tool box ID

D. Rey · Sep 3, 2006

Got this from my dad recently, was my grand fathers in the 40's and 50's he was a machinist for Union Pacific in Sacramento for something like 30 yrs. No tools (my aunt sold them at a garage sale after he died and used the box for a jewlery case....I know don't even say it)

It's in great shape the only markings are on the lock, Yale. No other writing.

Anyone know anything about it?

SouthBendModel34 · Sep 4, 2006

I vote for "shop made". Really nice job, too.

Show us a photo of the inside of the lock. I. for one. would like to see how he adapted a Yale screw-in mortise lock cylinder to lock the chest.

It'd be interesting to see how the drop panel locks, too.

John Ruth

D. Rey · Sep 4, 2006

Yea it may be home brewed, if so a hell of a lot better than I could ever do.

Looks like sone hardware is missing, maybe some pins went through here to secure the front panel? The front panel fits like a glove anyway. There are corresponding holes on the lid, duplicate holes are on the right side.

yale lock, key is long gone, bummer.

the front cover is retained by brass pins that ride in grooves at the bottom.

lock reciever

The inside felt was replaced with grey crap from some craft store several years ago, not my doing.

Where do you find proper greeen felt for these things? Needs a mirror too.

wippin' boy · Sep 4, 2006

yup
i say your g-pa made it
irreplacable link to the past
green felt
pool table store

bluchip · Sep 4, 2006

He may have locked the drop front by dropping two appropriately sized nails in the holes and manually extracting them when access desired. Definitely selfmade. Late forties to fifties plywood.

boaterri · Sep 4, 2006

You can get the felt at Woodworkers Supply or any better woodworking/cabinate supply outlet.

Beautiful link with your past.

Rick

Stu Miller · Sep 4, 2006

It looks like the hole thru the top is larger than the one in the front panel. I suspect he used a stepped rod with a small spring to lift the rods when the lid came up. I made a drafting tool box with a mechanism like that a number of years ago. The rods just sat on the springs. Closing the lid forced them down into the holes in the front panel. Only problem is that they get lost if the box is turned over.

Stu Miller

D. Rey · Sep 4, 2006

Thanks for the responses.

Dave

Forrest Addy · Sep 4, 2006

In the days of steam railroading the larger rail line were self-contained having among other resources jointer shops to serve the fine wood detailing in passenger coaches. In spare time they made office furniture and possibly they made chests for presentation to their trades apprentices on graduation.

I don't think such is the case here: too many raw plywood edges. A good jointer shop is compulsive about binding edge grain and concealing anything ugly.

chuckey · Sep 4, 2006

Nervis, the yale lock barrel is held by two bolts from the inside, so it should be easy to replace, or if you have a decent locksmith near you, he may be able to make a key for it.
frank

sandman2234 · Sep 4, 2006

I agree that a decent locksmith can make a key for it. Depending on if it is a current blank, it may not cost much at all. I have had several keys made for cast iron fifth wheel pinlocks that I came across. Nothing that heavy duty is made nowadays so I wanted to be able to use them.
David from jax

rockfish · Sep 5, 2006

Very cool box. I wish I had one handed down to me.

rockfish

Ken_Shea · Sep 5, 2006

How cool is that Dave,
That it was hand made by your grand father is priceless and I am not talking dollars here.

Ken

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tool box ID

D. Rey

Titanium

SouthBendModel34

Diamond

D. Rey

Titanium

wippin' boy

Diamond

bluchip

Stainless

boaterri

Cast Iron

Stu Miller

Hot Rolled

D. Rey

Titanium

Forrest Addy

Diamond

chuckey

Stainless

sandman2234

Titanium

rockfish

Titanium

Ken_Shea

Plastic

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