Vintage Snap On box help

[Jacobs976]

Got this box set today and I'm trying to figure out what models/years they are and how best to remove the drawers for repairs and cleaning.

The slides don't use the clips you can pop off with a screwdriver and I seen a video of someone using a bent piece of metal to reach the disconnect but was curious if anybody had a method/tool that's worked well for them.

For the model/year I looked on the back where they're usually located and didn't see anything. I'm assuming it's located elsewhere but haven't had any luck finding it as I've been cleaning the box so far.

(Site wouldn't let me post any pics other than this zoomed out one, logo looks like 1970s)

 

[bmwrd0]

I think that is a KR557, but don't quote me on that. In any case, Zip ties seem to work. You can search the site here for a visual guide, but you basically need to keep the tab that retains the slide from engaging the tab on the slide, if that makes sense. It is harder to explain than to do.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Top tool: Snap-on drawer removal tool
Bottom tool: Home made remove tool using a worn hacksaw blade as material. Grind off all teeth, Round the end, Chamfer all edges. Bend as shown.

You really want to have two of them, one for each side of the drawer to be removed.

 

[msharley]

Top is older than the bottom.

(I think?)

There should be a "KR" number stamped on them.

I think, as does bmwrd0, that the bottom is a KR 557.

I use an "el cheapo" .025" feeler gauge in one side of the drawer at a time (easier for me).. to remove drawers.

There are several vids on youtube.

 

[Jacobs976]

I found another video where the guy used a 1/8 hex key clamped in vice grips and I managed to clear the bottom box using a piece of 12 gauge(I think) wire bent into almost a fishing hook with vice grips. Didn't work well but did the job enough to call it a success while not wanting to do it again.

Tried feeler gauge thickness metal from a cheap paint brush first but it only caught the catch a few times before I gave up on it. Kept bending instead of doing what I was trying to get it to do. Didn't have any other metal thin enough but still rigid to make anything else tonight.

KR557 does look to be a match on the bottom box. Top looks like a KRA-53 to me. If it ever lets me upload pics of it I will but for now, it's a three drawer same style as bottom.

 

[Jacobs976]

There hasn't been any model numbers yet, went around on the bottom box taking all the dents out and fixing a slide and didn't see anything. Checked pretty much every inch of the outside.

Didn't some of the older boxes have the stamping somewhere else?

 

[Jacobs976]

Checked top box and found it's stamp on the back, right side bottom corner. Didn't see it before because I was looking too high. It's a kra-53A 1976. Also here's the pic, finally let me upload.

Checked bottom again and nothing I could see inside or out including the top drawer. Remembered seeing something about drawers before so figured I'd check.

 

[Snaparxon]

I have an older Snap on bottom that is stamped under the bottom drawer on the front panel, right in the middle

Use a thin piece of steel or tie strap, basically it is used as a ramp to let the drawer stop slide over the top of the slide stop

 

[Jacobs976]

Found the stamp. Set the box on it's back on a skid to clean the bottom and check the casters and noticed "enosha" just barely visible in the bottom left corner of the front a few inches from the stainless steel accent. Just right on the front where anybody would see it after getting on the ground to try finding the 10mm they dropped.

For now it's hidden by some rust and baked on gunk but I'll hopefully be able to identify and date the box completely tonight.

 

[Jacobs976]

Turned out the rust was what let me find the stamping. Stamping was very light so deciphering the painted sections was the hard part. It's a 1974 KR-558B.

Also here's a pic of the bottom, tried uploading the whole box as it is now but 10 pics and none would upload. Not sure what the holes and panel are for.

Stamping is the reverse of the emblem, top right-bottom left.

 

[Jacobs976]

Finally let me upload a pic of the box again. Rekeyed the lock and tested the lock mechanism with drawer #3 before putting the clip back on the lock. Now my Napa bottom box and these boxes will all take the same key.

You can still see where a car bumped the left side but it's mainly the stainless steel accent not wanting to form back along with a 3 inch complex dent that can't be knocked out without basically cutting the box apart and welding it back together after.

 

[Jacobs976]

Got all the dents out of the drawers now and drawer #6 has a 3/4 complete shear down the seam on the bottom of the front.

Don't know what the usual route would be but I'm thinking about brazing it back together tomorrow along with a small shear on the pull.

 

[Jacobs976]

Got the box finished up and went ahead with brazing for the drawer. Carbonized the paint but it worked.

Had to go along the bottom 3/4 of the bend and a few inches on the handle.

First time brazing and it doesn't look the best but I think it went well enough. Used a map gas torch instead of an acetylene which probably didn't help.

Now it's in my office. Just need to cut some mats for the top box and the bottom 4 drawers and it's ready for work.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice save!

 

[Jacobs976]

Got another box (the top specifically although I don't know anything about the craftsman lower either, it'll probably get its own post once it's cleaned up) the other day.

Another mystery model/year because I can't find the stamp again. Checked under the drawers and on the back but didn't find anything yet. Currently degreasing it so something might show through eventually. Also getting better on the slides, didn't have much trouble this time.

As far as I can guess it's a Snap On KRA-56(maybe A, not sure what the difference is between some of the different iterations of the same model) from the 60s. Emblem matches up with 60s but 50s and 70s went with the black border as far as I've seen with the limited resources on the archive site. Handles don't match anything in the catalogs.

 

[1982fxr]

I wonder if it's an older top box but with a newer badge?

 

[1982fxr]

Craftsman might have a date on the inside of the logo plate, if you look inside the drawer.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Handles changed in 58 I think. 56 57 had the chrome logo with old handles

 

[Jacobs976]

Handles changed in 58 I think. 56 57 had the chrome logo with old handles

Seen a 58 kra56 with the same look except it didn't have the heavy duty trim around the bottom. Plus it had a very well defined stamp on the bottom back corner.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is earlier version, basically the same except for logo and outer handle

 

[Jacobs976]

Found the stamp but I'm not gonna have a year. The heavy trim is held on by 4 screws accessable from underneath the box and some on the outside it looks like and the stamp is half under it on the left side bottom back corner.

Probably should tear it down completely but I still have to do the drawers and the craftsman box plus I might have another box in this week so I'm rushing a bit.


Don't know if it got hit with a can of spray paint or if the paint is bleached. It's spotty and half the top but no hard lines or noticable layers.

I switched the box(just the body for now) out with the Kra-53a on my snap on bottom box to have a more similar set(bigger top instead of the little top, ignoring the different emblems).

Also craftsman box looks to be a 55 I think.

Looks to say Advertising Metal Display Co. Chicago, U.S.A. with a 55.

 

[Jacobs976]

Knowing the bottom trim comes off I'd say this box is around the same year so I might have an estimate. Assumed the stamp was on the back on his but might've been the side too with his trim removed.

Snap On Tool Box gifted to me.

I was gifted this box, that is exactly like the one stolen from my dad in the late 70's. I have done some research, but can't find this exact box....

www.advrider.com

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think that trim was added

 

[Jacobs976]

I think that trim was added

Might be but if so it was done pretty well.

I was thinking it might've been an option for if you were using it in a truck bed as a bumper guard since they marketed the box as a truck box too(heavy duty skid plates).
(Edit:was thinking of a different box that looked the same)

I'll have to take another look at the bottom of the box because the screws are inside 4 little rectangles cut in the bottom and see if they do go to it or if they're something else.

 

[Jacobs976]

Got it back in the shop because my friend wanted to wax it. It has been repainted to some extent, maybe an attempt to touch up some parts.

The heavy trim is the bottom of the box, if all 4 screws and nuts(screws on the outside, nuts accessable through the holes on the bottom) are removed it should come off and expose the original bottom. Built up like a shallow bin with the tool box set inside and bolted together. Don't have enough info but it looks too clean to be homemade with the cuts in the bottom and joints cut and folded clean.

My current theory is the skid plates(and the bottom bin they're attached to) was an option because it would serve no purpose in a box set but would in a stand alone truck box.