mac logo stickers (the small logo in the upper left is a magnet that came with the box), and she is just about done!
1004401y.jpg

1004405zm.jpg


It even came with a tool tote and two socket trays:
1004406h.jpg


Couple of things: I'm waiting on some new locks in the mail and will install them shortly.
Second, I painted the caster hardware then installed them before painting the bottom cabinet, then forgot to mask them before spraying, so the wheels are all red. I'll have to fix that.

Otherwise, it's ready to be put into service!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

chris fresh

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2011
Messages
1,519
Location
savannah ga
nice resto,i did an old snap-on awhile back and was very happy with it.it's identical to your bottom box and i'm always on the look out for the old 3 drawer and bottom compartment boxes.i converted my snap-on into a welding cart.the next box i find will be a dedicated paint station for my guns and supplies.

that box will last you forever,and it's great to see other people bringing back the old stuff instead of scrapping it.
 

E.T.Privott

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 30, 2011
Messages
126
DAMN...... BOY HOWDY, now that came out great !!! man o' man, now that's what you call a fine, fine, FINE tool box. man that looks sharp. you did a good job on it and the time shows in the great paint. i got a large mac tool box a few yr. back and had to fix the draws, repaint after fixing the acid burn down the front, new locks, new pull handles. after all that work i didn't let the paint finish drying and moved into the garage, one thing after another and now must redo the paint, after i fix the rust that's started coming though. hate to go back to my old set up of three upper/lower boxes to hold my tools but to get the boxes to look as good as these..... damn, yours came out nice !!! well i guess the two side boxes well match the big box after........ to many weeks of paint and body work!!!! damn, yours sure came out nice... really shows the time & effort, oh well, better get started........
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
C

Cameronl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
572
Location
Connecticut
If you were to do it again, would you say that that blaster would be the way to go?

Actually, best would be auto stripper for the big flat areas, then hit the nooks and crannies, and stubborn spots, with the blaster. Blaster was slow.
 
OP
C

Cameronl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
572
Location
Connecticut
What really didn't occur to me was just how friggin' much square footage of surface area there was! Inside and out side all drawers, outside of bottom box, outside and in the top of the top box... it all adds up!

I think I went through 8-10 cans of rattle can auto primer, and two quarts of enamel paint!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom