Newbie Tool Box questions.

[Blue Gator Six]

I am debating on whether to restore my Grandfathers tool box or to just clean it up and leave it the way it is. The reason that I am debating this is because I dont want to hurt the value of it. I don't need it and was probably going to sell it. It is a 1940 - 1950's model. I cant find any numbers to try and trace the year it was made, but he was a Buick mechanic in the 1940's and 50's. It is a Snap On but that is all I know. It is a two piece unit. Top and bottom box. Still in pretty good shape for its age. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DanCo]

Just clean it up as best as possible, you could always repaint it down the road. If you can post up pics we could help you with the age of the box.

 

[mrholeshot]

If the paint is in decent shape you may want too just clean it up

 

[Scout Driver]

Welcome to the Garage Journal. Yes, please post some pics. of the box. If it looks even halfways decent, I'd just give it a good cleaning and maybe some wax.

Scott

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Ok here are some pictures that I tried to take.

 

[mrholeshot]

It's already been repainted one (at least) so I say restore it.

 

[Scout Driver]

Another vote for repaint after seeing it.

Scott

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Ok, so has anybody ever done this before (I'm sure someone has). What is the best way to get the paint off, sanding or chemicals. How do you get the drawers out of the box totally? Any Idea what model it is and what it would be worth?

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Oh, and I almost forgot to ask. Where can I find a piture of this box new so I can match up the color and see if it had any other colors besides Snap On red? Thanks agaiin for all the input.

 

[Beerman]

How much were you hoping to get? That's a cool box, but I'm not sure what the collector's market is for toolboxes of that vintage.

Don't want to rain on your parade, but you might want to see how much you can sell it for, vs. how much time and effort it's going to take to clean up/restore it. There's probably someone here on this forum that'd be interested, except for having to shipped once purchased.

FWIW.


Beerman

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Well That's an idea, but it was my Grandfathers and I kind of want to fix it up and keep it at least until my Father passes away (hopefully that is along time) But then again I dont really have room for it. My other Grandfather had a much bigger Box and I have that one as well. Not selling that one (atleast not yet). That came full of tools. Mostly Snap on and Bluepoint. At some point I will sell some of the ones that I never will use. Just not sure what they are worth and I dont want ot over charge or get screwed in a deal. I need to do a little more research (which is why I joined this forum) first. here is a couple of pics of this one as well.

 

[Even 11]

I say go for the resto! put it back the way it once was, it looks pretty rough right now.

-Dane

 

[ZRX61]

My question is:

Do you have kids of your own?

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Yep two of them. Teenagers. Why do you ask that?

 

[Scout Driver]

Yep two of them. Teenagers. Why do you ask that?

Do the best job you can restoring the toolbox. Then you can pass it down to your kids someday.

Scott

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Unfortunately niether of my kids are interested in tools, or anything mechanical. So if I live long enough then I can pass all of my tools to my Grandchildren.
Nice pic of the International by the way. I'm tring to find a Scout in decent shape. I want a 1969 or 70 with a V8.

 

[Blue Gator Six]

And So it Begin's.......

Here what I have spent all day doing. Now I need to find a good media blaster. Anybody close to Richmond VA know anybody?

 

[premierplayer]

Keep the pics and progress post's coming.
I'm hoping to have some time this Fall/Winter to tackle a like project.
Thanks, and welcome to GJ.

 

[mrholeshot]

Oh, and I almost forgot to ask. Where can I find a piture of this box new so I can match up the color and see if it had any other colors besides Snap On red? Thanks agaiin for all the input.

It was the only color Snap-On had in that box.

It should be this color. This is a old Snap-On box I picked a few months back. It has the original paint. Just wish I had the top box to match. 40 dollars at a garage sale. I just had to put a caster wheel on it. I use it to keep porting supplies in (burrs, abrasive cartriges, arbors, etc. cool old box but not worth much

 

[mrholeshot]

Re: And So it Begin's.......

Here what I have spent all day doing. Now I need to find a good media blaster. Anybody close to Richmond VA know anybody?

Very cool!!! Keep the photos coming

 

[The Rider]

When I restored my old Snap-On box I used an angle grinder and an abrasive wheel.

Paint and rust comes right off, though it doesn't half create a lot of dust...

Before:

After:

 

[Blue Gator Six]

I'm sentimental I guess but I took the boxes and drawers to be blasted and Powder coated. This is costing me way more than what I had originally thought. But at least it will put a smile on my old mans face. So I guess that it will be handed down in the family since I'm putting so much more money than it is worth into it, I'm going to keep it. I will post pics when it is done.

 

[Blue Gator Six]

I pick this up tomorrow from the powder coaters and I will try and post pics tomorrow evening.

 

[Crizzle]

Looking forward to seeing it!

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Ok so I went and picked up the boxes today. I will tell you the good and the bad of it. First the good part. The powdercoating looks better than I could have painted. Everything went back together very easily. It is all clean and new. Ok here is the bad. Hinesight being 20/20 and all. Here is what I would do if I were doing it again. Get it hot tanked or blasted first, then bring it home and get all the little dings and dents out of it before even thinking about painting or powdercoating. The box would have turned out much better that way. I can see all the little stuff that I couldn't before and there was alot more work to be done. So it is what it is. Here are some pics.

Now All I need to do is find a new lock and finish hand painting the name plate.

 

[pipeyeti]

Looks great! not sure why you ever thought about getting rid of it. It goes great with your car.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

looks a hell of a lot better

 

[Canadian Charlie]

That box looks 100% better, wish someone would give me a used box.

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Thanks guys. I just wish I had saw all of the little dings and dents before it was done. But you live and you learn.

 

[airbuff101]

Re: And So it Begin's.......

Here what I have spent all day doing. Now I need to find a good media blaster. Anybody close to Richmond VA know anybody?

You should be able to sand it pretty throughly and quickly with a DA, either air or electric. Then primer and a couple cans of Snap On aerosol toolbox paint if they still offer the old colors. Something close if not. The old boxes were more Orangy then current.
The other possibility is a local Grave stone monument outfit. They have the large sandblasting rigs in use all the time and I have given them motorcycle parts and 20 bucks to blast the paint off. Might be a bit more for a toolbox..whe knows? Maybe a case of beer.
Just have to caution them that its NOT granite and to be a little gentle.

I have my Dad's 1949 Snappy top box and will be doing the same come spring. My son wants it in his shop.
Rob

 

[airbuff101]

Wow!
I guess you got all that done while I was typing my reply.
Very nice piece of family history you've got there now.
Rob

 

[kc-steve]

VERY NICE restoration! It even kinda disappears next to the car behind it, like a chameleon lizard.

Call the History Channel and see if ya can get your own TV show.

Steve

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Call the History Channel and see if ya can get your own TV show.

Steve

Now that would be nice. That would be a nice career change.

But it is what you can't see that bothers me. The pics don't show the dings and dents. Trust me there are alot of them.

 

[kursplat]

Now that would be nice. That would be a nice career change.

But it is what you can't see that bothers me. The pics don't show the dings and dents. Trust me there are alot of them.

the paint is new and makes it pretty, but it's the dents and such that remind you it was used and by whom...

 

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

That came out great. very nice restoration project

 

[Blue Gator Six]

the paint is new and makes it pretty, but it's the dents and such that remind you it was used and by whom...

Wow, That's kind of prophetic. Now I don't feels so bad about it. I like to make things perfect and strong and I'm very critical of my own work. But Man, that makes everything about better. Thanks.

 

[Rusty67]

Those boxes are bitchen. That top box is too cool for school !

Slap your kids for me. Tools are important and awesome. Even if you never really use them, knowing how to use tools creates a positive mind set towards all of lifes problems.

I wish my grandfather had been into tools. I'm building my collection from scratch. At least my dad bought some decent tools along the way so I don't have to buy everything from scratch, I can barrow a lot of his.

If I ever decide to have kids they will be getting some nice stuff....

 

[Handiest1]

Considering the sterility of your shop in the background, you probably want it painted! Boy good luck though. Getting super clean, (removing grease, etc.) will be a lot of work. Something like that is 99% prep anyway and you don't get the satisfaction till the end, but I'd paint it. I'd also try to stay away from doing the insides though. Better yet, have it chromed!! That would be awesome!

 

[Blue Gator Six]

Considering the sterility of your shop in the background, you probably want it painted! Boy good luck though. Getting super clean, (removing grease, etc.) will be a lot of work. Something like that is 99% prep anyway and you don't get the satisfaction till the end, but I'd paint it. I'd also try to stay away from doing the insides though. Better yet, have it chromed!! That would be awesome!

Where were you a month ago. Chroming would have been a good idea before I got it powdercoated. (Not trying to be a jerk but you should have read the whole post or atleast the end before commenting.) It is all good though. Now I just have to get me some more tools t put in it.

 

[Handiest1]

Sorry, like I said I'm new, and did not realize that there was much more to the thread. Lesson learned.