Help Finding replacement parts for vintage tool boxes

[leaky88]

Hi,
I'm a newbee in the process of restoring a KRA377. The offset HD Runners on Drawers 4 and 5 are bent. They have the number 8-453 inscribed in them and measure 16.75 long and 1.75 wide. Snap-on no longer makes the slides or drawers.

What are options for replacing these?
A guy on Garage Journal said a 8-367 still sold by Snap-on would work. But Customer Service said measurements were 17.7 x .4 x 1.8. Thoughts were to buy one and attempt to shorten it.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,
Leaky

[macother]

That's not likely to work, you're describing the taller slides that came into use around 1969, whereas the ones you need are the type that existed on all the boxes before that.
Best bet would be to find a box on craigslist, or possibly from another Snap On box with the same depth drawers.
You could probably straighten out the one's you have. I've used a length of round stock set in the channel with a bit of gentle dolly work, an appropriate size drill bit or round screwdriver shaft might work too. Peen gently.
Also, take a clear look at the receiver channel on the box itself, if it's deformed, you need to straighten it and make sure it's smooth too. If it's rippled or wavy, that's got to be fixed too.
Post a picture and get the date from your box.
Good luck.

Edit Never mind the above if your box is the later type with the taller friction slides. If it is, you can shave off a little from each end.

[KR537D]

I completed restoring my KRA58B. Its a 1964 model.

There are still dents in the box and you can see pitting from the rust on the bottom of the boxn which adds character to it. Im very happy with how it turned out. This box has held up well for the abuse its seen for 50 years. I'm planning on it lasting for at least another 50.

Very nice.

[Rix Fix]

Very well done.

There's just something about the way Snap-On built and styled their tools that smacks of quality, and functionality. All cutting edge too.

Excellent job !

One thing I did, when restoring my fathers original MT-650, was to advertise with want ads on Craigslist. His machine was complete, except for one cast/chromes Snap-On emblem. It was missing for so long, that I never knew it was there. In 2010 (I think ) Snap-On came out with a 90 year anniversary calendar. A friend gave me a copy. Each month featured a different Snap-On tool. One of the months featured an MT-650 . When I saw the picture, I noticed the emblem, which is situated on the front, about half way down. I then looked at ours saw the holes where it should have been.

After advertising with the Craigslist want ad a few times, someone called me with a tip that one was currently for sale on ebay. I purchased it and was very happy.

I called Snap-On and although they were courteous, they said that they offered nothing in so far as replacement parts went.

Gotta get creative at times....

Rich C.

[bsg]

tagged.

[Dougie]

Interestingly, I am now embarking on a restoration just like the one described above by Benhill179 -- same box and also previously owned by my now 2 years deceased father-in-law! My wife is not quite as encouraging though -- she thinks I'm spending too much time on it. Oh well.

In any event, I could use some guidance on (i) locating a replacement handle (ii) how the "top stops" were removed, repaired and apparently polished, and replaced (including information on the "stainless steel tubular rivets"), and (iii) sourcing a replacement lock and key. I also need to source the emblem!

Finally, I am curious about the function of the metal strips that cover the drawer edges. A couple of mine are corroded beyond hope, and one is missing. Not a particularly important feature from a functional perspective, I don't think, but not sure I'd know otherwise.

Many thanks in advance for the help!

[hurler99]

It is 2018 and I wonder if anyone is supplying old parts outside of eBay yet.

Restoring 75 roll cab and 86 top box that need handles and patiently waiting for eBay has done me no good.