Industrial Metal Desks

[trbomax]

Ive got one stacked out with the hay,been there a couple years. I'll look at it tomorrow,maybe I'll like it enough to use it! Ive got an oak school teachers desk that I use now,came out of the first school my wife taught in. She drug it home in 1967 and refinished it. Pics tomorrow!

 

[Okie Pete]

Here's mine. If you can see it . I welded some legs under it and a shelf . Raised it up 18" to make it easier to stand in front of to work on stuff. But it soon became a catch all . Used the frame off a folding table for a overhead light mount .

 

[bazzateer]

They're not cheap over here!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Vintage-Industrial-Steel-Furniture

 

[KCarGuy]

The Old Tanker Desks are not only Build Heavy duty and will hold Tools, Manuals, Tool Cases, Parts and Paperwork.
They will last forever, Take any abuse that you can give them, easily fixed if dented and can be painted to match your Garage Theme or Favorite Car Color.
Mine was originally a Typewriter Desk or Secretary Desk. So once the Single door was opened on the left side, an Old School Heavy Typewriter was sitting on a metal platform Parked inside, with a release of a lever, the platform simply pulled out and rotated up to its work position. All with the help of springs, and mechanical arms.
I removed all that...it was a heavy portion of the desk.
It now houses my Garage Computer Tower and Drill Cases.
The Top is a Heavy Duty Rubber. I have my Flat screen Monitor, key board and mouse, as well as my Computer Speakers on that.
Here are some cool examples of these Tanker Desks..................

 

[Ryan]

I have a small collection of these... Attached is one that I found on craigslist for $100 a couple of years ago. They are incredibly convenient... And they look great!

 

[Bull]

I dragged home another desk today. Found it on the NH Craigslist for $50. Couldn't pass it up at that price. It is newer than the one from my folks, and therefore less cool. It's from the '60s, according to the seller's memory, and while still heavy as heck, the metal is certainly a thinner gauge and the pieces have more flex when twisted. Still, it's plenty solid and should serve me well for one of two things that I might use it for; I haven't decided which one yet.

Thank goodness my dad gave me this forklift dolly a couple months back, as I use it all the time, and it's way safer than me always playing the role of an aging Hercules.

 

[csp]

I was at my parent's home Saturday and my dad still has the Steelcase that was his office desk when he owned his own drugstores in the '70s/80s. He keeps it in his shop now. Also has the matching chair.

Nevermind all the file folders. He had a bunch of paperwork that was soaked when a water line broke and he laid them out to dry wherever there was a flat surface.

 

[Bull]

I like the color on that one, and it looks to be in nice condition. Make sure to give it a good home if he decides to get rid of it!

Now, would you even have given that old tank a second glance if it hadn't been for this thread?

I was at my parent's home Saturday and my dad still has the Steelcase that was his office desk when he owned his own drugstores in the '70s/80s. He keeps it in his shop now. Also has the matching chair.

Nevermind all the file folders. He had a bunch of paperwork that was soaked when a water line broke and he laid them out to dry wherever there was a flat surface.

 

[csp]

Now, would you even have given that old tank a second glance if it hadn't been for this thread?

I've wanted that desk a lot longer than the internet has been around.

If it weren't for this thread, I wouldn't have been taking pictures of it though.

 

[trbomax]

Here's mine. cant get close enough to it to figure out the brand,but all the drawers work and close. the chrome is much better than the pics show and the top is perfect,looks like linoleum.

 

[Bull]

I've wanted that desk a lot longer than the internet has been around.

If it weren't for this thread, I wouldn't have been taking pictures of it though.

I considered this after sending my last reply, by which I mean that the thread might only have encouraged to take pictures of the desk. Glad to hear it will go to a good home when dad decides to give it up.

Here's mine. cant get close enough to it to figure out the brand,but all the drawers work and close. the chrome is much better than the pics show and the top is perfect,looks like linoleum.

I wonder what vintage and brand that one is?

 

[onething]

I had one of these desks for a long time. Used it for all my ham radio gear. When I got it (for helping a friend build his new house), I was warned to put a nonconductive top on it by another friend who was a ham. He got the snot knocked out of him when he accidentally used his body as a ground one night.

Please note the Vic20!!!


Unfortunately, it was sold at the beginning of my crazy years.

 

[Bull]

For the new desk that I just picked up last weekend, I want to do something to the top surface. The cheap wood grain applique came off, and there is a lot of surface rust underneath. I could just sand, paint, and clear it, but I'd like something that can take some abuse. What do you fellows recommend? Piece of diamond plate or plain steel? Epoxy? Plywood?

 

[jdaallen]

Is Steelcase the brand?

This one looks quite a bit like the one I threw out, except the top is different:

WOW!! Too bad your so far away from Denver. I have about 25 or 30 of these going to recycle cause I'm tired of looking at them.

 

[Weps]

Are you guys really into these? Are they something you'd considering actually putting in your garage? I have a personal interest in mid century still furniture and have access to a lot of stuff. Desks, cabinets, lockers, shelving, tables. Over the years, restore/refurb/resell is something I've done just to fund my shop habit, but many, many, times I've considered growing it a bit.

Most of my customers are designers/artists/young professionals, but it seems as if there might also be appreciation here.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

For the new desk that I just picked up last weekend, I want to do something to the top surface. The cheap wood grain applique came off, and there is a lot of surface rust underneath. I could just sand, paint, and clear it, but I'd like something that can take some abuse. What do you fellows recommend? Piece of diamond plate or plain steel? Epoxy? Plywood?

Diamond plate is gonna make it hard to write on

I think it deserves a nice butcher block top about 1 1/4" thick solid maple, solid as a rock!

 

[DonkDonk]

Everyone I know calls me crazy for liking these old desks, IMO they are great for the shop or garage, especially for the money. I have a few of these in my shop right now.

This one I use in my deep dark area where I tumble/clean/polish the flea market finds. I have never seen another desk like this. It looks like it had something on the left side that maybe rotated. Anyone ever seen one like this? On a side note, a true testament to the toughness of these old steel desks, this one really took a beating. They loaded the desk up for me and I did not really pay attention... I mean where is a 500lb desk going to go? Well... I was merging from a highway onto the interstate and the desk just flipped out of the back of the truck at 60mph and went at least 50ft in the air and slammed down on the road on its top (luuuckkkkkyyy) and slid down the road... I pulled off to the side and the desk whizzed past me and into the ditch. It suffered a few dents and scratches, but I was amazed that all of the drawers still opened without a problem. This could have been a disaster if it happened on the interstate, and I always check to see if stuff is safe in the truck before I take off now.

<a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/?action=view&current=PICT0722.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/PICT0722.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/?action=view&current=PICT0725.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/PICT0725.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

This one just roams around the open areas of the shop. It is not the cool looking mid century style so I just use it as a work surface... paint stuff on it, use it as scaffolding, cutting wood on, etc.

<a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/?action=view&current=PICT0760.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/PICT0760.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/?action=view&current=PICT0761.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/PICT0761.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/?action=view&current=PICT0742.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m256/DonkDonk/Deuce2/PICT0742.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I have a couple others in the shop, but the areas are too messy to post photos!

 

[mastiff0]

Another brand to look for is Bentson, who made these types of desks in Aurora, Ill.
Look at government auctions, as they are always clearing out old buildings that contain these desks. Heck, I know NASA is still using a lot of these desks. Your other option is to find stores that deal in Mid Century Modern furniture. I know theres a place in Houston that does this. They are pricey there though, $1000 each for onces that look brand new.

 

[DonkDonk]

I get all of mine from university surplus. I have never paid more than $25 and as little as $2. Call your local university and ask how they dispose of surplus.

 

[sc3013]

DonkDonk that blue desk with low area, well thats for the typewriter to set. I have one like it but mine hase the low area on the right. I have my lathe mounted on the desk so I can set and make chips.

 

[JustBob]

For the new desk that I just picked up last weekend, I want to do something to the top surface. The cheap wood grain applique came off, and there is a lot of surface rust underneath. I could just sand, paint, and clear it, but I'd like something that can take some abuse. What do you fellows recommend? Piece of diamond plate or plain steel? Epoxy? Plywood?

I really like the glass top that came on mine, but I wont be putting anything heavy on it. Mostly it will be used as a desk and assembly for small wood projects and a carb on occasion. I guess it depends on how you would be using it...

a steel plate top for heavy assembly, general work, welding;

wood top with laminate surface for a smooth finish for light duty;

or you could put on a new veneer of your choice to stain and varnish for that executive look!

I will be picking up another steelcase this weekend if it isnt sold before sunday, but some of you may not like what I will do to it...

 

[Bull]

Everyone I know calls me crazy for liking these old desks, IMO they are great for the shop or garage, especially for the money. I have a few of these in my shop right now.

Well, here is a whole thread for other "crazy" folks, like me!

I really like the style of that blue desk a lot.

Are you guys really into these? Are they something you'd considering actually putting in your garage? I have a personal interest in mid century still furniture and have access to a lot of stuff. Desks, cabinets, lockers, shelving, tables. Over the years, restore/refurb/resell is something I've done just to fund my shop habit, but many, many, times I've considered growing it a bit.

Oh yes, I am into these and glad now to have a couple in my garage. But, I would not be into them at the restored prices I have seen on the internet! They are attractive to me because of the marriage of high functionality and bargain-basement cost.

I think it deserves a nice butcher block top about 1 1/4" thick solid maple, solid as a rock!

What's the best place to find butcher block tops? Or, would I have to make my own?

Is maple harder than oak? I have a lot of old oak flooring that I tore out of rooms in my house during remodels. I could make a top out of that, if it was going to be durable.

I have my lathe mounted on the desk so I can set and make chips.

Someone on another site mentioned that these desks were strong enough to mount lathes on them, and that really got me to thinking how sturdy they are. Put it in perspective for me.

I will be picking up another steelcase this weekend if it isnt sold before sunday, but some of you may not like what I will do to it...

Bob, is that you in your avatar? That pic gets me every time!

Now you are going to have to share with us what you do to this old desk you are getting.

 

[JustBob]

Bob, is that you in your avatar? That pic gets me every time!

Now you are going to have to share with us what you do to this old desk you are getting.

Yep, that's me... county fair pic from 91', that's my "gone postal pic

 

[Bull]

WOW!! Too bad your so far away from Denver. I have about 25 or 30 of these going to recycle cause I'm tired of looking at them.

Are you serious? That hurts!

Yep, that's me... county fair pic from 91', that's my "gone postal pic

That's pretty awesome, Bob. It's one of those pics that could go viral. I like it. Not in a gay way...not that there's anything wrong with that

 

[Call me the Breeze]

I like maple for tops like that better than oak only because oak is more porous. If you plan on using your desk as a desk, drawing with a pencil on an oak surface tends to leave holes in your paper.
As far as getting one??? I would just get one made at work ( I work at a furniture factory) Maybe check with a local high school - wood shop project - Do you have any millwork places around? They would be able to help you out too.
If you already have the oak, and a table saw, planer , bar clamps - you could do it yourself. Just put several coats of urethane on top to fill the pores and it should be fine. Keep in mind that oak face grain is more porus than oak edge grain, and doing a butcher block top, it would be edge grain as the surface of your top so you shouldn't have too much trouble anyways. Did that make any sence? it's almost 1:00am and my brain is ready for bed.

 

[Tjc]

every classroom has one in my school they throw a few out every few years.

 

[A_Pmech]

Damn you people all to hell!

I've been thinking about a desk for the shop and now I'm prowling Craigslist for a suitable example.

I've found one, but it's in a basement and the owner refuses to help.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/bfs/2285514758.html

I think I'll wait for easier quarry...

 

[jdaallen]

Damn you people all to hell!

I've been thinking about a desk for the shop and now I'm prowling Craigslist for a suitable example.

I've found one, but it's in a basement and the owner refuses to help.

If you want to pay shipping from Denver I'll give you one or two or three ----. I can't give them away here.

 

[jvitez]

Crud. Now I want one too.

As a kid I hated Art Deco and mid-century modern design. I thought it looked "old fashioned" to my childish eyes. Now I love it. Awesome pics of awesome furniture.

Why do I find it so cool? I think it speaks to valuing good design, high quality manufacturing, the appreciation of manufacturing with longevity in mind not the disposable modern ideology, and a bit of nostalgia for the US in its glory days of the 1950's.

Great thread. I'm subscribed.

 

[bazzateer]

I had one of these desks for a long time. Used it for all my ham radio gear. When I got it (for helping a friend build his new house), I was warned to put a nonconductive top on it by another friend who was a ham. He got the snot knocked out of him when he accidentally used his body as a ground one night.

Please note the Vic20!!!


Unfortunately, it was sold at the beginning of my crazy hair-cut years.

There, fixed it for you!

 

[bazzateer]

I'll look at getting one of these in the future when I eventually inherit my Dad's lathe. Naturally I don't want this to happen for many many years (if at all).

 

[nhmercracer]

There used to be a used office furniture place in Haverhill, MA which would have older desks occasionally. I'll make a call tomorrow, and see if the place still exists. Ten minutes off 495, about a two and a half hour ride (one way) for you Bull.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

I can see it now... Battle of the Killer Desks!

 

[mikesova]

Here's the tanker that I'm going to refinish and put in my garage, when my wife and I decide on a house.

 

[Beaumont67]

I read all 6 pages of posts, with great interest...what an nice "old school" thread.

While I don't have one of these fine desks, I do have an old S.C. caster chair (in storage - paid $5 at garage sale) and a floor standing Art-Deco ash tray that came out of a factory that once had many of these tankers. The free standing ash tray (for cigarette smokers) may have been an office accessory for the Steel Case desk line...since period correct accessories are related, would anyone like to see photos?

Have a late ~1946-48 vintage stapler (Speed Products Co.), that came out of the same office factory. (the girls were told to throw it out during an ordered paper chase and they asked me if I wanted it...knowing I collect...lol)
- my wife and I still use the old stapler, we both love how it goes through stacks of paper with ease and the staple is always perfectly folded

Also have several office ink stamps with the correct chrome metal stand...again free.
I hope it's not inappropriate, to post Period Correct & Original Office ACCESSORIES here - that I had the foresight to stash away, when they were being discarded for office garbage.
- I can provide pictures of my prized art deco Ash Tray / Office Stapler / Ink Stamps & Holder, that compliment the tankers, in the old office world.

------------------------------------------------
Beaumont { :>)) www.petperfectexpress.com
1965 Malibu S/S, 1966 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont Custom, 1967 Beaumont Custom original paint, 1967 Beaumont 396-350HP Sport Deluxe M21-411's - SOLD 1970 Judge

 

[rartuin270]

got one for $50 last summer of craigslist and i use it in my office. its a pita to move but totally worth it, best desk ever.

 

[Bull]

Beaumont, I love looking at old stuff in general. Post up those accessories!

Glad to see the thread has risen to the top again.

 

[JC23]

I can see it now... Battle of the Killer Desks!

Hmmm, I feel a disturbance in the Force...

Been watchin' this thread almost since Bully Boy started it. Had me eyes on one of those desks even longer. I've seen some with Killer paint, too, so you know where my head is going.

I plan on having one in my next garage which will have an office for crazy painting'!

 

[aaronld]

I know the Govenment is still buying "Hon" desks because I managed to get ahold of one and use it for about two years before I left that contract in Q-West, Iraq. I loved it! I it was a big desk compaired to the other junk desk we get over here. At one point my manager tried to comandeer it but could not get it to go through his office container door, so he gave up and let me take it in back the toolroom. I always told myself if I run across one back in the states I am going to jump on it.

 

[5lima30]

If anyone is looking for a "Battleship" desk there is a large one in the REACH Thrift shop on Hwy 64 in Hayesville, NC. They want $45.00 for it. It appears to be in great shape with a gray metal finish and a light green top. I'd get it in a minute if I had a place to put it!