Value of older MAC Tool Boxes?

[LNKMK8]

Hey guys, looking for a few opinions. Apologize about the poor photos at this time. I bought these tool boxes loaded with tools at an estate sale. I'm planning to sell the boxes and wondering what a good starting price would be. I think they are from the 1970's, and are in pretty decent shape. Certainly not mint, but appear functional and should clean up decent.

There are two bottom boxes and a top box in the first photo. I believe they are 30" wide. The other is a tall bottom, middle, and top section box with side box. It stands about 6' high in total.

Any thoughts on a good Craigslist price for any or all of them? I normally deal in Craftsman boxes and know the local market very well on those, but am not real confident on the older Tool Truck Brands.

Again, apologies about the quality of the photos; they were the photos from the listings; I'll head back over there tomorrow morning to actually pick them up.

 

[930dreamer]

Where are you located? You will probably need to piece them out. What tools were in the boxes, I like these older MAC boxes.

 

[LNKMK8]

I'm in Kansas City; Yeah, I will probably sell the one taller setup together with the bottom, middle, and top, and price the other three individually.

 

[Bob P1]

They look like desirable boxes, good luck on you sale.

 

[930dreamer]

I'll be up there next week if you still have them.

 

[LNKMK8]

If we can work out a deal, I don't mind holding them for a week or two. I'd think about keeping them, but I am just out of space. I have a nice old Craftsman top box that I can't seem to find a place for

As far as tools, I'm not sure yet. I need to get them home and sort through them. Quite a mix of Snap-on, MAC, Craftsman, Proto, Williams, etc.

Thomas

 

[gregaz]

I have been looking for those exact boxes. I have a side cabinet that matches them p just need the roller and the top.

Alas, I am in Phoenix ...

 

[LNKMK8]

Yeah... that would be a bit of a drive

I've been poking around a few different sources this afternoon. If they clean up nice, I'm thinking somewhere around $2,000 for all of them would be a reasonable asking price... 3 bottom, one intermediate, one top, and one side. I guess I'll find out their true condition when I get them pulled out of the garage tomorrow.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Probably get more for them if you split them up

 

[rsanter]

Left picture
Those boxes are worth about $200 each but price depends on where you are.

Right picture
Bottom box is worth $250 to 300
Other boxes are about $200 each

 

[gregaz]

Yeah ... $2,000 seems high to me. There is a MAC stack of similar vintage listed in Scottsdale, supposedly full of tools, and they have been asking $1,500 for a while with no takers. I agree with the valuation above - ~ $200 per.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think I have seen that set on cl maybe. There are soooo many boxes for sale in phoenix area it is a tough market

 

[LNKMK8]

Thanks guys; I'll get them home and cleaned up and see what I've got.

 

[gregaz]

I think I have seen that set on cl maybe. There are soooo many boxes for sale in phoenix area it is a tough market

This is the one I was thinking of:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/418142426

But looks like there is another, listed for even less:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/444276332

 

[zkling]

FYI, the first pic, those aren't bottom boxes, they are side boxes. Should be 20" wide.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

This is the one I was thinking of:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/418142426

But looks like there is another, listed for even less:
https://offerup.com/item/detail/444276332

That is a smoking deal.

 

[LNKMK8]

FYI, the first pic, those aren't bottom boxes, they are side boxes. Should be 20" wide.

Ha, you are right! I didn't even look that closely when I was buying them So I hauled them all home today; 1 bottom, 1 mid, 2 tops, and 3 sides. They are all filthy from being used in a commercial shop for years, but I am hoping they will clean up ok with a brush and lots of Simple Green. I'll post up some pictures once I have a chance to work with them.

Thomas

 

[dkroth]

I bought this set a couple years ago on CL for $500. MAC MB8100 and MB8200. Ball bearing slides; from the early '90's.

I thought it was a good deal. The seller does a fair amount of business on CL and told me he priced it to move but still got what he thought was fair on the deal.

In fact, I stole this pic from offer up where this actual set sold for $650.

.

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, I really like those older MAC boxes and they often go for cheap because they're friction slides.

jack vines.

 

[LNKMK8]

I'm amazed at who well the old friction slides work even with some weight in the drawers. Not as smooth as a new high quality ball bearing, but still respectable. I was really surprised when we went to move the top box. I thought I had forgot to empty some of the drawers... these things were really built heavy. I guess being 33" width added some weight over the normal 26" that I am used to moving.

 

[cgrutt]

I love those boxes! Don't believe they're worth anywhere near $2000 but they're really cool. IMO maybe $200-$250 each for the bottom cabinets and chests. $125-$175 each for the side boxes and center chest. I bought a similar MATCO set (but 26") top chest and roller cabinet for $150 (total). Picked up a 40" Snap-on Top and bottom FULL OF TRUCK TOOLS for $1100. Good luck with sale let us know how you make out.

 

[Tynee]

There was a stack very similar to the tall 3piece stack in a local pawn shop. Good shape, friction slides. It sat for several months at $700 for the set. Don’t know what it actually sold for.

 

[LNKMK8]

Well, this is what I ended up with. I spent the better an afternoon cleaning them, and they are still grubby and kind of beat up. They spent most of their lives in a commercial shop. I replaced the lid support rivets on the smaller top box as they had hung every extension in the shop on the magnets across the top and overloaded them.

 

[gregaz]

Well, this is what I ended up with. I spent the better an afternoon cleaning them, and they are still grubby and kind of beat up. They spent most of their lives in a commercial shop. I replaced the lid support rivets on the smaller top box as they had hung every extension in the shop on the magnets across the top and overloaded them.

OMG. That is a SCORE! Especially if you got a good deal. Congrats!

 

[Shelbylex]

This set looks nice.

I passed a similar MATCO bottom piece (left image) several months ago for $100 as I decided to start with SO and MAC tools. Now I sometimes regret it - as the tool collection grows, I quickly realize how convenient this design is (still no luck finding SO or MAC bottom box for good price. I also am on lookout for a MAC tool chest, but for some reason the only ones I see for sale for good price in NH, MA, RI corner are either bit up too much or need a complete respray. I want the next pieces to be in good condition with no rust and none to minimum dents (I already have a ServiStar I am planning to work on once it gets warm outside and Snap ON KR-56 from 1955 which I am not sure what to do (originally wanted to repaint, then decided to keep as is, kept flactuating. Ended up cleaning, putting new drawer liners in and keeping in "well used with patina and scratches" condition as a user for now...)

 

[LNKMK8]

Just a quick update since I asked the original question. I ended up getting $1850 for all of them.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice!

 

[zkling]

I think you got lucky on that one.

 

[LNKMK8]

Yeah maybe so. The guy was happy to buy them, and I had someone else that was real disappointed as he was going to come out the next day. Wish I had two sets of them!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Just a quick update since I asked the original question. I ended up getting $1850 for all of them.

Wowser!