Garage Hangout

I scored an i think 1960's vintage mostly complete 1/2" drive SK socket set in its fair condition box a few months back dirt cheap at my local restore. The sockets were all there.The only drive tool in the box was the break bar. No ratchet, wobble joint, extensions or ratchet. I will piece together those to complete the set.

It still had the decently preserved plastic tray as well. The bonus surprise was a bunch of the original paperwork and promo stuff I found under the tray when I removed it.

With Rustoleum discontinuing production  of the well known green hammertone color that was ideal I decided to use the Rustoleum color Seaweed (I think that was the name) I restored the box several months ago to explain. I also decided to  paint the tray and used Krylon black textured paint for that.

A familiar fight from decades ago resurfaced during the restoration.The color I chose is only made in a satin finish so I decided to follow the color coat with a coat of Rustoleum gloss clear. I sprayed, sanded, then resprayed  the box three times. Every time the paint wrinkled. I finally chose to accept the wrinkled finish which ironically closely resembled the wrinkle finish on brown Kennedy machinist boxes.  It does shine and oddly, the wrinkling only seemed to be on the top of the lid. I bought a sizable SK decal, approximately 5" wide and applied it on the center of the top of the lid. The decal is quite attractive and immediately draws the eye sort of distracting attention from the wrinkled finish. At this point I have maybe $25 in the set. I will likely have $50 in it if I buy the missing pieces on eBay instead of waiting to find them used.

The lesson i learned through AI research  is this. When you are going to cover a color coat with a clear coat, don't use Rustoleum because success will be a coin toss. This is due to the chemical makeup of Rustoleum paint. Instead you will have greater success using Krylon.

So you fixed it and logged a summer of enjoyable use? Not planning to put it to use plowing or blowing snow with it this winter are you?

Incredible machine.

Beautiful tractor! I like both type of wheels mysel. Count me envious Muddy!

Are you going to find some  "AG Daytons" to put back on?

Quote from: jabberwoki on Oct 19, 2026, 08:14 AMNice, do you have any pix of what the original wheels would have looked like?

The rear wheels would have been the AB375R Round spoke wheels. The pressed steel front wheels are correct for the serial number that it is.

I received some info on the tractor. It was shipped from the factory 4-14-38. Shipped to John Deere's Baltimore Branch, with no final destination. This basically means it was for stock I presume.

The dealer who then ordered it may have put the cast centers on for the customer themselves. So the cast centers may be original to the tractor albeit not what it left the factory with.

Yeah its a bitch , ive had blisters from doing that job.
I did install an aftermarket dip stick but its bloody junk so out it came.

I finally got around to changing the fluid in my transmission.
I used a heat sleeve and a welding glove for adjusting the fluid level.
No drips and no burns so I'm declaring Mission Accomplished!

Nice, do you have any pix of what the original wheels would have looked like?

Replaced the radiator in the van today.

The trans is still acting up and now the engine is starting the notorious valvetrain tick. I think it's time to find a new mobile

This summer we brought back my great grandfather's tractor t(that he bought brand new) from friends that restored it.

It got a bug in me for wanting an unstlyled B (older version). A farm that borders my grandfather's farm and were family friends was auctioning off their collection of machinery. They had a Unstlyled B. I was pretty determined I was going to buy it....

It's a 1938, is actually in pretty good shape. It doesn't show much signs of wear. I assume it may be an older restoration but not 100 percent sure. It left the factory with spoke wheels but has cast centers now. Unfortunately the owner had passed an we can't ask him the history of it.

One day I'll restore it but for now I'm just happy to have it.