New/old carry box project

[Billy Jack]

Had a friend stop by with a truckload of scrap from cleaning out an old garage. While shootin' the breeze, one of the pieces got my attention:

I always keep a small collection of assorted tools in my trunk and at 14x7x7 inches, this looks like a perfect size to replace my current box.

It had a bunch of assorted tools inside, mostly scrap, but one in particular I'll mention later. Here's a pic of the inside:

I'm thinking of de-rusting the trays, then coating with POR-15 or Eastwood Rust Encapsulator to preserve it. The outside will get a good scrubbing with an abrasive pad, then covered with a flat clear to preserve the patina. I've got to find or fab a matching handle and repair or replace the latch hardware. I'm debating about keeping the vintage UAW sticker on just for character. I have no history, but judging from UAW Local 591, it likely relates to the days when the Greater Pittsburgh Airport was a large USAir hub.
It's not a particularly well made piece with no brand visible, but I just think it's a cool piece to keep. Whadaya think guys? Is it worth the investment in time just for the cool factor?

I mentioned earlier there were a few good pieces among the junk in the box and here's one that caught my attention:

The stampings read: Herbrand 33-7 Fremont O USA.
In addition to the regular slip-joint function, there's also some decent wire cutters. The jaw tips are really unusual. One jaw has has some ridges across the jaws, while the opposite has a crosshatch pattern. After a good cleaning and something to preserve the rusted spots, I think these earn a spot in the trunk box with their versatility.

Thanks for looking. I'm a newbie here, but not a newbie to old tools, so comments or ideas are welcome.

Bill

 

[woody 73]

Hi, Billy Jack sorry no help with the tool box but...

I can tell you about your pliers so pull up a chair.

Herbrand 33-7 Cutting and gripping pliers H-12487 length 7" All around general use pliers, powerful gripping jaws, side cutters, forged from alloy steel, blued finish with heads polished; around the early to mid 1960's.

So how is that one out of two questions answered ain't to shabby...

 

[454ragtop]

Looking at the trays, looks more like a fishing tackle box to me.

 

[3baygarage]

I think the box is a Union Steel brand. Union Steel Chest Corp.

My first box was. May have been for tackle as 454 said, idk, but they are are good sturdy boxes.

 

[Billy Jack]

Thank you, Woody! That was extremely informative!
My memories of Herbrand Tools were from the 60's, when many of the parts stores had their tools on display on the walls behind the counters. If you were in the middle of a job and needed something like a pair of snap-ring pliers, they were available right away locally and were pretty decent quality. These impressed me with the two different jaw finishes, integral cutters and, most importantly the narrow nose. I don't care for the usual big round nose on most slip-joint pliers. I've got all the pliers I need in my garage, but these definitely earned a spot in my trunk box.

Thanks again.

Bill

 

[fowldarr]

As far as preserving the box, I say go for it. It may not have anymore value when you are done, but if you plan on keeping it then it doesn't matter. I have a couple in my collection for that very reason. I liked them, so I cleaned them up and set them aside. Now my son uses one of them, which made the investment worth it.

 

[FJ 432]

What I'm really thinking is that you need to sell me that intermediate Snap on box.

 

[Billy Jack]

What I'm really thinking is that you need to sell me that intermediate Snap on box.

Sorry FJ, but for that you're gonna have to show up at my funeral and talk to my wife or kids. My late father was a mechanic when I was a kid in the 50's. Eventually he became a dealer Service Manager, but spent his weekends on friends and relatives cars, so he kept up on his tool collection. When he knew his time was short, we had some late-night discussions about distributing his tools. Since I already had a Snap On cabinet I had purchased in the early 80's, his 50's boxes went to one of the grandsons, but that two-drawer middle cabinet stayed with me. Every Father's Day, I remove the hardware and give the outside a good polishing.

I think the box is a Union Steel brand. Union Steel Chest Corp.

Thank you for the info, 3bay! You pointed me in the right direction.
Google images agrees with you. I did some research and USCC made these through 1953, at which time they sold out to Sears. Intended to be a Tackle box, it's not very heavy duty, but will serve my purposes fine. It's just going to stay in the trunk with a modest assortment of hand tools for a possible roadside repair or, more importantly, just peace of mind. My newer cars make it a lot easier to stock tools, since everything is metric. In the under-bed storage compartment of my '87 El Camino, the road box is more than twice the size, since I have to carry both US and Metric sockets and wrenches.

Bill

 

[Zeeman]

I have a fishing tackle box very similar to that one somewhere. It was my grandfather's.
That rust does not look bad at all. If you want to paint it, just sand the rust off, prime and paint.