Slant top toolbox, no handle

[skmbabon]

Hi,
Picked up this interesting toolbox at an estate sale. No markings I can see, though maybe there is under the thick paint. Since it has no handle it was probably intended to sit on a workbench or lower cabinet. But why the holes in the back, which look original? Can't imagine screwing it to a wall would hold. My best guess is that something else was meant to be attached to the box, and the only idea so far is an advertising sign. But if it was intended for displaying tool, why have a hasp? Any thoughts?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

No info on it, but I like it!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Since it has no handle it was probably intended to sit on a workbench or lower cabinet. But why the holes in the back, which look original? Can't imagine screwing it to a wall would hold.

Why not both? Sitting on a shelf or bench and screwed to a wall in the back so it doesn't pull away or jostle every time you roughly drag something out of it?

What's inside the pouches?

 

[snapmom]

Maybe wheels, or a roller tray

 

[Firebrick43]

Looks like something that would be vehicle mounted to me

 

[skmbabon]

Why not both? Sitting on a shelf or bench and screwed to a wall in the back so it doesn't pull away or jostle every time you roughly drag something out of it?

What's inside the pouches?

That's a good possibility. I checked the holes. There is barely visible evidence of washers being used inside the box. The holes are still perfectly in plane with the rest of the back, so no amount of force was ever applied, whatever was attached.
The pouches had some wood chisels and auger bits, haven't gone through them yet. Box had enough stuff in it to keep me researching and cleaning for a while I already know I'll use some of the items.

Maybe wheels, or a roller tray

Yeah, that was my first thought but if neither you nor the others who have replied have ever seen a box like this on a roller chest then I'm inclined to downgrade the likelihood. I've looked around the site enough to know who knows, at least to some extent. (Ah, no "respect" smiley, so you'll have to imagine it here)

Looks like something that would be vehicle mounted to me

It does have a nice overhanging lip on the lid, and the metal is substantial for a box this size, but I'm not sure it would stand up to mobile use. Maybe in a trailer or something along those lines.

Thanks for all the ideas!

 

[RTM]

Top box, of say a service writer or shop foreman type desk? Screws hold it together, too heavy enough to write on?
Those slots inside right front look to fit something specific. Are they uniform, or tapered to match a socket set?

 

[Firebrick43]

It does have a nice overhanging lip on the lid, and the metal is substantial for a box this size, but I'm not sure it would stand up to mobile use. Maybe in a trailer or something along those lines.

Thanks for all the ideas!

I am thinking more like the tool kit in a military vehicle that the manufacture includes. Every military vehicle wheel and tracked vehicle I have been in had a tool box/kit. Not a mechanics box

 

[skmbabon]

Top box, of say a service writer or shop foreman type desk? Screws hold it together, too heavy enough to write on?
Those slots inside right front look to fit something specific. Are they uniform, or tapered to match a socket set?

Yeah, the thing it most resembles is an antique slant top desk, so that's a possibility. Top is stiff enough to write on. And if not used for a sign, the holes could nowadays be used to mount a plexiglass screen.
The slots are rectangular, 1" wide, except the left most which is 1-1/8". And the box apparently needs to have the last of the dust dumped out!

I am thinking more like the tool kit in a military vehicle that the manufacture includes. Every military vehicle wheel and tracked vehicle I have been in had a tool box/kit. Not a mechanics box

I've never been in one, so mind telling me a bit more. Would the inside be fitted to hold a specific set of tools? Would they typically have a slanted top? I assume that's a design choice intended to keep stuff from being piled on it.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Looks like something that would be vehicle mounted to me

I agree. Early version of a Montezuma box?

 

[skmbabon]

It's too cold to strip the paint off the outside right now, so check out a few of the items that were in the toolbox. First up, a (presumed) promotional item from The Erie Tool Works. 2-1/2" diameter. Has anyone seen this before? The back is a tool - any guesses?

 

[Modern Garage]

Can't tell how far off the surface it's standing but I'll take a completely random stab... shoe brush?
Joe

 

[skmbabon]

Nope, it's lying flat on a blue shop towel

 

[skmbabon]

Here's the back. It's a discount calculator, though I'm having a hard time figuring out what the numbers mean.

 

[outofbounds]

Looks like something that would be vehicle mounted to me

Agreed, probably some sort of tractor box.

 

[outofbounds]

Here's the back. It's a discount calculator, though I'm having a hard time figuring out what the numbers mean.

The discounts are "double discounts". Using 100 as a base price you can calculate each discount in black, and arrive at the multiplier from 100 in red. Example - $100 minus 10% = $90. $90 minus 25% = $67.50. Thus the final multiplier in Red is .675

 

[DAustin]

Hi,
Picked up this interesting toolbox at an estate sale. No markings I can see, though maybe there is under the thick paint. Since it has no handle it was probably intended to sit on a workbench or lower cabinet. But why the holes in the back, which look original? Can't imagine screwing it to a wall would hold. My best guess is that something else was meant to be attached to the box, and the only idea so far is an advertising sign. But if it was intended for displaying tool, why have a hasp? Any thoughts?

We had something like that at an old factory I used to work at. They were a desk mounted on the wall for keeping paperwork in out on the docks. I'm not saying that's what this one is, but it looks close.

 

[skmbabon]

The discounts are "double discounts". Using 100 as a base price you can calculate each discount in black, and arrive at the multiplier from 100 in red. Example - $100 minus 10% = $90. $90 minus 25% = $67.50. Thus the final multiplier in Red is .675

Thanks for explaining. I'm guessing this would be given to regular customers, so would the use case be something like a standing 10% customer discount plus a 25% volume discount?