what brand wrench originally went in this nice case

[chopper1]

the set I have looks like the photo "v set 2" - is the inside of that unit painted? I'm still wondering over the complete lack of rust.

Yes, it is painted inside with the hammered gray.

[william_b_noble]

thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless?  I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted).  Thoughts??

[Branson]

That all stainless steel is not magnetic is a myth.  Most of the stainless things I have are magnetic. 

[keykeeper]

thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless?  I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted).  Thoughts??

I think it is plain steel, based on the opinions previously stated. There are several of people here that are very knowledgeable on the lines of vintage Craftsman tools. If they say it was probably originally painted, then I believe them.

 As to why there was no rust on it?

Maybe the original or subsequent owner didn't like gray and stripped it.
Maybe it was not in a harsh, humid environment that promotes rust in plain steel.
Maybe the original owner lovingly wiped it down with light oil or a special protectant on a regular basis.
Maybe it was made with an alloy steel high in nickel, and that helped resist corrosion.

If you really cling to the belief that it is stainless, then the only way to know that for sure is through a laboratory analysis of the steel itself, which would require cutting out a sample "coupon" of the box (basically destroying any value as a collectible).

Why not just enjoy it for what it is, a VERY nice vintage Craftsman socket set box.

[lauver]

thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless?  I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted).  Thoughts??

I think it is plain steel, based on the opinions previously stated. There are several of people here that are very knowledgeable on the lines of vintage Craftsman tools. If they say it was probably originally painted, then I believe them.

 As to why there was no rust on it?

Maybe the original or subsequent owner didn't like gray and stripped it.
Maybe it was not in a harsh, humid environment that promotes rust in plain steel.
Maybe the original owner lovingly wiped it down with light oil or a special protectant on a regular basis.
Maybe it was made with an alloy steel high in nickel, and that helped resist corrosion.

If you really cling to the belief that it is stainless, then the only way to know that for sure is through a laboratory analysis of the steel itself, which would require cutting out a sample "coupon" of the box (basically destroying any value as a collectible).

Why not just enjoy it for what it is, a VERY nice vintage Craftsman socket set box.

AMEN to that!!!

[william_b_noble]

sure, I'll enjoy it as is - it's more that I'm curious - it seems odd that they would specify a high nickle steel, though the fabricator could have gotten a load of surplus "good" steel and used it - whatever it is, it is definately not oxidizing like regular steel.

thanks all for the help

[1930]

sure, I'll enjoy it as is - it's more that I'm curious - it seems odd that they would specify a high nickle steel, though the fabricator could have gotten a load of surplus "good" steel and used it - whatever it is, it is definately not oxidizing like regular steel.

thanks all for the help

I might also have to know the answer and what is so special about its make-up that it does not rust, there must be some sort of test or someone that can answer that question with certainty without destroying the box but you just have not found it here.

Keep searching the internet or talking to local people that deal with metals, you will find the answer and when you do hopefully you will post it here.

[keykeeper]

Mix up a solution of regular table salt, and tap water. Spray a light misting of it on one of the flat surfaces. Leave it alone for a couple weeks.

Then you will have your answer. If it rusts, not stainless. Re-buff it.

If it doesn't rust, then could be stainless.

Here's a bunch of tests you can do to it, if you have the resources and time http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1234

Otherwise, no sure way to conclude it is stainless. Your original post states "it sure acted like stainless steel"--which leads me to believe you have experience buffing SS. Use that experience, do some further testing, and let us all know your conclusions.

 I am very curious now as to it's composition. It may be a one-off prototype.

[rusty]

It is also possible that the hammered silver paint happened to be rich in laquer and coated it better than usual...

I have seen wrenches that were painted with wrinkle finish paint have the paint flake off leaving perfectly clean polished steel underneath...doesn't necessarily mean it won't rust, just that it hasn't rusted yet....

Some Chrome steels will resist rusting somewhat better than normal steel, and are magnetic, others will rust like mad, There was a company that made a batch of resturant sinks out of a chrome alloy , they looked just like stainless sinks, and they were *much cheaper*, but to the annoyance of the folks that bought them, they all rusted within a few months of having chlorine bleach applied to them....Small changes in alloying have surprising effects on corrosion resistance...

I would be really surprised if it's anything other than plain old sheet steel tho, we are talking mass market sold through mail order here...

It is also possible the steel was tinned or leaded to make it easier to die form, used to be common to do that, the old dies weren't as durable as they are now, making the steel a little 'slippery' made them last longer.
(lead coated steel also holds paint better, when bare, it gets dull, but polishes up easily...)

[scottg]

 Old saying..............
When you hear hoofbeats in the distance? Think horse, not zebra.

 The overwhelming most likely scenario, is a regular box, polished out well.  Probably someone who worked in a chrome shop and polished metal for a living, and did it for themselves.
  It might be plated in nickel, or even chrome??

  If you showed us good clear pictures of the hinges and little clasp catch on the front?? Well these will be the hardest to polish, down in the cracks, so hand polished will show up here.

 I wouldn't spray acid or leave it in saltwater or anything else that will ruin a fine polished bare steel finish or a chrome finish either one.
If its polished bare steel its only a matter of time before it dims anyway. Nickel will last longer and chrome longer yet,  but they are eventually doomed too.

  Enjoy it while you can!! Keep it clean, warm and dry.
    Its special, take my word for it. 
   Don't kill it with curiosity. 
 yours Scott
 

[keykeeper]

 I wouldn't spray acid or leave it in saltwater or anything else that will ruin a fine polished bare steel finish or a chrome finish either one.
If its polished bare steel its only a matter of time before it dims anyway. Nickel will last longer and chrome longer yet,  but they are eventually doomed too.

 

Now, surely you don't think I was completely serious in suggesting this, do you Scott?

After several times of people saying it is more than likely plain steel, the OP insists on believing it is stainless.....the only way to know is by destructive testing in a scientific setting. At least that is the vibe I get reading each of his responses.

I posted what I said, in a more tongue-in-cheek fashion than malicious one.

and, to be honest, I think it's a horse as well, not a zebra. Unfortunately, the OP keeps beating that horse after it is dead........thus, my post about destructive testing methods.

[william_b_noble]

well, after some more careful inspection, I think youi are right that it is not stainless, I had thought this stain was a stain, but it looks like rust - see photo.  Still, I am very surprised that there is so little rust on this thing.  Maybe it is leaded, that would explain a lot - thanks for all your help with this, whatever it is made out of.  If I had a brinell machine, I could do an interesting test, but I don't.