Metal Cabinets vintage or homemade and no name toolboxes. got any to show please do

[Arne73]

I scavenged this property tag off an old tanker type chair headed to the dumpster years ago.

 

[twagler]

Here's a pretty heavy-duty looking vintage cabinet/toolbox. For sale locally from federal government surplus on-line sale. Curious if others have seen this style with lifting eyes built into the top - I'm guessing this is maybe military spec?

The bidding is already up to $230. Would anyone here pay that or more for something like this?

 

[mikeinri]

That is VERY interesting! I wouldn't pay that, but that doesn’t mean it isn't worthy...

Mike

 

[Provincial]

Liftable, stackable, forklift/pallet jack movable, built like a brick s#%thouse! If there were a dozen available, a guy could store a huge collection in a confined space, and move it around at will.

Definitely military. Probably designed for an expeditionary force that was highly mobile.

 

[drivesitfar]

It sure looks like it’s stout and maybe built by vidmar or Lista which go for big money. Heck a simple Greenlee job box sells for $500

 

[RTM]

I would guess that those boxes are newer with the integrated lifting lugs and forklift slots. I would guess post 60's, but purely a guess.

I don't think I would purchase those, the depth would kill the supposed "organization" of my garage. Similar to blueprint cabinets, I could not get the drawers fully open with the aisles I have created.

 

[twagler]

Yes, good point about them being too deep to be useful. Another one actually came up for sale today, with dimensions listed as 50"Wide x 34"Deep x 39"High. This one has a slightly different drawer configuration, and it can be seen these aren't completely bulletproof, based on the dents on the right side (see pic below). Anyways, I suspect these will go for a stupid-high price based on past experience of seeing these sell in this area in the past. I'll try and remember to report back with their actual selling price once they are sold.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Seems well worth it to me...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Now comes the hard part!

 

[Outlawmws]

Is the car bottomed out?

Yeah some judicial rigging and blocking are in order Lugz...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The car (Ford Expedition) is fine. And two of my sons and I already muscled it off and eased it down to the ground using the deck of the SUV to take most of the weight off. The hard part is going to be getting it up the 4 steps (wooden risers and treads) to the back porch! I have some ideas. But that's a job for tomorrow.

 

[Outlawmws]

See if you can borrow some car or motorcycle ramps - you may need to put some ply on them if they are expanded metal types.

 

[Provincial]

Planks on the steps to make a ramp and use the dowels as rollers with the safe on its side. Sometimes it is better to just skip the rollers if you fear that it might break loose. The friction will slow it down, instead of the rollers letting it accelerate on the way down. If you have a good anchor point on the upper end, rollers make the job easier.

 

[mikeinri]

I'd go with plywood. I wouldn't trust individual boards from not separating, and definitely wouldn't trust any of my body parts under something that heavy uphill riding on dowels...

Mike

 

[RTM]

My usual mode for stuff like that would be lay it down on two 2x6s. If the boards span the steps, slide it as far as you can uphill, then lift the low end of the boards like a lever, then slide horizontal.

Blankets under the box can prevent damage to the box, and reduce friction too.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We still haven't heaved it inside, but I cleaned it up and took some pictures in natural light. For those who weren't following the original conversation on the GS thread, this is going to be a liquor cart in our dining room. The house was built in 1893. My wife and I, who don't always agree on everything, agree that we're not going to try to touch it up. We like the authentic look. Hopefully the next pics will be taken inside the house.

 

[Outlawmws]

Such and awesome find! - have you pinged Jeff on how to get/aet the combo? If its open that should not be hard...

I'd love one for my handguns...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

have you pinged Jeff on how to get/aet the combo?

We have the combo. My FIL kept his coin collection inside.

 

[drivesitfar]

Family history too. Nice work getting it home!! Is it inside or still working on the step issue? Can someone above pull it up with a rope while you push. I also agree that in its side might eliminate a runaway issue.

I do like how stout these old safes were built. A member in Paris restores these but can’t recall him telling me any secrets on how he moves them around.

 

[Jdubzz]

Homemade job built by my family back in the 70s. Basically a converted cart with aluminum road signs as the sides and doors and a very heavy steel tubular base. Weighs a ton and holds a ton.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Family history too.

He had five total, this was the oldest, though.

Is it inside or still working on the step issue? Can someone above pull it up with a rope while you push. I also agree that in its side might eliminate a runaway issue.

It's in the garage. One son is home on college break, the other, a mailman in town, stops by every day for lunch. I was thinking two stiff planks, two pushing and one pulling with one of my tow ropes around it, and definitely on its side.

I do like how stout these old safes were built. A member in Paris restores these but can’t recall him telling me any secrets on how he moves them around.

This one is iron filled with concrete. Moving it around is not a problem. One-man job. You have to dig in and give it some oomph, but it rolls really well on the iron wheels. I can even get one side up off the ground a few inches by myself, but not for very long. Four guys could get it off the ground and hold it for a bit. Getting it up and taking steps is not safe, though.

 

[Jdubzz]

Also have this vintage cabinet. No markings I can identify, but it’s been in my family for as long as I can remember (the 70s) with those stickers on there since that time. Very handy for organizing hardware, odds and ends, etc.

 

[rustyzman]

We still haven't heaved it inside, but I cleaned it up and took some pictures in natural light. For those who weren't following the original conversation on the GS thread, this is going to be a liquor cart in our dining room. The house was built in 1893. My wife and I, who don't always agree on everything, agree that we're not going to try to touch it up. We like the authentic look. Hopefully the next pics will be taken inside the house.

That is Fantastic!
We used a much less attractive version of one of those at a shop I worked for, to store the Till for the day. How much does that beast weigh?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is Fantastic!

Thanks. We love everything about it. From the classic shape to the color scheme and the fine paintwork to it being on wheels.

How much does that beast weigh?

620 lbs.

 

[rustyzman]

Thanks. We love everything about it. From the classic shape to the color scheme and the fine paintwork to it being on wheels.

620 lbs.

I really considered buying the one out of that shop I worked at when it closed up, but passed. It was very far from pretty and had been repainted several times. I bought a bunch of other stuff though.

I don't think my family room floor could take another 620lbs in 3 square feet... I best stop reminiscing or I might end up looking for one...

That paint job and gold leaf with the logo in the middle is awesome. They really did nice work on those old safes. They were quite the advertisement. I also never realized that they were concrete filled.

 

[rustyzman]

Thanks. We love everything about it. From the classic shape to the color scheme and the fine paintwork to it being on wheels.

620 lbs.

Sent you a quick PM on something else, if you have a chance to peek at it.
Thanks.

 

[Outlawmws]

Most floors it should not be an issue. think about two big men standing back to back, somewhere around 400-500 lb in a aquare foot (rectangle...) but the floor spreads that wider also.

a link to more info:

https://www.deansafe.com/pages/will... homes have a safety,(pounds per square foot).

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

My dad got these lockers out of our local fire station in the 70s. They are aluminum with what I think is bronze hardware. A few years later I came across a photo of a sailor using one on a WWII carrier. I have no other info on these

 

[Arne73]

Definitely vintage navy shipboard furnishings. We had them in the cadet berthing areas on USCGC EAGLE, tore out dozens of them during a rehab of those spaces.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Not a cabinet, but a no name tool chest riser from a repurposed computer desktop stand.
The other day I bought an old computer desk top stand for $2 at a thrift store (see 1st picture). The keyboard went in the tray and the rest of the computer went on top. Decided that it would be a good candidate to be repainted and used as a tool chest riser (see 2nd picture).
I like my tool chests to be on low profile risers because of the freed up roller cabinet top space that can be used for books, drawings, etc. Also, it allows for easy opening of the bottom tool chest drawer. I've made several out of cheap bed frame angle iron (see 3rd picture).
Back to the repurposed computer stand: I painted the steel shell with Rustoleum Camo Brown and Rustoleum Matt clear coat. A little darker than original machinist brown cabinet paint, but works for me. The pull out is made of plastic. I plan to prep it and paint it black. I found that the shell is almost twice as thick as my stock Kennedy riser.

 

[don long]

I looked around my place today and found a few cabinets to share

first I went out to the big storage shed and these are waiting for a place to hang out in the BPG


Then I went into the Pennzoil garage inside the BPG and these cabinets are on display there

A spring cabinet and display


Next are these 2 hanging by the big door

This one makes a good place to store the cleaning supplies and starting fluid for the cars in the garage

 

[don long]

I just won these 2 cabinets in an auction and they arrived today

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: thanks for sharing some of your amazing collection of vintage cabinets. I’m sure you’ll find a good spot for these two cabinets you just picked up.

Care to share the size of them and maybe a pic or two of the inside if you have time cause they look like countertop cabinets?

 

[Adk Mike]

One I just bought on market place. Very nice . It just needs a little paint

 

[drivesitfar]

Nice find and cabinet looks great from my chair. I also like the look of the big clock on the wall next to it

 

[don long]

Don: thanks for sharing some of your amazing collection of vintage cabinets. I’m sure you’ll find a good spot for these two cabinets you just picked up.

Care to share the size of them and maybe a pic or two of the inside if you have time cause they look like countertop cabinets?

Thanks Drives
I'm planning to build a shelf for them in the car parking area
The cabinets are just over 18" tall and just over a foot wide

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

My idea with the Black and Decker valve machine is to rebuild this Max Wocher medical bedside locker for the valve machine. This company made medical equipment way back in the civil war.

 

[RTM]

I saw a valve grinder just like that Sunday at a GS, though the decal sucked.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I saw a valve grinder just like that Sunday at a GS, though the decal sucked.

What is it about the decal? Just in rough shape?

 

[RTM]

What is it about the decal? Just in rough shape?

not much visible at all. Yours is a shining star by comparison.