Old Craftman toolbox identify

[madison069]

I got this toolbox for $40 along with all of the tools in it.

Appears it used to be a machinist toolbox so a lot of the tools in there I'm not familiar. So I'll be sorting out the tools as I go. But this tool box looks to be in good shape and I thought why not freshen it up some with a good coat of paint. I was curious what it use to be like originally along with how do you get the drawers out?

The tools,

 

[FJ 432]

First off you ****! Great score.

Im not sure that you can call this a machinist's box. I believe these were made for Sears by Waterloo. They made a similar box for Remline. My guess is late 50's into the 60's.

I would keep that original and not paint.

 

[rusty65]

Nice score! If I'm not mistaken the box was probably made from around 56-63 just a rough guess but I bet the grey is the original paint and the box looks to be in great shape for its age as well. And to take out the doors pry the metal tab out wards and pull the drawer forward and there should be one on both sides of the drawer and both have to be pushed to get the drawer out. Here is a picture for demo on my Waterloo made box.

 

[madison069]

First off you ****! Great score.

Im not sure that you can call this a machinist's box. I believe these were made for Sears by Waterloo. They made a similar box for Remline. My guess is late 50's into the 60's.

I would keep that original and not paint.

Thanks for the suckage!

Actually what I meant was it was used by a machinist. A lot of drill bits, a few precise measuring tools. Lots of sharping stones and metal stocks like he used to make keys and what not.

I'm going to clean it up and go through it. The drawers seems to work good but sticks so I'm thinking a good cleaning and proper lubrication will get it in good shape again. After cleaning it I'll decide if I want to paint it or leave it.

 

[FJ 432]

Red leader has one similar:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103099&highlight=craftsman+garage&page=74

 

[nine4gmc]

Great price, nice box and a lot of tools to sort!!!

 

[jeffmoss26]

That's some definite suckage!

 

[bluebolt]

Yea you ****.

Look in that top compartment, the little section on far left. May be a date code there. Would be like 10-58 for October 1958

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep late 50's or so, possibly as early as mid 50's for that one with 6 drawers (the 10 drawer versions Red Leader and I have came later).

The paint is original, and Rustoleum hammered grey is a close if not exact match if you decide to re-paint. (I've done a 5 drawer bottom (exterior made your look new....) and feathered the paint into the near virgin interior, and could not tell where one started or the other stopped)

Drawer removal:

pull one out all the way note the hole in the slide. Push it back in VERY SLIGHTLY. (This unloads the spring catch)

Use a small something to push down on the spring catch under the hole, then slide the slide back repeat on the other side; you are out.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice score! If I'm not mistaken the box was probably made from around 56-63 just a rough guess but I bet the grey is the original paint and the box looks to be in great shape for its age as well. And to take out the doors pry the metal tab out wards and pull the drawer forward and there should be one on both sides of the drawer and both have to be pushed to get the drawer out. Here is a picture for demo on my Waterloo made box.

Rusty, these are not Waterloo boxes. they may have been either beach, Huot or Remline (Most of us are leaning Remline due to the similar drawer pulls)

 

[madison069]

THanks for the tip!

I'm going to Lowes today to pick up some grub worm control and I think I'll pick up a bottle of CLR and some hammerrite paint for the box.

 

[madison069]

A little update, did some cleaning but still got a lot to go, keep getting interrupted....

Bottom one was cleaned on the face and the handles got a little treatment,

The worst of the tool box,

Just a before shot of the side handles.

 

[madison069]

Oh and I've searched Lowes and Walmart and none of them have the Grey Hammered rustoluem paint!!

Might have to order them.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

I have a kennedy tool box that looks just like that except for the color. Mine is painted a wrinkle finish flat red.

Gort.

 

[nine4gmc]

Oh and I've searched Lowes and Walmart and none of them have the Grey Hammered rustoluem paint!!

Might have to order them.

Maybe check home depot. We have it at all those and some of the ace stores I went to, Oreilly, Autozone and Advance sometimes have it in Krylon. I use the Rustoleum personally.

 

[Outlawmws]

Maybe check home depot. We have it at all those and some of the ace stores I went to, Oreilly, Autozone and Advance sometimes have it in Krylon. I use the Rustoleum personally.

This ^^^

 

[RustFarmer]

OP, your Craftsman tool box was made for Sears by the Advertising Metal Display Company of Chicago, IL. AMD Co also made some PowrKraft boxes for Wards, and their own brand RemLine. A common feature are the drawers that close flush with the front of the box. RemLine was later its own company located in Yorkville, IL. Not sure if this was a corporate name change, or a sale or spinoff by AMD of its toolbox business. RemLine advertising in the 1970's made note of their flush design and how it allowed for deeper drawers within the same footprint.

On the inside of the drawer, behind the craftsman logo, you may find a stamp for AMD.

 

[madison069]

OP, your Craftsman tool box was made for Sears by the Advertising Metal Display Company of Chicago, IL. AMD Co also made some PowrKraft boxes for Wards, and their own brand RemLine. A common feature are the drawers that close flush with the front of the box. RemLine was later its own company located in Yorkville, IL. Not sure if this was a corporate name change, or a sale or spinoff by AMD of its toolbox business. RemLine advertising in the 1970's made note of their flush design and how it allowed for deeper drawers within the same footprint.

On the inside of the drawer, behind the craftsman logo, you may find a stamp for AMD.

Funny you say that! I was working on it some and found the stamp inside the wide drawer with the logo stating the the AMD!

 

[ZRX61]

I have a rollaway with the exact same drawer pulls that was dated 1954. The pulls on mine looked like the handles on the side of yours. I bead blasted em & then look great now with a slightly satin chrome finish

 

[jakemac]

The box I'm working on has the same side handles (they appear on several mftr's boxes from the 50's(?) to the mid 70's.

Mine are/were rusting. I am soaking them over-night in CLR. After testing one in a soak for an hour I dumped the rest in, the rust was wiping off like mud. The finish will only need a light polish and oiling to pretty it up after that. (I hope)

 

[J HAV]

Make sure to take that GE sticker off... It will make the box spontaneously combust lol... Nice score!

 

[madison069]

Are ya'll removing the hardware?

I've been striping the paint and rust off slowly since it was too far gone to just clean and polish.

Here is tonight's results,

The back was the only good section really along with the bottom.

Still got some work to do before its ready for paint!

 

[Outlawmws]

I mask and paint around the handles, since the proper rivets are near impossible to source.

 

[madison069]

I'll tell you another thing that's hard to source, that's grey hammerrite paint! LOL

I've tried Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot, Advance Auto, Napa, Busy Beaver and none of these has that color paint. They all got silver and I'm leaning toward silver hammered paint now.....I'm going to see if Tractor Supply or Auto Zone has it next.

 

[egnorant]

Tractor Supply might have some. Also see if there is a Sherwin Williams store or other paint supplier in your area.

Bruce

 

[Outlawmws]

Amazon?

The silver is dramatically different that the grey...

 

[madison069]

I finally found it at Home Depot, so I picked up 5 cans just incase!! LOL

 

[nine4gmc]

You'll probably need more

 

[madison069]

Oddly I think you might be right, cause I thought about some other things I can paint with this color!

 

[madison069]

A little bit of progress today,

pretty close to the original finish! Thanks for the tip guys!

Now to let it all dry and then I need to clear the handles.

 

[Outlawmws]

Getting these out in the sun to "bake" for a few days can really help the paint cure harder. if its just too cold, you may want to try some heat lamps, but I think the sun's UV helps.

 

[madison069]

I'll set it out when I get off work tomorrow. Don't feel comfortable leaving it out all day incase it rains or something.

Here it is back together.

I've already had to touch it up damn silicone on the track wasn't dry and it dripped down the front.

 

[madison069]

Oh and that left upper drawer sits crooked, enough to notice but not enough to hit the bottom drawer when pulling in and out.

 

[Mavawreck]

Looks great!

 

[CraftsmanMatt]

Hey dose anyone know what key fits these boxes I can only find blurry images I have a 50s version of this 7 drawer trying to identify the key.

 

[bonneyman]

Great job! Worthy of admittance to the Hall of Restored Toolboxes!

 

[yatg]

Hey dose anyone know what key fits these boxes I can only find blurry images I have a 50s version of this 7 drawer trying to identify the key.

Have a similar larger box. My lock is broken, but looks like it only locks the buckle, not the lid mechanically as on modern boxes. No identifying info on my key. If there was any, its worn off now. Don't know if all keys were the same.

 

[alinc100]

Hey dose anyone know what key fits these boxes I can only find blurry images I have a 50s version of this 7 drawer trying to identify the key.

Have a similar larger box. My lock is broken, but looks like it only locks the buckle, not the lid mechanically as on modern boxes. No identifying info on my key. If there was any, its worn off now. Don't know if all keys were the same.

These are Excelsior locks they have keys available usually a 3 digit on the front face of the lock 4XX or possibly 4 digit KYxx

 

[yatg]

These are Excelsior locks they have keys available usually a 3 digit on the front face of the lock 4XX or possibly 4 digit KYxx

421 hiding under the rust. Thanks.

 

[alinc100]

421 hiding under the rust. Thanks.

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