Industrial Metal Desks

[jmarkwolf]

A bit late here, but I just recently removed a very similar lock cylinder and ran into the same problem as you. You have to remove the core of the lock in order to release that tab.

Actually, I recently found the original keys, in a canvas bag of keys that my late dad had collected over the years. Made some dupes also.

 

[i4ni]

F.Y.I The tops on a lot of those old tanker desks have asbestos in them. One of the local colleges won't resell them because of that.

 

[tronicdude]

Snagged one from local college surplus for $50. Having a hell of a time identifying the model. No labels in or out as far as I can tell. The key hole is labeled "1369", didn't come with key. 29.25H x 60.25W x 30.25 D. Cleaned and superlubed, need to figure out 3D printed inserts + bearings. Would be nice to know if top had asbestos though lol.

 

[ururk]

F.Y.I The tops on a lot of those old tanker desks have asbestos in them. One of the local colleges won't resell them because of that.

Wouldn't it only be a concern if you significantly damage the top? Or could light scratches cause a release? New fear unlocked!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

My grandfather used to have several of them from a warehouse he worked at. I had one for a while but it was too big so I gave it to a friend. The other ones we put out by the road for free. Where I work now, we throw at least a few of those a year into the metal recycling dumpster.

 

[tronicdude]

Wouldn't it only be a concern if you significantly damage the top? Or could light scratches cause a release? New fear unlocked!

The top is in questionable condition already :/

 

[i4ni]

Wouldn't it only be a concern if you significantly damage the top? Or could light scratches cause a release? New fear unlocked!

Dunno. Was at Iowa State University picking up some auction items and noticed a dumpster full of them and asked why they were tossing them.
"Asbestos Top"...... Nuff said

 

[TRWham]

Snagged one from local college surplus for $50. Having a hell of a time identifying the model. No labels in or out as far as I can tell. The key hole is labeled "1369", didn't come with key. 29.25H x 60.25W x 30.25 D. Cleaned and superlubed, need to figure out 3D printed inserts + bearings. Would be nice to know if top had asbestos though lol.

That looks exactly like my Steelcase, except for the top color.

 

[ozyborn]

Have the metal one in the house as a computer work station. I keep meaning to move it the the garage but it is so dang heavy I keep putting it off.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I have two of these ancient desks.

One has a rubber top, heavily dented from weight of things over many decades. The other has what appears to be an undamaged linoleum top.

How do you identify which, if either, contain asbestos?

 

[gatewaysysop]

I have two of these ancient desks.

One has a rubber top, heavily dented from weight of things over many decades. The other has what appears to be an undamaged linoleum top.

How do you identify which, if either, contain asbestos?

There are usually local labs that do testing for asbestos. As with testing popcorn ceilings, you can take a very small sample and have results in a couple days for relatively low cost. It's probably safer to do that and be sure than to rely on vagaries from some random guy at Iowa State who got quoted on the Internet. Visually identifying if something has asbestos isn't particularly reliable and it's cheap peace of mind to just have it tested.

 

[BrandonV]

My favorite part of working at the local university was running into these.

They basically just sat where they always sat for the past 80 years. Nobody wants to move them.

 

[firebirdparts]

Snagged one from local college surplus for $50. Having a hell of a time identifying the model. No labels in or out as far as I can tell. The key hole is labeled "1369", didn't come with key. 29.25H x 60.25W x 30.25 D. Cleaned and superlubed, need to figure out 3D printed inserts + bearings. Would be nice to know if top had asbestos though lol.

Looks like a steelcase model, but I could not find one with those legs. The legs look like allsteel brand to me. I have never seen a desk with the fake 2nd handle on the file drawer.

 

[tronicdude]

Looks like a steelcase model, but I could not find one with those legs. The legs look like allsteel brand to me. I have never seen a desk with the fake 2nd handle on the file drawer.

Thanks for trying! I'm also of the theory it's steelcase but it also has no "Steelcase" logo beneath the keyhole in the center drawer, and no residue etc I can spot in that area.

 

[Huck]

Snagged one from local college surplus for $50. Having a hell of a time identifying the model. No labels in or out as far as I can tell. The key hole is labeled "1369", didn't come with key. 29.25H x 60.25W x 30.25 D. Cleaned and superlubed, need to figure out 3D printed inserts + bearings. Would be nice to know if top had asbestos though lol.

I just bought one very similar to this for $40 Cdn, mine had a lock bezel on the drawer the mfgr mark was "Sunshine".
If your location is Canada that's a likely source, as the factory that built mine was in Waterloo Ontario.( Now Kitchener/Waterloo)

Mine was in excellent shape, came with a key that ended up not being a match, the linoleum top is long gone but the mdf underlay is still good, I'm looking for some Formica or sheet lino on Kjiji but for now it's fine for my workshop as a soldering/assembly station.

 

[Huck]

Here's my latest. A steel tanker desk from the 1940's/50's made in Waterloo Ont by the Sunshine company. Looking for some Formica or naval linoleum for the top, otherwise in excellent shape. Edited to add; The shallow "magic drawers" are an excellent spot to hide stuff from yourself, especially solder and solder suckers. Note the label, upper left!

 

[Huck]

Wouldn't it only be a concern if you significantly damage the top? Or could light scratches cause a release? New fear unlocked!

I agree, I'd only worry if there was significant damage, don't disturb it. One of the stores I worked at had a linoleum tile floor from the 50's in their office/lunchroom and the manager decided to remove them mechanically before laying a new floor. I found out later and warned him that many of those old floor tiles were packed with asbestos and the trade won't disturb them as a rule....just lay new flooring over top.A few years later the store was shut down for asbestos remediation, 3 weeks.
A few years ago that manager died from lung cancer....a smoker, but still....gotta wonder.

 

[tronicdude]

Here's my latest. A steel tanker desk from the 1940's/50's made in Waterloo Ont by the Sunshine company. Looking for some Formica or naval linoleum for the top, otherwise in excellent shape. Edited to add; The shallow "magic drawers" are an excellent spot to hide stuff from yourself, especially solder and solder suckers. Note the label, upper left!

Very nice! Not in Canada, in Portland, OR unfortunately. I really want to mount a vise to mine but hesitant because asbestos potential :/

 

[Jacobs976]

I tried finding a dedicated tanker identification site in hopes of matching up my desk's handles but had no luck. Anybody recognize or have any idea how to identify this?

No labels or branding visible on disassembly so no quick and easy match. The only thing that may have been a label is on the centre drawer under the keyway but it's worn off so it's unclear if it's just a "payroll"/"Pharmacy" or manufacturer label. Handles are quarter cylinders with hollow space underneath. Slides are bare metal on metal L channel types. Handles are also spot welded on, not removable. Top appears to be a wood veneer with a black friction coating but I could be wrong.

Also all drawers look to have potentially had a locking option because there's a little tab on the frame above each opening that would potentially mate with lock mechanism. See pic without drawer middle(#5).








Last pic is underneath desk showing the top material. Looks kinda like wood grain glued into recess of metal. Could also be a top laminate layer with veneer under.

Edit: also not apparent but it does have the cinder block legs. Two large blocks with a slight taper and curved edges about the size of a standard cinder block. Also flat back with raised vertical support bars at corners and end of cabinet sections.

 

[Snip's]

Acquired another Shaw Walker tanker desk...
Today I spent 3 hours taking the thing apart so I could load it into my wife's Ford Explorer...
Now I need to haul all the pieces / parts upstairs to my growing office...
I'd like to eventually replicate a 50's atmosphere in a space where I can get away from it all...

 

[TRWham]

One has been sitting at the end of a driveway in my neighborhood for more than a week. It does not look to be in great shape, so someone would need to be either very dedicated to reworking it or not very particular about condition to pick it up. I have one and neither space nor need for another.

 

[captain14]

I have one available now in Fredrick MD.
I’ll post up make and model when I get home later .

FREE!

FREE!

PM for details

 

[Snip's]

Today I hauled upstairs my second disassembled Shaw Walker tanker desk... It's a heavy SOB...
Mixed up a bucket of water and Pinesol and did a thorough cleaning of all the individual parts...
Lubed up all the rollers and sat on the floor and reassembled the desk... Ikea doesn't have anything on Shaw Walker...
The entire assembly only needed the use of a 7/16" ratcheting box wrench...
Even came with a set of keys for the drawer lock...

 

[Jacobs976]

Anyone ever try to remove a lock from their desk that looked like this on the back? Mine came without the key so I'm trying to get the lock off to rekey it. Not having luck with the picks or tapping while lock is loose but looks like it'd be a square peg that turns along the bar to raise it. Also looks to be a wafer lock but the tension is way too high, got 4 or 5 placement but still wouldn't turn with raking after till I broke my angle rake.

 

[durablestuff]

Hi everyone! I’m looking for ideas/suggestions in on how to clean the surface of this metal desk.
I think it is vevolium.
I’ve looked all over the internet and I can’t find much about this material. But I am now obsessed with tanker desks.

 

[durablestuff]

Hi everyone! I’m looking for ideas/suggestions in on how to clean the surface of this metal desk.
I think it is vevolium.

 

[mikegt4]

I used to watch a YouTube channel that did top end restorations on vintage campers. IIRC they used Marmoleum for flooring which may be the same material used on tanker desk tops. It was not cheap but was restoration correct. This website offers a free sample, might be worth a look.

Campers, Trailers & Vintage Floors | The Marmoleum Clique - Forbo Marmoleum Free Samples

 

[jmarkwolf]

Anyone ever try to remove a lock from their desk that looked like this on the back? Mine came without the key so I'm trying to get the lock off to rekey it. Not having luck with the picks or tapping while lock is loose but looks like it'd be a square peg that turns along the bar to raise it. Also looks to be a wafer lock but the tension is way too high, got 4 or 5 placement but still wouldn't turn with raking after till I broke my angle rake.

Take that number to your local lock smith shop. They should be able to make you a key.

 

[930dreamer]

I'm seeing some fantastic desks here in Eugene, but I'm not hauling one back to Texas.

 

[M.Brane]

I had a couple nice tankers that I got from work. Gave them to a friend a few years ago when we had to move, and had nowhere for them to go. He's gonna be moving soon I should see if I can get 'em back.

 

[Jacobs976]

Take that number to your local lock smith shop. They should be able to make you a key.

It's the same code as a modern RV cabinet lock mfg so in the system it's one cut/blank but around 100 different names(all brands of cabinet used)and that blank isn't matching this locks keyway.

It's basically a dead code where it's so old and the local locksmiths don't know how to open a lock without a DeWalt drill. If I decide it needs a working lock the only option would be to replace at this point and probably Dremel out the weld/rivet to pull the lever off. Dealt with a similar problem awhile back on a three axis pin lock too, no code and actually unpickable because pin sets 1 and 3 were mesh fit with key, and had to Dremel out the pin sets because old military lock key blanks weren't even available outside the original contract in the 60s.

 

[BSWS]

I inherited this one from my dad a few years ago. It needed some paint and the drafting top was in pretty bad shape. Rather than removing the top I built a new one to fit tightly over the old one. This desk is kind of unique because there is a bookcase on the opposite side of the seating area. It works great in my shop...unless I have to move it some day.

 

[Ultradog MN]

We have one here. I got it for free 25? years ago and moved it a couple of times.
I put it in my kitchen 15 years ago and my wife inherited half of it when she married me 12 years ago.
But...
It will have to go one of these days.
We're going to be redoing our kitchen - this winter/next spring and we will replace it with a smaller built in desk that matches the cabinets.
I will hate to see it go but can't use it elsewhere.
I dont know what the top is made of and am a little amazed how much some people worry about such things.

 

[senlow]

It needed some paint and the drafting top was in pretty bad shape. Rather than removing the top I built a new one to fit tightly over the old one.

Wow!! That turned out well.

I'm in the process of doing the opposite with a tanker cabinet. It's a Wright Line cabinet that originally had a particle board top that was covered with Formica. The previous owner had painted the cabinet with off-white spray paint. I want to make it match with the two General Fireproofing desks in my office.

The pic shows the cabinet after initial cleaning and installing drawer handles from a General Fireproofing (GF) desk. Yes, I bought yet another GF desk just for the drawer handles. I swapped out the handles and resold the desk.

 

[senlow]

My initial plan was to remove the particle board top and then try to build a top to match the desks. The particle board top was glued to the cabinet. So, I pried it off, and underneath was an old school tanker top, in perfect condition, complete with the aluminum trim. It was a pain to remove the glue without damaging the top. Here is an in process pic. The cabinet is in primer. I need to get dark gray paint for it. One drawer is out in the shop for paint rework. My painting skills are so rusty that I can't even spray a couple of square feet of paint right the first time.

 

[Snip's]

I'm seeing some fantastic desks here in Eugene, but I'm not hauling one back to Texas.

Next best option might be to move to Eugene and get that tanker...

 

[930dreamer]

Next best option might be to move to Eugene and get that tanker...

Though I'd have a nice house on a 1/4 acre, all my family is in Texas.

 

[firebirdparts]

This thread needed a bump. Took me 5 minutes to find it.

I guess I could message this person, but I'd rather not get cussed unnecessarily.

 

[nadogail]

When my local High School closed their shop class I was able to Score a heavy metal ”Tanker Desk” Took two of ius to pick it up and load it inte my van.
I took it to work and replaced the piece of cheap **** that was in the maintenance shop.
I knew how valuable it was. When I was forced to retire the younger guy that replaced me and sent that gem to scrap.
They forced me out and now they have to suffer with whoever they replaced me with.

 

[four.cycle]

wow! $2500 ?
There are currently TWO of them in local Craigslist listings for $50 bucks a pop:
metal desk south king county $50 bucks
metal desk Chehalis $50 bucks

I do see them now and then in the "free" listings. They're so heavy they're begging people to come and haul them off.