Should I restore my snap-on boxes?

[TheSasquatch]

I have quite a few of the smaller snap-on boxes (similar to whats pictured) varieing sizes, ages(sime new some old logo) and, patinas that I would like to powdercoat with my new setup but wasn't sure if I should. I was looking on ebay for another smaller snap-on box and saw that these are listed at $50 or more a piece. Are they really going for that? I have around 6 of them or so, and I don't really use them for anything just like always thought they were cool. But would feel pretty dumb if I powdercoated them and killed a couple hundred dollars in value just for kicks.

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[Johnny_V]

If they are just for your use, refinish them, if you plan to sell them as original, then leave them be. All of my small boxes, and even my large boxes show typical wear, but they have been well used for the past 43 years. Just my 2¢ of course.

 

[dinoperson]

If they are just for your use, refinish them, if you plan to sell them as original, then leave them be. All of my small boxes, and even my large boxes show typical wear, but they have been well used for the past 43 years. Just my 2¢ of course.

If they are orginal paint, let them be. If they are rusty or don't have much paint on them go ahead and restore them. Just my opinion


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[thehorse13]

It's crazy to see the tool hobby going down the same (terrible) road as the car hobby.

As others have already mentioned, in many cases, value gets killed when you restore these things now. I always make a personal judgement call. Does it have too much, "patina"? If yes, restore. I'm not in it for profit. I use the stuff that I buy.

 

[Cope]

It's only original once.

 

[Zeeman]

If it bothers you to look at the condition it's in, restore. If you plan to sell one day, leave them alone.

 

[bsg1]

as with most things in life, it's most often best to approach collecting with the KISS principle in mind. pieces with some amount of honest wear most always hold more interest to collectors than refinished examples that look as perfect as the day they rolled out of the factory and a poorly done re-do holds even less interest. unless refinish is required to protect damaged metal from further deterioration, it is usually most prudent to leave original and simply preserve the integrity of the piece.

 

[joel63]

as with most things in life, it's most often best to approach collecting with the KISS principle in mind. pieces with some amount of honest wear most always hold more interest to collectors than refinished examples that look as perfect as the day they rolled out of the factory and a poorly done re-do holds even less interest. unless refinish is required to protect damaged metal from further deterioration, it is usually most prudent to leave original and simply preserve the integrity of the piece.

+1

I've picked up a few of these small boxes. Yes, they command a high price sometimes.
I only get ones that have some wear marks or scrapes and have good closings.
If you use them, they will get marked up eventually.
I 've seen some that look as if they've been on the bottom of a river or something with the seller asking top price for them I'm not into restoring. Some of the ones that I've seen that were restored just don't look right to me.

 

[bsg1]

another matter is the sometimes dismal result of over cleaning. in our zest to restore a piece to it's full potential we sometimes attempt to 'perfect' a piece via arduous cleaning with the end result being disappointment and regret for doing so. over cleaning can easily alter what would have otherwise been a nice piece.

 

[Jolomite]

another matter is the sometimes dismal result of over cleaning. in our zest to restore a piece to it's full potential we sometimes attempt to 'perfect' a piece via arduous cleaning with the end result being disappointment and regret for doing so. over cleaning can easily alter what would have otherwise been a nice piece.

I have learned that a time or two. I'll say to myself, "This toolbox just needs the bottom rust proofed. Well, and maybe the bottom couple inches stripped while I'm at it. Well, since I have the sander out..." Then what I end up with still has its warts and I've spent some bucks on paint and abrasives.

Now, whenever possible, I ask myself before purchasing a 'great deal,' "Is this a project I want to tackle or should I pay a bit more when I find one in better shape?"

 

[uncwstudent]

Honestly, that box looks pretty great as is. I would leave it personally. If you have some unused, you can put them on Ebay. People go crazy for Snap-On.

 

[cybrdyke]

There's an old joke about a guy who won a gold medal and then went out and had it bronzed.
I'm not in the "patina is sacred" crowd. I also dont see much point in restoring things to make them look like they did when they were new. You'll always be able to tell that it's restored...not new. Why not give it a new life as something sexier...like candy apple purple or big metal flake gold....
CD

 

[Waterh20]

Unless you're planning to sell them do what you want. You have 6 so I see no real harm unless you're looking to sell them.

If you paint it SO green I'm sure someone will want it when you want to sell

 

[Stuart in MN]

We're not talking about restoring the Mona Lisa here... I'm guessing unless they are particularly rare or old, they don't have all THAT much value in their present condition.

 

[30-30remchester]

I mainly deal with antique knives and guns. I am reminded of a man I turned on to a completely original M1 Garand. He paid $1750 for this unmolested WW 2 rifle. He then spent $925 "restoring" it. The highest offer he received when it went back on the market was $800. Left original the price for an unmolested Garand is @$3,000.