Vintage Duplex/Yorktown Tool Box/Chest

[Correus]

New member, first post.

A couple of weeks ago, I helped a buddy work on his 1970 Ford tractor. While doing so, the building we were next to was being cleaned out by my friend's brother's employees. The items being removed were slated for either the junkyard or recycling.

While standing there watching they pulled out a rolling tool cabinet/chest with a detachable toolbox on top. They tossed both of them onto the trailer for recycling!!!! I sat stood there and just looked at them and eventually asked my buddy if he thought his brother would mind me taking them. Long story short - the brother said "go ahead".

The bottom chest is a Duplex No. 1218, and the top one is a Yorktown. Both appear to be from the '60s into the early '70s but I'm not sure. The bottom chest is in the roughest condition, mainly dirt and grime, and the bottom part of the door is dented. There is also a little bit of rust on the top. All of the drawers work well, but a little stiff due to grime. The top chest is actually in great shape, just dirty, and the drawers slide like butter! Unfortunately, the key is missing for the top chest, and the combination number is lost on the other, but that's all fixable - I hope.

I've never owned a set of tool chests, my tools are in basic plasti tool boxes, so these are going to be a fun projects and useful.

As a bonus - there were tools still inside, and most of them are in great condition! I can't believe they were just going to toss these!!

 

[Correus]

As a follow-up...

I've spent some time working on the new to me vintage tool chests. I've never taken one of these things apart before, so that was interesting, and that's how I found this forum, looking for answers.

All-in-all, both toolboxes are in really good shape, just filthy with a few dents-n-dings.

I did find a couple more tools inside, as well as a bunch of plastic bags and a box of hog nose rings.

I have started the cleaning process as well as fixing the dents-n-dings, just haven't gotten any pics yet.

 

[bdbecker]

Good save! Always nice to see something like that cleaned up and put to use instead of just being scrapped.

Also, welcome to Garage Journal!

 

[Lassen Forge]

I know you're new here (welcome aboard), but you STILL ****!!! NICE score, and have fun with your new project!!!

 

[Shiftless]

I know you're new here (welcome aboard), but you STILL ****!!! NICE score, and have fun with your new project!!!

I agree!
What else did you grab from that building? If that chest was the there, there must have been more stuff somewhat related.

 

[Correus]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Unfortunately most of the stuff in the building had been removed the day before, so I have no clue what else was tossed, but I imagine is was some good stuff.

To give you an idea of what I was able to get besides the toolboxes... an antique galvanized wash tub stand in mint condition; a set of retro swag lamps from the late '60s or early '70s in great shape; a folding rocking chair from the 1880s/90s - rough but restorable; assorted axe heads; sledgehammer heads; small metal wood planers; chisels and etc.

My buddy's brother is one of his community's handmade companies and he also offers clean out services for buildings and homes. When he remembers to he contacts me when he finds interesting things, he forgot this time.

Supposedly he has come across a cache of vintage auto parts, as well as body panels, from the 1920s - 1950s. I'm supposed to go and take a look.

 

[Nutria]

Great score. I have a nice, old Duplex box that I carry in my truck-- it's a tank.

 

[Packard V8]

The bottom chest is a Duplex No. 1218, and the top one is a Yorktown. Both appear to be from the '60s into the early '70s but I'm not sure.

Welcome to the forum. Can't beat free!

In more than sixty years in and around tool chests, I can't remember ever seeing any labeled Duplex or Yorktown. Anyone know if those were the manufacturer or a private label?

jack vines

 

[Correus]

Welcome to the forum. Can't beat free!

In more than sixty years in and around tool chests, I can't remember ever seeing any labeled Duplex or Yorktown. Anyone know if those were the manufacturer or a private label?

jack vines

Thanks!

I haven't had a lot of luck finding any info on these, especially the Duplex one. I did run across a reference to it wherein the person said he thought Duplex was bought out by Snap-On.

Attached are pics of the labels. The Yorktown one is a bit fuzzy though.

 

[Nutria]

In more than sixty years in and around tool chests, I can't remember ever seeing any labeled Duplex or Yorktown. Anyone know if those were the manufacturer or a private label?

The boxes were made in Ft Smith, Arkansas and may have also had some relationship to Proto. Someone who knows more will probably be along soon. Meanwhile, here are some quick links:

Duplex tool box

I acquired a bottom box and top box from a friend. I dont know much about this company. Any info would be great. I would like to re key it and suggestions?

www.garagejournal.com

Duplex Tool Chests : Form No. DU 65608-A : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Duplex Tool Boxes : Form No. DU 65615-A : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Duplex Tool Boxes : Utility, Quality, Design : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

1 p., illus., 7.9 cm, advertisement

archive.org

 

[Nutria]

And this:

Vanished Tool Makes: Duplex Toolboxes

progress-is-fine.blogspot.com

 

[Correus]

The boxes were made in Ft Smith, Arkansas and may have also had some relationship to Proto. Someone who knows more will probably be along soon. Meanwhile, here are some quick links:

Duplex tool box

I acquired a bottom box and top box from a friend. I dont know much about this company. Any info would be great. I would like to re key it and suggestions?

www.garagejournal.com

Duplex Tool Chests : Form No. DU 65608-A : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Duplex Tool Boxes : Form No. DU 65615-A : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

2 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Duplex Tool Boxes : Utility, Quality, Design : Duplex Manufacturing Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

1 p., illus., 7.9 cm, advertisement

archive.org

Cool...

Did you notice the price listed for the toolbox in the first link? It's the equivalent of $259.49 in today's money.

 

[mervyn]

Looks great. I ended up with a snap on box that belonged to a good friend after he passed away. Found an old paycheck in the bottom from 1995.

 

[Correus]

And this:

Vanished Tool Makes: Duplex Toolboxes

progress-is-fine.blogspot.com

Thanks. That means it wasn't Snap-On that eventually got them. I could of easily gotten the two mixed up and Snap-On eventually got Yorktown.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Unfortunately most of the stuff in the building had been removed the day before, so I have no clue what else was tossed, but I imagine is was some good stuff.

To give you an idea of what I was able to get besides the toolboxes... an antique galvanized wash tub stand in mint condition; a set of retro swag lamps from the late '60s or early '70s in great shape; a folding rocking chair from the 1880s/90s - rough but restorable; assorted axe heads; sledgehammer heads; small metal wood planers; chisels and etc.

My buddy's brother is one of his community's handmade companies and he also offers clean out services for buildings and homes. When he remembers to he contacts me when he finds interesting things, he forgot this time.

Supposedly he has come across a cache of vintage auto parts, as well as body panels, from the 1920s - 1950s. I'm supposed to go and take a look.

OK, Correus, 6 posts and you just took Suckhood to a whle new level. I am effing jealous.... always wanted to be pprivy to something like that. Especially the car parts - dayum!

 

[Correus]

OK, Correus, 6 posts and you just took Suckhood to a whle new level. I am effing jealous.... always wanted to be pprivy to something like that. Especially the car parts - dayum!

 

[bdbecker]

...assorted axe heads...

This thread may interest you...

Let's see your axes

Well guy's to be honesty I'm just beginning to take an interest in axe's. I come across them pretty often at sales. I decided to pick up a few this year and see what I can do to/with them. I've cleaned a few up and will be posting some pic's late when I can find them on my computer. I just...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[BukitCase]

That top box looks like a carbon copy (as in, came from the same factory) of my Snap-on KRA-59 except for a slightly different arrangement of the 1/3 width drawers - I bought it new off the truck in 1964 (6 months of payments), by now it could use a refinish but everything still works fine - ... Steve

 

[woody 73]

Op not only do you **** in a good way, but I got to ask what the hell do they put in your water to make them throw out such totally rad tools and toolboxes?

 

[Correus]

This thread may interest you...

Let's see your axes

Well guy's to be honesty I'm just beginning to take an interest in axe's. I come across them pretty often at sales. I decided to pick up a few this year and see what I can do to/with them. I've cleaned a few up and will be posting some pic's late when I can find them on my computer. I just...

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks for sharing this!

 

[Correus]

That top box looks like a carbon copy (as in, came from the same factory) of my Snap-on KRA-59 except for a slightly different arrangement of the 1/3 width drawers - I bought it new off the truck in 1964 (6 months of payments), by now it could use a refinish but everything still works fine - ... Steve

Interesting... I don't suppose you have pics around here of it do you?

6 months of payments... man... but it sounds like it was completely worth it!

 

[Correus]

Op not only do you **** in a good way, but I got to ask what the hell do they put in your water to make them throw out such totally rad tools and toolboxes?

It's just plain stupidity. Seriously, I've met most of his employees that he uses for clean out jobs and I'd swear their lunch breaks are bong fests. That's one reason I have asked that he contact me when they do a job. They rarely contact me though.

 

[BukitCase]

"I don't suppose you have pics around here of it do you?"

Not a very clear one, the box sits in a corner of my "welding phone booth" - AKA more stuff than should EVER be crammed into an 8x10 room - whichever welder I'm using (MM252, MM211, Everlast stick/tig, etc) gets parked OUTSIDE of the "booth", good thing all machines have long leads

Here's the 3 best pics I found, guess I should get a "portrait" shot some day ... Steve

Oh, the other box in middle pic is my second oldest, a Craftsman top/bottom, 'WAY before chinese (about 1979) - the newer boxes include 3 costco hammerhead 42" top/bottoms, 42" HD bottom/HF top, another (home depot) 26" top/bottom - and probably a couple others...

 

[Rockable]

One man's trash......

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Nice score! Those would have definitely came home with me too. I can't wait to hear about the vintage car parts!!!

 

[Correus]

"I don't suppose you have pics around here of it do you?"

Not a very clear one, the box sits in a corner of my "welding phone booth" - AKA more stuff than should EVER be crammed into an 8x10 room - whichever welder I'm using (MM252, MM211, Everlast stick/tig, etc) gets parked OUTSIDE of the "booth", good thing all machines have long leads

Here's the 3 best pics I found, guess I should get a "portrait" shot some day ... Steve

Oh, the other box in middle pic is my second oldest, a Craftsman top/bottom, 'WAY before chinese (about 1979) - the newer boxes include 3 costco hammerhead 42" top/bottoms, 42" HD bottom/HF top, another (home depot) 26" top/bottom - and probably a couple others...

Nice... thanks for sharing.

Sounds like you have an interesting setup, and based on the pics I'd thoroughly love looking around your shop!

 

[Correus]

Nice score! Those would have definitely came home with me too. I can't wait to hear about the vintage car parts!!!

Thanks!

I will keep that in mind. My buddy and I haven't been able to schedule a time to go see them. They are all out in a field someplace about 3 hours away. The owner knows we are interested and doing our best to make it happen.

 

[Nutria]

Just your basic single-tray box, but I think that the steel is heavier gauge than a lot of boxes from even that era.

 

[Correus]

Just your basic single-tray box, but I think that the steel is heavier gauge than a lot of boxes from even that era.

Nice...

I think you are right about the steel. The Duplex is half the size of the Yorktown, but is definitely heavier.

 

[vssjim]

I have that same top box bought it new in 1976 and it is at work as I keep my sae wrenches and some sockets in it

 

[1982fxr]

"I don't suppose you have pics around here of it do you?"

Not a very clear one, the box sits in a corner of my "welding phone booth" - AKA more stuff than should EVER be crammed into an 8x10 room - whichever welder I'm using (MM252, MM211, Everlast stick/tig, etc) gets parked OUTSIDE of the "booth", good thing all machines have long leads

Here's the 3 best pics I found, guess I should get a "portrait" shot some day ... Steve

Oh, the other box in middle pic is my second oldest, a Craftsman top/bottom, 'WAY before chinese (about 1979) - the newer boxes include 3 costco hammerhead 42" top/bottoms, 42" HD bottom/HF top, another (home depot) 26" top/bottom - and probably a couple others...

That's not a Yorktown. The drawer pulls are a lot different.

I believe yours was made by MBC before S O had their own factory.

 

[1982fxr]

Does anyone know where Yorktown boxes were sold?

 

[BukitCase]

Somebody's confused here - I never said my box was a Yorktown, only that the OP's and mine appear to come from the same factory - I based this on my observation that the ONLY diff I can see between the 2 boxes is the number of smaller drawers - also my (bought off the Snap-On truck, and badged as such) has chromed strips riveted to each drawer pull - the OP's "yorktown" does NOT have those strips.

Other than that, the lids of both boxes have the same locking mechanisms and lids can be either folded under to expose the drawers or folded down to lock the entire box.

To me, if it walks like a duck... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Here's a better shot of my (bought from snapon) KRA-59 (about a month before I got married AND enlisted in the Army Security Agency for 4 years - better than the draft; came home after 4 years to a tech job instead of in a box from 'nam) -

Not seen is the currently folded under lid (too much **** to move for a pic of that part) - notice the bottom center hole AND 2 holes in side frame, for a 3-point lock using a 3-way "bellcrank" type key lock... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Oh, per

Correus' request - ​

a couple reasons why I don't worry much about locking stuff ... Steve

 

[1982fxr]

Somebody's confused here - I never said my box was a Yorktown, only that the OP's and mine appear to come from the same factory - I based this on my observation that the ONLY diff I can see between the 2 boxes is the number of smaller drawers - also my (bought off the Snap-On truck, and badged as such) has chromed strips riveted to each drawer pull - the OP's "yorktown" does NOT have those strips.

Other than that, the lids of both boxes have the same locking mechanisms and lids can be either folded under to expose the drawers or folded down to lock the entire box.

To me, if it walks like a duck... Steve

I don't believe MBC made Yorktown boxes, is what I meant. MBC made your Snap-on box.

Those chrome strips are cool. Unless I'm having a brain fart I don't think I've ever seen that on one of those before.

 

[BukitCase]

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification - I've never seen those strips on ANY other snapon box either - but if ANY of my dozen or so newer boxes hold up as well it'll probably hafta be one of my heirs that finds out ... Steve

 

[WNYflyer]

Does anyone know where Yorktown boxes were sold?

Yorktown was the predecessor to the Matco Tool Box factory in Lakewood NY/Jamestown NY. The owner of Yorktown eventually went back into the tool box business under the name Aero Industries of which I have one of their top boxes.

 

[1982fxr]

Yorktown was the predecessor to the Matco Tool Box factory in Lakewood NY/Jamestown NY. The owner of Yorktown eventually went back into the tool box business under the name Aero Industries of which I have one of their top boxes.

We're Aero those light duty homeowner grade boxes that used to be in hardware stores and parts stores in the 80s and 90s?

 

[1982fxr]

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification - I've never seen those strips on ANY other snapon box either - but if ANY of my dozen or so newer boxes hold up as well it'll probably hafta be one of my heirs that finds out ... Steve

Could you make a thread on that box and it's strips in the vintage Tool forum?