LATE 1930'S TO EARLY 1940'S SNAP-ON TOOL BOX

So I seem to be in "Tool & Shop Mode" this week and figured I'd post a few pictures of a vintage Snap-on tool box I inherited from my Dad a few years ago. I went on a vintage Snap-on website and found the model number and approximate date of manufacture which was between 1937 and 1945 (as close as I could come). I use it next to my Drill Press to store all my Bits in.

When I got it, the paint was pretty bad, there were a few dents and dings and since it was my Dads and I have no intentions of ever getting rid of it I went ahead and restored it. I took out just about all the dents, repaired some of the dividers and powder coated it. The color was matched exactly to the Snap-on color it was originally by the guy I used to do the powder coating and the dividers which are still original match just about perfectly. I did not want to risk the tool box continuing to rust and rot out, so here it is in use.

Nice box and bits [emoji106]

A FEW MORE PHOTOS OF VINTAGE SNAP-ON BOX

Couldn't fit all the photos in one post so here are a few more.

Any idea what the original sale price was compared to today?

In 1938 the Tool Box itself cost $12 Bucks (empty). Filled with tools like wrenches and socket sets it cost $80 bucks.

Collecting Snap-on - 1938 Industrial Catalog 38I p03

Today, they go up to $30,000 or $40,000.00 for the big heavy-duty monster versions they put together. Most of the ones that the typical Mechanics I know are using are around $15,000. The relatively simple one I have is no longer made. I have 5 Craftsman boxes for my regular tool storage. They aren't Snap-on's but 36 years ago when I bought them I could barely afford them! At this point they are still in perfect condition and still serve me well. I am not spending BIG BUCKS on tool boxes at 62.

Nice box and good job bringing it back to life.
I like the hinged front that secures the drawers
and could act as a parts tray when down.

While I hate refinishing anything, I find beauty in a well used item, there are times when doing nothing destroys. Sounds like your old box had no other recourse. It sad to think of all the dents and dings your dad had put into the box are gone forever, but it beats the alternative. A nice job you did.

The red Snap On box I bought new in 1969, still has original paint and many, many dents. The black boxes in the second picture was my toolbox when I retired in 2010, I have way too many tools for a home shop.

Very nice job Chief. That looks great.

When I graduated high school in 1959 I received a 3 drawer Snap On tool chest with hand wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets and miscellaneous tools from my parents for graduation gift. I still have all the tools with the exception of ones that were replaced over the years. In those years each wrench or socket was dated by year, changing configuration every 10 years and then by date code, a practice they finally quit. My Snap On tool box had a lid that closed over the front with a chrome handle at the bottom of the lid and I think it had a lock. I worked for Cadillac for 47 years and my accumulation of tools was never ending and they are mostly Snap On with others mixed in. Sadly I sold my original Snap On tool box (empty)to a friend of mine at work and should have never done it. I have always regretted it. I have at least 8 Snap On tool boxes counting side boxes and a couple of Mac Tool boxes.

chief38 said:

In 1938 the Tool Box itself cost $12 Bucks (empty). Filled with tools like wrenches and socket sets it cost $80 bucks.

Collecting Snap-on - 1938 Industrial Catalog 38I p03

Today, they go up to $30,000 or $40,000.00 for the big heavy-duty monster versions they put together. Most of the ones that the typical Mechanics I know are using are around $15,000. The relatively simple one I have is no longer made. I have 5 Craftsman boxes for my regular tool storage. They aren't Snap-on's but 36 years ago when I bought them I could barely afford them! At this point they are still in perfect condition and still serve me well. I am not spending BIG BUCKS on tool boxes at 62.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the new Craftsman tool boxes are no longer the quality of your old ones. They use the thinnest gauge metal they can get away with but still charge a premium price. The slides are pretty chincy also.
Buy the way, love the vintage fan.

Oh, I LIKE that! Great job on the resto. Love the vintage SnapOn logo on the front.

Sweet!!

I really love the vintage tools/tool boxes, and yours is a great example. Love that it was your dad's. They really don't make em' like that any more... Most of the new consumer tool boxes are like tinfoil. The new SnapOn, Proto, Mac, Matco boxes are nice, but very, very expensive.

Nice work in on the restoration, it came out very nice. And, after looking at your pictures, you've inspired me to clean up my shop!! Man, you are neat!

dswancutt said:

Unfortunately, the new Craftsman tool boxes are no longer the quality of your old ones. They use the thinnest gauge metal they can get away with but still charge a premium price. The slides are pretty chincy also.
Buy the way, love the vintage fan.

Click to expand...

I absolutely agree! The NEW Craftsman boxes are so crappy (and it really hurts me to say this) I would rate the better model Harbor Freight boxes a higher grade. The ones I bought 36 years ago are so much better than the **** they are selling today! Mine are also made in the USA. I wold NOT buy Craftsman boxes today!

Actually I just came back from an evening out with the Wife & friends and one of my friends wife just asked me to help her pick out a new tool box for her husband as a Christmas gift. He is not a tool guy like me and not a fuss-pot either. Right now all his tools are in plastic Home Depot boxes scattered all over his garage. I saw a pretty good value at Costco last week while there with Mrs. Chief38 and it was far above the current Craftsman quality. It was huge, has heavy gauge steel, ball bearing slides and nice wheels. I did not measure it but would estimate it is 5 1/4 feet high, 4 1/2 feet wide and 30" deep. I have no idea who the manufacturer is but for $500 bucks I can't think of any reason not to recommend it to her. It is a charcoal color krinkle paint model with chrome trim. Guess who she's gonna ask to help pick it up from Costco and assemble it - - - - but it will be my pleasure!

About the fan - I collect and restore them. I've got a bunch of them all over the house, including the Basement & Garage. Some go back to 1915. All work as good as they did the day the left the Factory. The one in the picture on my tool box is circa 1937 -1939 and in all original condition except for the cord which I had to replace. I used new old stock cloth cord with an original Bakelite GE plug. I cleaned up the gear box, the motor and the case, repacked it with new grease, oiled her up and she's been working perfectly for 15 years now. I use is almost every single day - even in the Winter. When I work in the Shop I like a gentle breeze and always get hot when working. I also have restored vintage Radios, tools, telephones and machinery - LOVE IT! We have Central Air in the entire house, but we also have and use these vintage fans at the same time the A/C is on because we just love the breeze. We also have ceiling fans in all the Bedrooms, but IMHO they do not work nearly as well as these little GE fans do. Most of mine are GE with a Hunter and a Manning -Bowman thrown in for good measure.

Bkreutz said:

The red Snap On box I bought new in 1969, still has original paint and many, many dents. The black boxes in the second picture was my toolbox when I retired in 2010, I have way too many tools for a home shop.

Click to expand...

NICE LIFT! I only WISH I had the height in my Garage for a lift! My Garage has a room over it and has just under an 8 foot ceiling. My SUV only has a few inches clearance so when I need to crawl under my vehicles I have to use steel ramps and a creeper. Not to mention you can double the vehicles stored with a lift as you have done.

30-30remchester said:

While I hate refinishing anything, I find beauty in a well used item, there are times when doing nothing destroys. Sounds like your old box had no other recourse. It sad to think of all the dents and dings your dad had put into the box are gone forever, but it beats the alternative. A nice job you did.

Click to expand...

I generally don't restore stuff like these either, but was afraid that if left in the original condition it would have turned into a "rust-bucket". I did spend extra money to have a custom matching "Snap-on color" made and I did spend hours and hours myself preparing and straightening out all the abuse it had taken. Now the lid closes as it should, the drawers slide in and out easily, and the latch closes properly. It will never be sold and after I am gone it goes to my Son. No regrets!

Most of my tool boxes are left overs. Left over from my dad, left over from the job. banged up the drawers don't slide right. The big roll around tool box got overhauled with new wheels and spray painted, then the one I got from the job before I packed it in got the same treatment. Then I was on a roll, one from my dad got the dents knocked out and wire wheeled off the rust and flaking paint. Rattle canned the same color as the roll around. Couple others I aquired over the years got the same treatment.Used Rustoleum's finest bright red.Frank

i got an old craftsman i bought used in the 1972 when they built stuff in America it still works great. Really like your box snap on is tuff as nails

chief38 said:

NICE LIFT! I only WISH I had the height in my Garage for a lift! My Garage has a room over it and has just under an 8 foot ceiling. My SUV only has a few inches clearance so when I need to crawl under my vehicles I have to use steel ramps and a creeper. Not to mention you can double the vehicles stored with a lift as you have done.

Click to expand...

I built the shop with the lift in mind. It was my retirement plan. Now with my various artificial joints and multiple cardiac events, I couldn't get up and down to a creeper without a cherry picker and help The shop does make a nice, climate controlled, reloading room.