Industrial Metal Desks
- Thread starter Bull
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
You got a killer deal on that drafting table. I'd go for the desk in Roswell, I think it would match the closest to the drafting table.
uniballer
Well-known member
I have one in my garage, and two chairs. They were free, guy on here give them to me. Just spotted another at a goodwill but it is missing a drawer. It is 12.95, is it worth it to buy or is a replacement drawer not possible?
It's 13 bucks. Buy it. You can always fab up a drawer or take all the drawers out of the one side and make one big cabinet and fab a single door.
6768rogues
Banned
I had one until I crushed it with my Bobcat and threw it in my scrap dumpster.
Thanks yeah just had to spend roughly 90 bucks in gas well worth that to me to get that era and style drafting table.
I am going to try and get all the desk
Sadly though after calling the guy on the 5 drawer flat file cabinet someone grabbed it up before i could go get it tomorrow.
Somebody got a sweet deal on that thing.
Going to restart restoring the drafting table soon since the guy sanded some the paint off.
Trying to decide on what type of paint.
It has this very lightly hammered look to it, probably go back with that if i can find anything close.
I am going to try and get all the desk
Sadly though after calling the guy on the 5 drawer flat file cabinet someone grabbed it up before i could go get it tomorrow.
Somebody got a sweet deal on that thing.
Going to restart restoring the drafting table soon since the guy sanded some the paint off.
Trying to decide on what type of paint.
It has this very lightly hammered look to it, probably go back with that if i can find anything close.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Not to change the subject or hijack the thread, but I clicked on that link. If you go over there, post up what he asking for the lights. That is more porcelain lights than I've probably saw in my whole life.
And in one pic with the lampshade, he has a tanker laying on it's side, but he also has this oak desk that is made by Lyons for $250 which is a darn cool looking desk.
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thundermug
Well-known member
Kevin: That oak desk is designed to have a typewriter mounted to the recessed area. When the typewriter is not needed, it flips down. I've seen one in person. Pretty cool.
If you go and look at a new office desk today, they're made like ****!!! And they cost in the 800 buck range! They just don't build em like they use to. These old desks are tough hell.
I really like those blue ones. 
The one I have in the garage was a freebee from a few years back. from the 40's or 50's. It's the standard off white/cream color. Weights a ton, only thing I don't like is that the left hand side has a spring loaded pull out table designed for a typerwriter counter balance. Anything less than ~50 lbs and the table causes the item to be airborne.
Hopefully some day I will move out of a cubical at work and be able to get one of these desks. It would have to be a bright color like blue or green, just because.
Toxicscrew
Well-known member
I took a credenza and made it a stand for my TV and then put all my electronics in the middle portion. The drawers hold games, controllers, DVD's, etc.
Painted the exterior, drilled a hole in the back for cords was all it took. Still want to relaminate the top in white.
Painted the exterior, drilled a hole in the back for cords was all it took. Still want to relaminate the top in white.
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BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Well, mine is getting there.. Found a little time to work on it.
From what I've seen, when I hit it with the Penetrol it'll darken up a little bit, as well as have a little gloss to it. I think it's going to look sweet.
From what I've seen, when I hit it with the Penetrol it'll darken up a little bit, as well as have a little gloss to it. I think it's going to look sweet.
Nice work! Looks great!
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
I wish it didn't have the few dents it does. If I were painting it, it'd be an easy fix. Oh well.
Hopefully I'll get some time next week to work on it a bit.
Hopefully I'll get some time next week to work on it a bit.
rockingthe2
Well-known member
After a few months paitence and missing out on a free tanker desk (that later popped up for almost $200) I finally found one for cheap $40 and paid a buddy in beer to help me drag it home! It's a Steelcase Desk with a Laminate top, perfect for my garage "office" Guy I got it from said it used to be in an old brewery around here, BONUS! I HAVE A BEER DESK!
I set it up as soon as I got it, now Ive got some power running to it with my phones wireless charger and my laptop run to it.
Steelcase! Any ideas on the era?
Had to rearrange the garage, the tabletop used to be over in the nook, with the toolbox where the tabletop was. It's a little tight with the car in there, but it fits fine and I'm extremely happy with it!
I set it up as soon as I got it, now Ive got some power running to it with my phones wireless charger and my laptop run to it.
Steelcase! Any ideas on the era?
Had to rearrange the garage, the tabletop used to be over in the nook, with the toolbox where the tabletop was. It's a little tight with the car in there, but it fits fine and I'm extremely happy with it!
. . . Please . . . tell us you DID go get this screaming deal for $50 for steel storage unit and steel desk??
Post up some pictures, as that storage unit is worth more than $50 price.
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Yeah i wish i could have got that 5 drawer flat file for $50 it was such a good deal.
I did pick up this desk though while i was up that way for $25.
Oh hell yeah! That's a damn good looking desk! 25 bucks is a steal!
Well done
bullington
Member
Yeah i wish i could have got that 5 drawer flat file for $50 it was such a good deal.
I did pick up this desk though while i was up that way for $25.
I have that desk at my work office. Great desk. Love the small spring loaded drawers up top. Push them in and they pop out.
SteveJohnston
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 17
I ran across these forums as I was looking up information on these desks. I first came across them about 15 years ago and I have really liked them ever since. I am now looking to fill my home office with these old "mid-century", "tanker" pieces.
General Fireproofing is my favorite maker. Followed closely by McDowell and Craig. I recently picked up one of the 60 x 30 McDowell and Craig tables (actually a desk with no pedestals). It is in nearly perfect condition with nothing more than a couple of areas where it appears that the table came up against something that took the paint off of it. Nothing major, though. With the price all over the place on these things I was happy to find this one for 75 dollars.
Eventually, I want to get a 68 x 34 desk, 68 x 34 "table", a drafting table, a credenza, a side table, two of the 36 x 24 tables and a couple of the book shelves for my home office. I have yet to really decide if I want to try to find them in excellent original condition, or if I will have them re-done. I live pretty near two of the big refurbishers (Retro Office is the nearest). I think that I can gather enough of these desks in good-enough condition to sharply drop the cost of refurbishment. If anyone has any good intel on General Fireproofing pieces in SoCal, any info would be greatly appreciated.
General Fireproofing is my favorite maker. Followed closely by McDowell and Craig. I recently picked up one of the 60 x 30 McDowell and Craig tables (actually a desk with no pedestals). It is in nearly perfect condition with nothing more than a couple of areas where it appears that the table came up against something that took the paint off of it. Nothing major, though. With the price all over the place on these things I was happy to find this one for 75 dollars.
Eventually, I want to get a 68 x 34 desk, 68 x 34 "table", a drafting table, a credenza, a side table, two of the 36 x 24 tables and a couple of the book shelves for my home office. I have yet to really decide if I want to try to find them in excellent original condition, or if I will have them re-done. I live pretty near two of the big refurbishers (Retro Office is the nearest). I think that I can gather enough of these desks in good-enough condition to sharply drop the cost of refurbishment. If anyone has any good intel on General Fireproofing pieces in SoCal, any info would be greatly appreciated.
SteveJohnston
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 17
This thread has really provided some excellent new information for me to help in my search for these pieces. I actually have specific model numbers to use, now, and a clearer picture of what was made by different manufacturers. It is very much appreciated.
JC23
Well-known member
JC23
Well-known member
chopper1
Member Emeritus
JC23 I don't see where you picked up the one from your friends basement. I have one in the garage...if you want it let me know and come and get it.
Duct Tape Man
Well-known member
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Saw this one in a local Habitat 4 Humanity ReStore today for $20. But no room in the truck at the time.Old tanker typewriter desk. Slight damage to one foot on the bottom, a couple drawers had issues. Otherwise pretty cool.
You have room in the truck now? That is a pretty cool looking old desk. It would be just about right for a laptop in the garage. I am assuming that there is a lid that pulls down over the left section? I have never saw a desk like that before. Sort of unique
Duct Tape Man
Well-known member
It's empty now. I'm going to make a run back that way tomorrow, if it's still there it will be coming home in the truck. I can repair the foot, and the drawers, might be looking at a repaint to Navy gray, as I hate beige, and I have seen other ones of these that did duty for the Navy and they were all gray in color.
The desk lid is hinged, you roll it back to go low for a typewriter, and you rock it back up for flattop desk. Mechanical wonder. When I saw it in the store I folded it back myself to see if it worked, and it was flawless....
The desk lid is hinged, you roll it back to go low for a typewriter, and you rock it back up for flattop desk. Mechanical wonder. When I saw it in the store I folded it back myself to see if it worked, and it was flawless....
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A couple desk i pick up at a local auction last week.
Got both for $55.
Plus a nice older wood desk for $10 and a real nice steel cabinet by United Delco.
55 bucks! You did great, bro.
