Vintage Proto Mac box connection?

[arnwoodwheels]

I am a fan of vintage tool box's and being a maintenance electrician most of my life many of my tools are Proto and I have been very happy with them.

I am retired so all my tools are now home and I need more storage I have been on the lookout for a big Proto set but they seem rare.

Currently I have a 1970 Craftsman pro set that I purchased new when I was 16. A Kennedy roller from 1979. A 1984 Waterloo mag plus roller with a vintage Snap-on chest.

While looking I ran across some photos of vintage Mac,s that look like they may be from the same maker of the Proto's. The drawer pulls even look alike but one says Mac and the other Proto. Anyone know if they came from the same place?

A few days ago I missed out on a really nice 16 drawer Mac roller I think it was 50in wide. Anyone know if Mac made a top chest for it? I have been looking for any old Mac catalogs to try to see what was made in that era but I haven’t had much luck.

My idea of the ideal set for me would be the 16 drawer Mac/Proto with a matching top chest.

Think it's something I could find?

Vintage Mac and Proto box photos

 

[wornoutoldman]

Scour Craigslist using www.searchtempest.com something will eventually show up. Oh and welcome to GJ!

 

[Hoby]

Here's what the top four the Mac bottom looks like, had a built in Am/Fm cassette and digital clock. I got this setup around 1987.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1987&pictureid=18822

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1987&pictureid=18823

 

[arnwoodwheels]

Thanks
Really interesting. Never seen that setup before. I thought that style of box is a lot older than it is. I still would like to find out if there is a connection between Mac and Proto box's

 

[concealer404]

I bet Matco had a clone as well... from what i can see the second picture you posted would be the "MB500" series which was shared by Matco and Mac.

Here's mine. I wish i could find the top middle 3 drawers instead of the single deep that i have.

 

[billymade]

Another interesting brand that sells toolboxes that are currently shipping; also, look similar to the mac/matco/proto of this type. I don't think there is a linkage but the similarities are definitely interesting!

Gray Tools Canada:

http://www.graytools.com/toolcatalo...e=Toolboxes & Organizers&itemNo=501&recPage=9

 

[purevl]

At least one vintage Proto that I've looked at was made by Stack-On, perhaps the MACs were as well. There were surprisingly few manufacturers of older tool cabinets so there was quite a bit of badge engineering.