My tool box restorations!

[Mr. Bonney]

I'm big into fixing and restoring old tools and things so they can continue to work. I've often found tool boxes that have seen better days, and rather then let them rust away, I buy them (if they're cheap enough) and restore them. Figured I'd post some of my projects and encourage you guys to restore stuff in your locale.

I have a soft spot for Craftsman 6500 boxes. Here's some B4 and after shots.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

I also like SK boxes. Socket boxes and totes.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

I had a friend send me a FACOM cantilever carry box. Took quite a bit of work, but made it look great.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

My most dramatic save was a totally gone SK 1/2" drive socket box. It was really beyond hope, but I wanted to see if I could save it. No beauty queen but still in service holding tools!

 

[Mr. Bonney]

I'm a fan of the old Makita 9.6 volt cordless drills. I finally found one like the original one I bought in 1990. Then I found a bad condition metal carrier, and put it back to original condition.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

Some years ago I had an apprentice. He wanted to learn how to fix things. So about twice a month for 3 years he'd come over and whatever I had on my workbench he worked on. Finally decided he should get some tools, and he needed a tool box to carry them in. So we restored a Craftsman box for him and we took a family shot. The blue one is his - at the time I only had the one silver box. I was hesitant about the blue, but once done I liked it so much I did a blue one for myself!

P.S. I lost touch with him for a few years but recently we've reconnected. He still has the tools and box and thanked me for teaching him stuff he has used at work!

 

[Mr. Bonney]

Another SK socket box. An SK Wayne model.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

Came across a Dayton tote box at a pawn shop. Had a ton of rust inside so got it for $8. Total redo, came out fine, holds my bicycle repair tools.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

My dad was a tin knocker, and had this heavy steel box that he kept his sheet metal tools in. I luckily found another one just like it, and stored all my tinners tools in it after cleaning it up. Have tried to find some background or brand, but with very little luck. I think it might be a Chicago Factory Machinist Tool Box. If anyone has any further info, please let me know.

Here is his original circa 1960 box with tools (my sister has it) it is showing it's decades of use. And the duplicate I found, and my tools.

 

[Legion]

That’s cool. Now I’m going to be on the lookout for old tool boxes.

 

[Mr. Bonney]

If you find any 6500 C-man boxes missing the tray, the tray dimensions are 7"W by 17 1/4"L.

I do them because it's relaxing, and when I'm done they can be sold or given as gifts if I can't use them.

 

[Toothpick]

So what is your method of restoration? I’ve got an old box that’s in need of restoration.

I dug this out from under the neighbors house 4ish years ago. This is what it looked like after digging out. Basically all I did was toss the unusable tools, vacuum the rust out, and been using it ever since.

Any tips for a restoration?

 

[Mr. Bonney]

You've got yourself a whopper of a resto there!

I sand by hand (I've got plenty of time) but a box with that many drawers and rusted would probably benefit from a sandblaster. Remove the lock and hardware to clean and polish. Remove all the drawers and sand/paint separately. Straighten any dents/bends/kinks. Check and repair any alignment issues. Then paint. I use shaker cans - there's a surprising amount of color choices and finishes. You may want to use a power sprayer. Then reassemble.

How perfect your make it depends on your intended use. I do boxes to use them, so perfectly straight and dent-free isn't an issue. And I'd keep it red, but it's your box. I use drawer liner from the kitchen aisle to line the drawers with. Just so tools don't slide around too easy when opening/closing. It's cheap, and if it wears out easy to replace.

 

[Toothpick]

Ok, so I don’t have a sandblaster. But all else sounds doable. Probably won’t worry about the dents and dings. I have a power sander, and a Dremel so that should work fine.

 

[ajkel64]

Nice restorations. Do you spray paint the toolboxes with pressure pack cans or use a proper spray paint setup?

 

[luvmysuper]

Nice restorations. Do you spray paint the toolboxes with pressure pack cans or use a proper spray paint setup?

I use shaker cans - there's a surprising amount of color choices and finishes.

Looks like he does the same as I do!
I have a power sprayer, but set up and clean up is such a hassle it's easier to use shaker cans!