Posted 14 years ago
Steffers
(1 item)
I was just given my grandpa's toolbox from when he worked at the airplane factory...around WWII. It still has some tools in it...it is a great item! Has the Craftsman label and a little diamond shaped mirror in the top. My dad used to have some of the time punch cards in it...showing their 30cent an hour wages...but someone stole them out of it when he kept it in his office at his own factory. That would have been cool to still have!
Very nice old machinist box. Your Grandad didn't just work in the factory, he was a machinist working to build planes that helped to win the war, that's something to be very proud of.
I have the same box. It was my dad's and still has most of his tools..This was used mostly by machanics. Something I have always treasured.
It`s maker was the Union Chest Works co. of Rochester NY.They built for sears and robuck some time ago 30's- 40's.
Dave
I also have my grandfathers machinist tool box from when he worked for Union Tool and later called National Supply Co. in Torrance, CA. The company made gun barrel's during ww2.
Nice box! That`s a Union "Style B-20" Quartered Oak
History FYI,
Union Steel Chest moved from Rochester NY to LeRoy in 1932. Operation of the company began in 1893 with the manufacture of drafting tables, and later machinists tool chests and specialty cabinets. The manufacture of light formed metal tool and utility chests began in the 1920s. The parent company went into receivership in 1931 and the metal division now owned by three men formerly executives with the Rochester organization came to LeRoy. Union produced steel utility and tool chests until the late 1960s when plastic fishing tackle boxes were introduced. The wooden chests came in three styles and were carried through 1953. The cases were purchased on the outside and "trimmed" in LeRoy. The Company relocated to Chandler AZ in 1973 and closed in 1984. It is difficult to date the wooden chests and it depends on the style of drawer pulls. the man who had the information on the pulls died a few years ago, and as far as I know, did not leave his notes with the dating information...MC