bimmerdriver
Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2025
- Messages
- 11
I have a Snap On KR-56, which used to belong to my dad. (I posted a couple of photos in the The VINTAGE toolboxes of Garage Journal! thread.)
According to the catalogs, the box was made between 1948 and 1955. I'm not sure if it was purchased new or used, but that's around the time he started working as a mechanic, so it's possible he bought it new.
It had a long hard life and as a result, had some damage over the years which wasn't repaired very well. It was repaired by welding, which damaged the top left back corner. Since I can't find the model / date stamp, I suspect it was in the area that was repaired and it got obscured because of the heat. The damage was some cracks and broken spot welds. There are some other areas that are cracked and there are a few other broken spot welds which also need to be repaired.
I'm trying to decide what to do with it. Practically, I know it will never look "new", but I would like to at least repair it so it doesn't crack further, because I intend to use it as one of my toolboxes.
Since the paint is badly worn and was damaged when it was repaired, so I'm wondering what is the best way to proceed. I could get it chemically stripped or sandblasted. I'm interested to hear from anyone that has tried either.
I will post some photos of the damage.
According to the catalogs, the box was made between 1948 and 1955. I'm not sure if it was purchased new or used, but that's around the time he started working as a mechanic, so it's possible he bought it new.
It had a long hard life and as a result, had some damage over the years which wasn't repaired very well. It was repaired by welding, which damaged the top left back corner. Since I can't find the model / date stamp, I suspect it was in the area that was repaired and it got obscured because of the heat. The damage was some cracks and broken spot welds. There are some other areas that are cracked and there are a few other broken spot welds which also need to be repaired.
I'm trying to decide what to do with it. Practically, I know it will never look "new", but I would like to at least repair it so it doesn't crack further, because I intend to use it as one of my toolboxes.
Since the paint is badly worn and was damaged when it was repaired, so I'm wondering what is the best way to proceed. I could get it chemically stripped or sandblasted. I'm interested to hear from anyone that has tried either.
I will post some photos of the damage.
