Toolbox rehab questions

[skelrad]

I'm thinking of rehabbing an old craftsman tool box (small portable box) as a gift for my dad's birthday. I'm curious how most of you go about getting rid of the rust. Do you remove all hardware and use a media blaster, or do you just use a chemical solvent of some sort? What about the silver (chrome, nickel...Whatever they used back in the 50s) hardware that is corroded? Should that just be removed and replaced, or can it be cleaned up as well?

Just looking for some tips. Reading through other threads about restoration has given me the bug. I love doing this kind of thing.

 

[kawookie64]

Just rehabbed a 1949 Craftsman chest. Used wire wheel and random orbit sander to get rid of rust and pits in metal. I stripped all the emblems and handles off first and used glass bead media to strip them. Found out it was extremely expensive to have them rechromed so I just clear coated them to keep the inlayed design visible. Then I repaired the sheet metal with brazing, grinding and (sadly) alittle Bondo. (My arc welder just destroys sheet metal). Rustoluem makes a hammered grey spray paint that closely matched the origional battle ship grey. Its now proudly back in service in my shop atop my brand new craftsman rolling base. They don't build 'em like thee old ones anymore.....