Vintage matco tool box

[Kielbasavw]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Just picked up an old matco tool box. Needs new locks and a few drawer rail clips. Already being ordered.

It's a 4 pc set. Mb910a, mb920a, and two mb302a1 side cabinets. The side cabinets have the Chicago pnumatic name on the tags. I contacted matco and they said it's an early 80s era.

It's missing either a large drawer or a few smaller ones in one cabinet but is no big deal as it just gives more cabinet space on one side. It's a little beat up some dents scratches paint faded.

I will be soon tearing it apart to give it a thorough clean, re lube the rails see if I can buff what paint is there to make it look a bit Cleaner. I wouldn't mind repainting, I have the means and knowledge to do so, but I kinda need to move into the box soon. And I kinda dig the old beat up vintage look.
I need to look for an affordable way to line so many drawers.
I paid the top of my budget on a 3rd tool box at $500. Which I think is a killer deal for such a box. What do you think? I'll add better pictures soon.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Pretty cool. I like this era. Would not look out of place in an old rodders garage. Unless significant damage from rust, I almost always recommend keeping it original. These patina so nicely. It lends credibility to the user.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Kielbasavw]

This box I think suits me well. I'm a big old car nut. Hell my daily driver is a 65 valiant. I also collect lots of vintage tools. From oddball stuff, to normal hand tools, and machinist tools most specifically for engine building.

I'm just glad it's not covered in stickers, a pet peeve of mine.

 

[wttwoa]

very nice find, looks like a hell of a deal

 

[bimmer630]

Nice box and you paid a fair price. I bought a similar era matco box, but not as wide, and no side cabinets, for 700 a couple years ago

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Wow that's a beauty....

 

[DaButcher]

I bought two of those side cabinets from Matco new, pretty sure some time in the late eighties. About $150 each and they each came with a CP734 impact. Price was cheap even that many years ago. I believe it was a special promotion from a new Matco truck. I'm almost positive two shallow drawers came with each and additional drawers were available. I used them for a while on a very similar Mac top and bottom box set.

 

[GTO]

I've always liked those old drawer handles on those older Matco boxes,very similar to the older MAC boxes as well,IIRC.
Nice score

 

[Kielbasavw]

I bought two of those side cabinets from Matco new, pretty sure some time in the late eighties. About $150 each and they each came with a CP734 impact. Price was cheap even that many years ago. I believe it was a special promotion from a new Matco truck. I'm almost positive two shallow drawers came with each and additional drawers were available. I used them for a while on a very similar Mac top and bottom box set.

Oh cool. Good to know I'm not missing any drawers then.

The only thing I need to replace are the magnets for the cabinets. Ones. Broken and the other is missing. Not available from matco anymore.

 

[zkling]

What do I think (in no particular order).
It's a very sturdy box with thin drawers = lots of good flats storage. They are tanks.

Good deal for the set if no major problems.

Can't remember seeing a deep drawer option for one of those side boxes. Interesting. Wish mine had that.

Most of those side boxes came with only 2 drawers and a shelf with an option of 5 drawers to be added.

But, with that said....I can't stand twin drawer pull boxes, they look slick, but end use not for me.

 

[RedRabbit]

Wow very nice. I would keep the paint as is. Maybe a wax if you really want it but I grew up with my grandfather's Mac box and love the age and the small paint chips that give it character.

 

[ryanm]

looks good! is there a mid-chest available to go with that particular top and bottom?

 

[Kielbasavw]

I'm not sure if a mid box was available. Top box is 910a, bottom is 920a. I would think bottom box would be a 930a if a mid box was available? I don't like super tall boxes anyways. I'm 6'1 and hate reachin eye level and higher for tools.

 

[crewchief888]

I'm not sure if a mid box was available. Top box is 910a, bottom is 920a. I would think bottom box would be a 930a if a mid box was available? I don't like super tall boxes anyways. I'm 6'1 and hate reachin eye level and higher for tools.

mid boxes were available "back in the day" good luck finding a matco of that era.

they do tend to get very tall with the mid box, back then there just werent as many choices (toolboxwise) as there is today.

36" wide was as big as they got, unless you wanted SO taco cart.

no such thing as a double or triple bank, no hutches, overhead cabs or full length lockers....

 

[zkling]

They made a middle box for them, MB903 I think it was. It makes the stack quite tall as mentioned by Crewchief.

 

[Jamiep]

Nice box i just picked up the same model a couple weeks ago myself. Mine is a 1979 date code. I also need a couple drawer rail clips and locks where did you order them from?

 

[zkling]

Waterloo is the cheapest source for drawer clips. Locks can be difficult. In my experience without knowing a good lock smith, it's cheaper and easier to buy an entire lock cylinder with keys.

And that's not exactly the same model, yours are the older rounded corner versions.

 

[dngrmse]

Those are some cool looking boxes, I'm a big fan of having usable drawers at the bottom. Are they going into a professional environment, or home use?

 

[Vantastic]

Those are awesome boxes! I paid $250 for mine with no side cabs so your price was fair. For the drawer clips I used ones from a craftsman machinists box I scrapped.
Also the best part about buying a old used box is finding something cool when you remove the bottom drawers.

 

[Kielbasavw]

The only cool thing I found when I pulled the drawers, was a old leather coach Keychain, gave it to the ol lady. The rest was junk.

I washed the boxes and drawers today. Aswell as the rails. Took for ever! The rails were so sticky with old grease. Tomorrow I will reassemble and lube with either paraffin or bees wax like snap on instructions say.

While tearing it apart to clean, I found out a few things. It's been repainted before. A few rails are tweaked and a few boxes are tweaked. I'll do my best to straighten them out. Shouldn't be too hard as they aren't all that bad.

 

[kctyphoon]

harbor feight sells padded rolls for drawer liners pretty cheap.. 18 x 72 roll of the solid padded liner on sale for $7.99

http://t.harborfreight.com/solid-nonslip-drawer-liner-65565.html?utm_referrer=http://www.google.com/

and the non - slip mesh on sale for $6.99, same size roll

http://t.harborfreight.com/18-inch-x-72-inch-mesh-nonslip-drawer-liner-67055.html

thats a very nice looking box.. congrats.. i like the vintage look on that one..

 

[Kielbasavw]

Power washed, degreased, lubed, hand buffed and wax.
Even though it's been re painted poorly. I still dig the old look to it. It has alot of character. I will grab my hammers and dollies and knock a few things straight though.

The rails were so damn dirty sticky and gross. Washed them 3 times with degreaser and laqurthinner.
I used paraffin wax to lube the rails. Took a torch and zapped the block of wax and ran rubbed it down the rails. I went to sears the other day, and their quiet glide slides are quite similar in feel. Mine is just louder.
I need to touch up the emblems a bit, especially the bottom box, the black flaked off quite easily.

 

[Vigo]

Very nice. This one is local to me but doesn't seem as hot a deal without the side cabinets.

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tls/5059710606.html

 

[ryanm]

damn dude, awesome work! i know they recommend parafin wax (atleast snap on does), but how much of an improvement did it make? of course degreasing and soaking helped, but was the parafin wax icing on the cake?

 

[bcos]

great boxes!

 

[zkling]

That cleaned up very nice. Good job.

Very nice. This one is local to me but doesn't seem as hot a deal without the side cabinets.

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tls/5059710606.html

That's quite a bit larger box. Should be 36"x20".

 

[Kielbasavw]

Paraffin wax seems to work well. For kicks I loaded the deep drawer in the cabinet to the top. Seems to work smoother when loaded.

 

[crewchief888]

Very nice. This one is local to me but doesn't seem as hot a deal without the side cabinets.

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tls/5059710606.html

that one is newer as well...

 

[crewchief888]

lookin' good

 

[stage20]

local pawn shop has one of these they keep their specialty tools in. it also has the mid box.
its in pretty dang good shape but they have a price sticker of 999.99 (empty) and wont budge off the price because its a classic.
i really want an old matco or mac like that at the right price.

 

[Kielbasavw]

If I would have known some of the rails were tweaked and I knew it was repainted I would have tried to talk him down. But I was in a rush as I was actually on my way to a graduation and was cutting it close on time.

Those rails are really tricky to staighten out. One or 2 drawers have a little issue but I think it will smooth out once they are loaded. Weight of the tools seem to really help.

 

[fatfillup]

That cleaned up nicely.

For drawer liner, we have a store here called 5 Below. Everything $5 or less. They sell a yoga mat that works great. 24 inches by 66" I think. Cuts easy, doesn't slide or bunch up and the tools stay put. Probably have used 50 rolls of it. They do offer 2 kinds, one a little stiff and light weight and the other more flexible and heavier. You want the latter.

 

[Kielbasavw]

I ordered 3 sheets of neoprene rubber 1/16x80x48. That should give me enough to do my drawers and maybe enough to do my dad's old craftsman box I use for reloading.

 

[Kielbasavw]

So got the neoprene in yesterday. If you think that may be a good idea, it's not. Maybe if it was 1/4" thick. But the stuff I got is complete junk. Tears insanely too easy. It wasn't even holding up to handling marking and cutting. Think about tossing a screwdriver or wrench in there!

They assured me it would be a great choice so now I'm trying to return their trash.

On a good note. I got my 4 keyed alike locks from matco. Also slide clips came in a few days ago so all drawers are 100% functional.

 

[valentine]

I think you did great and wish you well with it. I too like the vintage look and agree with the poster who said that "Patina" lends credibility to the user. I'm 54, now, so I'd feel a bit odd if my tools looked all shiny and new when I don't. Good luck with your new treasure.

-Valentine

 

[crewchief888]

I think you did great and wish you well with it. I too like the vintage look and agree with the poster who said that "Patina" lends credibility to the user. I'm 54, now, so I'd feel a bit odd if my tools looked all shiny and new when I don't. Good luck with your new treasure.

-Valentine

Yes I'm patina'd too.

 

[valentine]

deleted

 

[emeraldcoupe]

nice boxes! i have a proto bottom with the same style drawer pulls.

 

[toolman9w]

Very nice haul and excellent job on clean up. I had the 26" version for 14 years or so. Loved that box.

 

[u118224]

OP, I would love to score something like that. Great find.