Garage Hangout

I received my KRA 149 , I don't know what I was thinking though it's actually marked on the back of the box not the drawer and is dated 1973.

Anyways I'm so happy to finally have one after all these years.
I finished getting it all cleaned up, it was very greasy and oily inside.
Somebody obviously made good use of this little box over the years.











Now I'm just working on getting it set up with my 1/4dr kit just how I want it.

It has been a busy few weeks around here, but I have started making the extractor for this piece.


basic fitting, which needed to take place before the next step


locating the pivot/mounting hole.


right were I want it. You can just see it through the pivot hole.


tapping the piece


and the rod that will make up the pivot. I don't normally do much with metric, and when I pulled out the T&D set, I just grabbed the first M5 that came to hand. Well, that was M5-.9. And if you have never heard of this thread, you wouldn't be alone (I hadn't). This is an obsolete Japanese thread found in sixties Land Cruisers and motorcycles, which shouldn't have surprised me, as the Blue Point set I have is pretty old. Oh well. They match, and that is all that matters, hopefully. I would have preferred a fine thread, but this should work. Now it just needs fitting, which comes down to a pattern of Two File Strokes, Assemble and See. Repeat as long as needed.

After using the aluminum soft jaw for my 5" Columbian vise in my machine sop area. I picked up a 6" set for my Wilton located in another garage... Interesting how they spelled VICE on the packaging. 

Saw this on clearance at tractor supply. $115 down to $25 I have a Craftsman cordless one. It's a bit weak I've been wanting to get a corded one.

I thought the x lock was just quick change. However I didn't realize they take special discs. You can't just run to any hardware store and get a disc.

You can get them on Amazon, I hear home depot has them. But I don't have a home depot that close.


As often as I use it I'm thinking a disc will last me so I don't think it will be a big deal.

How many shops still use this style grease gun system. Not many id think with modern cars having virtually nothing to grease.

Quote from: 1965 Comet Caliente on May 26, 2026, 05:59 PM

Quote from: Muddy on May 26, 2026, 02:47 PMMy parents haven't had theirs pumped in 30 years....

When I lived in Michigan, we didn't get ours pumped the first eight years we were there.  Then what started happening was every time someone would take a shower or we'd do the laundry, afterwards it would smell like a giant fart.  Got it pumped pretty quickly after!

I wonder if your parent's tank is deteriorated and everything is settling around it?

The house was originally a one room shack. It was "renovated" and a second story added in in the early 70s. Mostly by a flipper/hack

If the work inside the house is any indication. I'd assume your right and the tank is long gone and it's just seeping

Hopefully not much changes.

I just got the email today.
https://youtube.com/shorts/z3pyDGt_sgU?si=CeijAEQTj3GYjnCW


It looks like the two head employees have stayed on to run things but the rest of the employees who must have been there a long time retired.
Hopefully things stay running well and they maintain their success.
They're one of my favorite American tool manufacturers, I'm a huge believer in their products and would hate to see them go.

After more than a decade of wanting one and watching eBay I finally just scored a Snap-on KRA149.

Sadly I'm limited to eBay for finding many cool old tools and that means eBay pricing, but for eBay pricing the cost was reasonable.
The last one I found at a price anywhere near this was missing the lock and a ton of paint.



I can't wait to finally get this thing in hand and think about loading it up.
I'm hoping my 1/4dr kit that I have in the little snap on party box will find it's new home in this.





The drawer dates it to 1974.