Snap On 657B information

[Smokeshow69]

Buddy of mine just picked up a top and bottom and side cab KR 657B Snap ON tool box. His old tool rep was going to scrap it. He decided to save it since he already has a nice stainless box and wondered if I wanted it. Of course he knew just to call when he got some vintage tool box. Anyone know how to date these boxes? The back of it says

KR 657B
Snap On tools corp
Endosha Wisc. 77


Does this mean the box is a 77 ?? My buddy does not want the box and so I told him I would be glad to give it a good home even if it is a little banged up! Still plenty of life left in it! Pics to follow!

 

[redwrench60]

Model number is KR657B

The 77 is the date code for 1977 when it was made.

 

[zkling]

I think you have a number or two mixed up somewhere. The KR657 was a 7 drawer 33" wide bottom box, full ball bearing slides. They were produced ~1987-early 90's. I also think you may have a counterfeit box, because I have never heard of Endosha Wisc.

Can you give a physical description or better yet a picture of the box in question?

 

[zakmartin]

I have a KR657B - it was the Harley Davidson 90th Anniversary Box that SO came out with in 1993. The thing is built like a tank, though if it hasn't been used in a while, you'll need to install new detents (you can probably get them for free if you're buying the box through a dealer) and you should test the casters, because the bearings will probably be dried out - I just sprayed some Liquid Wrench lubricating oil in there and they've been fine. I got a near-mint condition KR657B cart along with the matching KR637B top box back in January. After putting in new detents, cleaning and re-lubing everything, it's about as stout as SO's KRL line. I'd love to get my hands on a side or middle box because space-wise, the set-up is a bit smaller than I'd like. It's probably just the right size if you have to tow the cart around a garage all day though.

 

[crewchief888]

look something like one of these?


'77 would be the year of manufacturing, but the model # is too new...

 

[Smokeshow69]

I think you have a number or two mixed up somewhere. The KR657 was a 7 drawer 33" wide bottom box, full ball bearing slides. They were produced ~1987-early 90's. I also think you may have a counterfeit box, because I have never heard of Endosha Wisc.

Can you give a physical description or better yet a picture of the box in question?

I tried to make out the numbers off the back of the box that was from a small picture phone He is bringing the box, top and side cab to work tomorrow and then will deliver them in his coal roller after work. I feel like a kid the day before christmas Does it make me sick in the head if I kept dreaming about it last night I will post up some pics once it is resting safely in my garage!

 

[Smokeshow69]

look something like one of these?


'77 would be the year of manufacturing, but the model # is too new...

It looks similar but not quite the same. These have less chrome on them and look just a hair older than your boxes. I tried to look them up on the collecting snap on website but could not find them. Not quite the rounded 60's style but older than your boxes. Hope to have some decent pictures tomorrow. The pictures he sent me where from and angle and small on my phone.

 

[zakmartin]

look something like one of these?


'77 would be the year of manufacturing, but the model # is too new...

That box on the far left is mine. I would LOVE to get that matching middle box. Do you know what the model number is for it?

 

[zkling]

That box on the far left is mine. I would LOVE to get that matching middle box. Do you know what the model number is for it?

KR647, do you have a thread or pics of your box setup? I wish you luck hunting and hope you are a tall fellow. The entire set was KR637 top, KR647 middle, KR657 bottom, KR292 side cabinet. They were the successors to the KR537, 547, 557 and KR274? Yes, Crewchief has great taste in vintage boxes.

 

[crewchief888]

good luck finding the middle box

i've been looking locally for one to match the older ('79) KR537A top.

i ordered the mid box new about a year after i bought the top and bottom.
it has different roller slides than the original harley boxes, the mid box has quick release roller slides in it.

i have seen pics of a harley edition with a matching side box with the logo on the bottom drawer. not sure if it's "original" or not

the red roller is a '76 KRA300E

i picked up the red top & bottom in a trade for....

wait for it...

$0.00

the remainder of the side boxes i bought used (trade ins) from matco

hell, all my boxes are vintage,
even the 2 sets i bought new off the truck.

guess that makes me old

 

[Smokeshow69]

Pictures as promised!! Looks like I got the model wrong too from the crappy cell phone pics. Model is 557B. I can't find a snap on logo on the top box/cabinet thing but hopefully someone can identify it??

 

[Smokeshow69]

The side cab is a Snap on made in Canada??

 

[zkling]

Dang, can't beat them for the price. I like that side cabinet. I'm not sure if the top cabinets are even snap on, I don't recall ever seeing them before. IF they are snap on they should be stamped somewhere :

 

[Smokeshow69]

Looks like the box appears in this ad from the 1978 Snappy catalog from collectingsnapon.com. Bottom left hand corner!

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=4912

 

[Smokeshow69]

Dang, can't beat them for the price. I like that side cabinet. I'm not sure if the top cabinets are even snap on, I don't recall ever seeing them before. IF they are snap on they should be stamped somewhere :

Yeah, I need to check the bottom of it but did not see any snappy stamps on it. It does look a lot like the waterloo handles that I have on my waterloo box.

 

[zkling]

Yeah, I need to check the bottom of it but did not see any snappy stamps on it. It does look a lot like the waterloo handles that I have on my waterloo box.

They look like parts/consumable cabinets to me. If they are snap on they should be stamped on the back.