Snap On Rolla Bench Saturday

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Was cruising FB Marketplace and saw the giant Snap On KR 1000 tool box listed as part of an estate sale. Having piqued my curiosity, I opened the ad and saw two old Snap On Rolla benches for sale. One from the early forties apparently, and one from maybe 1970? Anyways, a conversation ensued over messenger where I made a reasonable offer and accepted their very reasonable counteroffer. Saturday morning, I made the 75 minute trek to get them. They were as advertised, very nice original shape. The KR 1000 was decent, but wasn't really in the market for it, especially with the top chest.

I'm wondering if the newer one is an MBC made for Snap On? Haven't been able to find the date stamp so any info would be appreciated.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. That old one even has its light!

 

[Jayman17]

I have the box on the left in the picture, except the drawers go all the way to the bottom.
I recently went over it and cleaned it and lubed the drawers. The date on mine is ‘64.
Bought it at a garage sale last year.

Jay

 

[4x4Pete]

I have the one on the left as well. It also has the drawers all the way to the bottom. It was my dad's, he had it with a kra59 (I think) top that has matching drawer pulls. Unfortunately he removed the chrome drawer pulls sometime in the early 80's when he had it painted. It's a hard working mechanics box from around 1967 or so. Lots of patina shall we say. I wouldn't even consider painting it again. Everything works and it's filled with mostly Snappy tools but a good mix of the other big names too. It's retired to my shop now and helps me like my dad did when I was growing up. I wouldn't trade it or sell it for the world.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mine is missing the light, but came with a k60 so I got over it!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Mine is missing the light, but came with a k60 so I got over it!

That setup is gorgeous!!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks that's what I thought when bought it! Snapon sold some cool looking boxes back then

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thanks that's what I thought when bought it! Snapon sold some cool looking boxes back then

Do you have more pics you can post? Like to see that K 60.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I can take some later. Here is my k 260 stack.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here are pics of the k60 on the rollabench

 

[Mr.Ric]

Too cool and bakelite knobs!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Knobs are metal

 

[FJ 432]

Too cool and bakelite knobs!!

No, they're cast metal. Very difficult to find.

Lookin, Nice grab. I've owned a MBC (badged) that had the ribbed cover and a 67 with the aluminum that was badged Snap On. I think I've owned about 5 rolla benches and never one with the optional bottom drawers.

Old tule guy, I'm very envious of your collection. Great job.

 

[joel63]

Here are pics of the k60 on the rollabench

Droll.

 

[Mr.Ric]

so it's got friction slides?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes but I think some early ones might not have

 

[Mr.Ric]

The first 60s came with bakelight knobs and the drawers sat on trays, just like the K5.
Soon after but before 41 they went to friction slides.

The bakelight was brittle and didn't hold up well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good info! I think the wheels on the early k200 were different as well

 

[Mr.Ric]

Apologies for hijacking the Rolla~bench thread.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here are pics of the k60 on the rollabench

OTG, what are the dimensions of the K 60?

Apologies for hijacking the Rolla~bench thread.

No worries. Good info!

 

[Jayman17]

Here are pics of the k60 on the rollabench

I love the styling on that k60! I don’t have any idea how practical they are but are so cool looking imo. Yours is in great condition too.

Jay

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They are nice heavy boxes and drawers work smoothly, certainly a very useful box. 31" wide, 17" tall, 15" front to back.

 

[Mr.Ric]

So I'll offer my personal preference.

I think the rolla~bench is my favorite.
Tambour door is perfect and works great as long as you don't overstuff it. (if you do, lean it back to clear whatever is up against it)
It beats the 200 as a base for the 60, more functional than the 77, and is so damn good looking.
The best top chest for it is the K61 superchest which is more functional than the 60. As I am parting with my excess stuff, the K361 combo will be the last remaining.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a late 50s version I use for an entry way table

 

[thehorse13]

My 1962 dated rolla bench. This fella is used very often in my garage.

 

[Jayman17]

My 1962 dated rolla bench. This fella is used very often in my garage.

That's a beauty, did you re-paint that?

 

[thehorse13]

That's a beauty, did you re-paint that?

No, I got it from a guy who closed down a body shop years ago. He told me it was his fathers and it didn't see much use when his father owned it. When this guy ended up with it, he said it sat in the corner with a coffee maker on top and was never used as a tool box. When I got it, the box had very light paint droplets from overspray so I just cut and buffed the paint. All of that **** came right up and now it looks like new. The drawers and pulldown door also work perfectly on this almost daily user.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's a nice one! I bet there are a bunch of rollabenches still in use by gj members

 

[bsg1]

I have one from 1964 in my living room, 11 drawers.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have one from 1964 in my living room, 11 drawers.

In your living room. Single?!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is my 3rd and Final rollabench, an original paint with key example from an estate sale. I use this one to store old tools.

 

[thehorse13]

Here is my 3rd and Final rollabench, an original paint with key example from an estate sale. I use this one to store old tools.

I tried really hard to find a late 50s rolla bench like yours because of the chrome pull handles. I wanted it to match my 1957 stack. You've seen that I settled for a 1962 with the chrome accented full drawer handles. Your rolla bench is beautiful.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks horse I have been lucky to find a few!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Here is my 3rd and Final rollabench, an original paint with key example from an estate sale. I use this one to store old tools.

I didn't realize Snap On used those handles on their drawers. Do you know how many years?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Maybe 56 to 58

 

[christopher]

First post: My '54 KR-300, as purchased a couple years ago. Finishing up on it's complete restoration. Will post more of that process later.

 

[christopher]

The site's having upload issues - I'll try again later. This is the only one I could upload. Might be because I'm new and am loading a lot of pictures and they need to make sure it's not spam.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like a nice one, has the extra drawers too!

 

[christopher]

It was not awful, but the devil is in the details.
1. It's missing the light and plug panel.
2. some spot welds were popped right near where the model and date are stamped.
3. the casters are not stock, but they seem like they might be from the same period, they are much beefier than stock from the images I've seen too. All four are full swivel and non-locking, but two were welded to stay straight. They are disassembled and the mounts and swivels are immersed in Evaporust at the moment. I'm going to shoot them black.

The rest is being shot in PPG# 73504, a quart of which set me back $172.00! Fortunately it reduces 50/50 with urethane reducer. Was hoping to start that today, but bill paying work takes precedence...

I'm also going to cut a lab-table soapstone top that sets into the recess and stands up an inch, design a new rear plug panel and 3D print in carbon-fiber filled PETG. I had the handle and flanges, drawer pulls and vertical tambour rails re-chromed, and they look great. My tambour rails were originally painted. I'll get some pics up today hopefully.

-C

 

[FJ 432]

Can't wait to see your final product Christopher. Full drawers are rare.