Vintage Craftsman bottom toolchest

[RedRock]

Hello...

I very close family member recently passed away, and today I retrieved from his shop one of his Craftsman toolboxes. It took quite a bit of cleaning but here it is. I am hoping somebody might be able to give me some advice. But first, this is what it looks like:



The bottom compartment closes properly. When closed, it locks all upper drawers. I took the lock out and ordered a replacement key from EasyKeys.com. The lock might need a drop or two of light oil and hopefully it still works. I'll work on that when they keys arrive.

Here it is with the bottom compartment closed...



Finally, I found this on the bottom right corner;



A few questions please...

1. Is the above the date when this toolbox was made? May of 1967?
2. I cleaned up the box with soap, water and some patience. Would you guys repaint this? Or leave it "as is"? 50+ years of patina is hard to beat... Or would a repaint be the way to go? I know, its my toolbox but just thought I'd ask...
3. So lets say a repaint is the way to go... What would be the correct paint? I get it on the red, but what would match the rest? Is there a rattle-can paint that would match the grey? What about the red?

Thank you for your help!

 

[d42jeep]

Yes, it was made in May of ’67. I would not repaint it, it looks just fine to me. Welcome to the Garage Journal.
-Don
Mine is a little different.

 

[RedRock]

Thanks Don. That is what I thought. My cousin was a machinist.

Unfortunately there is no matching top, however there are a couple of very nice Kennedy machinist toolchest tops. There is one that is about as wide as this bottom tool chest (26") and I thought about placing that on top.

 

[d42jeep]

I have a Powr-Kraft upper that I found last year at an estate sale currently sitting on mine. Mine was made in January of 1973.
-Don

 

[RedRock]

Oh wow! Eye candy bigtime! Thank you.

Powr-Kraft - I had no idea Montgomery Ward sold toolboxes. Nice, learn something new every day.

The top of mine. It is in nice shape. I'm going to try to get some drawler liner material. I'll have an update when I get that done. Thank you all for you help!

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Hello...

I very close family member recently passed away, and today I retrieved from his shop one of his Craftsman toolboxes. It took quite a bit of cleaning but here it is. I am hoping somebody might be able to give me some advice. But first, this is what it looks like:



The bottom compartment closes properly. When closed, it locks all upper drawers. I took the lock out and ordered a replacement key from EasyKeys.com. The lock might need a drop or two of light oil and hopefully it still works. I'll work on that when they keys arrive.

Here it is with the bottom compartment closed...



Finally, I found this on the bottom right corner;



A few questions please...

1. Is the above the date when this toolbox was made? May of 1967?
2. I cleaned up the box with soap, water and some patience. Would you guys repaint this? Or leave it "as is"? 50+ years of patina is hard to beat... Or would a repaint be the way to go? I know, its my toolbox but just thought I'd ask...
3. So lets say a repaint is the way to go... What would be the correct paint? I get it on the red, but what would match the rest? Is there a rattle-can paint that would match the grey? What about the red?

Thank you for your help!

Wipe it down with WD-40 or Wax that gem. That is cool.

 

[RedRock]

Wipe it down with WD-40 or Wax that gem. That is cool.

Wax? As in car wax? I take it to prevent rust? Sorry for so many questions guys - just trying to make sure I get this right.

 

[RTM]

That was gorgeous before you cleaned it. I wouldn't go further than you have, besides putting the lock back in. Nice get, bummer about the loss of a family member.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Wax? As in car wax? I take it to prevent rust? Sorry for so many questions guys - just trying to make sure I get this right.

Yea. About any car wax. It's yours.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Well, you like that old girl, and you took enough interest to join and poke around on the forum with us....you might have officially caught a bug!! Lol. Those are nice old boxes, and if you poke around at a handful of estate sales or auctions, I would bet you can find a matching top for the $40-$50 range, not that it needs to match, but like I said got the bug!? There's even some 3 drawer mid boxes to add some more capacity, but they're much harder to find. My boxes like that are prone to condensation in spring and summer, so I actually run a light spray of wd40 along the seams to help prevent rust, then a little on all the slides. Wipe off any excess and use that rag to wipe off the surfaces. Waxing will give a nice shine at the end. Just my 2 cents. Ask anyone that has restored one, if you do it right, you'll have loads of time and a good amount of cash into it. If you don't do it right, more than likely will wish you would have left it alone. Thank, and welcome to a new addiction!

 

[64C10]

That one is clean enough I’d just wax it and call it good.

Home Depot or Lowe’s have black vinyl floor runner that is almost identical to the original top mat for around $3 a foot. Much heavier duty than drawer liner, and easier to keep clean.

 

[Meursault74]

Hello...

I very close family member recently passed away, and today I retrieved from his shop one of his Craftsman toolboxes. It took quite a bit of cleaning but here it is. I am hoping somebody might be able to give me some advice. But first, this is what it looks like:



The bottom compartment closes properly. When closed, it locks all upper drawers. I took the lock out and ordered a replacement key from EasyKeys.com. The lock might need a drop or two of light oil and hopefully it still works. I'll work on that when they keys arrive.

Here it is with the bottom compartment closed...



Finally, I found this on the bottom right corner;



A few questions please...

1. Is the above the date when this toolbox was made? May of 1967?
2. I cleaned up the box with soap, water and some patience. Would you guys repaint this? Or leave it "as is"? 50+ years of patina is hard to beat... Or would a repaint be the way to go? I know, its my toolbox but just thought I'd ask...
3. So lets say a repaint is the way to go... What would be the correct paint? I get it on the red, but what would match the rest? Is there a rattle-can paint that would match the grey? What about the red?

Thank you for your help!

Here you go. That style of tool box has its own thread. More info than you could possibly use. You should post it up there.

Hammered Gray is the gray. The red there is a little debate on which exact shade to use.

Nice box, by the way.

Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

Here is one of mine found in 2002-2003 while out for a walk. This is a '68 model six drawer. The logo and tray are wrong and those are copies of the original Sears catalog ads in the top lid.. It sits in my garage with some vintage Craftsman tools my next door neighbor was going to toss. Also...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Chipm]

Nice! I was just given a top chest and so now I am on the hunt for a roller like yours. I would say do not paint it.

 

[RedRock]

I have been reading the other thread pointed out by Meursault74, lots to read there.

Just a final update on the toolbox. I bought some liner material and all drawers have been properly lined now. I do wish I had the matching top chest - who knows maybe I'll find one someday. In the meantime, I found a Kennedy 520 and after some cleaning it this is what it all looks like now....





The Kennedy's cover works and after some cleanup, the box works just fine. That is MDF finished with some shellac on the top of the roller. Not the greatest I know, but I had that handy and it turned out nice.

When I cleaned up the Kennedy and took out all drawers, this was in the bottom... No telling how long that has been there...

 

[Bob/Ohio]

I finally found another tall bottom box, to put my 2 drawer top box on. My top box is a 1975 model, but this bottom is dated 11-60. I don't think the top box will mind, lol.

Bob

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Welcome to GJ. Sorry for your loss but that is a beautiful tool box. I would leave it as is.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've got these oldies from the red and gray days. Also had a roller like yours a few years ago that I sold.