Vintage Snap-On KR555 Tool Cabinet

[Catcher1984]

aI haven’t had a proper toolbox/cabinet for over a year now and found this Snap On that I had to get. It was about an hour away but he traded it to me for 2 tap and die sets I had for sale. And luckily it fit into my car, just barely!

It’s a KR555 9 drawer 40” tool cabinet with friction slides. I was initially disappointed abt the slides but after handling them and removing the drawers I realized they work great. And now I have a few questions if anyone can help me out

1) What are these round plastic things? To catch spills or something? Also does snap on still sell the toolbox handle end covers? (1 missing) and how do I remove the handle?

2) Would I be able to switch drawer configuration? I just want one of the deeper drawers up top for sockets. I didn’t see any rivets for the slides attached to the box though

3) I noticed a bit of slack on the slides, would I be able to make them tighter or any useful tips/hints?

4) what’s the best way to clean and degrease it? I don’t need it perfect I’m going to lightly sand and paint just the exterior in Sunrise Red. Mostly I just want to load up my tools already haha

5) looks like the previous owner took off what looks like the original dividers, should I grind the tiny nubs or leave it as is? They’re about 2mm tall. Also any companies that sell metal toolbox dividers, I want to try a few

This is my first SO box so I’m pretty excited, really loving the heavy gauge steel. I was lucky it spent it’s life in Palmdale so there’s only some light surface rust on top. Thanks for any help guys!

 

[FJ 432]

Congratulations on your find. I have no clue on the plastic things. I've never seen those before. Your box is from 1978 so parts will be extremely difficult if not impossible to find (end caps on handle, slides, deeper drawers, etc.

The front face of the handle slides with some convincing to expose the screws adhering it to the side. The previous owner removed some of the spot welded dividers in the drawers. This is common but it does weaken the bottom of the drawer as these mainly strengthened the drawer bottom. It's very common to see this and yes you can take a grinder to remove the "nibs". They're are no replacement slides so remove clean and grease what you have. You will probably find some of the slides are bowed due to the weight if the previous owner loaded it up. You can make them better with some gentle persuasion.

The paint on the box is old and weak. I would advise you to take it slow and begin with a simple green and water combination on your first go. Once you remove the top layer I typically go with a full strength simple green. I would not allow this to soak in fear that it will remove the paint. Just take it slow.

Nice find.

 

[RTM]

I can’t see where your “drain” holes are located, but could they be for anchoring a hutch or top chest?

This catalog page talks about the dividers being for reinforcement, other pages may explain the holes.

1978 Catalog - Collecting Snapon

 

[Raineman]

anchoring a top chest?

This is what those plastic bushings are for.

 

[Catcher1984]

This is what those plastic bushings are for.

I can’t see where your “drain” holes are located, but could they be for anchoring a hutch or top chest?

This catalog page talks about the dividers being for reinforcement, other pages may explain the holes.

1978 Catalog - Collecting Snapon

Okay cool thanks! It’s hard finding original info sometimes. I was working on it this morning and I’m really surprised how little rust is on this. The seller said it was outside for 15+ years

Congratulations on your find. I have no clue on the plastic things. I've never seen those before. Your box is from 1978 so parts will be extremely difficult if not impossible to find (end caps on handle, slides, deeper drawers, etc.

The front face of the handle slides with some convincing to expose the screws adhering it to the side. The previous owner removed some of the spot welded dividers in the drawers. This is common but it does weaken the bottom of the drawer as these mainly strengthened the drawer bottom. It's very common to see this and yes you can take a grinder to remove the "nibs". They're are no replacement slides so remove clean and grease what you have. You will probably find some of the slides are bowed due to the weight if the previous owner loaded it up. You can make them better with some gentle persuasion.

The paint on the box is old and weak. I would advise you to take it slow and begin with a simple green and water combination on your first go. Once you remove the top layer I typically go with a full strength simple green. I would not allow this to soak in fear that it will remove the paint. Just take it slow.

Nice find.

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. Two of the slides need replacing, one has the top part cut and another is bent and beat up. Does anyone know if I would be able to retrofit some other type of drawer slide in there? Worst case I could use the lowest drawer since it uses 4 slides. And the others I thought were bad last night ended up in excellent condition after a minute on the wirewheel.

I’m gonna start looking for something similar to the handle end piece rubber. I know I’m gonna cut myself on the edge if I don’t. Anyone have any ideas?

And the previous owner did a good job taking the dividers out so I might just leave it as is since I’m gonna cover it with drawer liner.

And here’s a picture of it before I went and picked it up, so excited to have a toolbox again. I’ve been using file cabinets as a replacement while I figured things out

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Catcher, here's a thread I started last year on the KR 555 I picked up last summer. Hope it helps. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

KR 555-B refurb

I bought this KR 555 last summer for $200. Guy was getting out of the trade and looking to move off of it. I jumped on it right away because these deals don't last long. I took the drawers out, gave it a good cleaning, some fresh touchup paint, replaced the castors and a couple of drawer...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Catcher1984]

Catcher, here's a thread I started last year on the KR 555 I picked up last summer. Hope it helps. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

KR 555-B refurb

I bought this KR 555 last summer for $200. Guy was getting out of the trade and looking to move off of it. I jumped on it right away because these deals don't last long. I took the drawers out, gave it a good cleaning, some fresh touchup paint, replaced the castors and a couple of drawer...

www.garagejournal.com

I appreciate that and you did a great job! Do you know if the rubber covers on the side handle have a part number or do you think you could measure the internal measurements? Mine only had one and it’s distorted so I’m not sure it’s original. Also do you remember what brand castors you bought ?

A bit of good news, Snap-On still provides the friction slides for the KR555 and they were covered under warranty. They also had two part numbers so I guess I’ll find out if they work soon. Hopefully I’ll be done cleaning and painting before they arrive

*For future reference the original friction slides were #8-353 19-1/8”L x 1-15/16”H and the new updated ones they’re sending me are #8-167. The only difference I’ve seen is the spring steel catch goes all the way through on the updated ones vs being on one side for the original ones.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I appreciate that and you did a great job! Do you know if the rubber covers on the side handle have a part number or do you think you could measure the internal measurements? Mine only had one and it’s distorted so I’m not sure it’s original. Also do you remember what brand castors you bought ?

A bit of good news, Snap-On still provides the friction slides for the KR555 and they were covered under warranty. They also had two part numbers so I guess I’ll find out if they work soon. Hopefully I’ll be done cleaning and painting before they arrive

*For future reference the original friction slides were #8-353 19-1/8”L x 1-15/16”H and the new updated ones they’re sending me are #8-167. The only difference I’ve seen is the spring steel catch goes all the way through on the updated ones vs being on one side for the original ones.

I don't think Snap On carries the rubber covers. The castors are from Snap On.

 

[Catcher1984]

I don't think Snap On carries the rubber covers. The castors are from Snap On.

How much did they cost for all 4?

 

[1982fxr]

Posotive I had two NOS rubber covers. Positive I forgot them in a box I sold last year. Think I still have an NOS red handle.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

How much did they cost for all 4?

Can't remember, but they can get you a price pretty quick if you call customer service.

Posotive I had two NOS rubber covers. Positive I forgot them in a box I sold last year. Think I still have an NOS red handle.

I'd love to have an original handle, I don't think they carry them anymore.

 

[UnderDawgAl]

I appreciate both this thread and the one that Lookin4 linked to. Good info for me.

Here's my dad's, that he left me. Now I've got figure how to move it three states away. Top lid of the KR550 is missing because it got damaged in a tornado a decade ago. My dad threw it away rather than try to salvage it.

The only key I can find fits the side box. Key turns the lock, but it doesn't actually lock the drawers. I can hear the rod move.

Anyway, happy New Year, all.