Old tool box purchase

[traction]

Hi, I am new here but already love this place. Tons of great info.

After seeing a few posts about buying old tool boxes and fixing them up I figured I would give it a shot. I bought a really cheap beat up old box to practice on first before I spend more money on a vintage higher end box.

My question is: Any idea which brand these two are? I need a lock and a slide for one of the drawers.


I paint cars for fun but don't have much time for that right now with a 14 month old son running around. I figure this would be fun for him and I to play with and not be as time consuming.

My plan is to DA this one down on the good spots and wire brush/naval jelly the really bad ones. I might go all out with epoxy primer, chromabase base and clear....or not.

 

[sk farmer]

the top may be an older waterloo. the bottom no clue, nice rounded corners though. that bottom will look sweet restored

 

[T56 Impala]

First off.... WELCOME!

I think the top box is Snap On. Not sure about the bottom. Either way that is going to be a very nice box when you get done. DOn't skimp and do it right. There may be no resale value to an older box like that, but it sure could last you, and your son, for MANY years to come. Saving old stuff like that is saving history.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[traction]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I paid twenty dollars for the two boxes.

I wouldn't be surprised if the they were higher quality...even in the condition they are in the drawers still slide like they are brand new...heck they are a lot better than the new cheap craftsman friction slides.

Any ideas on where to look to confirm if this is a Waterloo or Snap On?

I will most likely end up doing this one right...I refuse to take the easy route when I am showing my son how to do things.

 

[sk farmer]

patience, somebody will give you a more reliable answer. i would guess within 24hrs. if not then nobody knows. these look fairly easy to id though.

 

[Atlascycle]

the bottom looks like a really old snap on that one of our tool makers has.

Jason

 

[traction]

On the bottom box there is a riveted plate on the third drawer. I used some diluted thinner to try and clean it up but it is hard to read....the handles have a picture on them though.

 

[zuspiel]

Welcome, traction! As skf said, somebody here should be able to ID it with some degree of certainty.

I'm also for "doing it right". Those boxes will last for a long time. If you do it right, you won't have to worry about them for another 20 years...

 

[traction]

Found the bottom one online...it is a Rem Line.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Hi, I am new here but already love this place. Tons of great info.

After seeing a few posts about buying old tool boxes and fixing them up I figured I would give it a shot. I bought a really cheap beat up old box to practice on first before I spend more money on a vintage higher end box.

My question is: Any idea which brand these two are? I need a lock and a slide for one of the drawers.


I paint cars for fun but don't have much time for that right now with a 14 month old son running around. I figure this would be fun for him and I to play with and not be as time consuming.

My plan is to DA this one down on the good spots and wire brush/naval jelly the really bad ones. I might go all out with epoxy primer, chromabase base and clear....or not.

Looks to be in poor shape and it pissed itself. Poor old thing.. bring it back to life!

 

[traction]

Lol. I almost spit my lunch out. Awesome.

 

[fatfillup]

Lol. I almost spit my lunch out. Awesome.

That will happen often here

Welcome and keep us posted on the progress of your boxes, we live for that stuff.

Now for the warning: Run as fast and as far as you can and never visit this site again. It is inhabited by a degenerate group of tool addicts that will **** you in and the addiction has no cure. You'll be going to flea markets, yard sales and auctions, end up tool rich and cash poor. But other than that, its a great bunch of folks.

 

[Rusty Kustoms]

I am 100% positive the bottom is an old wards power kraft, I have one that is almost the same, just a few extra drawers.

 

[traction]

I was cleaning the red one up and I found inside the top it has "Made in the USA" over the number 77.

Rusty, I did clean off the badge on the bottom box and it definitely says Rem Line in cursive. Maybe Rem Line made the Wards version?

 

[Underdog]

I have a red one like the top box , mine is New Brittan, I don't know if they made it or if its rebaged?

 

[old salvage]

I was cleaning the red one up and I found inside the top it has "Made in the USA" over the number 77.

Rusty, I did clean off the badge on the bottom box and it definitely says Rem Line in cursive. Maybe Rem Line made the Wards version?

77 is the year it was made. A couple of years ago I posted a similar box from 73. I cant find the thread but heres the pic of it.....

 

[Uncle Buck]

77 is the year it was made. A couple of years ago I posted a similar box from 73. I cant find the thread but heres the pic of it.....

I have one just like it as well. I like mine, it is rough as hell and really needs repainted bad. There it is on the right side of the bench overflowing with most of my specialty tools.

 

[old salvage]

I have one just like it as well. I like mine, it is rough as hell and really needs repainted bad. There it is on the right side of the bench overflowing with most of my specialty tools.

Yup. Yours looks even more like Tractions box than mine.
On top you guys have 2 wide drawers and a narrow one in the middle. Mine has 2 narrow on either side and a wide one in the center. Also where the side is folded over to meet the front (front top), the fold over is flat on yours. On mine its rounded. I bet they are same mfg though.
Your bench and shop in general are awsome by the way.

 

[vssjim]

Top box is Waterloo bottom box is RemLine, the draw pulls were on Warterloo's in the sixties and seventies. That logo on the bottom box drawer pull looks like the RemLine logo from the same time frame as Waterloo top box. My father has a box like the top we gave him in the late seventies with those chrome sheetmetal draw pulls.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Yup. Yours looks even more like Tractions box than mine.
On top you guys have 2 wide drawers and a narrow one in the middle. Mine has 2 narrow on either side and a wide one in the center. Also where the side is folded over to meet the front (front top), the fold over is flat on yours. On mine its rounded. I bet they are same mfg though.
Your bench and shop in general are awsome by the way.

Thank you, that was a kind thing to say!

 

[Thumper]

Top box is Waterloo bottom box is RemLine, the draw pulls were on Warterloo's in the sixties and seventies. That logo on the bottom box drawer pull looks like the RemLine logo from the same time frame as Waterloo top box. My father has a box like the top we gave him in the late seventies with those chrome sheetmetal draw pulls.

Exactly right......top IS a Waterloo. I bought a 10 drawer version in 1971. Back in the day RemLine was a good box for the money.

 

[ridemc64]

Hello all this my first reply here. Great site. Not trying to hijack the thread but here is a picture of an old Snap-On box I re finished. Sorry no before shots.
Bought it for $100. off of craigslist. Good luck with your box traction!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Very inspirational! Base clear?

 

[ridemc64]

Nope, used an enamel with hardener. Bought the paint from tractor supply.Mixed the color myself. Way to shiny but color is pretty close.
Sprayed with HVLP . Fun project.

 

[vssjim]

Also the posting was correct about Monkey Wards Powr Kraft as Rem Line was their supplier until the imports took over M-W and M-W was no longer a player in the tool bis then M-W went dark.

 

[traction]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies everyone. I couldn't have asked for more.

This site is a tremendous resource. Already I am scared at how much time I already spend on this site.

So it is a Waterloo top and a Rem Line bottom. Great job

Unfortunately, both are pitted with rust bad. I used a wire brush attachment and a 3m rust wheel to get it off...or at least try to.

Oh and Ridem...I love that old box. Specifically I would love to find a tool box from 1956. I have a thing for that year.

If this were a car project it would be time for new sheet metal...or a skim coat of filler if I were lazy (which I am not).

Any suggestions on which way to go at this point? The pits are everywhere so I was thinking of some kind of texture paint...something like Zolatone for car trunks and then top coating it red. But I am very open to suggestions.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Have you tried using a high build epoxy primer? If you just have pitting (and no rust holes) a few coats of primer and blocking between coats should work out fine.

 

[traction]

I am familiar with high build primers...sadly this pitting is deep a would require a skim coat of something like metal glaze at the very least. I am thinking about it, but the pitting is everywhere...drawer fronts, top, inside, outside, etc.

 

[vssjim]

"LEAD" it like a 56 Chevy would be restored with.

 

[traction]

I am pretty familiar with leading too. That 56 in my avatar needed the body seams leaded in. Been a few years since I did that though.

I am pretty shocked at the level of rust. This old box must have been left outside for a long time in front of a sprinkler. All the vertical panels have substantial corrosion.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Traction,

In that case, primer, skim coat the outside and block it. Paint the box your final color and then coat the inside with the spray on bed liner of your choice. I also like your idea of texture paint and then final color coat but I don't know how it will stand up to use. Either way I would spend a little time on the outside of the box.

 

[traction]

GeorgiaHybrid, the primer and skim coat is what I initially wanted to do too.

The reason I am leaning towards a texture and top coat is that I am concerned with how durable the skim coat of filler will be on a tool box. Especially on the sides, drawer fronts etc.

I have some gray zolatone leftover from my chevy truck bed. I might look into what kind of topcoat I can shoot over it. The zolatone is water-based.

 

[traction]

Now for the warning: Run as fast and as far as you can and never visit this site again. It is inhabited by a degenerate group of tool addicts that will **** you in and the addiction has no cure. You'll be going to flea markets, yard sales and auctions, end up tool rich and cash poor. But other than that, its a great bunch of folks.

There should be a disclaimer when you register for this site. Unfortunately for me, it is too late fatfillup. I already went to all the pawn shops in town last week and went to yard sales this weekend. I am hooked. I picked up a 220v Ingersoll Rand Compressor for 100 bux...can't wait to go next saturday!

 

[ridemc64]

Remember it is only a tool box.Definitely worthy of being repainted / repaired IMO but I think I'd draw the line at filling pock marks. A new coat of paint will make that baby look like a million bucks! I've been wanting to do a "RAT ROD" paint job on an old box. Flat black with red and white pin stripes maybe some cool hand lettering. Could be a good candidate for that if you were into that look.
Remember this,If your a tool box junky your next fix is right around the corner and it could be a nicer box to begin with. have fun!

 

[sk farmer]

if the surface is real rough, maybe a coat of truck bed liner. might look pretty good on those rounded corners. it can be had in many colors and the top could be painted to match.

 

[Rickster]

Put a nice coat of paint on it and then take it to a gravel road and roll it ovr a few times. Dust that baby off and put it in the garage, it'll look great!

 

[traction]

Well, I tried painting the top box. Turned out decent. Reminds me of my dad's red wrinkle finish Kennedy boxes.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I wonder if that top box is a Mac box like this one of mine...

 

[eric87]

did you use spary cans to paint it

 

[traction]

Galaxie, that looks like my box. I even have the holes where your mac emblem is. Did waterloo make boxes for mac? What is the history behind yours.

I shot zolatone with a primer gun with a 2.4 tip and then used a detail gun to shoot some single stage.

Already the surface is hard...zolatone won't chip...the topcoat looks ok, but only time will tell.