Vintage box restoration help.

[tpwalsh]

I've recently inherited this box from my father in law, who passed away a few years ago. I'd like to put it back in service at the very least, or restore it properly, but I'm having some issues with the lid. It will close 90% on it's own and then "hang" like it's on a spring but will close if it's pushed down. Any good ideas on how to fix this issue?

As for the tool inside, they were mostly chicom stuff and some par-x, probably from the mid 70's. I expect the box is from the similar era since he bought it around that time.

 

[FJ 432]

Is the spring put in place so that the drawers don't open it when the lid is closed?

That is pretty popular type of mechanism so that you can carry it around. Nice box BTW.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Do I spot a Snap-on ratchet?

 

[tpwalsh]

It does have a locking mechanism, it's a bar that is lifted up with the lid that engages what I think were supposed to be angle brackets on the back of the drawers. Those drawer brackets were smashed flat. The bracket that runs between the lid and the lock bar is bent at a 45 degree angle,which I'm not sure if it's supposed to be that way or not. I'm pretty sure the locking mechanism isn't the culprit since I can jiggle the lockbar when it's in the mostly closed position.

 

[tpwalsh]

Do I spot a Snap-on ratchet?

Close, but no cigar. Par-X. Could use a rebuild kit. I did inherit a FV71 though.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Yeah. probably the drawer-locking mechanism

I agree.

I'd say it's teh rear lock bar. The dwrs lock on thier back lip via the verticle bar that you see in the slot in rear part of the top compartment that is hooked and hinged to the lid itself.

When you close the lid, the bar lowers and engages the slots in the rear of the dwr with little fingers that keeps the dwrs locked when the lid closes.
My guess is they are hanging up somewhere.

I'd raise lid and pull out the dwrs and check out the back of the dwrs to make sure nothing is bent and then close adn raise lid with dwrs out to see how bar is operating.

If dwrs are not fully closed or if there is an obstruction, the lid can not hook the lock slot and will keep the lid open slightly.

Very common occurance.

 

[tpwalsh]

I agree.

I'd say it's teh rear lock bar. The dwrs lock on thier back lip via the verticle bar that you see in the slot in rear part of the top compartment that is hooked and hinged to the lid itself.

When you close the lid, the bar lowers and engages the slots in the rear of the dwr with little fingers that keeps the dwrs locked when the lid closes.
My guess is they are hanging up somewhere.

I'd raise lid and pull out the dwrs and check out the back of the dwrs to make sure nothing is bent and then close adn raise lid with dwrs out to see how bar is operating.

If dwrs are not fully closed or if there is an obstruction, the lid can not hook the lock slot and will keep the lid open slightly.

Very common occurance.

Sorry I forgot to mention that I removed the drawers and it's still doing it. Now it might be possible that there's junk in the pocket the lock bar fits into that prevents it from sliding all the way in, but I can't figure out how to get the lock bar out.

 

[Outlawmws]

it you leave both drawers open a tad, and close the lid, doe it still hang up? It so then it may nor be the lock mech. or if it is, it is the linkage itself.

In any case, Empty it out, clean it well removed the drawers and inspect the part on the back of the drawers that engage the locking bar, and check the locking bar. It is likely there are some more "finds" in the "secret compartment", under the bottom drawer that got pushed up and over the edge...

 

[jjjrmx5]

Those drawer brackets were smashed flat. The bracket that runs between the lid and the lock bar is bent at a 45 degree angle,which I'm not sure if it's supposed to be that way or not. I'm pretty sure the locking mechanism isn't the culprit since I can jiggle the lockbar when it's in the mostly closed position.

So i assume when the lid is closed the dwrs do not lock since the locking tabs have been modifed?

I still think the bar is hanging up somewhere or has been damged or modifed.

Again, remove teh dwrs and tray and get that bar to move freely up and down and the lid to close. if not closing, you hve to fix the bar. If closing, then somethings hanging up on the dwrs.

Should be an easy find adn fix.
\

 

[billybudge]

Hi, I have restored many of these beauties, all with similer problems,
Normally the back of the drawers are always bent and cause this problem, but you say the lid still will not fully close even with the drawers removed, check the (piano style hinge) as these have been known to go a lttle egg shapped and cause the said problem, if not these , then it will either be the locking mechanism , a bit twisted or bent, so you may have to re-manufacture one yourself, one more thing it could be the lip on the sides of the box lid catching on the sides of the main box, I hope this has helped, and good luck with the restoration project, it is truely well worth doing, keep us informed and add more pictures as you go,

 

[tpwalsh]

Can you explain "egging" and what to do about it? I've confirmed that it's not the lock bar, it's completely loose when there is some tension on the lid. The lid also hits the frame if you press it down another 2-3mm from where it "rests" naturally. That's easy enough to take care of, but the lid not laying flat irks me, and it's not immediately obvious what's doing it.

I've also posted pictures of the lid "at rest" and of both the drawer locks. One I've pried back to 90 degrees, it originally looked like the one that's smashed flat.