Pre-WWII Kennedy Machnist Chest?

[theVirginian]

Hello fellow Garage Journalers,

I Picked up this nice Kennedy chest the other day from Craigslist for $30 dollars. There were some odd and ends machinist tools in there, but cleaned out in anticipation of restoration. The box was the real prize for me.

I've seen a lot of Kennedy's but very few, if any, that have these type of brass ring drawer pulls. They are painted brown, but not by me! Does anyone maybe know a time frame or model? I know it's an older model, due to certain features that it has, but there is no model number on the Kennedy Kits logo. Could be worn off - not sure. This also has a few charts that I believe were painted on, one with tapping and drill sizes and the other is a Standard and SAE screw sizes chart. Very interesting, as I've never seen this on a box either.

I've gotten wrinkle paint for the exterior (the top lid with the logos is almost immaculate inside) high quality pool table felt and a few pieces of hardware. I am anticipating restoring this box soon. So, for those who have an opinion and/or have restored one before - a few questions. It has an overall ugly paint job with some kind of textured paint, it's not the original Kennedy krinkle type as seen on the interior lid with the logos.

Keep the old draw latches or install new? They are riveted, and I can drill them out but I am thinking vintage is the way to go.

I cannot figure out a way to remove the drawers, there are no springs on the slides on any of the drawers. Ideas?

Purchased wrinkle paint from PepBoys, black. I am planning on getting it to bare metal, prime then wrinkle. Then spray satin brown, very close match to Kennedy brown, over top. Anyone done this to good effect? I've seen a few threads to try and re-create the krinkle paint with mixed results.

Thanks everyone!

 

[rlitman]

Super find. The square corners on the lid are a quick giveaway that it is old and special. Never seen those pulls before, but I would still call this a model 520.

 

[theVirginian]

rlitman, I was thinking it was a 520, because they all seem to have the same drawer configuration but those drawer pulls are throwing me off. I know they're original because they have matching krinkle paint inside.

 

[softailgarage]

Not a big Kennedy fan, but you can take a dremel and polish up the latches & drawer pulls to the original brass, take the leather handle to an upholstery shop and have a new one made, then replace the green felt with new and have a sharp looking box. I would probably leave the paint alone, it will add to the "patina".

 

[theVirginian]

softtailgarage,

I'm with you on the hardware - always good to try and stay original! The new felt was free, took some advise from this board and the guys over at practical machinist and contacted a billiards supply place; an entire 9 foot tables worth of felt. Now, it's not new, but I flipped it over and it's perfect.

I'd ordinarily leave the paint be too, but it's not original and (for the most part) in lousy condition. I was thinking of having it powder coated but am concerned of the cost!

 

[jeffmoss26]

That is REALLY cool!!

 

[Steven67fr]

Don't worry about the inside paint at all. But if you're gonna redo the outside just a polish on the handles and paint should be great.

What's the lock situation? Do you have a key?

 

[thundermug]

Such a great find.

You can take the box to a custom paint shop. They will match the color on the inside of the box and mix up some wrinkle paint. It will be worth the cost.

Do not use a scraper or tool to remove paint from the hardware. It will take a long time and scratch the hell out of it, ruining the natural patina on the brass. Use rags and lacquer thinner:

Get a bunch of rags and lacquer thinner to remove the unoriginal paint from the exterior. It will remove the original paint under it, but it's lost anyway under the "turd brown" top coat. You shouldn't need to take the box apart or remove hardware to do this.

 

[1930artdeco]

Dude that is so cool! The drawers come out by using a screwdriver to release a catch on the slides. My dad's Kennedy has the same drawer slides as my Craftsman and I use a small flat head screwdriver.

Mike

 

[rhtx]

I am guessing late 1920's early 1930's.

 

[zkling]

That is really cool. I think the best part is that kennedy actually put drill tap and screw charts on from the factory. Why don't they do that today? Would be very useful me thinks

Take a picture of the drawer slides and we can advise you how to remove the drawers. Did you get the front panel cover with it?

 

[nine4gmc]

Please do not change the hardware on that box

 

[Outlawmws]

It is definitely an early 520. Someone found the ad that proved it in the past year or so, which of course I failed to save...

 

[Outlawmws]

Paint: Kennedy does sell the brown they use. it's pricey, but probably worth it for the one can you should need.

Hardware: Clean with lacquer thinner or Simple Green (soak some paper towel and lay it on, and it will soften and you can "scrape" with your fingernail)

I'd recommend NOT drilling the rivets. Mask and paint, because you are unlikely to get new rivets to match.

That's a nice box, and should not need a lot to get it close to pristine.

 

[WWIIjeep]

It is definitely an early 520. Someone found the ad that proved it in the past year or so, which of course I failed to save...

Here you go, Outlawmws:

1928:

1938:

Looks like they changed the drawer pulls somewhere between 1928 and 1938. Also looks like the 1928 chest may not be wrinkle-finish, but that could just be the 1928 ad artwork not showing it as clearly as it does in the 1938 ad.

Has anyone ever tried contacting Kennedy for information about their really early chests? Kennedy might be interested in hearing about really early ones still in use and willing to help with historic details and restoration suggestions.

 

[vekster]

[/URL][/IMG]

This box was my Grandpa's.
He was a union machinist for the TTC in Toronto his entire life.
Have a lot of his tools also. He passed away a few years ago!

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks WWIIJeep!

And yes I DID save it (them) this time!

 

[Davefr]

Purchased wrinkle paint from PepBoys, black. I am planning on getting it to bare metal, prime then wrinkle. Then spray satin brown, very close match to Kennedy brown, over top. Anyone done this to good effect? I've seen a few threads to try and re-create the krinkle paint with mixed results.

Thanks everyone!

Make sure the wrinkle paint you buy is VHT. I did a lot of research and it has the best reviews. Make sure you follow the directions precisely!! (it's not applied like common spray paint).

I doubt you'll find brown wrinkle paint but your plan to apply a top coat of Kennedy brown will probably work. Just make sure it's a thin coat so it doesn't fill in the wrinkles.

Here's an example of the wrinkle pattern using the VHT paint. You might be able to get a leather handle from Gerstner.

 

[Kevin54]

Kennedy sells brown wrinkle paint in spray cans. But if you want a very durable finish that will last a lifetime, sand everything down and get a true wrinkle that has to be baked to get it to wrinkle. My dad and I used to use it to simulate vinyl tops on cars. And a few years back, I sanded down my Kennedy and had it sprayed black wrinkle at the shop, and it was ran through an oven. Tough as nails.

Where it states not for large area coverage. That's for the bottles. It didn't copy as it is printed in the catalog. http://www.kennedymfg.com/Kennedy/Catalog/ The paint is in the second PDF catalog.

Touch-up Paint
• Touch up scratches and
minor abrasions.
• Textured wrinkle or smooth
finish.
• 12 ounce aerosol can or
0.6 ounce liquid bottle.
• Not for large area coverage.



Spray Cans
Smooth Red ............................No. 80859
Brown Wrinkle .........................No. 80860
Gray Wrinkle ...........................No. 80861
Black Texture ..........................No. 80862
Versa-Bench Brown ................No. 80869
Gloss Yellow ............................ No. 82176
Burgundy ................................No. 82201
Gloss Blue .............................. No. 82211
Gloss Black .............................No. 82203


Touch-up Bottles
Smooth Red ............................No. 82173
Brown Wrinkle ......................... No. 82174
Gloss Yellow ............................No. 82175
Gloss Blue ..............................No. 82210
Gloss Black .............................No. 82202

 

[larryq]

Nice looking box, great find. One option for a replacement handle would be here:

http://www.hardwareelf.com/elf/handles.jsp

 

[theVirginian]

Guys thanks so much for all the great input, suggestions and information. For some reason GJ wasn't emailing me that I had responses to this post! Strange. But yes, the box is in great "working" condition so to speak, just that the paint is really, REALLY bad on it. Finishing up a spice rack for my old lady - then this will get the treatment. I will post up a photo of the drawers soon, didn't notice a space where I could use a screwdriver on the drawers. Maybe a secret trick. Hmm.

Oh, and there is no key to the lock, I will be ordering one from Kennedy once the restoration is completed.