Restoring a Snap On KRA59K top chest

[GX460DIYguy]

I came across a Snap On KRA59K top chest today loaded with tools for $100. The tools are a lot of cheap stuff, but there’s enough snap on and blue point stuff in it just from glancing through the drawers that it was definitely worth it. The box is in pretty bad shape, but everything looks straight. The drawers are pretty hard to pull out and the whole box needs to be stripped and repainted. Is the lid hinge on these replaceable? I talked to snap on and they have everything for it except the drawers, but I didn’t ask about the hinge. Best way to strip it down? I’m thinking a wire wheel. Any primer needed before putting new paint on it? I’ll have to get pics of it when I pick it up.

 

[shakenfake]

If you aren't opposed to spending some money I would seriously consider sandblasting and powder coating it. Should only be $100-$200 at the most and is going to be way easier.

 

[Wrench97]

Which hinge for the lid to the box or the lid to the front cover?
I think both are piano hinges that are spot welded on.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

Which hinge for the lid to the box or the lid to the front cover?
I think both are piano hinges that are spot welded on.

The lid to the box. I’ve found some pics online that show it having screws holding it on so maybe this one has that. I’ll find out when I pick it up.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

If you aren't opposed to spending some money I would seriously consider sandblasting and powder coating it. Should only be $100-$200 at the most and is going to be way easier.

Blasting it would definitely be best. I’d like to respray it the original color, but I’ll look into powder coating it as well.

 

[Packard V8]

The lid to the box. I’ve found some pics online that show it having screws holding it on so maybe this one has that. I’ll find out when I pick it up.

They were originally spot-welded; if it has screws, someone has been screwing with it.

If you aren't opposed to spending some money I would seriously consider sandblasting and powder coating it. Should only be $100-$200 at the most and is going to be way easier.

I'd bet all the beer you can drink one could not get a top chest blasted and powdercoated for $200. Up here, it's $100 a wheel and wheels are infinitely easier to clean and paint than a chest with interior corners, hinged top and loose drawers.

jack vines, who's restored enough tool boxes to know he's never going to do another.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

They were originally spot-welded; if it has screws, someone has been screwing with it.


I'd bet all the beer you can drink one could not get a top chest blasted and powdercoated for $200. Up here, it's $100 a wheel and wheels are infinitely easier to clean and paint than a chest with interior corners, hinged top and loose drawers.

jack vines, who's restored enough tool boxes to know he's never going to do another.

The ones I saw were all pretty clean so they’ve probably been replaced. I was too exited to be getting a box and a bunch of good tools for a great price so I really didn’t look closely. I figure if anything I can get new drawer slides and even if it looks crappy it’ll be good enough for in the shop.

 

[Walkers]

If you aren't opposed to spending some money I would seriously consider sandblasting and powder coating it. Should only be $100-$200 at the most and is going to be way easier.

I powdercoated an 18/“ thick aluminum rectangle about 40” wide and 18” tall with the center cut out leaving a 4 “ border, and 4, 4” x 4” aluminum triangles. All parts were cleaned and prepped. I did this at the place I have done business for years, though not in the last year, I am in their computer. I used a color they had on hand, single coat. The price was a little over $180. I was floored! I have checked around, powder coating is no longer the cheaper way to coat.

 

[mervyn]

I used a wire wheel and spray paint on mine. Came out decent and has held up well.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

KR 550, 1983, Rust-Oleum Sunrise Red

 

[GX460DIYguy]

KR 550, 1983, Rust-Oleum Sunrise Red

Looks pretty close to the original color. Snap on did say they’ll send some paint, but that looks like a good option

 

[shakenfake]

I'd bet all the beer you can drink one could not get a top chest blasted and powdercoated for $200. Up here, it's $100 a wheel and wheels are infinitely easier to clean and paint than a chest with interior corners, hinged top and loose drawers.

It is $40-$50 a wheel here. I can get an axle housing done for $200 or so. I was just ballparking it in there. Oh and I never take parts cleaned and prepped, screw that that's their job. @Walkers

Combine that with the fact that I hate painting ****.

 

[Walkers]

It is $40-$50 a wheel here. I can get an axle housing done for $200 or so. I was just ballparking it in there. Oh and I never take parts cleaned and prepped, screw that that's their job. @Walkers

Combine that with the fact that I hate painting ****.

They started charging a $175 minimum, so , not surprisingly my stuf came out to $180. I didn’t like it, but then remembered I charge a 2 hour minimum of $250, so I kept telling myself it was okay. It was a lie, but it got me out of there. Of course I will never return or refer anyone there ever again. Heck, they will probably be calling me up begging me to come back to keep them afloat with my twice annual purchases of a couple hundred buck!

 

[sightbike]

Please pics of the box. I recently cleanup up a complete KR-56 with bottom box that was covered in bondo/paint. It was really rough but cleaned up well or at least I think it did.

The drawers are likely just gummed up and need to be cleaned.

Before you rattle can, let’s have a look!

 

[GX460DIYguy]

Please pics of the box. I recently cleanup up a complete KR-56 with bottom box that was covered in bondo/paint. It was really rough but cleaned up well or at least I think it did.

The drawers are likely just gummed up and need to be cleaned.

Before you rattle can, let’s have a look!

Hopefully I’ll be picking it up soon. I’ve already put money down on it to hold it, but with no room to put it in my car due to a drawer system and fridge slide setup I need to get a truck to grab it next weekend.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Please pics of the box. I recently cleanup up a complete KR-56 with bottom box that was covered in bondo/paint. It was really rough but cleaned up well or at least I think it did.

The drawers are likely just gummed up and need to be cleaned.

Before you rattle can, let’s have a look!

I think we need to see pics of your KR 56 combo?

 

[ALLFAST]

KR 550, 1983, Rust-Oleum Sunrise Red

Damn fine job my friend

 

[shakenfake]

@Walkers Oh wow, my local place is a $50 minimum

 

[sightbike]

I think we need to see pics of your KR 56 combo?

Plan on posting a thread of before/after, need to pull pics together and write it out.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

So I finally picked it up a couple weeks ago and have been going through it to sort it all out. The drawers all have 08-1972 on them. Date of manufacture? I haven’t looked hard at the back of the box just because it’s so heavy to move with everything in it. Lots of random snap on and old craftsman stuff that I’ll be keeping. Majority of it was harbor freight or Walmart brand stuff, but there’s a lot of quality sockets, extensions, punches, chisels, and air hammer bits. It’s seen better days and probably won’t get a full restoration, but I’ll clean it up enough to be a good shop box. All the drawer slides work, but some are missing the clips to stop the drawers from fully coming off. Need to get those, a new lock, and a new logo to go on it. I’ll probably eventually try to straighten out the outer shell and repaint it. I’ll have to get pics of the tools I’ll be keeping after I get them and the box all cleaned up.



The missing drawer was just pulled out to clean it up.


This is all the random stuff that will get sold at the next garage sale I guess.

 

[sightbike]

@GX460DIYguy - good find given all the tools. Couple comments/suggestions:

- Date should be on back of box in lower corner
- Drawer and lid pulls will clean up easily wet sanding with 1500 grit
- Instead of repainting you could coat the box with Linseed oil or Penetrol. Linseed will give matte finish whereas Penetrol will have gloss finish.
- Get some Parrfin wax (Walmart) for the drawer slides.
- From your garage sale tools, save a couple common size wrenches (and those swivels) for moments when concerned about damaging or need to make a tool. Yes, I get it use the right tool but things happen where creativity is necessary.

Thanks for posting pics and enjoy!

 

[GX460DIYguy]

@GX460DIYguy - good find given all the tools. Couple comments/suggestions:

- Date should be on back of box in lower corner
- Drawer and lid pulls will clean up easily wet sanding with 1500 grit
- Instead of repainting you could coat the box with Linseed oil or Penetrol. Linseed will give matte finish whereas Penetrol will have gloss finish.
- Get some Parrfin wax (Walmart) for the drawer slides.
- From your garage sale tools, save a couple common size wrenches (and those swivels) for moments when concerned about damaging or need to make a tool. Yes, I get it use the right tool but things happen where creativity is necessary.

Thanks for posting pics and enjoy!

Paraffin wax was on the list already. I may keep some stuff out if that box for stuff like you mentioned.