Round top craftsman box

[A E Numan]

I picked this up at a flea market today and don't know if this is a tool box or a tackle box, can any of you share some information on this box ? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[drivesitfar]

AE: I vote toolbox and I think they are called cantilever. Post on the vintage toolbox thread and there should also be several more like yours posted there. Nice find

 

[stormking]

Nice box, very tough to find. Was this the FOE flea on Lombard? I've pulled some very nice hand boxes out of there over the past few years.

 

[A E Numan]

Yes it was, I wanderd in at about 10:30. I'll have to start going earlier. I used to go to sandy bar's year's ago but have only gone to this one twice! The first time I found nothing, one out of two isn't bad.

 

[CNGsaves]

Nice snag on rare roundtop C-Man tool box !!

Never seen one that style before . . . . I LIKE it !!

So tell us OP . . . how much ?? You may be due for major YS award.

 

[A E Numan]

I asked how much for the old tool box, He said $20. I gave him the $20. I have seen pictures of round top's with tray's but never with the cantilever trays, I think it was worth what I paid.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You ****

 

[safariknut]

Newbie to the forum and I noticed the pic of your Craftsman," Mailbox". I have both styles(the tray type and this one)and I have a theory why there aren't many around.
When I got mine the hinges for the tray were bent pretty badly and the box was almost non functional.When I identified the problem I very carefully bent them back into position and tightened the rivets a bit.
The problem seems to be a design flaw in that if you put any great amount of weight in the tray the hinges bend quite readily.A full load of sockets would likely be enough to mess it up. I used mine for awhile as a box for my sign painting equipment so there was little weight on the tray.They are now relegated to my garage as display pieces.

 

[A E Numan]

Those boxes are so cool! I'm sure you are correct about why we don't see very many of the cantilever boxes. I disassembled my trays and straightened and lubricated the slides and tightened the rivet's. It works now but I won't put much weight in the tray's. Thanks for showing yours.

 

[ganymede]

....
The problem seems to be a design flaw in that if you put any great amount of weight in the tray the hinges bend quite readily.A full load of sockets would likely be enough to mess it up.....

There were smaller flat top, hand carry boxes in the late 40's, early 50's that may have had a similar issue. They had a single tray hinged and attd to the lid by two machine screws.
I've got one and the screws had torn through the lid from too much weight in the tray.
It's the only box I've seen like it around here in almost 2 decades of tool collecting.

 

[Craftsman C-series]

There were smaller flat top, hand carry boxes in the late 40's, early 50's that may have had a similar issue. They had a single tray hinged and attd to the lid by two machine screws.
I've got one and the screws had torn through the lid from too much weight in the tray.
It's the only box I've seen like it around here in almost 2 decades of tool collecting.

Ganymede, you know how this works - gotta see a picure of that box.

 

[ganymede]

Ganymede, you know how this works - gotta see a picure of that box.

True but I don't want to hijack the op's thread. I'll post it in the vintage toolbox thread.

 

[dngrmse]

Nice box, congrats. I haven't had much interest in those old boxes until now. That one is really cool. Amazing what some curves on just about anything add to their appeal! like a wilton bullet vs a regular square vise.

 

[4xdog]

I have almost the same box -- in worse condition and just about to be stripped of its nameplate and scrapped. It was my Dad's -- he bought it in the late 40s/early 50s.

His didn't have cantilevered trays, just a simple drop-in tray.

 

[Zeke]

That would be the right box for plumbing.

 

[safariknut]

I have almost the same box -- in worse condition and just about to be stripped of its nameplate and scrapped. It was my Dad's -- he bought it in the late 40s/early 50s.

His didn't have cantilevered trays, just a simple drop-in tray.

I wouldn't scrap it;it looks to be different from the drop in tray model I have. Do you know if that is the original tray? The reason I ask is the one I have the tray handle actually forms a part of the box.The lock mechanism is in the top of the handle and a double sided hook engages both sides of the folding top sections when it is locked.Here are some more pics of mine.

 

[A E Numan]

I wouldn't scrap it;it looks to be different from the drop in tray model I have. Do you know if that is the original tray? The reason I ask is the one I have the tray handle actually forms a part of the box.The lock mechanism is in the top of the handle and a double sided hook engages both sides of the folding top sections when it is locked.Here are some more pics of mine.

I second that thought, I'm sure someone would be glad to have it.

 

[drivesitfar]

4x: put out a classified for $20 or something like that and if i was closer and didn't have to ship it i'd buy it and i probably have 50 tool boxes. it has good lines and those old boxes are built far better than the new ones that are twice or three times that much money. besides the label what would you get maybe $5?

anybody close to 4x please PM him if you might want to own his old box? rust removes easily and it looks solid.

AE: i think i want to see your top and bottom heritage boxes and any of your other Craftsman tools in a family photo since this is your thread and you've got a good group. also did you find a Snap On label for your vise yet? i think Balane just posted a Snap on vise with the sticker and he might have an extra or know how to get on if you still need one.

 

[safariknut]

4x: put out a classified for $20 or something like that and if i was closer and didn't have to ship it i'd buy it and i probably have 50 tool boxes. it has good lines and those old boxes are built far better than the new ones that are twice or three times that much money. besides the label what would you get maybe $5?

anybody close to 4x please PM him if you might want to own his old box? rust removes easily and it looks solid.

I probably have a like amount of boxes and I would buy it as well just to have another variation.

 

[A E Numan]

I'm happy to oblige. Now that I have the bitt between my teeth I'm having a tough time not packing my garage to the point that I cant move.

 

[drivesitfar]

AE:i'm sure you'll find something nice to add to your nice growing collection. all in nice shape too.

thanks for sharing some of your existing family members.

 

[safariknut]

I'm happy to oblige. Now that I have the bitt between my teeth I'm having a tough time not packing my garage to the point that I cant move.

Nice assemblage of vintage Craftsman goodies!Just out of curiosity;what make is the buggy in back of the drill press? Many years ago(1969-1971)I worked at a shop that built that type of vehicle in Massachusetts.It was Dearborn Automobile Co and they made a vehicle called the Deserter.Used either a shortened(84 inch)VW platform or a square tube space frame and mounted the engine amidship with the transaxle flipped. Built them with turbochargd Corvairs;Porsches,and one with a Buick aluminum V8!

 

[A E Numan]

The buggy is a "Beettle" made in Hazel Dell Washington in the late 60's, powered by a 2275 VW.

 

[A E Numan]

4x: put out a classified for $20 or something like that and if i was closer and didn't have to ship it i'd buy it and i probably have 50 tool boxes. it has good lines and those old boxes are built far better than the new ones that are twice or three times that much money. besides the label what would you get maybe $5?

anybody close to 4x please PM him if you might want to own his old box? rust removes easily and it looks solid.

AE: i think i want to see your top and bottom heritage boxes and any of your other Craftsman tools in a family photo since this is your thread and you've got a good group. also did you find a Snap On label for your vise yet? i think Balane just posted a Snap on vise with the sticker and he might have an extra or know how to get on if you still need one.

drivesitfar, No I still don't have a Snap-On sticker for the vise. Any help on getting one would be appreciated!