Value for vintage Snap On box?

[Burgerkong]

Kerosened everything to get rid of the excess grease and WD40 that the brush didn't reach, will give up now as it's not possible to get all the old grease off unless I leave all the drawers in a large vat of mineral spirits or diesel for several days.

 

[Syndicate]

Kerosened everything to get rid of the excess grease and WD40 that the brush didn't reach, will give up now as it's not possible to get all the old grease off unless I leave all the drawers in a large vat of mineral spirits or diesel for several days.

Don't worry too much bout them there grease spots. It ain't a tool box without 'em. Right? BTW you did a fantastic job, all around. You got a good deal on an oldie but goody box, you cleaned it up real nice, and you made a pretty cool thread up on it

 

[Souljer]

Hi,

Looks good.

My box's slides were/ still are covered in grease. I mean thick globs of greenish-blue peanut butter. It's horrible with all the dirt and filings that got trapped. On one of the slides, in the grease, I found a screw and a drill bit. Just suspended up there, encased in grease. It's almost funny except for the work I'm not looking forward to, in order to clean it up.


One good thing is, behind the drawers, I found an owners manual type booklet. In it is explained Snap-On protocol, at the time, for maintaining the slides.

It seems that Parafine wax and probably something like Bee's Wax are the official recommendations.

Thanks for the inspiration I needed to get a big tin and get back to it. Time to round the final lap and get it back to work.

 

[Burgerkong]

I was hoping I;d find that in there but no dice haha. I did find a Department of Labour memo though.

 

[Souljer]

Hi,

Went out and got some food, DVDs and a baking tin.

Removed the rest of the slides and they are soaking in 50/50 Simple Green and water over night.

Should I start my own thread? Do we need another "Cleaned up my new vintage Snap-On tool box"?

 

[sevnd3z28]

Souljer....don't you kmow where you are? Of course we need another "cleaned up my new vintage Snap on toolbox" thread!!

Burgerkong....amazing find on an amazing box! Enjoy the toolbox and keep posting progress pics, especially when it is done and loaded with tools!

 

[Burgerkong]

Dur, just realized I should've wiped everything down using mineral spirits/naptha and not kerosene. Don't make the same mistake I did.

 

[Burgerkong]

Here's it almost completed, still need to get some lube for the slides and wax, wonder if I should get dry Teflon spray?

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

This is the liner I am planning to get:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?c=&p=49413&cat=1,250,43298,43300

Brendan

 

[Burgerkong]

Did I get the right lubricant? Figured the old instructions could use some spicing up with PTFE/Teflon infused wax:

 

[Souljer]

Hi,

I was going to comment on that.

You said you were going to get spray teflon or something like that.
I tried to post a picture of the original instructions from the booklet I found. I can see them fine, but maybe they are too small for others?

They mention using Parafine or candle wax or something similar. Parafine is an oil based wax. I am going to look into something like Bee's Wax. Basically I'm looking for something that is not sticky and will not dry into a tarry mess. As I see it, if Snap-On circa 1949 put wax on the sliders and they still seem to be in good shape today, why change?

However if you find that the teflon stuff is good and not accumulating dirt, etc. then I'm interested in hearing what your results and feeling are about it. I've never used it and have no idea. Maybe test it on something, like a piece of paper or bolt threads and see if dust sticks to it?

Since we have the whole thing apart and can put lubricant anywhere we want, I was toying with the idea of graphite powder for the same, slippery but not sticky, reasons.

 

[Burgerkong]

Yeah, I read that too, I figured Teflon should be even better. If anything I will try the Teflon first and then switch to wax after using it for a while. I've read elsewhere on this site that people have used the Teflon/wax lubricant to some degree of success.

EDIT:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76307

 

[biscuit141]

After washing, what did you do to bring out the red in the paint paint again?

 

[Burgerkong]

Wax , it did wonders today. Cleaning the grease and grime took it to another level, but wax took it to a different planet.

 

[biscuit141]

Did you just hand apply or did you use a buffer?

 

[Burgerkong]

Hand apply, didn't know how thin the enamel was and didn't want to chance it since there's no clear coat so I took it safe.

 

[Souljer]

Yeah, I read that too, I figured Teflon should be even better. If anything I will try the Teflon first and then switch to wax after using it for a while. I've read elsewhere on this site that people have used the Teflon/wax lubricant to some degree of success.

EDIT:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76307

Cool.
Thanks.

 

[Burgerkong]

My next update, after rinsing everything with detergent and water, and finally a layer of wax, here are the results (I didn't rub too hard and used a fairly gentler wax, so most of the swirls are still there, but a lot less noticeable, was worried about the paint thickness):

Here's the original:

Used the Teflon lubricant I linked above, seems to glide just as smooth as roller ball slides and the greased mess before I took the box apart (Note: get the bottled version, not the spray can, I find it's more precise and dries a billion times faster):

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DuISg8kyrJw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Burgerkong]

Unfortunately, the middle of the smaller drawers still takes a but of force to pull out, I think the grooves fore the slides may be misaligned , seems like it's rubbing somewhere.

Also, Snap-On won't sell me the friction sliders, looks like if I needed replacements I'm SOL.

 

[biscuit141]

I though Snap On warranty's the sliders for life? Are they no longer available?

 

[Burgerkong]

They just said not available, which I thought was weird, as lots of boxes still use friction slides, even up to the early 80's.

 

[Burgerkong]

Done! Need to populate with tools and cork liners.

Need to take some daylight pics, the paint really cleaned up nicely. Anyone know if I should use a orbital to take out more swirls and scratches?

 

[Burgerkong]

Picked some liner material up today, will swing by Home Depot to check out their cork underlayment:

 

[Fordman7795]

You should probably post more pictures

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

I'm also lining with cork. I like the look. I wish the so box I bought was that clean.

Eric

 

[Burgerkong]

It took a lot of work to bring it back from years of neglect, but it is FAR from the worse I've seen, was always in a covered garage.

 

[reddog289]

That would look good on top of the same vintage "rolling base" Snap-On chest I just picked up. Well after I fix up the base.

 

[Burgerkong]

Think I am going to get a pair of Mooneyes stickers, now to find a location...

 

[Burgerkong]

Here's a cork mockup (found the nice and thick cork rolls at Staples of all places...):

 

[Burgerkong]

Did the bottom drawer, took longer than I thought...

Yay or nay?

 

[B18c_tuner]

It looks good. So what exactly should I be asking for if I walk into a staples for a sheet of this stuff? And a tip on straighter edges; make measurements, then take a long metal ruler and a boxer cutter. Cut on the floor with one knee on the ruler and slide the box cutter along the ruler. Being careful not to move the ruler out of place as you slide/ cut along it.

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

Looks good to me!

Eric

 

[Burgerkong]

It looks good. So what exactly should I be asking for if I walk into a staples for a sheet of this stuff? And a tip on straighter edges; make measurements, then take a long metal ruler and a boxer cutter. Cut on the floor with one knee on the ruler and slide the box cutter along the ruler. Being careful not to move the ruler out of place as you slide/ cut along it.

That is exactly what I am doing, large T-square to mark out the lines then steel rule and exacto knife.

It should be under the Quartet brand, 24" x 48" natural cork sheet.

 

[joe_cool]

Wax , it did wonders today. Cleaning the grease and grime took it to another level, but wax took it to a different planet.

What Wax did you use?

 

[Burgerkong]

Meguiar's Carnuba.

 

[nine4gmc]

that thing is ****!! love the cork in there too, nice job!

 

[joe_cool]

Thanks, Looks Great, I hope my 2 Boxes turn out as good as yours when i finally get the time to clean them.

 

[Souljer]

It looks good. So what exactly should I be asking for if I walk into a staples for a sheet of this stuff? And a tip on straighter edges; make measurements, then take a long metal ruler and a boxer cutter. Cut on the floor with one knee on the ruler and slide the box cutter along the ruler. Being careful not to move the ruler out of place as you slide/ cut along it.

That is exactly what I am doing, large T-square to mark out the lines then steel rule and exacto knife.

It should be under the Quartet brand, 24" x 48" natural cork sheet.

Hi,

Have you considered large shears or scissors?

When I was lining my newer box with a heavy weight, thick material (not cork) I thought I would have to use a big knife and a straight edge, etc. Then when that was not working too well I looked over and saw my large shears and thought, why not try. Turns out they worked great. Easier to cut and thus easier to control.

Mark your lines on the "back", cut and then install "right side up".

FYI:
I've found cork sheeting several places, including OSH, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc. Usually under a category like "shelf liners".

 

[Burgerkong]

Yep, I tried the usual stores first, including Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Canadian Tire first, but it ended up being cheapest at Staples.

Last bit of pictures for now, still waiting for my wrenches, sockets and misc. stuff:

Need to organize a tad more.

Brendan

 

[nine4gmc]

damn good job!!

 

[matt.maw]

Did you use something to hold down the cork? Or did it just flatten out?