Proto Tool Box

[KZ1000J]

Anybody know anything about Proto tool boxes both vintage & modern. Are they Craftsman quality or a notch below Snapon? I'm looking at maybe picking up a nine drawer top chest and a 5 drawer roller chest from maybe the late 70's. Would appreciate any info. Pics would be great.

Thanks,

KZ

 

[zkling]

Yes; it depends on the model and what other brand box model/year you are comparing it to. Do you have a picture of the boxes in question?

Most were made by Waterloo, who makes and made craftsman boxes, but to different specs.

 

[KZ1000J]

Here's a link:

http://images.craigslist.org/00101_21W1Uladfre_600x450.jpg

 

[Conductor562]

Proto currently has 2 levels of boxes. The 440 series are 100 lb. drawers while the 450 series is 125 lb.

For bottom boxes, 440 is 100 lb., 450 is 200 lb., and there are a limited selection of 460 series with 400 lb. drawers.

I have a 440 series on my race trailer and it's tough. It's at least 3X's the box my Craftsman in the shop is. Pretty affordable too.

You can't go wrong with a vintage Proto box either

 

[Conductor562]

Here's a link:

http://images.craigslist.org/00101_21W1Uladfre_600x450.jpg

I'm gonna say late 60's. Very cool box. If the price is realistic, I'd buy it.

 

[zkling]

Those are 70's-early 80's 26" boxes. The top is nice, the bottom is on the thinner side, but if not worn out and moderately loaded they are a nice box. What are they asking for them?

 

[KZ1000J]

Thanks Conductor,

60's vintage sounds real nice. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Any idea what a fair price would be?

 

[KZ1000J]

$120.00

 

[Garage Junky]

It's a nice box, I have a few. The bottom box will have a date stamped on the lower right, front of the box. The top box will have a date stamp in the top till. I can't seem to remember if it's on the right or left side, but those should give you the manufacture month and year.

 

[KZ1000J]

Thanks Junky,

When I look at them tomorrow, I'll look for the stamps. The bottom casters look on the small side to me...might be a bad pic.

 

[Conductor562]

$120.00

I'd give $120 for it in a heartbeat.

 

[Ruger_556]

Anybody know anything about Proto tool boxes both vintage & modern. Are they Craftsman quality or a notch below Snapon? I'm looking at maybe picking up a nine drawer top chest and a 5 drawer roller chest from maybe the late 70's. Would appreciate any info. Pics would be great.

Thanks,

KZ

I know nothing about the older boxes like you are looking at but their top line boxes (450 series) are truck brand quality. They're still using the old MAC design and share parts with current Macsimizers. Namely the 200 lb drawer slides. This is mine.

 

[KZ1000J]

Thanks Conductor,

Well...we'll see. Pics look fine and I hope it is as nice as it looks. I have my eye on a snap-on KRA-56 if this Proto doesn't measure up for about the same $$.

KZ

 

[KZ1000J]

Ruger,

Nice box you have there...looks like you work on bug heavy stuff so...probably good to have 200lb drawers. I just need a home for my meager collection of different branded automotive tools and some recent vintage pieces I picked up.

KZ

 

[Ruger_556]

Ruger,

Nice box you have there...looks like you work on bug heavy stuff so...probably good to have 200lb drawers. I just need a home for my meager collection of different branded automotive tools and some recent vintage pieces I picked up.

KZ

Thanks, yeah... I work on heavy stuff. They punch the drawers for 2 sets of slides so of course I added a couple. 400 lb drawers now

 

[Plombob]

I have that box. It's a good sturdy box. I bought mine a couple of years ago and it was repainted, missing the key. I paid $125.

 

[montanafordman]

My only experience is with vintage proto boxes. In my case mid-later 40s and it was called Plomb at the time. My toolmobile was made by Pressteel who also made boxes for Craftsman in that era. The toolmobile gets more love than my ball bearing craftsman roller full of new SK and Snap-On tools. When I work on my 31 Model A it just feels right to open the smooth Plomb roller and reach for granddad's old Plomb, Proto, and SK tools.

The biggest downside to owning a box like this is the unstoppable urge to acquire more vintage tools to fill it with. Its a sickness.

With all that said, I do want a box like Ruger 556! Either that or a KRL722 but both are way out of my budget and needs at this time. Maybe my new tools would get more love if they lived in a box like that?

Here's some pics of my toolmobile.

[/QUOTE]

 

[KZ1000J]

Montana...

That's one beautiful vintage box you have there.

Plombob...

Thanks for the info...looks like I'm in the ballpark price wise. Good to hear it's a good sturdy box.

Rocket...

Craftsman has three levels now I think...Homeowner, Heavy Duty and Premium Heavy Duty with the later capable of 100lb per drawer.

 

[wmartin]

Here's a link:

http://images.craigslist.org/00101_21W1Uladfre_600x450.jpg

I used to have a top box like that, but missing a row of drawers. Friction slide, sheet metal seemed reasonably stout, better than a modern Craftsman but not amazing.

 

[KZ1000J]

Friction slides??? Rats! I was hoping for ball bearing slides. If slides are friction, I might have to walk away. I've delt with friction slides before and sometimes one side sticks a little and...I just don't want one of those. We'll see this evening when I give it a look.

 

[zkling]

The first box you pictured is indeed an older friction slide box. It's not a bad box again if taken care of and loaded moderately. Ball bearing slides didn't hit the pro grade boxes till the very late 80's.

The second box you linked to is a more modern, better built, all ball bearing slides, full depth box. It is also many times the price. Apples to oranges.

 

[KZ1000J]

Scared of finding friction slides, I went to the fellas house to give it a look. To my delight, all drawers have ball bearing slides and this box will soon be out of my truck and in my basement, Yeeha!

First pic attached hope it is inserted.

 

[zkling]

Uhm, those are indeed friction slides.

 

[jakemac]

I'm trying hard not to laugh.

Humor aside, that's a great box at a good price. I see no reason why you won't be happy with it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Scared of finding friction slides, I went to the fellas house to give it a look. To my delight, all drawers have ball bearing slides and this box will soon be out of my truck and in my basement, Yeeha!

First pic attached hope it is inserted.

Yeah hoss, you got a box with friction slides. I have a waterloo box that is almost identical to your bottom box. It was made in '72. It is a good box and feels way more solid than my newer craftsman lower roller made in the early 90's. As long as you load the box as it should be and don't overload it, it will give you years of great service! Nice find by the way! I would love to find a proto box and ditch my waterloo box just because it ways proto on it and I am a big time plvmb/proto collector/ user.

 

[KZ1000J]

Huh? They are? I'm going to have to take a closer look. Guess I got some learn'in to do.

I once had an old Stack On, really cheap tool chest and the drawers had nothing to help them slide in and out, just a metal lip that set right on another little metal lip and when I tugged on them...well... there was a lot of friction. That was what I thought "friction" meant.

This newbie has a lot to learn.

Oh well...I'm happy with my find...the drawers work great...slide real easy....that's what I was really looking for but thanks for setting' me straight.

 

[KZ1000J]

The casters on the bottom box are about shot. Replacing these will be my first task. Any recommendations for new casters? My first thought is to get something that matches up with the existing bolt pattern.

 

[tool_scrounge]

The casters on the bottom box are about shot. Replacing these will be my first task. Any recommendations for new casters? My first thought is to get something that matches up with the existing bolt pattern.

Get the biggest high grade casters you can that will bolt on. Bigger diameter wheels move much easier. I upgraded an old Kennedy from factory 4" diameter to 5" Colson casters. The difference is amazing.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Huh? They are? I'm going to have to take a closer look. Guess I got some learn'in to do.

I once had an old Stack On, really cheap tool chest and the drawers had nothing to help them slide in and out, just a metal lip that set right on another little metal lip and when I tugged on them...well... there was a lot of friction. That was what I thought "friction" meant.

This newbie has a lot to learn.

Oh well...I'm happy with my find...the drawers work great...slide real easy....that's what I was really looking for but thanks for setting' me straight.

Those are friction slides for sure! However, the difference between a quality old box and a newer box with friction slides is huge!! I think you will like the box!

 

[KZ1000J]

Scrounge, Thanks for the caster info. So far I've looked into Lowes, HD and Northern Tool. I'm also thinking stainless for the rust resistance. Just getting started with my search.

Smoke, Yeah, I'm happy with my find, knowing that ball bearings weren't available 'till the late 80's and that friction slides were all that was available for the old boxes, I don't feel slighted. With new boxes, it seams all you read about is ball bearings, it's like there is nothing else out there. I guess that's the new standard.

I appreciate everybody's insight, more questions are sure to come.

Thanks all,

KZ

 

[KZ1000J]

Did not spend much time on this, went ahead and bought some $9.00 no name, 4 in wheels at northern tool to replace the 3 in wheels that came with the box. They should be fine...I think they are rated at 200 lb each.