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

[Outlawmws]

This morning I found this classic 4-drawer "File-A-Way" chest, made by Steelmasters Inc., in Chicago

I have 5 of this type, one is the same as yours with the foil label. I think all use the same drawer layouts. (all mine do) one has little round knobs instead of finger hooks, like these, and most of three have stamped and spot-welded "handles" (one has a mix of the stamepd spot-welded handles and the round pulls)

Still looking for #6 to even out the double wide stack... - Not spending stupid $$ on these...

Actually I want 2 more and make one "portable" for travel, maybe in its own case...

 

[Provincial]

I bought this cabinet/desk in the Seattle area in the late 1980's. The work surface unlatches and drops down to make the desk. Because of the gray paint, Lineoleum on the desk surface and the latches on the drawers, I believe it came from a WWII ship.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I bought this cabinet/desk in the Seattle area in the late 1980's. The work surface unlatches and drops down to make the desk. Because of the gray paint, Lineoleum on the desk surface and the latches on the drawers, I believe it came from a WWII ship.

First thing, super cool cabinet! If I came across one I would be on it for sure! Second, do I spy air frame parts in that photo?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I believe it came from a WWII ship.

Very cool, Jock! I have the Army's 'Office-in-a-Crate' (technically, Field Desk, Portable) version. It's currently hiding in an irretrievable corner of the garage. I'll have to dig around in my Photofucket era folder for photos, but I posted a LEFT-BEHIND I spotted a few years ago here. Essentially, the crate is the fold out chest, and the desk.

Found it...

 

[Provincial]

First thing, super cool cabinet! If I came across one I would be on it for sure! Second, do I spy air frame parts in that photo?

The green-painted parts to the left of the desk are the two-piece cargo door for a Douglas C-47 cargo plane. Many were removed when the aircraft were converted to airliners after WWII, and come in handy when converting them back to original condition for display.

 

[Snaparxon]

Sales drop off quickly when it gets to November but I did scrounge this cool box up today.

 

[Bamacruiser98]

Having a hard time identifying this one. I’ve slowly started restoring it. It’s in great shape but had a lot of surface rust. Any ideas? I figured the distinct drawer faces would help but no luck so far. Thanks for any help.

 

[Outlawmws]

Any ideas?

Not a clue here but I like the face and the fact that the drawers have flat bottoms and not a front to back trench.

And I have 6 similar drawer sets and only 2 are same brand/size/style.

 

[mikeinri]

Having a hard time identifying this one. I’ve slowly started restoring it. It’s in great shape but had a lot of surface rust. Any ideas? I figured the distinct drawer faces would help but no luck so far. Thanks for any help.

No idea, but that is REALLY cool! A LOT of rust, that's for sure. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Mike

 

[Bamacruiser98]

No idea, but that is REALLY cool! A LOT of rust, that's for sure. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Mike

The citric acid and washing soda mix did pretty dang well even after just a few hours but I’m letting them soak for a day. Here’s one of the drawers after a quick clean up, really just wanted to see for myself what they looked like after the rust was gone. I’m just glad there is a little brass on the drawer face to break up the steel a bit but I like them. I’ll probably use them for awhile then sell to the right buyer.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Too long could turn them black.

 

[Bamacruiser98]

Too long could turn them black.

Nah, this drawer was in for about 30 hours.

 

[Outlawmws]

That looks done to me. Get some paint or BLO on them before they flash rust...

 

[Arne73]

I bought this cabinet/desk in the Seattle area in the late 1980's. The work surface unlatches and drops down to make the desk. Because of the gray paint, Lineoleum on the desk surface and the latches on the drawers, I believe it came from a WWII ship.

That is definitely ship board furniture, the exact style I had in my stateroom.

 

[Bamacruiser98]

That looks done to me. Get some paint or BLO on them before they flash rust...

Haha lord no, I always leave my stuff bare with some sort of protectant wipe down. I paint for a living so I like the old stuff I own to be as original as possible. There was def something on it but not quite sure what it was, almost looked like a coating that was

Having a hard time identifying this one. I’ve slowly started restoring it. It’s in great shape but had a lot of surface rust. Any ideas? I figured the distinct drawer faces would help but no luck so far. Thanks for any help.

Got it about as far as I think I want to take it.

 

[mikeinri]

Looks amazing! What did you use to protect it?

Mike

 

[Bamacruiser98]

Looks amazing! What did you use to protect it?

Mike

Right now it just has the WD40 I used to clean everything well. I’ll probably do another wipe down tomorrow then a light coating of some 3n1 oil or whatever I have lying around, I’m not too picky on all that as long as prevents any future rust and I’ve had pretty good luck so far.

 

[bazzz]

I have some metal cabinets that I can add to this thread. The picture of the unit with wooden drawers in between is a card file cabinet that I picked up beside a dumpster, guess it was two heavy for them to throw it in. I saved plastic oil quarts to use for dividers that has worked out great. I have been using it for thirty years like this.

The next ones were acquired from my Dad. He had them in his garage since I was a kid. I have wiped them off with a rag but that’s about it. The silver cabinet has bolts, nuts, and washers of various sizes. It took a couple of weeks to go through everything and organize it in the drawers after bringing it home.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

LOVE the Dorman (I have a smaller, later, classic orange chest) and JEALOUSLY LOVE the Imperial Brass. Their products show up on this forum quite often, especially the flaring kits.

 

[Outlawmws]

Cool Setups Bazzz! Agree with Lugz!

That imperial was hard to scale at first. Its 3X bigger that I thought originally.

 

[bazzz]

Thanks guys,

The Imperial cabinet is 11 1/4 by 10 1/2 by 9 inches deep. It still has some flare fittings in it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks guys,

The Imperial cabinet is 11 1/4 by 10 1/2 by 9 inches deep. It still has some flare fittings in it.

First glance I thought one of these:

5-3/4 X 6-1/4 X 8-1/4 D

 

[Hooterville]

Right now it just has the WD40 I used to clean everything well. I’ll probably do another wipe down tomorrow then a light coating of some 3n1 oil or whatever I have lying around, I’m not too picky on all that as long as prevents any future rust and I’ve had pretty good luck so far.

I recently used Flood Penetrol on bare metal and worked very well. I also applied Penetrol on an old Snap-On toolbox to preserve the patina of paint and wear marks with rust.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Misc cabinets. The Brake cabinet was a "save from going in the roll off bin/tip" from an estate sale. I will toss that online for sale one of these days as Delco isn't my thing. The Wurth cabinet is one of two from a retiring German car shop.

 

[drivesitfar]

Bamma98: I’m guessing your little metal cabinet might have had rods inside the drawers to hold index cards. Maybe library or some governmental entity.

Nice work cleaning it up. I’ve used WD40 in the past but for me here in PNW BLO works longer and I like its smell if you can get it under the sun or dry it or bake it on.

Just fyi I’ve never seen your exact cabinet so if it’s solid and you can find a spot for it you might want to keep it.

 

[RTM]

Guessing your little metal cabinet might have had rods inside the drawers to hold index cards. Maybe library or some governmental entity.

Here’s one of the drawers after a quick clean up, really just wanted to see for myself what they looked like after the rust was gone. I’m just glad there is a little brass on the drawer face to break up the steel a bit but I like them. I’ll probably use them for awhile then sell to the right buyer.

I think if you look at the third image in this post, the little lever probably holds that backstop in place, up against the bottom of the side rails, so you don’t have the rod, or need to use cards with holes

 

[Bamacruiser98]

I recently used Flood Penetrol on bare metal and worked very well. I also applied Penetrol on an old Snap-On toolbox to preserve the patina of paint and wear marks with rust.

Interesting. I tend to find a lot of boxes and cabinets that have beautiful original paint but also light rust so it's a hard balance to keep that paint and remove the rust. I had really good luck with CLR the first time I used it on a 30" craftsman carpenters box. It had that crackle finish blue paint that we all live but was eat up with rust so was torn on what to use so I rolled the dice on CLR and was very happy with the outcome but I'll say I had to apply , wait 5-10 minutes , light scrub and repeat like 5 times BC CLR will def destroy that paint if left on too long . i was glad to add another weapon to my poor man restore methods haha. Now you said Flood Penetrol? That's not the paintadditive is it? I must be confusing it with something else. I paint mostly old 1930s houses for a living and I used the paint additive years back to help the paint smooth out on some old cabinets in sprayed. I'm always looking for methods bc I restore a new piece about every week.

 

[Bamacruiser98]

Interesting. I tend to find a lot of boxes and cabinets that have beautiful original paint but also light rust so it's a hard balance to keep that paint and remove the rust. I had really good luck with CLR the first time I used it on a 30" craftsman carpenters box. It had that crackle finish blue paint that we all live but was eat up with rust so was torn on what to use so I rolled the dice on CLR and was very happy with the outcome but I'll say I had to apply , wait 5-10 minutes , light scrub and repeat like 5 times BC CLR will def destroy that paint if left on too long . i was glad to add another weapon to my poor man restore methods haha. Now you said Flood Penetrol? That's not the paintadditive is it? I must be confusing it with something else. I paint mostly old 1930s houses for a living and I used the paint additive years back to help the paint smooth out on some old cabinets in sprayed. I'm always looking for methods bc I restore a new piece about every week.

Here's that old box i did. I wish I had the before pics bc I thought the original paint was toast. I mean its obviously not perfect but this thing was completely brown with rust inside and out, you couldn't see a bit of blue so I was lucky to get what blue back that I did

 

[Bamacruiser98]

I think if you look at the third image in this post, the little lever probably holds that backstop in place, up against the bottom of the side rails, so you don’t have the rod, or need to use cards with holes

Yeah I thought that upon first inspection but the little decorative brass handle on the backside of the card plate turns and puts tension on them rails holding the plate in place, very strange. I've restored and seen my fair share of these type cabinets but never seen a set up like that or even close. Man I wish I could identify the manufacturer

 

[RTM]

the little decorative brass handle on the backside of the card plate turns and puts tension on them rails holding the plate in place, very strange. I've restored and seen my fair share of these type cabinets but never seen a set up like that or even close. Man I wish I could identify the manufacture

If you could ID the patent of that fancy mechanism you described, that might lead you to the manufacturer. No clue how to find that in the patent world yet, but will think about it.

 

[MattL]

This used to be a sheet-metal cabinet from an old kitchen, I think it dates back to the 1960s. I modified it by adding four wheels, repainting it, adding some stickers, and extending the top with a door from an IKEA cabinet. It’s now my bike maintenance workbench, so it just needs to handle light-duty work.

 

[Hooterville]

Interesting. I tend to find a lot of boxes and cabinets that have beautiful original paint but also light rust so it's a hard balance to keep that paint and remove the rust. I had really good luck with CLR the first time I used it on a 30" craftsman carpenters box. It had that crackle finish blue paint that we all live but was eat up with rust so was torn on what to use so I rolled the dice on CLR and was very happy with the outcome but I'll say I had to apply , wait 5-10 minutes , light scrub and repeat like 5 times BC CLR will def destroy that paint if left on too long . i was glad to add another weapon to my poor man restore methods haha. Now you said Flood Penetrol? That's not the paintadditive is it? I must be confusing it with something else. I paint mostly old 1930s houses for a living and I used the paint additive years back to help the paint smooth out on some old cabinets in sprayed. I'm always looking for methods bc I restore a new piece about every week.

Penetrol is marketed as a paint additive to self level and reduce roller marks. It is also is used to coat bare metal to prevent rust (i.e. tools). Can use CLR (for couple minutes max), wash, dry, then Penetrol. Alternatively, like I did, lightly sand, clean with alcohol, and apply Penetrol. I like how it brightens the paint akin to an inexpensive clear coat.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

This used to be a sheet-metal cabinet from an old kitchen, I think it dates back to the 1960s. I modified it by adding four wheels, repainting it, adding some stickers, and extending the top with a door from an IKEA cabinet. It’s now my bike maintenance workbench, so it just needs to handle light-duty work.

Your photo reminds me of when a gearhead friend of mine came by and noticed the red cabinet with a white "Coca Cola" on it from a distance and asked me where & when I acquired an old Coke cooler......I told him it is a new old stock US Army solvent based parts washer from a weapons vault that was "lost in the system" and never uncrated. I put the Coke decal on it.

I rolled it out and open the lid to show him. He didn't quite understand how the property book works or doesn't work in the military. This wasn't on any inventory and didn't exist so the current supply person had to dispose of it. He and I and set it in front of the dumpster briefly and then into my truck. Good Times!

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Speaking of old Army cabinets that are fantastic in the garage or workshop.........

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Yet another Surplus Army cabinet (a matching pair) from a Armorers vault containing various cleaning and maintenance misc. Yes indeed, I am almost positive that I will never have a use for the 'nos' M2 barrel changing mittens.

I really need need to get rid of my excess shyte........

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Saturday night and it is was/is too cold to work garage so ........

For those that aren't aware - the index card and or strip map file cabinets are great for use in the garage or workshop / hobby shop.

The shyte mint green table and chest is from the 1980s (Every non tactical vehicle in the US Army in the 1980s was painted this same shyte mint green). This was standard a military medical storage chest with the tops that turn into tables with a shelf. Serveral variation of it were made. Powder coated, aluminum and still managed to tip the scales at about forty pounds.

Storage clean out in progress

 

[Beerhippie]

Yet another Surplus Army cabinet (a matching pair) from a Armorers vault containing various cleaning and maintenance misc. Yes indeed, I am almost positive that I will never have a use for the 'nos' M2 barrel changing mittens.

I really need need to get rid of my excess shyte........

Y'never know, man, y'just never know....

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Y'never know, man, y'just never know....

That is true. I have one friend/customer that owns a few silenced Barrett 50's and a slew of other marvelous arms in his giant home vault. I haven't run into a privately owned M2 yet.

 

[ArmyVW_GuyInTX]

Another version of the Military Medical Chest.

 

[Outlawmws]

Another version of the Military Medical Chest.

I have one of those. They make great camping units.

The shelves can be attached to the base unit and it gets real stable.