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Industrial Metal Desks

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RStewart

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Jul 10, 2013
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1,770
Location
a little north of boston
Thanks for the welcome. Location updated. I`m sure I'll have many??? as we get closer to our garage build. And I'll keep an eye open for any of this cool retro office furniture.
 

nolimits76

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Jul 11, 2013
Messages
959
Location
Oklahoma
Gotta love the old tanker desks. I bought one about 1.5 years back with the intention to refurbish and put in my office. Things happened and I never got around to it. Dimensions on it was the 36" wide top (vs standard 30") x 60" long. While the width was ideal for me, I really wanted a 72"+ version.

Lo and behold, our company moved and one I had my eye on for quite some time dropped in my lap for FREE. I immediately brought it home. Me and buddy moved it in. Talk about a workout! Got in place and using today. It could use some TLC but is probably about a 9/10 as far as overall condition. I even have an Art Metal chair that is the same style to go with it. Picked that up for $25. And at a garage sale, stumbled on a 5' high Steelcase heavy duty file cabinet. Locks and everything, like brand new. Paid $30 for it!

A few months back I ended up selling the 5' tanker I originally purchased for $125 to a local guy that restores them into finished pieces (similar to the TV show where they go pick up junk and refurb it).
 

azdesigns

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Jul 17, 2013
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1
Can anyone tell me what type of desk/table this is? I just picked it up for free at work and its in pretty much perfect shape except the laminate table top is bubbled and peeling..... needs a good cleaning too. thanks!
 

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Gerald O

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Mar 5, 2013
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NC
Can anyone tell me what type of desk/table this is? I just picked it up for free at work and its in pretty much perfect shape except the laminate table top is bubbled and peeling..... needs a good cleaning too. thanks!

That's called a 'credenza'.
 

jdaallen

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Mar 22, 2009
Messages
178
Location
Castle Rock, Colorado
I have approx. 50 desks, credenzas, typing stands, and file cabinets that match your credenza in style, color, and probably manufacturer. I have tried to sell and even give them away for years with no luck at all. The entire lot is going to recycle soon.
 

BellyUpFish

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Jun 24, 2012
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Alabama
egugedep.jpg


Well, I joined the club..
 
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ChargedUp!

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Mar 11, 2010
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503
Location
Twin Cities, MN
I have approx. 50 desks, credenzas, typing stands, and file cabinets that match your credenza in style, color, and probably manufacturer. I have tried to sell and even give them away for years with no luck at all. The entire lot is going to recycle soon.

That's too bad. I'd take a few off you were you closer. You have any pics of the credenzas by chance?
 

ChevyEFI

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Sep 2, 2012
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Location
Phoenix, AZ
I kind of remember when Mom found some heavy grey desk like these. I imagine it's still in the far room of the basement. Dad cursed moving that thing in.
 

nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
Messages
14,357
Location
Dallas
My newest edition to the Tanker Club, I picked it up Saturday. The top was in perfect condition until we had to load it in the rain and drive home through a thunder storm. It all cracked up once it dried out and surface rust appeared on the painted parts. I will be refurbing it before I swap it out with my main desk now.

This one is a Sears Roebuck and CO. "TOWER" brand, if anyone has any matching accessories, let me know. Thanks

pic02749.jpg


pic02738.jpg


pic02746.jpg
 

BellyUpFish

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Location
Alabama
Have anyone replaced the rubber top Velvoleum material on one of these?

Mine is old and cracked. Thinking about picking up some 1/8 Formica and cutting it to the shape/size of my top.
 

ADSR

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Jan 12, 2013
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10,713
I keep looking for one of these desks.

Nothing on C/L for me yet.
 
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ADSR

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Found one. No idea on year or make but i'm picking it up in an hour or so.
 

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BellyUpFish

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I'm going to finish it with 320 grit and hopefully it'll look right. ;)

Then I'll spray it with Penetrol, I think.
 

ADSR

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ok... no idea what year it is, but i like it! I'm going to need to fix one of the locks. Someone lost the key and drilled it.









 

nolimits76

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Jul 11, 2013
Messages
959
Location
Oklahoma
Has anyone actually painted theirs, and used it inside the house? I love the old style so much. Mine is inside, but could use a good paint job. Here are some on the web I found that looked interesting to me.
 

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nolimits76

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Oklahoma
A few more...
 

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BellyUpFish

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Hila-Plas huh? Mine had a top of "Velvoleum." Apparently, there used to be a chemical that you could pour all over the top, that would essentially melt the top and it would reharden after a period of time.

I wound up stripping my top off and am either a.) going to paint the top or b.) leave it bare metal with a clear coat like the rest of the desk. Either way, I'm going to have a piece of glass cut for it and slide that on top.
 

ADSR

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Jan 12, 2013
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10,713
Hila-Plas huh? Mine had a top of "Velvoleum." Apparently, there used to be a chemical that you could pour all over the top, that would essentially melt the top and it would reharden after a period of time.

I wound up stripping my top off and am either a.) going to paint the top or b.) leave it bare metal with a clear coat like the rest of the desk. Either way, I'm going to have a piece of glass cut for it and slide that on top.

I like the glass idea. So far, i've seen one desk like mine sell on ebay for 1400 bucks. These things are worth a bit of dough redone!
 

BellyUpFish

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Jun 24, 2012
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Location
Alabama
BUF, see if you can date yours here. I found mine in here.

http://pastpresentfuture.net/archives/index.html

Mine is a General Fireproofing 1660F desk. Not sure what year, but I am pretty sure it was made in the in the 50's. Velvoleum was used from the 30's to the 50's.

When I was moving it around the other day working on blasting some of the sides, junk that had been "lost" in the frame came out. I've found paperwork in there from both Texas and Indiana. I bought it in Tennessee and now she lives in Alabama. LOL. Thing has gotten around to be as big and tough to move as it is.

I'm really hoping it turns out nice. I guess we'll see..
 

NHBandit

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Jan 11, 2012
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2,757
Location
East Tennessee
I really need to pick one of these up off of craigslist. They seem to go for $150-300 depending on condition.
Or be patient, check craigslist every day and be ready to go grab one as soon as you find it. Mint condition, $40 bucks. :thumbup:
 

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Kevin54

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Jan 12, 2005
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Urbana, Ohio
Dammit........After looking at all of these, plus the thread Belly-up-Fish posted, I'm going to have to find one of these desk and resurrect it. :tantrum2:
 

NHBandit

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Jan 11, 2012
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East Tennessee
I used to see these all the time selling dirt cheap at State government surplus auctions too. Maybe another place to look ?
 

Nascar4401

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Jun 18, 2012
Messages
187
Location
Ankeny, Iowa.
Here is the desk I've used everyday for 20 years. We have many inuse here at the shop.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 

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osburn383

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Jul 10, 2013
Messages
19
Liking this thread.

Trying to find a desk that will go with a 1960's Hamilton drafting table i got off ebay for 99cents.
ebay

Found these desks in the Atlanta GA area I'm going to try and pick one or two up this week.

What brand do you think this is seems to be maybe GF?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/fuo/4008752187.html

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/fuo/4008686509.html
What do you guys think.

Plus i found this desk with a bonus 5 drawer flat file cabinet I'm picking up the same day. Really just want the flat file.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4010143062.html
 

nine4gmc

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Mar 24, 2012
Messages
14,357
Location
Dallas
My main desk is similar to that middle one, only real difference is my feet are more deco square instead of round. Same formica top, I can't see the surface on the first one you linked, just hope it's not velvoleum **** like my new project desk.

I would only want the flat file cabinet too, that desk is **** looking.

Love the drafting table :drool:
 
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