Snap on tool box refurb

[Gstarr1991]

Hey guys I'm new here and I'm looking for advice, I have recently been gifted a [Snap on kra-59f (top box) also a Snap on kra-428 (2 draw)] by my father now it's been sat in his garage and hasnt been touched for about 5 years, as you would imagine for a box made in the 80's it's a little tatty and stiff opening the draws and lock I'm looking on doing a refurb to it to get it opening and closing perfect aswell as tidying it up I have experience with painting with rattle cans but not with air gun sprayers will rattle cans be adequate enough to repaint it to its glory I know I need to sand it back and also lay some filler downs on the dings but is there anything else I need to be prepared for also what would be the best way to clean all the years of grease and grime off the runners would it be best soaked in petrol ? I currently have it clamped up to straighten the lid as this was bent thanks for any help or advice you can offer

 

[HarrisFD]

Welcome, congrats on your new project, its worth the effort to do it right. FWIW here is link to my Snap-on toolbox restoration adventure:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267774

Good luck!

 

[Gstarr1991]

Welcome, congrats on your new project, its worth the effort to do it right. FWIW here is link to my Snap-on toolbox restoration adventure:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267774

Good luck!

HarrisFD thanks for your reply I've just been through your post and all I can say is "wow" you did an absolutely amazing job with that I can only hope that I may be able to get mine looking half as good as yours, I'm thinking about changing the entire colour of mine to either the snap on green or a deep midnight purple colour. I currently am looking into replacing the top snap-on badge as mine is only the "snap" part but want to keep all the fittings and fixtures original I am also contemplating replacing all the runners and locks due to the runners being very stiff and the lock seems to reject the key sometimes (although may try having a new key cut to see if this will help) I'm going to attempt to pull a few more dents out tomorrow and see if I can find my easy sand filler I also noticed that one of my corners where the sheet metal overlaps is pulling away and will need a quick spot weld but hopefully it won't be too time consuming and maybe will be cost effective with me painting it with spray cans rather than a spray gun, I shall keep this thread open and post updates a soon as possible with it as I currently have another restoration of a 1862 cyrus price safe that I'm half way through [emoji4] also hope you've managed to regain your sensation in your finger looked like you made a mess of yourself one more thing please keep me updated with your top box and how it comes out [emoji4]

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[PFSard]

Good luck with the project. There are a lot of threads on GJ showing boxes that were refurbished. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great ideas from those that have been there.

I have a pair of SO boxes from the early to mid 70s (1974?). The friction slides were really stiff when I bought them about 4-5 years ago. I removed the drawers and cleaned up the gunk. After lubing with ????, they were great. SO recommends beeswax (I believe); I cannot remember what I used.

I'm interested in the outcome of the clamping of the lid. I had found a Kennedy in the trash with a bent lid a few years back. Good shape except tor that. I had totally forgotten about it until I saw your clamps.

 

[Wamsutta]

Just a little tip: If you're planning on using genuine Snap-on paint, it works best sprayed over bare naked steel that's been dry sanded with 400 grit sand paper on a Porter-Cable 330.

Shoot a light tack coat, wait 5 minutes for it to flash off, shoot a second full coat, wait 5 minutes for it to flash off, and then shoot a third coat. The 5 minute flash times are at 100 degrees Fahrenheit ambient. You might need longer flash times with cooler temperatures. Make sure you have plenty of non-direct light while you're spraying.

 

[softailgarage]

Rattle can away dude! This was my Taco Cart restore, If I remember correctly I used 36 cans and 3 final coats.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236517

 

[HarrisFD]

Also hope you've managed to regain your sensation in your finger looked like you made a mess of yourself one more thing please keep me updated with your top box and how it comes out [emoji4]

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Thanks , Finger is good, all feeling and maybe 90% strength.

BTW Slides may become difficult to find, I noticed that Snap-on dropped my Box's slide part numbers about 18 months ago. Luckily I snagged a bunch of new ones on Ebay last year for pretty cheap. Whatever you need from Snap-on I would procure as soon as possible. Ebay can be a good source of parts. Good luck & I'll help where I can.

 

[Ohmthis]

HarrisFD, I have a 660 also and snap on sent me some new slides just 4 months ago or so. I haven't tried to put any on yet (mine is a project too), I'm hoping they work. Maybe they took them off the website, but still have them available??? Great job on your box!

 

[Gstarr1991]

Good luck with the project. There are a lot of threads on GJ showing boxes that were refurbished. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great ideas from those that have been there.

I have a pair of SO boxes from the early to mid 70s (1974?). The friction slides were really stiff when I bought them about 4-5 years ago. I removed the drawers and cleaned up the gunk. After lubing with ????, they were great. SO recommends beeswax (I believe); I cannot remember what I used.

I'm interested in the outcome of the clamping of the lid. I had found a Kennedy in the trash with a bent lid a few years back. Good shape except tor that. I had totally forgotten about it until I saw your clamps.

I've seen a couple so far through here and Google that have been refurbed and I just hope I can get mine looking as good as new again, as for the clamping on the top I've just checked it this morning and it's managed to straighten it back up to where it's about 1.6mm off but I've now propped the lid up and reclamped it so it should take away that last bit and straighten up also would love to see your one's if you don't mind [emoji4]and defiantly give the claps ago on your Kennedy if you can it's worth while and doing it like I have done you can only go So far with the clamps before your straight

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[Gstarr1991]

Just a little tip: If you're planning on using genuine Snap-on paint, it works best sprayed over bare naked steel that's been dry sanded with 400 grit sand paper on a Porter-Cable 330.

Shoot a light tack coat, wait 5 minutes for it to flash off, shoot a second full coat, wait 5 minutes for it to flash off, and then shoot a third coat. The 5 minute flash times are at 100 degrees Fahrenheit ambient. You might need longer flash times with cooler temperatures. Make sure you have plenty of non-direct light while you're spraying.

Thanks for the advice [emoji4] I'm actually contemplating changing the colour altogether and going with a fantasia green or deep midnight purple with it but will only be using spray cans I will however be taking your advice still and flash coating them just a waiting game to make my mind up on colour lol [emoji848]

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[Gstarr1991]

Rattle can away dude! This was my Taco Cart restore, If I remember correctly I used 36 cans and 3 final coats.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236517

Thanks dude I actually prefer rattle cans to spray guns, that said yours looked fantastic through your post can't believe you sold it though but then again it looked brand new by the time you finished so why not lol. Did you ever manage to sort out rubbers for the handles ? I also loved what you did with the wheels that was defiantly an awesome job [emoji106]

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[Gstarr1991]

Thanks , Finger is good, all feeling and maybe 90% strength.

BTW Slides may become difficult to find, I noticed that Snap-on dropped my Box's slide part numbers about 18 months ago. Luckily I snagged a bunch of new ones on Ebay last year for pretty cheap. Whatever you need from Snap-on I would procure as soon as possible. Ebay can be a good source of parts. Good luck & I'll help where I can.

Good glad your fingers nearly back to 100% I'm contacting S.O's customer service later today too see if I can get some replacement slides aswell as a new tumbler lock for the bottom 2 draw unit so I shall let you know the outcome there I've also got some s.o ratchets that I need repairing so I'll also speak to them about that I'm actually going to give the back a sand down today if I get chance as I've noticed that there's a bit of surface rust on it around where the serial number is (strange as I'd of though it would of been the bottom rusting but that's almost perfect bar the paint is scratched and scuffed) my biggest concern for today though is the runner I think would be nice to have them working smooth again I can actually remember playing with it as a child[emoji23] just pulled one of the draws out and it's going to be fun cleaning the copper grease off the runners [emoji17] not looking forward to that job

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[Mr_B]

I done a few boxes over years from old scruffy krl to my set of matco 7525's .
Spray gun is way better and using epoxy primers gives far better adhesion and corrosion protection, 2k top coat and straight colors no clear coat give long term durable finish easy deal with and buff out future marks .
Soaking slides in an old drain tube capped of with solvent works wonders and once relubed difference can be night and day .
Seen some good spray can efforts but it gets expensive for what you get from them and long term not that durable .

 

[Gstarr1991]

I done a few boxes over years from old scruffy krl to my set of matco 7525's .
Spray gun is way better and using epoxy primers gives far better adhesion and corrosion protection, 2k top coat and straight colors no clear coat give long term durable finish easy deal with and buff out future marks .
Soaking slides in an old drain tube capped of with solvent works wonders and once relubed difference can be night and day .
Seen some good spray can efforts but it gets expensive for what you get from them and long term not that durable .

Would love to see any pics you may have of your refurbs buddy also I have no experience with spray guns my father does but his health won't allow for him to spray anymore (I knew I should of paid more attention when I was younger lol) but I'll have to do multiple coats with cans and see of I can get a nice thick coat with a few thin layers to hopefully get it to not damage easily as for your idea with the drain pipe I'm going to give that a go and see if it will clear the slides there pretty gunked up

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[Mr_B]

Soak um for few days in batches in tube and agitate and check progress . brake clean useful for final clean off.
Being smaller boxes panels more manageable with cans, Use a straight gloss color no clear coat and should be able polish it up nicely and easy maintain, will need good effort on prep/primer make can top coat easier and better result .

 

[Gstarr1991]

Soak um for few days in batches in tube and agitate and check progress . brake clean useful for final clean off.
Being smaller boxes panels more manageable with cans, Use a straight gloss color no clear coat and should be able polish it up nicely and easy maintain, will need good effort on prep/primer make can top coat easier and better result .

I've just been through my shed and have found some 2.5 ft drain tube so I'm going to head down to local hardware store and see if I can get an end cap to fit also been told some carb cleaner will get rid of all the **** off them after the initial soak I've got a list of the runner codes I'm going to give S.O a call in a little while see if they have any, can't see them being too happy about replacing them as I need ....... for the kra-429f 8570 x 4
For the kra-59f I need
8657 x 12
8577 x 4
8567 x 2
Will update once I've spoken to them

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[kythri]

Just a little tip: If you're planning on using genuine Snap-on paint, it works best sprayed over bare naked steel that's been dry sanded with 400 grit sand paper on a Porter-Cable 330.

What kind of results could one expect if using a Makita BO4556K instead of a Porter-Cable 330?

 

[Gstarr1991]

Right guys I have spoken to snap ons customer service department (BTW you get to speak to an acctual person [emoji44]not a robot) and have been told that they are still under warrantee, now even though they are 1983 and 1989 they can still get the slides or an equivalent to fit from U.S for me and that I'm to contact my local rep (haven't seen him in years) and he will check them out to make sure theyve not been manhandled or purposely damaged as for the lock the lady on the phone could only tell me that they are still covered but I'm to speak to the rep and see what he says with regards to it, I've tried to get into contact with him but his phone appears to be off so will try again in a little while and update you all again [emoji16]

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[Unruh]

Right guys I have spoken to snap ons customer service department (BTW you get to speak to an acctual person [emoji44]not a robot) and have been told that they are still under warrantee, now even though they are 1983 and 1989 they can still get the slides or an equivalent to fit from U.S for me and that I'm to contact my local rep (haven't seen him in years) and he will check them out to make sure theyve not been manhandled or purposely damaged as for the lock the lady on the phone could only tell me that they are still covered but I'm to speak to the rep and see what he says with regards to it, I've tried to get into contact with him but his phone appears to be off so will try again in a little while and update you all again [emoji16]

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Nicely done! Looks like you have some folks interested in your project. Keep us posted

 

[Gstarr1991]

Nicely done! Looks like you have some folks interested in your project. Keep us posted

Thanks pal [emoji4] will do buddy hopefully be able to upload some pics later after clamping the lid if all had gone well lol (before and after pics)

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[Mr_B]

good luck, hopefully dealer fair .
one of my matco boxes had real bad slides and almost passed on buying it as spare slides on old matco not easy replaced but long soak had them working fine and looking almost new.
One of snappons strong points is box warranty and parts support .

 

[Gstarr1991]

good luck, hopefully dealer fair .
one of my matco boxes had real bad slides and almost passed on buying it as spare slides on old matco not easy replaced but long soak had them working fine and looking almost new.
One of snappons strong points is box warranty and parts support .

Thank you I must admit the lady on the phone from snap ons customer service was more than happy to assist me, not heard of matco before so I'm going to look into those now too [emoji6] I'm defiantly going to try soaking my sliders first but always good to have a back up just in case but at the moment it's more the lock that's bothering me in case I can't get another but maybe my local maplins may be able to help there if the snap on rep can't [emoji4]

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[Gstarr1991]

So update as for straightening the lid here's a couple of before and after shots ....

now onto my rep situation I've managed to speak to him and he's coming round (week today) to inspect the runners and see what the best approach is to take, he's also said unfortunately they no longer do the brass flat blade key locks but he is bringing me a replacement barrel lock ? What ever one of those is...... so today seems to have been quite a productive day and now I'm about to retake the runners out and see if cleaning helps with there motion [emoji4] will update with more soon

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[Mr_B]

Lock cylinders easily found for like 7bucks or less online or local hardware/locksmith . If being picky and want make most of warranty I expect dealer add one easily with a slide order if need some, dealers these days not always as helpful as was and more so if not a regular face .

 

[Gstarr1991]

Lock cylinders easily found for like 7bucks or less online or local hardware/locksmith . If being picky and want make most of warranty I expect dealer add one easily with a slide order if need some, dealers these days not always as helpful as was and more so if not a regular face .

See I'm going to look on eBay see if I can find another original one with the old brass keys as I'd like to keep its parts as original as possible I'm also going to take the handles off tomorrow and see what it'll cost me to have the paint matched to the original as I know the paint colour tone has changed over the years [emoji4] hopefully I get an alright rep and not one that's an add but only next week will tell

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[HarrisFD]

HarrisFD, I have a 660 also and snap on sent me some new slides just 4 months ago or so. I haven't tried to put any on yet (mine is a project too), I'm hoping they work. Maybe they took them off the website, but still have them available??? Great job on your box!

That's good to know, I saw about 20 sets of new slides for dirt cheap on fleabay about the time Snap-on pulled them off the website. My fear was that they were liquidating stock and dropping them. I bought 14 sets, should have bought them all, the rest sold out pretty quick. FYI I just picked up another KR290 yesterday to hang on the other end of my 660, mint condition but it will be getting 2K Viper Red paint soon!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That's good to know, I saw about 20 sets of new slides for dirt cheap on fleabay about the time Snap-on pulled them off the website. My fear was that they were liquidating stock and dropping them. I bought 14 sets, should have bought them all, the rest sold out pretty quick. FYI I just picked up another KR290 yesterday to hang on the other end of my 660, mint condition but it will be getting 2K Viper Red paint soon!

Pics?

 

[Rickster]

I'd recommend cleaning and polishing the finish not repainting. The original paint does buff up pretty well and the scratches & rust just give it character. I had an older box with sticky drawer slides (not ball bearing slides). Straightened them in a vice and using a hammer to even up the track gaps. Reassembled and lubed with SuperLube in a silver spray can, worked great. Good luck with your project!

 

[Tynee]

When refurbing my 60’s model SO box, I found that LDV is who handles SO’s older style locks for them now. It’s the same folks who build SO’s trucks. Give them a call with the numbers from the face of your lock, they may have a replacement lock or keys to yours.
http://www.ldvusa.com/about-us//

 

[Ohmthis]

That's good to know, I saw about 20 sets of new slides for dirt cheap on fleabay about the time Snap-on pulled them off the website. My fear was that they were liquidating stock and dropping them. I bought 14 sets, should have bought them all, the rest sold out pretty quick. FYI I just picked up another KR290 yesterday to hang on the other end of my 660, mint condition but it will be getting 2K Viper Red paint soon!

I've been on the lookout around here for a KR 290 for mine. Not even a sniff. There is a 660 close in Cincinnati that may be worth looking at though. OT, I spent Christmas and New Years out in SD.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've been on the lookout around here for a KR 290 for mine. Not even a sniff. There is a 660 close in Cincinnati that may be worth looking at though. OT, I spent Christmas and New Years out in SD.

I found a 290 last summer, it took awhile.

 

[Gstarr1991]

Hey guys little update I started to rub/ sand down the back of the box to try and remove some of the serface rust and have noticed that a few blemishes are in and around my serial numbers is there any way of preserving them as I don't want too loose them there very faint and not stamped in very well especially when compared to where snap on has put there address and date cheers guys

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[Gstarr1991]

I'd recommend cleaning and polishing the finish not repainting. The original paint does buff up pretty well and the scratches & rust just give it character. I had an older box with sticky drawer slides (not ball bearing slides). Straightened them in a vice and using a hammer to even up the track gaps. Reassembled and lubed with SuperLube in a silver spray can, worked great. Good luck with your project!

Funnily enough I've actually done what you've said with a vice after cleaning them and a few of the runners are now running perfect there is a couple that seem very stiff still after straightening and re-lubing I'm ordering some lithium grease and am going to give some of that a go on the stiffer ones hopefully it'll sort it out and my SO rep won't have to get me new ones also ordering some rubber grip matting so I can reline the base of the draws as the stuff that was in there has become very brittle and seems to have a fair few wholes in them once I have I shall upload some pics of the lining [emoji4]

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[Laro13]

Maybe this can help you with replacement numbers for your slides:

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1035

Great to hear that Snap-on UK also honor the lifetime guarantee. Gives me hope that in Netherlands they will do the same.

Good luck!

 

[Rickster]

I don't like the white lith grease, it tends to solidify over time and continually attracts grime. Garage door opener spray does OK, or maybe the SuperLube with Teflon clear grease.

 

[Gstarr1991]

Maybe this can help you with replacement numbers for your slides:

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1035

Great to hear that Snap-on UK also honor the lifetime guarantee. Gives me hope that in Netherlands they will do the same.

Good luck!

Thanks buddy will have a look though the link [emoji4] I was actually quite surprised that they would still be covered especially with me not being the original owner/purchaser

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[Gstarr1991]

I don't like the white lith grease, it tends to solidify over time and continually attracts grime. Garage door opener spray does OK, or maybe the SuperLube with Teflon clear grease.

It does tend to go quite rubbery so to speak after a while to be honest l, not heard of superlube before will ha e to have a look into some and didn't think of Teflon grease either that's a good idea cheers buddy [emoji3]

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[softailgarage]

Thanks dude I actually prefer rattle cans to spray guns, that said yours looked fantastic through your post can't believe you sold it though but then again it looked brand new by the time you finished so why not lol. Did you ever manage to sort out rubbers for the handles ? I also loved what you did with the wheels that was defiantly an awesome job [emoji106]

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Thanks and no, never did find the handle caps

I don't like the white lith grease, it tends to solidify over time and continually attracts grime. Garage door opener spray does OK, or maybe the SuperLube with Teflon clear grease.

Never use any type of grease, especially on the older boxes, as you said, it attracts ****. Use a dry film lubricant, this is what I use...https://www.zoro.com/blaster-dry-lu...TJ44IlvYc8GppGqEdlAa92D62nuEyFikaAmwbEALw_wcB

 

[Gstarr1991]

Hey guys little update for you all been and seen my snap on guy and he's told me there's nothing he can do for me with the sliders and as for the replacement lock....... well that's not happening either as he's tried charging me £39 per lock ( ×2 needed) bearing in mind there the same as a normal £4 cam lock off eBay that is exactly the right fitment just don't say ****** snap on so as you can imagine I'm not amused by it and will be contacting customer care as they say my locks and runners would be under warranty and should be exchanged through my S/O rep

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