Vintage Craftsman Toolbox Restoration- Finished!

[joesregalproject]

Re: Vintage Craftsman Toolbox Restoration

Alright, quick day 2 update. I got the angle grinder out and put a 50 grit wheel in it and did the 4 larger outside sides of the box, and it did alright, but still didn't get all of the old paint and rust. So I went to a 36 grit wheel, and moving quickly, so as not to warp the metal, I did on the front outside side. I will pick up tomorrow with the 36 grit disc and do the remaining five sides. Then I can do the same on the inside, and then begin fixing dents. I plan on using the rustoleum hammered finish grey paint, but that is subject to change.

Quick question- once I get it down to bare metal, should I use an etching primer or rust reformer?

Note: The red toolbox inside the workbench overflowing with tools is the exact same one, just in a little better shape. And at some point in time, someone took a can of red spray paint to it without prepping it first.

 

[MrHernandez]

Re: Vintage Craftsman Toolbox Restoration

I've seen people bolt them down in the trunk and use them as a battery box, just an idea

 

[joesregalproject]

Re: Vintage Craftsman Toolbox Restoration

Alright, a little bit more of an exciting update than yesterday, today I got the paint, I used grey rustoleum hammered finish, which is about as close to the original as I could get. It also helps hide some of the heavy rust.

It says 'primer not required' and 'paint over rust' on the can, but OCD me spray a quick, thin coat of etching primer.

Getting the paint prompted me to finish the bodywork, so I sanded it all down to 36 with a grinder, and then back up to 80 with a DA sander. Then I put a quick coat of Rustoleum Stops Rust Etching Primer on, and then painted the outside. I was a little anxious, so I painted the outside first opposed to the inside, but I don't think it will matter since the paint doesn't require a clearcoat. Have a look-

Crappy phone pics, I know. I really need a good digital camera. My "good" camera is a 36 mm one from the late 70s. It takes awesome pics, but I can't upload them.

 

[joesregalproject]

Re: Vintage Craftsman Toolbox Restoration

Finished!

I didnt have the right router bit to remake the wooden saw holder, so I pulled the one off the red tool box, and when I pulled it off it broke, so I glued it together and used the screws from the red box. I replaced the cardboard liner, but it's kinda half- assed-

I was able to save my dad's old union sticker, what I did to tape it off was, put a glove on, and put the cap from the paint can over top of the sticker and sprayed around it. The cap had the same diameter as the sticker, so I guess I got lucky.

 

[307 Regal]

8)

 

[gwhiz]

sweet .nice to see someone take pride in something that was long forgotten.might want to put some clear tape or something to protect that sticker.

 

[1979Calais]

That looks great! You make me want to go find an old tool box. 😀

 

[Bonnewagon]

NICE!