Vintage Snap On Tool box

[Hybridss]

Vintage Snap On Tool box (update with pics on resto 4/4/15)

I found this on CL for $50 today. It seems like a nice solid tool box and it was very heavy. Its larger than it looks...much larger than a standard modern single bay like a craftsman. Does anyone have any sources for info on this? I will be repainting it and getting it back into shape. Any idea of value once restored?

 

[mjoekingz28]

I'd guess its from 1955

 

[firecracker]

I like it, and the pooch likes it as well. I've not seen a roller front before, that's going to look great after a refurb.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Pretty cool.

 

[steve63]

One of the guys at work has one like that its still full of tools
I will get a pic if you want.

 

[NitroSun]

Another thread w/ pics here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286525

 

[Lx460]

I'm going to guess you're in Florida and you're the reason I didn't get it...lol.

Really cool. Good score.

 

[Hybridss]

Looks like its a KR-300. It seems the missing drawers are not really missing...but optional. I love this tool box.

Yes..it was the one from Tampa...lol. Sorry guys. I was up late and I saw it and immediately emailed her. I must have been first in line. I went and picked it up the next day.

It appears to be in very very good shape. Just needs a massive cleaning and polish. I may or may not repaint it. Ill see how it cleans up. I will be using it as a shop box to wheel near what I am working on.. I love the vintage stuff and love this roll up door.

I will be sure to post pics when done.

 

[zkling]

Yes, it's a KRA300 "Roll A Bench" from the 60's. It is stamped on the back towards the middle of the panel IIRC. Hopefully none of the slide tracks are worn out.

Will you please take a picture or two of the side handle? Does it have the electrical outlet panel in the side (should be right below the handle)?

It's a 33" box, only 6" wider than the common 27" bottom box. Downside is due to the tambour door and overall construction, the drawer space isn't that much greater than a common 27" wide box.

http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=2110

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Nice score looks like a 50s or 60s model, I would move the bottom drawer up if its the right depth and leave it alone clean off grease maybe a polish but don't re-paint it. I love those roll over tops great little boxes.

 

[Hybridss]

Yes, it's a KRA300 "Roll A Bench" from the 60's. It is stamped on the back towards the middle of the panel IIRC. Hopefully none of the slide tracks are worn out.

Will you please take a picture or two of the side handle? Does it have the electrical outlet panel in the side (should be right below the handle)?

It's a 33" box, only 6" wider than the common 27" bottom box. Downside is due to the tambour door and overall construction, the drawer space isn't that much greater than a common 27" wide box.

http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=2110

Yes...the drawer space isnt much better but the overall work top is a bit bigger. I always appreciate more top space.

As for the electrical outlet...ill take a look. I did see the panel on that side but it has a cover plate. Ill take it off and see whats under there. Apparently those can be valuable?

Some of the drawers dont slide very smooth but they are very dirty. Ill see what they look like after pulling it apart.

I wont get to the pics till Saturday though.

 

[Hybridss]

Nice score looks like a 50s or 60s model, I would move the bottom drawer up if its the right depth and leave it alone clean off grease maybe a polish but don't re-paint it. I love those roll over tops great little boxes.

Good advice. I will start down the path you describe and then evaluate.

 

[Hybridss]

It does have a panel. Removed it and it does not have anything in there.

 

[FJ 432]

Zkling is right you found a gem and you **** for $50. Here is my pair; Super chest on top and rolla bench on bottom.

 

[rob in nh]

i have that bottom too, wish i could find a matching top box.

 

[crewchief888]

i have that bottom too, wish i could find a matching top box.

kr 537 was also a popular top box...

 

[rodsnratfinks]

kr 537 was also a popular top box...


[emoji481]

Nice looking combo.

 

[toddacimer]

You **** for $50. That is awesome

 

[Hybridss]

Zkling is right you found a gem and you **** for $50. Here is my pair; Super chest on top and rolla bench on bottom.

Now those look fantastic. i will work on mine tomorrow and take some pics of how it turns out. And yours appears to be exactly like mine. I have the little metal trim pieces on the drawer handles and the same side handle as well.

 

[Hybridss]

Ok...started work today on restoring the box to a usable condition. I first pulled all the drawers out. That was a bit of a PITA but not too big a deal. I then pulled the roller door. I saw several people here ask how these come out. I took some pics. On the front channel on either side there are 3 pop rivets holding the bottom of the channel down. Drill out those rivets and the bottom of the channel will come away from the box. You cant pull the channel out completely because it goes up and around inside the box. But the part that turns the corner is just a flat piece so it can be pulled out some. Actually when you drill the rivets and loosen the channel it wants to spring out anyways. FYI...after pulling the door I put screws in place of the bottom rivet to temp hold the channel so it doesn't get bent. If the top were to be bent it would be difficult to repair since every attach point farther up is a spot weld.







Here is one of the rivets to be drilled out to remove the roller door.



And this is the channel.



Channels with 6 rivets removed (3 each side) and the channel sprung forward





You can see the curved part of the channel goes up and around...where it becomes a top and bottom to contain the roller door.





Pressure washing



All cleaned pieces and door



Screw to hold bottom chanel to prevent damage



Unfortunately I will have to repaint. There were too many places where paint was gone and corrosion was beginning to take hold. Here is one drawer after repaint. And it will be a Rustoleum rattle can paint. Which should give another 10-15 years of life in this box. Remember the goal is to use it....not make a museum piece...lol.

 

[stage20]

You **** at 100 lol. Cool box.

 

[ford33]

Nice score and I am happy to see you restoring as a toolbox. It needs to be a working box as intended.

 

[budco]

I also have that bottom box, bought from a guy that was retiring as a mech back in the early 80's. I used it at work until 5-6 years ago and bought a much bigger box. I use it as one of my tool boxes at home now and I love the (garage) door..
Funny thing is I never thought it as being "vintage". I'm sure getting old !!

 

[Hybridss]

All done for now. Took 5 months because I was side tracked by many other projects.Looks better in these pictures than in real life. Some of the drawers have seen better days. But over all it should be perfectly usable for another 20 years. It has original wheels and it loks like the fiber board top is original too. I just cleaned and sanded and sandblasted everything and painted it with rattle cans and primer. I am looking for the optional drawers if anyone has some.

 

[Kent_B]

Nice job. I like the fact that it will continue to be used.

 

[zkdiesel]

I have your missing drawers out of same 60's box, pm me if you want them to restore for yours

 

[Hybridss]

PM sent...thanks

 

[jn50308401]

Re: Vintage Snap On Tool box (update with pics on resto 4/4/15)

Nice box! I have been messsing with old boxes this summer and you really need to pack your patience to make them turn out well. I intend on using and enjoying my boxes as well, it makes you feel good when you open a drawer and it glides open.
If you need to lube slides, use parrafin wax, out of all the magic potions I used, it was the only stuff that makes the drawers slide well.



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[FJ 432]

Great job. It looks fantastic!

Also, it should be noted that this is the first thread showing someone removing the tambour door to these boxes. Thanks for taking the risk and documenting the process.

 

[joel63]

I have to say what a outstanding job you have done in restoring this box.

There many skills involved to able to do a job like this, and you have them all.

Way to go!

 

[Hybridss]

Thanks guys. And big thanks to ZKDeisel. He is making me a deal I cant refuse on the optional drawers. It is much appreciated.

As for my skills...lol. Not great. I realized during the painting of this box I really need to go ahead and buy some painting equipment so I can mix and spray some "real" paint. These rattle cans are a big PITA on larger stuff. As a result I rushed through this a bit too fast. But atleast it will halt the corrosion and if I really get a wild hair later I can give it a full resto.

 

[zkdiesel]

No problem!
People gonna freak when I post pictures of my identical box to this next week!
Mines beat up and missing pieces, but I also have a 70's version of same box that's perfect!

 

[motofool33]

nice resto

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Good job.
I just picked this set up yesterday, Friday the 13th.



I'll have to give a serious look at the door and track now. While the paint is old and missing in places at first look it does not seem that bad to me. All the drawers slide well.

However the front gate is pretty stiff and hard to raise and lower.
I think I will have to find a way to clean and lube the thing.

I believe mine is made in the 1950s and is steel, so it might be put together differently. I don't know. I'll look.
Thanks for the pix and some ideas of how to proceed.