Tool Box Identification

[65Goat]

Hello,

I went and looked at this tool box today. Of course it has a Snap-on badge but I didn't see any other markings.

I was expecting to see something such as "KRA" on the back, but I couldn't find a single marking.

Can you help me identify this tool box and model?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

It's a mid '50s Snap On. I forget the exact model. I have a couple of them. They weren't stamped on the back then. I'd say $50-75 on that one is a fair price.

 

[Boogerman]

It's a mid '50s Snap On. I forget the exact model. I have a couple of them. They weren't stamped on the back then. I'd say $50-75 on that one is a fair price.

Worth you user, maybe. To buy/sell, that lowball. Badge worth $60 ebay. $150 + that box; more if condition were better. See sell $200 often.

 

[FJ 432]

A very commonly found in my area KR56. Weighs 63 pounds and a work horse.

 

[65Goat]

^^^

 

[sk farmer]

clean it up as best you can. simple green and then some polish will tell you how good it is with very little invested and no risk of damage.

i have a similar but smaller box of the same vintage. i left mine but imop my box was in better condition with just scratches, light rust and worn paint. yours looks a little beyond that with some heavier rust but sometimes they look better in person after a cleanup.

when i see completely bare rusted and possibly pitted metal, that goes beyond patina and looks better with a restore.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Worth you user, maybe. To buy/sell, that lowball. Badge worth $60 ebay. $150 + that box; more if condition were better. See sell $200 often.

If you go by eBay prices, sure, you can inflate everything. But you don't ask eBay prices at a garage sale or on Craigslist.

I try to give general values based on my experience, not seeing on eBay.

 

[luxello]

I am unable to find markings on this box. Any ideas what kind of cabinet it is? I thought maybe KR-311 valve cabinet, but it is different than than the one I was able to look up in 1950 Catalog T. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Thanks for the feedback. There isn't a key and the bottom drawer was very difficult to open/close.

Do people (the market) prefer them restored with new paint, or just cleaned up but with the original patina?

I used to buy and sell toolboxes for fun and a little money. A toolbox will sell for more money and much sooner if it is spotless, clean. I used to take the tracks out and run them through my ultrasonic cleaner tank. A little dry lube, like graphite, is better than dirt attracting grease.
I have lost count, but in a few years, I have sold about 65 TB. This included the smaller KENNEDY machinist TB. Kennedy sell quickly. I don't like the drab brown paint on the Kennedy line. I am always happy to see them sell quickly. My quickest turn-around on a Kennedy was 38 minutes.
I have Craftsman, and Beach machinist toolboxes that are identical to Kennedy.
I am down to 12 toolboxes. I like the few that I have, so, for now, I am stuck with them. Herre are a few pictures. I gave the WATERLOO to my son. He starts his mechanic's apprenticeship in a week.

 

[65Goat]

I used to buy and sell toolboxes for fun and a little money. A toolbox will sell for more money and much sooner if it is spotless, clean. I used to take the tracks out and run them through my ultrasonic cleaner tank. A little dry lube, like graphite, is better than dirt attracting grease.
I have lost count, but in a few years, I have sold about 65 TB. This included the smaller KENNEDY machinist TB. Kennedy sell quickly. I don't like the drab brown paint on the Kennedy line. I am always happy to see them sell quickly. My quickest turn-around on a Kennedy was 38 minutes.
I have Craftsman, and Beach machinist toolboxes that are identical to Kennedy.
I am down to 12 toolboxes. I like the few that I have, so, for now, I am stuck with them. Herre are a few pictures. I gave the WATERLOO to my son. He starts his mechanic's apprenticeship in a week.

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

I didn't end up buying that one I originally posted about. I wanted to, but it was his grandfathers and it had too much sentimental value. He was holding tight at $200 and it was just too beat up for that price.

 

[rktinc]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Great to hear this about the market on used Kennedy tool boxes. I have spent about $1200 in the last two months buying / collecting one of each model out there in the used market. Actually have been collecting for years, just finally got a reason to complete my collection. The only one I need is a nice used 3 drawer riser and an eight drawer upper chest. I paid way more for my most recent purchases than my boxes purchased years ago, but I am glad to get the set complete. I plan to use them in a shop remodel/build I am completing this year. Functional art if you will. All under spot lights in my shop. i have found they are out there and relatively cheap if vs new or even new low grade stuff like HF boxes if you can accept a little patina

 

[65Goat]

Great to hear this about the market on used Kennedy tool boxes. I have spent about $1200 in the last two months buying / collecting one of each model out there in the used market. Actually have been collecting for years, just finally got a reason to complete my collection. The only one I need is a nice used 3 drawer riser and an eight drawer upper chest. I paid way more for my most recent purchases than my boxes purchased years ago, but I am glad to get the set complete. I plan to use them in a shop remodel/build I am completing this year. Functional art if you will. All under spot lights in my shop. i have found they are out there and relatively cheap if vs new or even new low grade stuff like HF boxes if you can accept a little patina

Share some pictures!!

 

[rktinc]

Lot of work to do in my shop restoration so it will be a while before this is done, but at least I have the boxes.

 

[65Goat]

Hello,

I came across this one on Craigslist. What do you think would be a good price to get this at?

 

[Shelbylex]

Depends on your location and how much you want it.

I got 1955 KR-56 with couple of scratches for $40 with working key (with original plan to restore it one day - still using as is...). KRA-58 from 1963 was $25 but had no key...

...There was somebody on this board who found a 3 drawer in the dumpster and restored it...

 

[65Goat]

Hello,

I came across this one on Craigslist. What do you think would be a good price to get this at?

I bought this box today. I got it for $60.

I will start cleaning it up, but I may need to get advice on bringing it back to life.

 

[fatfillup]

I bought this box today. I got it for $60.

I will start cleaning it up, but I may need to get advice on bringing it back to life.

I think that is an excellent buy. I have a nice one that I wouldn't let go for less than $150. They have a great cool factor

 

[65Goat]

I think that is an excellent buy. I have a nice one that I wouldn't let go for less than $150. They have a great cool factor

Thanks. The one I started this thread with (post #1) was WAY more beat up and I couldn't get the guy to come down a penny from $200.

I am glad I held tight for this one.

Couldn't agree more on the cool factor.

 

[fatfillup]

Patience is key for finding deals. And lots of looking

Glad you found it at a great price!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thanks. The one I started this thread with (post #1) was WAY more beat up and I couldn't get the guy to come down a penny from $200.

That guy is going to be sitting on that box for a looooong time.

 

[65Goat]

That guy is going to be sitting on that box for a looooong time.

I know. It was his grandfather's box and he had too much sentimental value associated to it.

 

[Shelbylex]

I bought this box today. I got it for $60.

I will start cleaning it up, but I may need to get advice on bringing it back to life.

Congratulations! I think its a good deal!
I actually somewhat prefer KR-56 to KRA-58B: the top compartment is deeper and you can put a lot of deep sockets there (I put a lot of them standing).
This was my initial arrangement when I just got the box (I added a lot of deep sockets to the front compartment since then. Not perfect, but if you stand them together by SAE or Metric, it's not that hard to find a right size (I am not a pro and time is not as important when I am working on the projects...)

 

[Shelbylex]

Also - if the drawers are a little stiff, get some Paraffin Wax (I think I got Gulf Paraffin Wax in a food store for $5-6 in one of the food stores and it significantly improved the drawer sliding...). Make sure you clean them well too - mine had a lot of hardened grease and dirt when I got it...)

 

[65Goat]

^^^

 

[65Goat]

Congratulations! I think its a good deal!
I actually somewhat prefer KR-56 to KRA-58B: the top compartment is deeper and you can put a lot of deep sockets there (I put a lot of them standing).
This was my initial arrangement when I just got the box (I added a lot of deep sockets to the front compartment since then. Not perfect, but if you stand them together by SAE or Metric, it's not that hard to find a right size (I am not a pro and time is not as important when I am working on the projects...)

Thanks for sharing looks great!

 

[65Goat]

Also - if the drawers are a little stiff, get some Paraffin Wax (I think I got Gulf Paraffin Wax in a food store for $5-6 in one of the food stores and it significantly improved the drawer sliding...). Make sure you clean them well too - mine had a lot of hardened grease and dirt when I got it...)

This will be need very soon. Thanks for sharing your insights.

I was going to study up on this thread.

Best lube for toolbox drawer slides

I have an old Snap On Taco wagon tool box The slides are not the ballbearing type They are old style plain slides. I've cleaned them but they sure slide hard Any suggestions on lube? Don't use the box everyday

www.garagejournal.com

I was leaning towards something that was more of a dry lube so it doesn't attract more dirt, but that was just an initial thought.

I am open to feedback.

 

[Shelbylex]

My box sits in a dry and relatively clean environment - thus I do not worry about dust and dirt.
I tried graphite on one of the boxes before - did not like the dust and it did not work as well...

 

[65Goat]

Is there a way to order the key for a vintage snap on box?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Is there a way to order the key for a vintage snap on box?

I'd start with checking eBay. There's sellers on there that cut keys if you can give them a number off the lock.

 

[hailwood1965]

I'm currently doing a Huot top box. They are cheaply made compared to a Snappy but the company is local and I like that angle.

 

[65Goat]

I'd start with checking eBay. There's sellers on there that cut keys if you can give them a number off the lock.

Thank you.

Is there somebody you have used before? Someone you can recommend?

 

[Michigan Mike]

If you can pull the cylinder and take it to a real lock shop they can make you a key.

 

[will335i]

I recently picked up a KR 274 at auction for $20. It needs to be cleaned up and the badge is missing. I was planning on stripping the paint and painting it black to match my toolbox but now I am not sure. I would like to put a replacement badge on but even the modern ones fetch a high dollar on ebay.

 

[65Goat]

I recently picked up a KR 274 at auction for $20. It needs to be cleaned up and the badge is missing. I was planning on stripping the paint and painting it black to match my toolbox but now I am not sure. I would like to put a replacement badge on but even the modern ones fetch a high dollar on ebay.

Fantastic!! Send a picture.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Thank you.

Is there somebody you have used before? Someone you can recommend?

Sending PM

 

[will335i]

Here's some pictures from the auction. I am still leaning towards painting it black to match my tool box. I'm still not sure what I am going to do about the emblem. It is not the end of the world and I might go with a modern one if all else fails. A new handle would be nice too.

 

[65Goat]

Hello,

Post #14 is my before picture and below is my current after picture.

It was funny, my original plan was to sand it down and prime/paint it. However, once I started to clean all the crud off of it, the box really came back to life.

I used to roll my eyes a little when people would refer to "patina" but I get it now. The cleaned up aged box looks kind of cool.

Well I am going to put a little more elbow grease into it, but she's coming along.

 

[worldcargo]

Can someone please help me identify the model and year of this beach toolbox?
Thanks!

 

[mikedodge]

Year is gard to tell with Beach. They never changed much.