Snagged an old Snap-On box tonight

[VCaddy]

I've been needing a box for a while, I have tools strung all over my garage. Had been looking for a 36 or 41" rollaway, but I figured this set would be just fine. 1984 Snap-On KR557E and KR537D with the 274B side cab. They're all pretty straight, not much rust. I think I'll just clean up and lube the slides, maybe try to polish the paint that is left, and call it good. A little character doesn't hurt.

I got it all for $500, thought that was fair, considering how rare decent used boxes are around here.

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[Packard V8]

Those are classic to some and if you like 'em, ya done good.

Agree, just shine it up and keep the patina.

jack

 

[crewchief888]

Those are classic to some and if you like 'em, ya done good.

Agree, just shine it up and keep the patina.

jack

for $500 i think ya did good.
that was a very popular combo "back in the day"

some people love em
i'm probably in the minority, but the top box is my least favorite as drawer layout.

i have 2 sets of them at home in the garage

 

[AndrewV]

You did good.
And welcome to the gj.

 

[zkling]

Cool setup. I really like those top boxes. It's a good size box for the home shop IMHO. Nice that they all match. Enjoy them

considering how rare decent used boxes are around here.

I see what you mean.

http://nd.craigslist.org/tls/4494253000.html

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Thats one of the boxes i have at work. I have those bottom two drawers loaded down with wrenches up to 2" and 3/4 drive sockets ratchets and pipe wrenches. It has been holing up great, i think you did well.

 

[Bighead38]

Picked up the same used combo last year minus the sidebox.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Everyone is get a new box or whatever but me.

Congrats on a great score

 

[Jarhead0408]

Congrats on the box man.

I have the same upper and love it.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Nice pickup, you did very well for the price. You'll be pleased with that setup.

I know a lot of members on here that would kill for that combo.

 

[VCaddy]

Make it your own,get rid of those stickers.nice boxes,someday HF will be as sought after you think ?

Oh yeah, I'm getting rid of most of the stickers. I like a couple of them though.

 

[zakmartin]

Yours is lot more loved than my KRA637 and KR637, but damn, Snap-On really made some indestructible boxes back in the day. Lube the drawer slides and replace the detents (unless they're all friction, in which case, just lube 'em).

For $500, you've done well.

 

[bob from indiana]

Well done, I had a 557 back in the 80s, had to let it go. I am searching for a 557/537 combo too. i have wanted a set since i worked at the gas station back then.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Great score on a sturdy box for the money, vcaddy! I agree, just lube up the slides, remove some stickers and keep the patina (that box earned it!). I do like the look of that Snap-on combo chest, darn it still looks good. Okay, maybe polish the aluminum trimwork...

 

[zkling]

Yours is lot more loved than my KRA637 and KR637, but damn, Snap-On really made some indestructible boxes back in the day. Lube the drawer slides and replace the detents (unless they're all friction, in which case, just lube 'em).

For $500, you've done well.

Nothing wrong with a 637/657 They just weren't made as long as the 537/557 and started to get buried by the larger boxes coming out at that time. Just an FYI the 637/537 and 657/557 share the same external dimensions, the 5xx were friction slides where as the 6xx were ball bearing, barring the 5 small drawers. Both are very good boxes IMHO.

 

[joel63]

Nothing wrong with a 637/657 They just weren't made as long as the 537/557 and started to get buried by the larger boxes coming out at that time. Just an FYI the 637/537 and 657/557 share the same external dimensions, the 5xx were friction slides where as the 6xx were ball bearing, barring the 5 small drawers. Both are very good boxes IMHO.

Got a 637 in mint condition; sure would like to get the 657.

I preferred the full drop front over the little side door for the small drawers.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Well done, I had a 557 back in the 80s, had to let it go. I am searching for a 557/537 combo too. i have wanted a set since i worked at the gas station back then.

Too bad you're not closer....

 

[back2class]

I had that box, can't say it was a favorite of mine. Sold it for what you paid, back a decade ago so I guess you did fine. Snap-On should be able to get you replacement sliders if you need any. I needed 2 for my current box that is also friction slide and they warranted them for me. I think with an older box and homeowner/hobby use friction slides are a wash. Not much to break and have to worry about but not as slick. Fair tradeoff when you are not opening them 100 times a day.

 

[Rusty Bones]

Picked up an old Snap-On rig KR637/KR657 & side box

It's in pretty good shape as far as wear goes, it'll need a little paint work and probably slides. I paid a little bit more for it ($900+) since it had the matching side cabinet and the guy tossed in a new (still sealed) 300 piece set of craftsman stuff.. Not that I need it but I can probably get at least $100-200 back from them. This era of SO (KR) boxes is a little hard to find around here.

 

[softailgarage]

Nice score. Personally, the only time I keep the "patina" is on much older boxes. Paint it, clean & polish the chrome, remove the drawer slides (which are friction, too old for bearing), soak 'em in a degreaser, get all the lube off, reinstall and apply a dry lubricant to the slides. Using grease on slides works but it collects all the dirt and **** and you end up with sticking drawers. Use DuPont Teflon non-stick Dry Film Lubricant, available at HD & Lowes. Rustoleum also make a spray on dry lubricant. That box will look and feel like brand new.

 

[torqueman2002]

But I am prejudice. I have this guy I paid a little bit more, $750.

It came with a side-box and tray (not pictured).

 

[zkling]

Re: Picked up an old Snap-On rig KR637/KR657 & side box

It's in pretty good shape as far as wear goes, it'll need a little paint work and probably slides. I paid a little bit more for it ($900+) since it had the matching side cabinet and the guy tossed in a new (still sealed) 300 piece set of craftsman stuff.. Not that I need it but I can probably get at least $100-200 back from them. This era of SO (KR) boxes is a little hard to find around here.

That is a nice setup. What is the metal strip across the front of the top compartment? I would like to find that side cabinet. Those should clean up very well. Enjoy them.

 

[littleponderosa]

Well done vcaddy. Ever since the Baken, prices from you to me in SE MT have just been out of the world on all tools.
Bill

 

[crewchief888]

Nothing wrong with a 637/657 They just weren't made as long as the 537/557 and started to get buried by the larger boxes coming out at that time. Just an FYI the 637/537 and 657/557 share the same external dimensions, the 5xx were friction slides where as the 6xx were ball bearing, barring the 5 small drawers. Both are very good boxes IMHO.

Got a 637 in mint condition; sure would like to get the 657.

I preferred the full drop front over the little side door for the small drawers.

I had that box, can't say it was a favorite of mine.

the 537/637 aint my favorite drawer layout either, especially for "working" toolboxes. the small side drawers just seem to attract junk.....

i have a set of each in the garage...
and yes most of the small drawers are full of junk... a couple actually have tools in them....

 

[Kent_B]

Everyone is get a new box or whatever but me.

Congrats on a great score

Don't feel bad, Charlie. No new box for me, either. I'm still using the same 26" stack I bought back in the late 1970's

 

[arz71]

Awesome purchase!!!

 

[VCaddy]

apply a dry lubricant to the slides.

I used a dry moly spray on mine. Works pretty good, even though the slides on my box are pretty rough. Lots of rust damage I removed.

Well done vcaddy. Ever since the Baken, prices from you to me in SE MT have just been out of the world on all tools.
Bill

Seems like the whole used market is out of whack here. It was way easier to scrounge up good stuff back in Utah.

the 537/637 aint my favorite drawer layout either, especially for "working" toolboxes. the small side drawers just seem to attract junk.....

i have a set of each in the garage...
and yes most of the small drawers are full of junk... a couple actually have tools in them....

I keep my allen wrench sets and punches and such in the small drawers. They're kinda handy.

 

[Cope]

I keep my allen wrench sets and punches and such in the small drawers. They're kinda handy.

And every box need a small drawer for tweezers, feeler gauges and other assorted small tools.

 

[Bobioz1]

Got my first new box about 1985. Same top and bottom as the O.P. no side cab = $1550. Got over $3000 in trade for it about 2002 on a krl1001. Pays to keep em nice.

 

[zkling]

the 537/637 aint my favorite drawer layout either, especially for "working" toolboxes. the small side drawers just seem to attract junk.....

I like the small drawers for organizing misc. In my mechanics box (637) picks, punches, drive adapters, general smaller tools that tend to float around in a larger drawer. In my machinist stack (537) the smaller drawers are handy for keeping specific tools that aren't used all that often, special mics, indicator tips, feeler gauges and the like.

The small drawers don't bother me nearly as much as the left to right dividers in the larger drawers of the 537. Now I did take out the top compartment inner compartment hatch on the 637. That drove me crazy. Thankfully it was just 2 rivets.

To each their own