Union tool chest co

[propmaker]

I found a union tool chest today and I'm trying to figure out the year manufactured. Any help would be appreciated. The drawers backs are all stamped 142 and the drawer bottoms are galvanized steel.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I believe that's from the 20's or into the 30's. I have one from the 40's that I am re-badging as a Craftsman (Union supplied them). Poke around here, which is by far the best guide on the web.

 

[four.cycle]

I have nothing that early for "Union". Only this 1940 catalog listing:

 

[propmaker]

I have nothing that early for "Union". Only this 1940 catalog listing:

From the link that lugnutz posted I narrowed it down to 1920-1928.

 

[RTM]

Love those little ring pulls!

 

[snapmom]

early 40's Snap on Label

 

[four.cycle]

* I have the hard copy of this on the way and will get it shipped off to Mark after a couple others arrive. I am assuming this edition was published at some point in the early 1940s - apparently there is no publishing date in it. - BK



Union Steel Chest Corp. catalog No. 20 front cover

Union Steel Chest Corp. catalog No. 20 pp 8

Union Steel Chest Corp. catalog No. 20 pp 2-3

Union / Union Steel Chest Corp., Le Roy, NY / "Utilco" tool storage systems / est. 1893 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/union-tool-chest-co.443690/ /

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

'32 moved from Rochester to Leroy with a change in the sticker

 

[d42jeep]

Here is mine previously posted in the vintage toolbox thread.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

some shoddy camera work here will have to do until I can get this shipped off to Mark and he gets it uploaded to International Tool Catalog Library -
* Please consider making a donation to ITCL now while they are able to get 2 to 1 matching donations.


1940s Union Steel Chest Corp. Catalog No. 20 front cover

1940s Union Steel Chest Corp. Catalog No. 20 pp 2-3

1940s Union Steel Chest Corp. Catalog No. 20 pp 4-5

1940s Union Steel Chest Corp. Catalog No. 20 pp 6-7

1940s Union Steel Chest Corp. Catalog No. 20 pp 8 (and rear cover)

(* Please consider making a donation to ITCL - this is all 100% volunteer stuff *)

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a little newer Union carry box.
-Don

 

[Bentnail]

I just purchased a Union Tool Chest Co. Inc carpenters tool box. I am going to assume it was made between 1918 to 1928.

 

[four.cycle]

^ looks like your assumption is correct:

Union Tool Chest Works (UTCW), Rochester, NY, was founded in 1914 by G. N. Perkins, the president of American Drafting Furniture Co. (ADFC), Rochester, NY. ADFC was established in 1893. These two companies were operating in the same building on Railroad Street.
UTCW period date for cases and chests would be 1914 – 1918.

In 1918 UTCW changed their name to Union Tool Chest Co., Inc. (UTCC), Rochester, NY, Gilman N Perkins – pres.
UTCC period date for cases and chests would be 1918 – 1928.

On Feb 7, 1929 UTCC changed their name again to Union Chest and Cabinet Corp. (UCCC), Rochester, NY, Gilman N Perkins – pres. UCCC’s last year of business was in 1932.
UCCC period date for cases and chests would be 1929 – 1932.
I have not yet found a nameplate for this company, except for one embossed in a metal toolbox.
ADFC is still in business.

I don’t have recorded records, yet, for the following:
In 1932 – 1933 apparently 3 former employees of UCCC bought the marketing rights to the tool case and chest business and relocated to LeRoy, NY. Their new business was named Union Steel Chest Corp (USCC). As their name implies, they were primarily in the steel chest manufacturing business.
However, they continued to offer wooden machinist tool cases and chests. To do this they had ADFC continue building wood cases and chests for them. USCC was essentially an assembly and marketing company for this line. They continued this business until about 1953 when they pulled the plug on this line.
USCC period date for cases and chests would be 1933 – 1953.
USCC sold cases and chests to Sears Roebuck Co. and Union Tool Corp. in Orange, MA.

It is commonly thought that Union built the Lufkin Tool Co. machinist tool chests. What actually happened was that Lufkin also bought the chests from ADFC and did their own assembly and marketing.

 

[Bentnail]

Would anyone know of a Catalog of sorts that would show UTCC offering from the 1918-1928? I would love to see the original look of the chest.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Would anyone know of a Catalog of sorts that would show UTCC offering from the 1918-1928?

You could ask @toolboxted where he got the catalog excerpts he uses on his site. See post #2 for the link. The site and the excerpts are all machinists' chest oriented. But he may have gotten them from a catalog that shows the other chests and boxes UTCC was making in that era.

 

[Beerhippie]

Here are a couple of more modern--older, I think, than bentnail's--Union boxes, more of a tackle-box style, but great for organizing small tools:





I love those latches. They latch when closed, whether you throw the bail or not. Cuts down on the pick-up-tools games.









That little fella' is now my Toyota road box.





The family portrait. All three have the "Spill Proof" latches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

--older, I think, than bentnail's-

I'm assuming you meant "younger," or later. Certainly not older or earlier. Your boxes have the name and address the company used from 1933 to 1951, and that Design Patent (161360) was granted Dec 26, 1950.

 

[Beerhippie]

I'm assuming you meant "younger," or later. Certainly not older or earlier. Your boxes have the name and address the company used from 1933 to 1951, and that Design Patent (161360) was granted Dec 26, 1950.

I was going from a gut feeling from the style of handle, but I willingly submit to the greater communal knowledge and experience of GJ!

 

[PFSard]

Here are a couple of more modern--older, I think, than bentnail's--Union boxes, more of a tackle-box style, but great for organizing small tools:

Those look great!!! Not that I need more storage boxes given the stacks of boxes in my garage, but I would definitely have to pick those up at any yard or estate sales.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was going from a gut feeling from the style of handle...

Are we looking at the same box? Your handle is metal. His is leather-clad. Leather is generally older. That shift took hold in the mid to late 40s on most boxes.

I willingly submit to the greater communal knowledge and experience of GJ!

That does exist, but in this case it was easier than that. I leveraged the research, catalog excerpts, and assembly into a handy reference guide that @toolboxted has provided on his site. No knowledge or experience required! Again, link to his site in post #2. Use the scroll bar on the left to scroll down to the Union entries. While "Union" was always included, they went through several name and address (and decal) changes. He has the whole timeline. His site is machinists' box focused, but that information pertains to all the boxes Union made.

 

[Bentnail]

I guess I just find it interesting from a semi historical point of view that the "Union Tool Chest Co. Inc." carpenter box I have has lasted at least 96 to 106 years while being used by a trades person on many job sites. From its appearance with all its bumps and bruises it has held together quite well as most likely it was carried wherever needed with some loving care.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I see A LOT of old carpenters' boxes at flea markets and very few of them have been in better or more complete condition.

 

[RTM]

I guess I just find it interesting from a semi historical point of view that the "Union Tool Chest Co. Inc." carpenter box I have has lasted at least 96 to 106 years while being used by a trades person on many job sites. From its appearance with all its bumps and bruises it has held together quite well as most likely it was carried wherever needed with some loving care.

I suspect it has sat idle in someone’s garage for the last forty of those years, if not longer. I suspect the metal cladding has a lot to do with how nice it looks

I see A LOT of old carpenters' boxes at flea markets and very few of them have been in better or more complete condition.

Gotta agree here. I’ve got a couple of thrashed ones here. Once you try to carry a loaded one, you know why, heavy and awkward. One I bought had planes in it, which I suspect was not the norm for most traveling carpenters, taking a train or bus, or walking to the job, and it was a real bear to hoist in the truck.

 

[Beerhippie]

Thanks, @Private Lugnutz ! I'll check out that link when I have time.

I hadn't looked closely enough at @Bentnail 's box to notice that was a leather handle--I though it was plastic, hence the confusion.

I want to point out that the center box in this photo--three-level tan-ish color--does not have Union branding on it--it has no branding. But it's exactly the same as the other two, both of which are Union branded, except for size and lay-out.

Right down to the Spill Proof latch. So I'm assuming it's a Union. Maybe it originally had a decal for a store brand?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

-I though it was plastic, hence the confusion.

Aha! My heretofore impression of you has been fully restored!