restoring old tool chests/boxes

[brit road garage]

i want to start restoring vintage tool boxes and chests just as hobby but am feeling a little uninspired so treat this this thread as a way to show what you have restored can be anything from tool chests to fuel pumps all is interesting and would love some inspiration, before and after pictures are more than welcome
thanks henri

 

[rothko]

Hi Yer

Get one,start on it ,and very soon you will be totally into it.Lots of info on these sites.

Get started and ORGANISED !!

Regards

Rothko

 

[larryq]

Get ready to work. It's a pain in the **** to sand down and prime/paint a toolbox, because of all the tight corners and drawers. That said, if you're willing to do the work the reward afterward is a great feeling.

I'd also recommend using SS Urethane paint instead of tractor enamel or Rustoleum. If you really want to do a resto. You can get a quart at Summit Racing for ~$35/qt, which isn't free, but the scratch resistance is much better than some enamel from Tractor Supply.

 

[FJ 432]

I have begun a restoration of a Snap On K60/K200 tool chest. I'm in the stripping stage and these words keep floating through my head. What the Fu*k was I thinking.

A Lot of work but rewarding.

 

[rumb]

It's fun! Try it!

Here is my project: My 1/2" BOX rebuild/restoration

 

[zkling]

Hi Henri, I too like the older boxes. Typically I find they have more style are easier to move and more... budget friendly. A few notes restoring the older boxes.

1.) Try to start with a box that is as dent free and rust free as possible. Lots of paint or missing paint is one thing, but hidden rust and millions of dents or twisted frames become money and time pits.

2.) If you plan on doing this as a side business, don't plan on much more than a few dollars an hour in the end.

3.) Look for chests that are complete and not worn out. The older boxes are sometimes hard to find parts for. Almost all of the older boxes use friction slides. And while if properly taken care of, will last a long time, however the metal on metal contact can wear away at the parts and it will be very hard to repair without some sheet metal and welding tools.

Make sure you visit the vintage tool box thread here on GJ. Lots of cool boxes.

Here is a good read, another great restoration done by a member here. This is probably the thread that got me interested in the older boxes.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38758

Just a few things to keep in mind

I have begun a restoration of a Snap On K60/K200 tool chest. I'm in the stripping stage and these words keep floating through my head. What the Fu*k was I thinking.

A Lot of work but rewarding.

Please start a detailed (photo) thread of that.

 

[brit road garage]

okay cool thanks guys, i was going to use hammerite? meant to be pretty thick rust resistant paint

 

[Outlawmws]

Many boxes were painted with Hammerite (AKA Hammertone paint), so you are on the right track.

A wander through the "Vintage tool boxes of GJ will show quite a few boxes that got restored, or rejuvenated. you will also see some discussion over when to repaint, and when to simply clean and leave well enough alone.

I repainted the exterior and all the drawers of a top grade but savagely thrashed 5 drawer 50's craftsman (It's in the thread) roller, but I have yet to do more than clean the 10 drawer top box of the same era, (sort of a delema, they DON'T match, but probably should.

The roller was interesting as I had to spot weld one side of one front drawer back on, and then spot fill and sand the spot welding/repair damaged area. (hence why I had to re-paint...)

As said, no one will get rich off restoring and reselling, but for personal use and if you like the older boxes, (I do) then it can be personally rewarding, and you can learn a lot as well.

 

[justanengineer]

Some of the mechanisms and construction are rather interesting to me. I'm currently doing up an old Remline roller that I got for $5, not really "restoring" per se as much as cleaning, painting, and modifying for my own use (tooling cart for the mill). I'm especially a fan of the double walled construction and locking mechanisms, some of them are a combination of stout and sophisticated.

 

[nicksnothereman]

i want to start restoring vintage tool boxes and chests just as hobby but am feeling a little uninspired so treat this this thread as a way to show what you have restored can be anything from tool chests to fuel pumps all is interesting and would love some inspiration, before and after pictures are more than welcome
thanks henri

Rhinoliner (just to annoy people). That would be awesome though.

If I ever get a piece of **** cab that's what I'm doing.

 

[billybudge]

I am a total restoration freak, everything i have looks like new, I just can,t help myself, I shop around looking for anything tool / workshop related item, in any condition, and resurrect it , bringing it back to life,
This is just one of many tool boxes I have restored, originally a SNAP ON top Box dated 1947, I have the full restoration of this one on another thread,

 

[zkling]

Some of the mechanisms and construction are rather interesting to me. I'm currently doing up an old Remline roller that I got for $5, not really "restoring" per se as much as cleaning, painting, and modifying for my own use (tooling cart for the mill). I'm especially a fan of the double walled construction and locking mechanisms, some of them are a combination of stout and sophisticated.

Yea, that double walled construction can be a real two edged sword though, great for structural integrity, also great at holding moisture and creating hidden rust.

 

[rothko]

Hi

I'm in the process of renovating a snap on vintage roller cart.I have put up a post about the problem lock .

The side wall with the sliders has the bar and studs that lock the chest.The key and lock is on the right hand side of the roller cart,and is half gravity operated.I can't get the lock to 'unlock' with out it jamming,when the side wall is put back in its correct location.Any ideas ? photos on other post from yesterday .But I have put them below here also.

Regards

Rothko

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[Bigplum]

Maybe missing a return spring ? There is a hole in the end of the bar in first pic

 

[chris fresh]

Check the snappy resto in my sig,bought it cheap,restored it,repurposed it,love it.could i make money on it,absolutely,but sometimes it's not the money,it's the hands on bringing something back to life that inspires others to do the same.

 

[rothko]

Hi BP

What a brilliant observation! I bet there's a big spring missing somewhere here that locates onto that hole.Had a look for where it might go but nothing obvious.I bet that's what's missing.Makes total sense.
I had not thought in terms of a spring,but I had noticed that hole.


My vintage snap ons when I have finished this project will solve ALL the garage tool and power tool storage problems.I just love the look of them,and the strength,colour ,design,...all of it.


Hi Chis F.

All on the same wavelength ! I think these things are art. I don't mind admitting that!I would almost have one in the house.Nahh,I AM going to have one in the house I have 6 pieces .I just love 'em.Consider the basic design. Why are they so good? They have used all that dead space that resides in the top of any drawer by slicing it up into small flat drawers.Just brilliant.I have always liked renovating things,even my other hobby ,sound and amps/loudspeakers,same approach.Totally into Altec VOTT's with their industrial look.Shame they are not really at their best in a home environment.That's why I haven't got any .
Vintage (big) JBL'S I have got!!

We have the same box! Would you believe the only thing that's different is the all important position of the lock.Mine is a side one on the right.
I believe I saw your pics of the renovation of it.Great!

Would you know of anyone who had a side locking roll box of similar vintage who may know how the lock mech works on a side lock model like mine?

Nice one guys

Rothko

 

[rothko]

I have now sorted out the problem with the locking bar.
Tried everthing,but I just took the studs off the bar,unscrewed them ,and put them back.
Now works like it should. A spring,wasn't' required ,like I thought it it may have done.

This may be helpful if someone else works on a side locking roll cab.

Rothko

 

[zkling]

What box are you working on?

 

[ZRX61]

More than a few of mine in the Vintage toolboxes thread & hundreds of photos on my FB page.

 

[rothko]

All will be revealed today! Don't get too exited though.
There is only one box I can't really identify,It's a 12 drawer,snap on.
This is the one I would like to restore,as there is nothing to lose as the outside is not good.Big and heavy.2 man lift empty.Challenge,this one.Will have to get a pro to beat the front flat.I mean how do things get to this state?

The others either need nothing doing to them,or some renovation.
Once I can get these done,which is not a long job,I can start to look at the big 'un.

Ok,I have to do some basic panel beating(me? panel beating? You're 'avin a Turkish ain't cha?)on the back drawers of one of the roll cabs.I've got one of them more of less ok so it shuts,but on the big topbox,I will have to remove the central long steel pin from the piano hinge to remove the front cover. aaarrrgghh .That will strike fear into any snap on restorers heart.Yes,that's right! I want to remove the hinge pin AND get it back in again.ggrroouggh. wince.choke.( ex'Mad' reader)Still got loads of 'em.Mort Drucker.Genius.

what me worry

Rothko

 

[softailgarage]

I want to remove the hinge pin AND get it back in again.ggrroouggh. wince.choke.( ex'Mad' reader)Still got loads of 'em.Mort Drucker.Genius.

what me worry

Rothko

Former fan myself

x2 on NOT making it a business. I've tried it and for 1 the profit margin isn't there. It takes a long time, many man hours to properly restore something and in the end if your going to consider charging labor it would put the product price so high it wouldn't sell. The second thing is there is simply not a large enough market for it to be successful (although lately I have had some customers state they would rather spend the extra dollars and buy restored American, knowing it will last longer than cheap Chinese).

 

[rothko]

HA ha ha ha I like that!! Alfred. E.

I kept loads of them.Got some low numbered ones,UK and US issues.
The quality of Mort Druckers work is unbelievable.It was the expressions on the faces.Like'' ya gotta be kiddin'....priceless

Snap on boxes.Not for resale,for my Garage.

Regards

Rothko

 

[softailgarage]

Let's not forget Don Martin, Flobedo, Flobedee...

 

[zkling]

All will be revealed today! Don't get too exited though.
There is only one box I can't really identify,It's a 12 drawer,snap on.
This is the one I would like to restore,as there is nothing to lose as the outside is not good.Big and heavy.2 man lift empty.Challenge,this one.Will have to get a pro to beat the front flat.I mean how do things get to this state?

Probably a KR537? IDK how things get they way they are, some people do not care for their possessions I guess.

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, I've done a few for my own use.

No, I'll never, ever "restore" another tool box. The equation of labor hours to resale price is upside down. As a hobby, if one enjoys the work and the result, then good on yer.

Maybe, I buy anything solid, complete and priced right. Then, I disassemble, clean inside and out, straighten and lube the slides and put it to work. After forty years of this, I've finally got more boxes than tools and I've got many tools.

jack vines

 

[rothko]

OK
Here is what I'm working on at present.This is a renovate,not a restoration.This is the heavy duty trolley in use.

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[zkling]

O wow, cool, you have a KC506. That is a box you don't see much in the states. I think it was targeted towards the Canada and European market. Looks like you have quite the collection of boxes KRA-56, KRA-58. Nice stuff

 

[rothko]

Great info .Can you give me a bit more on how I can get the pics on here from photobucket better than I am doing now.I'm doing every one individually.from scratch and my right arm is going into melt down.LOL

I am going for a cup of tea now .I'll be back.

Later

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

 

[rothko]

Moving on



This needs little doing to it.A lovely box.

 

[rothko]