Vintage Mac Tools Chest

[uncwstudent]

Hey guys, I bought this Mac Tools toolchest today on a whim for $70.

Do y'all know anything about it? I'm curious about the age, its worth, etc.

Im going to clean it up and fix the bottom drawer but other than that it's pretty clean. I didn't realize how heavy the old tool chests were....

And no, its not for sale.

 

[zkling]

Should be a MB510 from the 70's to early 80's. 27" x 18" deep? Look on the back and side panels, it should be stamped.

Honestly it looks a bit rough to me with the spray bomb paint job. The chassis looks to have been overloaded as it is wrinkled at the corners on the top of the front. Add in the smashed bottom drawer. If you were happy with the purchase, that is all that matters. Not sure if I would value it at $70 even.

I've been through so many boxes and learned that straightening out a box becomes a huge time sink.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I would take some fine steel wool to the drawer pulls, badge and lock to clean the overspray off of it.

 

[thehorse13]

You can clean that box up significantly just by cleaning the emblem and handles. I would guess 1980s based on actually seeing them when they were new. The emblem is also late 70s/80s vintage.

As suggested, look for the stamp.

70 bucks is a bit rich for me but I'm pretty cheap. That said, you can't buy anything today for 70 bucks that is built as well as that MAC box. No matter how you slice it, you win.

 

[uncwstudent]

Thanks guys! Yeah, that's one of the reasons that I bought it. I'm a grad student so I'm not rich but I want a nice chest and the quality of this was enough for me to be happy with my purchase. I'm going to straighten out the bottom drawer and and clean off the badge and handles and etc. I might even repaint it since it has clearly already been spray painted and the color is fading.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

"Time Sink"

With Youth and Enthusiasm, it makes experience.


Go for it, get it done and enjoy it! You may enjoy this one more than any you will ever BUY NEW. Because you did it!

Capt. Chrysler

 

[yhprum]

I have the Matco version of that box from 1981.

 

[Richard Cranium]

it will look sharp after you clean it up

 

[1982fxr]

Looks like s square deal for $70. Imh

 

[uncwstudent]

Actually, I just discovered that the model number is MAC Tools M 510 H1. I can't find any information online. Do ya'll by chance know anything about these in terms of date?

 

[IowaM1N1]

Actually, I just discovered that the model number is MAC Tools M 510 H1. I can't find any information online. Do ya'll by chance know anything about these in terms of date?

Try emailing MAC. I sent a question on a 1970 roller cabinet and they responded quickly with some info.

I knew the date in this case, but they provided me the model number which I didn't have.

Worth a shot.

 

[jn50308401]

If you have the time, some cheap materials(steel wool/scotch brite pads, buffing/polishing compounds and degreasers) and a little elbow grease it will be a fun project. Take it in small bites, a work a couple of drawers and it should be cleaned up and usable in no time. If you take anything off of it, label it where it went and if it has a fastener, bag it up so it doesn't get lost.

whatever you paid for it is what you think its worth, so I would say it was a good deal.

enjoy!!

 

[kd3pc]

I had one just like it, when I worked construction...the company "truck" was a new mercedes 240-D and that box fit almost perfectly in the trunk, between the wheel wells.

Held all I needed to keep the boss happy for a few years, before moving along to some other job.

You did good on the buy.

 

[uncwstudent]

Thanks guys! I've actually spent the last three days working non stop on restoring it. The original paint was cherry red and the guy who owned it before my just spray bombed it with a flat, horrible, red/magenta/whatever it is. I'll post pics of it when its done.

Also, I just contacted MAC. I need to order some new drawer slides for it as well. Thanks for the help!

 

[uncwstudent]

Well, I'm almost done with the restoration but I've realized that I need two new drawer slides. Does anyone by chance have any extra drawer slides for a MAC M510 that they would be interested in selling? MAC wants $12 per slide, which is ridiculous.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Well, I'm almost done with the restoration but I've realized that I need two new drawer slides. Does anyone by chance have any extra drawer slides for a MAC M510 that they would be interested in selling? MAC wants $12 per slide, which is ridiculous.

That's actually not that bad. At least new ones are available.

 

[FJ 432]

Well, I'm almost done with the restoration but I've realized that I need two new drawer slides. Does anyone by chance have any extra drawer slides for a MAC M510 that they would be interested in selling? MAC wants $12 per slide, which is ridiculous.[/QUOTE

I would order them. You will not find slides anywhere else and chances are if you do, they will be banged up as well. Consider yourself lucky that they're still available.

You have to look at it differently that you bought a bargain at 70.00 and an additional 25-30 bucks and a lot of elbow grease will get you a sweet box.

 

[FJ 432]

The "H" "1" refers to the year (H=1983) and (1= first quarter e.g. Jan,Feb,Mar).

I hate their codes!

 

[uncwstudent]

Yeah, you're right guys. I went ahead and ordered them. It was all pretty painless!

 

[uncwstudent]

Hey guys, so I'm almost done with the restoration. It's my first time and I've definitely made a lot of mistakes, but I figured that I would show you the before, during, and after:

Before:
View media item 73191
During:
View media item 73190
After (So Far):
View media item 73192
I still have to straighten out the bottom drawer and install a new slide and repaint the interior of the lid to have an even coat. All in all, I like how it turned out! Now I just have to figure out how to remove a lot of the paint drips :-(

 

[kd3pc]

Well done, very well done indeed.

Enjoy. Almost an heirloom - keepsake for sure.