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Project Phoenix (or restoring an old Williams box)

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LT2771

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
67
Some of you might remember my thread about restoring my dad's old Craftsman box. This box was in the same shed with the leaky roof. It might be in worse shape than the Craftsman. I was wanting a box to store my small collection of vintage tools so this looked like a good candidate.
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Another trip to the blast cabinet. I'm starting to think the dumpster would be a better place for this one. Oh well we'll push forward.
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Yep this is gonna have to go.
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A little fab work later.
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View media item 5150All tacked in. Man that stuff is paper thin.
View media item 5151Time for a new bottom.
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View media item 5153A little more blasting.
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View media item 5155All welded up and tme for some body work. Got alot of sanding left to do but it's getting there.
View media item 5156Primer time.
View media item 5157Starting to take shape.
View media item 5158View media item 5159I wanted to preserve one of the original logos. The one on the outside was history so it had to be this one.
View media item 5160The old aluminum handle buffed out real nice.
View media item 5168Hey this didn't turn out too bad after all. I'm not sure how old this box is but I'm 50 and I remember it from my childhood. Thanks again dad.
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View media item 5167Well there it is. Last time someone was wanting a tutorial so I took alot of pictures. Hope this helps you with your restoration.
 
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Arne73

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Joined
Mar 20, 2010
Messages
1,477
Nice work-
I love that logo and color combination.
Extra special that it was your Dad's.
 
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Bull

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Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
16,189
Location
MA
That's the most work I've seen someone do to save an old box. I respect what you did here.
 
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L

LT2771

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
67
Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I do love the old stuff. Of course the trick is to not let it get in that shape to start with. I'm sure I felt a little guilt for letting it sit in that shed all those years.
One really cool thing was that I found this buried treasure in that box under all that rusted junk. I swear I thought knew every tool he had because I used them all growing up but for the life of me can't remember this one.
If I'm reading it right it has a 1956 date code.
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billymade

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Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
7,461
Location
New Mexico
I don't know why.. BUT there is something special about the shape of those older ratchets! They have a organic, rounded, shape to them; they look like a HUMAN design them! While I like my dual 80 ratchets; it is really apparent, they are CAD designed and CNC machined; something human has been lost... along with some SHARP edges on them! Looks like you have a new head kit in it; makes all the difference! :)
 
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Scout Driver

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Joined
Nov 20, 2009
Messages
4,286
Location
South Dakota
Great work!! Your Dad would be very proud of your effort. Thanks for restoring a great old toolbox and taking the extra time to post its tale. :thumbup:

Scott
 
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LT2771

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
67
I don't know why.. BUT there is something special about the shape of those older ratchets! They have a organic, rounded, shape to them; they look like a HUMAN design them! While I like my dual 80 ratchets; it is really apparent, they are CAD designed and CNC machined; something human has been lost... along with some SHARP edges on them! Looks like you have a new head kit in it; makes all the difference!
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Well said billy and I agree. Yep I actually had the rebuild kit I was planning to use on another ratchet when this one was discovered. You're right, makes all the difference.
 
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LT2771

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
67
What were the tubing cutters used for?
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Well nothing as far as the box goes. Probably should have cleaned up some before I snapped off the pic. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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