Papaw's Old Tool Boxes

[tnjarrett]

So, Yesterday I had the chance to go and pick up a couple of my Papaw's Old Boxes. They are rough, I don't have any keys, and I don't know anything about them. I have every intention of taking care of them and trying to bring them back to life a bit.

I would GREATLY appreciate any information, guidance, or even just opinions anyone has.

I do not actually have the missing drawers for this bottom section. Anyone know where to look for markings or model numbers to begin tracking some down

The Top Box

This is the information I found on the Mac Tool box.

Again, I appreciate the view and would love comments and suggestions.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Just a bunch of circles with minus symbols. Lots of them! (no photomundous!)

 

[tnjarrett]

Just a bunch of circles with minus symbols. Lots of them! (no photomundous!)

Thanks, I internet so well! Fixed the links

 

[FJ 432]

If you clean the back of the Snap On's box you will find it stamped usually in the middle. The cover for the bottom section is what's missing.

 

[FJ 432]

See if this looks familiar. 1965 Snap On catalog.

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=2034

 

[Musicinabottle]

If you clean the back of the Snap On's box you will find it stamped usually in the middle. The cover for the bottom section is what's missing.

It looks like it has glides in there though. You sure?

 

[thehorse13]

That model is found in the 1965 Snap-On catalog. It came with either three drawers like yours or a giant single door. Everything you need to know about it is attached in the picture.

 

[tnjarrett]

It looks like it has glides in there though. You sure?

I was wondering the same. I thought just the door initially too.

 

[FJ 432]

The MAC looks dated in 1978 from your photo.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Oh, by the way. You ****! Nice box. I wish my dad was leaving me something like that. Dang!

 

[FJ 432]

I was wondering the same. I thought just the door initially too.

The KR 377 had that option to add drawers or remain open.

 

[tnjarrett]

That model is found in the 1965 Snap-On catalog. It came with either three drawers like yours or a giant single door. Everything you need to know about it is attached in the picture.

The one on the top right definitely looks like it. So I guess I am missing the door for it and the drawers.

EDIT** I suppose since the drawers were additional I may not be missing them. Papaw just probably never got them.

 

[tnjarrett]

The MAC looks dated in 1978 from your photo.

The KR 377 had that option to add drawers or remain open.

Thanks! It didn't even click that would of been production date.

 

[FJ 432]

Clean gently with dawn dish detergent and water. Graduate to Simple Green if that doesn't work. The paint is very fragile it appears. A harsher cleaner may take the paint off.

 

[FJ 432]

Thanks! It didn't even click that would of been production date.

MAC tools has a funny way on stamping their boxes so 1978 would be only a guess on my part. Someone smarter will chime in to prove me right or wrong.

 

[tnjarrett]

MAC tools has a funny way on stamping their boxes so 1978 would be only a guess on my part. Someone smarter will chime in to prove me right or wrong.

Clean gently with dawn dish detergent and water. Graduate to Simple Green if that doesn't work. The paint is very fragile it appears. A harsher cleaner may take the paint off.

Thank you for the suggestion, I will hunt for that on the back. I am going to probably paint them both though. The "patina" is more just general abuse from a guy that at one point ashed his cigarettes in one of the drawers.

I have read that Snap-On suggests wax for the tracks, does anyone have an alternative/ improvement?

 

[Mintgrun]

I used Sil-Glyde and it worked better than wax for me.
Wax could me a lot of things though, I suppose.
Rubbin' with a candle did next to nuthin'.
A smear of car wax might be better, I doubt that was what they meant though.
Nice boxes. The patina would fit in around here : p

 

[Provincial]

I use beeswax on friction drawer slides. It works pretty well, and isn't messy.

If I use grease/silicone it seems to get on things besides the slide surfaces.

 

[Mintgrun]

I agree about the mess concern.

Super slippery smooth though.

I used the sillycone on a smaller machinist's box on my benchtop.

Wipe off excess with a clean rag.

A little goes a long way.

Not something you want on things you are going to paint.

 

[bill300d]

Bees wax or paraffin wax works great

 

[Mintgrun]

Could one of you please expound on your application techniques?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[bill300d]

Just take a chunk and rub it on the top and bottom of both the drawer and box rails where they ride on each other. Easiest is with the drawers removed but can be done without removal, just takes a little time for wax to be spread around.

 

[tnjarrett]

Just take a chunk and rub it on the top and bottom of both the drawer and box rails where they ride on each other. Easiest is with the drawers removed but can be done without removal, just takes a little time for wax to be spread around.

Thanks, I will do that as soon as i get to that point.

Ill be making a thread on painting them. Figured I should do all cabinets at once.

Everyone has been so quick with amazing advice. I didn't realize how common old boxes were or that there was such a community devoted to them. It's pretty much awesome!
Thanks ALL!

 

[tnjarrett]

Ordered the drawer removal tool, I could not get a hack saw blade to work.

 

[elidas]

I have two of these. One I bought for $15 at an estate sale. It has two (optional?) shelves and no bottom drawers. The other one I found about two weeks after the first one. No bottom drawers, I couldn't resist. $40 with some tools. KR 377-a's