OTC Tool Boxes?

[Off-Street Parking]

I saw this on Craigslist... Anyone know what the OTC (Owatonna Tool Company) branded tool boxes were like? Quality, manufacturer, when they were produced, etc?

 

[stage20]

i dont know the OE, but i want that box!

 

[Off-Street Parking]

So I haven't found much in my searching.

The best I found was a 1964 OTC catalog on eBay... The stylized font on "Hydraulic Tester" seems to match the font of "Tools" on the toolbox... Particularly the treatment of the capital "T".

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Found another eBay auction for a 1959 OTC catalog... Happened to have it open to the right page.

 

[Strouty]

That is pretty neat, how much is the catalog?

The toolbox looks like it is well made, but not to today's ball bearing standards. If they are not asking a lot, I would ****** it up just because they are not too common.

 

[kleinkaliber]

I'd snag that right up if the price was right. I like the design of the pull handles.

 

[r_olson_06]

I saw this on Craigslist... Anyone know what the OTC (Owatonna Tool Company) branded tool boxes were like? Quality, manufacturer, when they were produced, etc? [emoji481]

Where is it located at? If you are not gonna take it I may entertain it

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[Off-Street Parking]

Where is it located at? If you are not gonna take it I may entertain it

Oh no, I'm going for it.

 

[r_olson_06]

What is he asking for it?

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[Tippletrash]

I like those drawer pulls, definitely pretty unique handles.

 

[zkling]

That's cool. They are a solid box, nothing special build quality wise.

Found another eBay auction for a 1959 OTC catalog... Happened to have it open to the right page.

Kinda, that catalog is probably newer than the boxes. Notice the difference in drawer pull designs?

 

[Off-Street Parking]

That is pretty neat, how much is the catalog?

I think it was $20? It's just a small multi-page brochure, not really a full catalog. But I will probably pick it up for reference if the tool box works out.

What is he asking for it?

$125

Kinda, that catalog is probably newer than the boxes. Notice the difference in drawer pull designs?

Good eye! The one in the catalog has folded-over full width metal pulls, not the front-mounted separate pulls.

Do you really think it is older than that catalog/brochure page though? Pre-1959, and not later... closer to mid 60s? (Referencing my theory based on the "Tools" font...)

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Looks like Kennedy may have made it. I like OTC tools. I have a smattering. The ratchet is made like Proto, very heavy and solid. Sockets are well made, as are the unpolished wrenches. Chrome won't get you home!

Which ratchet do you have? Is it one of the pear-head ratchets?

I have a few of the round head OTC ratchets. Definitely stout, and my favorite go-to ratchets for their feel, and for sentimental reasons for the jobs they have pulled me through. But unfortunately they are pressed together and cannot be serviced. I have one that only ratchets one direction.

 

[zkling]

Good eye! The one in the catalog has folded-over full width metal pulls, not the front-mounted separate pulls.

Do you really think it is older than that catalog/brochure page though? Pre-1959, and not later... closer to mid 60s? (Referencing my theory based on the "Tools" font...)

Well : Traditionally tool box manufactures went from welded on individual pulls (30s, 40s, 50s) to bolt on pulls (~60s-70s) and then later to full length bent pulls (to save money most likely), one more reverse brake operation saves drilling and an 3 additional parts (two screws and a solid handle).

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Had a nice 2 1/2 hour drive today with my wife, and it's home!

The guy said he had had it for about two years, and had bought it from the original owner. It needs just a little cleaning up, but it should be perfect to use as-is, without needing a "restoration".

I'll take some better pictures when I clean it up.

 

[wornoutoldman]

I will give you the first "You ****!" for that score! Very cool vintage box!

 

[zkling]

Had a nice 2 1/2 hour drive today with my wife, and it's home!

The guy said he had had it for about two years, and had bought it from the original owner. It needs just a little cleaning up, but it should be perfect to use as-is, without needing a "restoration".

I'll take some better pictures when I clean it up.

Look it over for a date stamp. Curious as to when it may have been made. I haven't ran across many OTC box catalogs. Pic of the drawer slides as well please. The side handles look like the ones kennedy uses.

 

[r_olson_06]

I will also give you a you **** from a Minnesota native. OTC seems to be more desirable being from Minnesota. The box looks amazing

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[Off-Street Parking]

Look it over for a date stamp. Curious as to when it may have been made. I haven't ran across many OTC box catalogs. Pic of the drawer slides as well please. The side handles look like the ones kennedy uses.

Thanks for the tip- I found this on the front left corner of the inside the top compartment. "2-63". So February 1963?

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Drawer slides on the upper box drawers:
(Apologies for the quality of these photos... They are just quick phone snaps, and the lighting is less than ideal. The brown on the drawer tracks is sawdust.)

 

[Off-Street Parking]

The drawers on the bottom are on rollers:

 

[Off-Street Parking]

(Bottom drawers... continued. More sawdust on these too.)

 

[Off-Street Parking]

(Bottom drawers... Inside of cabinet)

 

[Off-Street Parking]

Found another catalog reference! This one a 1966 catalog for OTC "Maintenance Tools and Equipment":

 

[Off-Street Parking]

... And what is that on the cover?

It looks to have the correct handle style too.

I bought this one, hopefully it has the tool chest inside the catalog, and not just on the cover. We will find out in a few days.

 

[jask]

My wife would have rolled that right into her crafting room and filled it with stamping and card making supplies based on the colour alone!!
Great score.

 

[duckenit]

I know this thread is a few years old, but I'm not having much luck finding information about OTC tool boxes. I picked up this box and am in the process of cleaning it up and repainting. There was a 1948 or 1950 snap on KR 56 sitting on top of it.

 

[Rileysan]

I know this thread is a few years old, but I'm not having much luck finding information about OTC tool boxes. I picked up this box and am in the process of cleaning it up and repainting. There was a 1948 or 1950 snap on KR 56 sitting on top of it.

Welcome to the forum!

The previously shown boxes were unquestionably Waterloo-made, for OTC. Unless I missed someone's comments, I'm surprised no one mentioned it.

Yours, on the other hand, is quite different - and earlier, I suspect. The top drawer in my Herbrand roller is very similar to yours. They are both unusual in that the drawers do not close flush with the front of the cabinet, but rather stick out.

I have yet to identify the maker of my Herbrand stack (I have doubts they made them on their own). It seems plausible that your OTC cabinet was made by the same maker.