I know there are some box experts here. I posted this one on GG to see if I could get any info as to brand, maker or model and didn't have much luck. So, I thought I'd try here. Mostly, I would like to know how to disassemble it without ruining or losing parts. I got it for $10. There were a few tools inside, enough to justify the price, and I think with a little effort it could be a nice box again.

It might be a Beach. Mine is buried in the back of my shed so can't compare.

It looks Snap On ish.I have one just like that.

It seems well made and in pretty good functional shape. It's also very heavy. I am hoping it will clean up nicely. The previous owner had the bad idea of gluing very light foam rubber pads into the drawers instead of using box liners. Has anyone used something that works well to dissolve old glue? He really layed it in there thick. Bad, bad idea. The foam he used is a very light, soft kind. Not the high density, durable kind that is common today. This stuff has literally turned to dust over the years and the box is full of it. Nasty.

There are good glue removers on the market.  However, I'd venture a guess they're likely to remove paint along with the glue.  I believe the last I used was branded something like "goop remover".

I've also had good luck chemically freezing glue and gently removing it with a paint scraper.

Use a putty knife and tap it with a hammer to get the majority of the glue off.  Who cares if you scrape the paint?  You need to take that sucker down to bare metal anyway if you really want to clean it up.

Here's a link to one I did a few years back...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34014

You say this box is heavy, it should be, as it is a drop front service truck box.   Where the lid covered the drawer fronts to keep out dirt, the boxes had a bit heavier frame.   These were the kind generally on the truck which went out to field service.   26 inch wide was the standard box size until the 70s.  The stainless handles are the same as on my Blackhawk box, but have also seen old Mac boxes using them.  The condition its in, its only UP from here, and on that foam/glue, try putting some light oil on some, it may break it down. 

Quote from: kxxr on July 23, 2012, 08:30:35 PM
It seems well made and in pretty good functional shape. It's also very heavy. I am hoping it will clean up nicely. The previous owner had the bad idea of gluing very light foam rubber pads into the drawers instead of using box liners. Has anyone used something that works well to dissolve old glue? He really layed it in there thick. Bad, bad idea. The foam he used is a very light, soft kind. Not the high density, durable kind that is common today. This stuff has literally turned to dust over the years and the box is full of it. Nasty.

Dump lacquer thinner in the drawer, it will dissolve the foam and will make the glue easier to remove in my experience

Quote from: kxxr on July 23, 2012, 08:30:35 PM
It's also very heavy. I am hoping it will clean up nicely. The previous owner had the bad idea of gluing very light foam rubber pads into the drawers instead of using box liners. Has anyone used something that works well to dissolve old glue? He really layed it in there thick. Bad, bad idea. The foam he used is a very light, soft kind. Not the high density, durable kind that is common today. This stuff has literally turned to dust over the years and the box is full of it. Nasty.

What kind of glue?  A lot of glues will dissolve in vinegar or alcohol.   Lacquer thinner will take care of more, but I wouldn't soak it with lacquer thinner since it eats paint pretty quickly.   Acetone takes care of a lot of other glues.

Looks like a Huot box. Yep, that's what it is.

goop will eat toolbox paint, don't ask how I know this ;P

If the glue was solvent based, and he put a lot in the drawers, chances are there isn't any paint left under it that is any good anyhow. light oil will debond some types of glue also....(as will pinesol , oddly)

They are right about it removing paint but from what I see this may not be a concern of yours

Without a beer can in front of the tool box, it's hard for me to compare size, but I have a heavy metal tool box with the exact same top configuration and the same drawer scheme.  The only difference is that my flat piece of "security" steel slides out from the bottom and hooks over the male part of the hasp.  My box is a metallic blue color and and the only difference is that the flat sheet of tin for security purposes on mine comes out from under the bottom drawer as opposed to being hinged at the top like yours.

I was thinking this was a machinist's style tool box with all the thin drawers, but even as sanitary as mine is, I could still not find any trace of manufacturing markings anywhere.  I think I swapped the guy like $100 worth of tools for it, but it was full of Starrett and Brown and Lufkin micrometers, inside mics,  etc.  I store anything is use for "measuring", including some old aluminum diameter sizing plates for produce(which will likely never see the light of day again....)

Gotta save these old beasts, that's for sure....

DM&FS

Thanks for the comments and tips everyone. I will post some pictures of my progress when I make some. I don't know what kind of glue it is but I do have an assortment of solvents as mentioned and will try a few things to see what works. I do expect to have to repaint the whole thing, so if it takes off original paint it's ok. I'll refer back here for ideas as I go. Also, thanks for the link to your finished box, Lookin'. That one turned out very nice.

there was a thread on this tool box not long ago. My identical box has a Herbrand label but other guys showed identical boxes with snap on and other labels. It was decided that the box manufacturer
was putting any label  that would pay