[Greg]

This is one of my Dad's toolboxes he gave me. I plan on a full detailed restoration, including possible re-chroming of latches, fasteners and a new leather cover for the handle.

I have ordered some Hammerite medium green, hammered finish paint and think it will be a close match. If not, I might have to mix some myself and get out the detail spray gun. The shelves will be a light bronze, again hammer finish (the bottom of the box is beige in the pic but will be green when finished). The toolbox will not be used again, just for display.

<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=23b9b955-299c-1331-7cbf-53c4b9366fb1&size=>

<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=68973d57-5744-4959-755c-5ff21f7f4e63&size=>

Why go to all that trouble for just a toolbox that won't be used? Well..This is the toolbox my Dad carried with him when he was a line chief at Rankin Field when he was 19 years old. They repaired/maintained Stearman airplanes for the Rankin Aviation Academy, which trained 10,000 pilots for the war in the 40's. My Dad is 80 and the box is 61!

I am going to try to have it done by Thanksgiving and take it down and show it to him. He is in a convalescent home in southern Oregon. I'm sure I'll have some questions along they way and appreciate any comments and advice.

Greg

 

[Merlin]

GregC, do you have any special tools he used with it? It would be nice to put some in that he actually used in it.

 

[Greg]

Merlin,

Great idea. I do have some tools that might look good restored and set into the box. couple of chisels, punches, wood handled screwdrivers and a hammer. I also got a wheel puller, but I use it. I keep unloading things he gave me and finding lots of neat things.

Greg

 

[Deere John]

Greg,

WOW! I saw your post and about went bonkers. My Dad had two tool boxes very similar to yours! He passed away about 5 years, 2 months, and 30 days ago (I miss him, can you tell?). He kept all his prize Craftsman tools in them. My Mom gave all his tools to me for my birthday about 2 years ago, and I think like you, I keep them for the memories.

He must have known something was up, becuase he went through and organized everything, including painting his old tooboxes "Ford Blue" to match the F150 that we rebuilt from the frame up with these very tools back in the late 70's before he passed away. I can't wait for the time when I can pass these along to my son.

Thanks for bringing up these memories....

 

[Deere John]

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[Martie]

Greg,
My Dad is 81. He enlisted in the Army in June, 1940, went into the Air Corps and was in for the duration of WWII of course. He has a tool box REAL close to your dad's! Was yours a GI tool box? I'll have to ask my dad about his. He's had it as far back as I can remember, but that is just AFTER the war. I always assumed this tool box was the one he used, but don't really know... BTW, my dad made line chief too, and eventually wound up on P-38s in the South Pacific.

 

[Greg]

Unbelievable!

Jay,

Looks like the exact make toolbox! Notice the same rounded top pyramid ends, 2 trays, top open and bottom divided. Do they have a leather covered handle? My Dad's does and I am going to a leather shop and have a new cover made.

<img src=http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=988d1e30-4be1-36bb-77f4-30bc7bff40fb&size=>

I bet your Dad was proud of them, especially the paint job. Looks real good.

Martie,

My Dad tried to enlist but his eyes were too bad. He worked at Rankin field at the flight school. He did get to fly sometimes with an instructor named Sammy Mason. Sammy was supposed to be one of the best and quite a "barn stormer".

I don't know where he got the tool box, on his own or at the maintance shop at Rankin. I'll ask him next time we talk. (I don't want to focus too much on it as I want to take the restored box to him and make it a surprise).

Greg

 

[keithmiller69]

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[Cublover]

Grandpa's toolbox that Dad used till mid 70's.

Can't seem to get the image to attach....

Here is one that GrandPap made in the late 30's that Dad used till he retired in the mid 80's. I 'boosted' it out of the woodshop about 1985. This link must be broke. Look for new 'toolbox' post.