Proto Tool Chest - Restore or Not?

Earlier in the Spring I found two Proto rolling tool chests at an estate sale auction. They were dirty and difficult to get to, but I won them along with the tools that came in them. These are similar to Craftsman, but much heavier duty. IDK maybe it’s just me but the drawers seemed to be heavier, the large drawers have two slides versus one on the Craftsman, the handles are certainly nicer and built for heavier use. This is a great tool chest that I thoroughly enjoyed cleaning up. I rarely ever see PROTO tool boxes or chest in my area, so of course I jumped on these. Thanks for watching and leave a comment on what you might have done differently to this chest.
#toolrestoration #prototools #toolboxrestoration #toolchest #craftsmanrestoration

[@krisbuckles8392]

Great idea to do a refresh vs a total resto. Like the car guys say, they are only original once. Keep um comin’ David.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Kris, Do you know any car guys? Thanks for watching!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Dave- What a fantastic box, those vintage carts are made to last forever. It looks just like the old Mac boxes and probably made by the same manufacturer. Your restoration was perfect, that paint they used was very durable but as always Red is susceptible to fade. I am so glad you kept the finish. The best thing I have found for removing stickers is Ronsonal lighter fluid. It’s really good for many things. Excellent job! 😃👍

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks John, appreciate you watching. I remember as a teenager using and gasoline to take bumper stickers and others off of cars that I would clean-up. I'll try the lighter fluid next time. Thanks for sharing the tip. I've never had a Mac box, but I tell you this one is solid!

[@SteveZitta]

Way cool, looks like it was a total paint job. Excellent tips and tricks all along the process. Truly a magician.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Steve! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

KZbin plays me this one commercial over and over and over.....I let the commercials play through for the subbed channels. They say it matters?...I don't know..... I'll tell you what, Your channel is worth letting the commercials play through on. Clean it and use it!!!!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Man, that is awesome I appreciate the support.

[@thetoolbandit]

Beautiful box! I prefer the look of it now over complete restoration. You did a great job!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks, and appreciate you watching. This one I agree, to nice to repaint.

[@_BigLife_]

David, that turned out absolutely great, as always. Thank you for sharing.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Ryan, glad your watched it and always appreciate your comments!

[@plainnpretty]

I like that you didn’t repaint. It’s in good shape just put it back to work . Thanks Dave

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks for watching. Some times I think it's better to repaint but I just really liked the way the old paint shined up on this one. Appreciate your support!

[@Bigfoot14000]

Nice clean up. I think you did the right thing here, a full restoration (at least if it was me) would leave one worried about scratching of denting it. Not something to need to be worrying about on an item that will be put back in service.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Dave, this paint is extremely durable. As much scraping, scratching and cleaning I did on it, it held up very well.

[@357magdad]

The tool chest looks great! 👍

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Magdad! Appreciate you watching.

[@rollerbald]

Beautiful job David. It looks like new. Good call on the clean up and not stripping and refinishing. Well done!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you Mr. Bill, not quite new but certainly ready to serve another 40+ years!

[@jt9498]

Nice job on fixin' up that old Proto tool chest!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you and appreciate you watching.

[@choppermike3329]

Glad you didn't paint it. The original paint is holding up great! That's a nice box! Great job and Video!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I agree, great job and video!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you Mike!

[@choppermike3329]

@@westhighlandsshop 👍🏻😎

[@mikemorrison6023]

That came out fantastic! We'll done!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you, and glad you enjoyed it.

[@AndyM.]

DUDEZILLA!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH FOR ORGANIZERS! WHAT a great surprise, and I am working on converting my old CD cabinet I built in college and SOOOOOO 'BY THE GRACE OF BABY JESUS' I will make these work!!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Okay dear eight pound six ounce newborn infant Jesus. Don't even know a word yet just a little infinite. So cuddly. But still omnipotent. We just thank you for all the races I've won

[@westhighlandsshop]

You got it buddy!

[@91Z50]

Great clean up! Glad you left it alone. I have had good luck removing stickers and glue with Goo Gone , plastic razor blades and a heat gun

[@westhighlandsshop]

I tried Goo gone, razor blades, heat, mineral spirits and anything else I could find in my shop to spray or pour on it, nothing! These stickers were probably on there 30+ years. In the end the Krud Kutter got the job done. Thanks for watching and the comments.

[@bigpete4227]

Nothing wrong with a practical refurbishment. Some like super shiny, some like pattina. There is a third way and this is it.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Great comment, thank you very much! I really like the way it came out.

[@bigvicsworkshop]

The box is freakin' awesome! Great decision, I think! Good stuff!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks brother Vic. I do think this a really cool chest. Can’t wait to fill it up!

[@Dalesworkshop]

I like the color, after you cleaned it, it looks pretty good.I have found a serenge can sometimes help get grease in tight places. Good job David. and that a good find.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Dale and great suggestion on the syringe. I use them all the time in woodworking, but never thought about it with grease, definitely will try that!

[@jerrycomo2736]

Found your channel and subscribed within the first few minutes. I restored a Sears Tool Chest 20 years ago by repainting it. Looks like a restored chest but with no character. I wish I did it your way. There are also many useful tips in the Comments. Good stuff.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Hi Jerry, so glad you found the channel. This community is awesome and always find great tips in the comments. You might enjoy this video as well, if you haven't seen it. I did one as a restoration and another one as a preservation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5_dZaZ8gLaCaa8

[@Resto-Scraps]

Awesome dude... I like that u left its "History".. came out great.. stay safe out there man!!!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks and glad you liked it. Same to you all, stay safe and thanks for watching.

[@Joseph-ef5mh]

Wonderful job! Amazing what a bit of cleaning and polishing can do. Could put a little tire shine on the wheels. 😆👍

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks and glad you watched the video. I actually tried Plastix on the casters but it didn’t do anything 🤣🤣

[@Joseph-ef5mh]

@@westhighlandsshop Just busting your chops! Happy Fathers Day (if it applies). 😃

[@greghomestead8366]

Turned out great. I'm surprised the goo gone didn't work. Maybe the sticker had extra adhesive on it. Looking forward to seeing your next video. Have a Jesus filled day everyone Greg in Michigan

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks for tuning in and watching Greg, always appreciate your comments.

[@JefferyBurchett]

Good job it turned out great I like to use spray on truck bed liner for the drawers

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks and that is a cool idea, I may have to try that one day. Appreciate you watching.

[@wreinholtz]

Awesome sympathetic restoration, take a look at decal eraser wheels for die grinders, they work wonderfully for removal of decals and associated residue....they are like a giant gum eraser....

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks and appreciate the comment. I've never heard of those but will be looking into it! I bet they would come in handy for many things.

[@WEABRNC]

The top looks great!!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Web. Agreed the top came out the best.

[@VentoGreg]

Nice work. I used the same ultrasound with Zep Purple to clean the old grease in Kennedy drawer slides.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Hey thanks for watching. They work great! I’ve even put a vise in mine!

[@scotthowell8083]

Very nice! Great work!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you Scott, appreciate the view and comment!

[@johnmclaurin]

For those stickers, try using a heat gun on them first and then the acetone….fun video!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks and appreciate the ideas!

[@brianlittle3452]

I use WD-40 to remove stickers and old masking tape. I buy WD-40 in a gallon container and put in a hand chemical sprayer (like a window cleaner bottle). I keep my plastic razor blade in a cheap slide out razor blade holder. I seem to always need a plastic razor blade. Nice video and restoration.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks Brian, appreciate you watching. Great tips, will keep those in mind!

[@lenlevine7146]

Impressive! I thought for sure that Goo Gone would have removed that sticker adhesive.

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you! I was surprised as well. Appreciate the comment.

[@jackcollins2344]

Chest turned out great. I could only wonder how many hours you put into the project while I was watching

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you! Well, I call tell you it was more than the 20 minutes in the video! LOL. I'm afraid to keep my time on some of these, but it is what it is, right....... Appreciate you watching.

[@jackcollins2344]

Right

[@DLowe-ms7wt]

Nice detailed clean up You didn't show if you made a key for the lock

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thank you very much! I did not get a new lock or key for the old one. I'm sure I can still get something that would work.

[@ericchase5421]

Great job! What size is that ultrasonic cleaner? You may have cost me some money:). Do you like your specific one. Really appreciate your videos. Thank you.

[@westhighlandsshop]

I appreciate you watching and the comment. If you haven't seen it, I did a video when I first got the ultra sonic cleaner. I love it! It's the only one I've ever had and I did go ahead and get the bigger unit knowing what type of project I typically work on. I put a vise in it a while back! If the link doesn't work just check out my channel page. Thanks again kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6TGe4eBe6x9ns0

[@Uwannawatch]

David, I've been looking for a Proto Box myself. You got a fantastic deal on it. Came out awesome. What kind of foam sanding pads are those?

[@westhighlandsshop]

Thanks brother! I was impressed with the quality of the Proto box. I got a whole set of these hook and loop pads off Amazon last year, I'll look for the item in history and send it to you.

[@Uwannawatch]

@@westhighlandsshop Thanks Man I appreciate it!

[@WEABRNC]

Cleaning their ears!! Haha!!

[@westhighlandsshop]

finally someone commented on that.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I think it came out great. Until they start Tool Boxes & Coffee on Sunday mornings at the local donut shop parking lot......I would not restore any boxes. That box looks fantastic......Are you going to set up the second one too?

[@westhighlandsshop]

You don't have tool boxes and coffee? Odd. Hey, thanks for watching and appreciate the comment. At some point I will get around to the second one.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

@@westhighlandsshop I have vintage 1980s Craftsman.....bought a second and put it next to the first and they don't match well enough. The second was a little fancier box in its day. So I have been searching....I found a 1990s and bought it...then another...but those two live in different towns. Then I found a junky one...which is very useful. By this time I had one of everything but no two matched. Now I sit and wait for the next good deal and get a pair of boxes started. My first choice would be a 1980s box that is not in mint condition....and doesn't cost much. Second choice is a 1990s box that is in mint condition. Either one of those two would match what I have. It is a game for me