Strouty
Well-known member
I hope this won't be considered blasphemous but this is what I used one to make.
Industrial Metal Desks
- Thread starter Bull
- Start date
pffft, great use
My neighbor took a bunch of drawer sets like that and made a custom work bench all the way down one of his walls. I would put a butcher block on top and be done 
Strouty
Well-known member
pffft, great use
I have two more that I think I am going to do the same thing to.
I was going to weld it, and then finish it off with bondo and slap some paint on it…… but bolting it together was much quicker.
drtrcrV-8
New member
I've had one for 20+ years, kept it outside(no room in the garage), used it for a layout/weld/fab table & the drawers for small tool/parts storage. Still very functional! I bought it for $20 at the ALCO scrap yard in Oakland about 1992. These desks will easily support in excess of 1000lbs without problems. If 'plated' on the inside will even take a vise!
Measure the holes and if they are 2" apart, I have a tag for you.
I was unable to save the other desk so I borrowed some ideas from here and will be using this setup as my bench drill press station. I have an oak butcher block top for it, just need to paint/stain it when I get a chance.
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SteveJohnston
Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2013
- Messages
- 17
If you are interested in getting keys made for the desk, there are a few websites that might be able to cut them.
cubiclekeys.com
longlifelocks.ca
easykeys.com
cubiclekeys helped me to find some that other websites were not able to.
Also - I am trying to get a PM to junkyard junky about the GF desk he has in the commerce section. For some reason I can not PM him. Maybe because I am a noob. Any help there would be appreciated!
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I hope this won't be considered blasphemous but this is what I used one to make.
Looks great, AND just like the one I posted a link to the other day. Any idea who the manufacturer is?
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Just scored this today..
It'll get the same treatment as my desk and reupholstered..
It'll get the same treatment as my desk and reupholstered..
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Spent hours reading this thread LOL. Lets see if I can get my pictures posted up.
Picked up 3 tanker desks for $90 in Hope Arkansas from the old Bruner Ivory Handle factory.
The gray one is a General Fireproofing desk. A quick cleanup and it went into my computer room and I am typing on it right now!
The mint green one has the typewriter lift. The top was bad so I scraped it off and cleaned it up and keep it lubed with WD-40. It now has casters and 2 adjustable legs and is in the house garage as a workbench.
The brown one was in poor shape and missing the modesty panel causing the desk to bend out of shape. I added two angle iron pieces to straighten and strengthen it, removed the sheet metal feet that were all bent up and added casters and adjustable feet. It is now in the big shop and will be replacing a Craftsman light duty workbench.
The vintage adjustable height chair is from United Chair and was 4 bucks at a street side sale on the 30 mile long Main To Main sale in Webster Parish Louisaina. It fits perfectly with the green desk since that one needs one without armrests as the legwell area is narrow because of the typewriter shelf.
Picked up 3 tanker desks for $90 in Hope Arkansas from the old Bruner Ivory Handle factory.
The gray one is a General Fireproofing desk. A quick cleanup and it went into my computer room and I am typing on it right now!
The mint green one has the typewriter lift. The top was bad so I scraped it off and cleaned it up and keep it lubed with WD-40. It now has casters and 2 adjustable legs and is in the house garage as a workbench.
The brown one was in poor shape and missing the modesty panel causing the desk to bend out of shape. I added two angle iron pieces to straighten and strengthen it, removed the sheet metal feet that were all bent up and added casters and adjustable feet. It is now in the big shop and will be replacing a Craftsman light duty workbench.
The vintage adjustable height chair is from United Chair and was 4 bucks at a street side sale on the 30 mile long Main To Main sale in Webster Parish Louisaina. It fits perfectly with the green desk since that one needs one without armrests as the legwell area is narrow because of the typewriter shelf.
Attachments
I picked up ~3/4 of an old steelcase tanker desk this weekend that a small business was tossing. Good condition, but downside is that 13 of the drawer rollers are missing. 
Any suggestions on where to find them?
I see Bull asked the same question a few pages back
These are what the ones from the steel case drawers look like.
http://www.swisco.com/discussions/Roller-for-metal-Steelcase-desk-drawers-77-31780
Delrin(?) with an o-ring around it. Then there is a push in type retainer to keep them from falling off the stud. I'd like to mount the drawer sections under the my lathe, perfect size. Any suggestions on replacement rollers? I've browsed but can only seem to find one that have a stud designed to be pressed into the frame. Or they have bearings in them. Neither which are correct.
Any suggestions on where to find them? I see Bull asked the same question a few pages back
These are what the ones from the steel case drawers look like.
http://www.swisco.com/discussions/Roller-for-metal-Steelcase-desk-drawers-77-31780
Delrin(?) with an o-ring around it. Then there is a push in type retainer to keep them from falling off the stud. I'd like to mount the drawer sections under the my lathe, perfect size. Any suggestions on replacement rollers? I've browsed but can only seem to find one that have a stud designed to be pressed into the frame. Or they have bearings in them. Neither which are correct.
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Aww shoot, they are different sizes?
It looks like there are 4 per drawer; 2 for the slides (front) and 2 for the actual drawer (back). I have 7, but they are all the same size. Any suggestions on replacements? I'll get a pic of the ones I actually have. My other tanker desk, IDK on the brand, has just the plastic rollers, no O ring type tire on them.
Lippyp
Well-known member
Measure the holes and if they are 2" apart, I have a tag for you.
I was unable to save the other desk so I borrowed some ideas from here and will be using this setup as my bench drill press station. I have an oak butcher block top for it, just need to paint/stain it when I get a chance.
Interestingly we have a bookcase made by Globe - Wernicke. It's in oak and made in sections so you can make it as tall or as wide as you like as they all slot together. It has glass doors that lift and slide back inside. This was proper library furniture in it's day and now very collectible over here.
coyotejake
Well-known member
Yeah baby! My dad picked up three of these at a Boeing surplus sale about 30 years ago. They were all moved to Texas (from Washington) soon after, and this is the only one to make it back, 15 years later. It is now mine, and I am sitting at it here in my office, as I type this. This thing is indestructible, and every drawer still works flawlessly (unlike the **** being sold to us today).
The one I used as a teenager had a chair that came with it, almost exactly like the one Bellyupfish posted, and I can recall that I never had a problem with it wearing out. Makes me a bit angry that we can't find that quality any more!
print screen windows 7
The one I used as a teenager had a chair that came with it, almost exactly like the one Bellyupfish posted, and I can recall that I never had a problem with it wearing out. Makes me a bit angry that we can't find that quality any more!
print screen windows 7
The two sizes I have are on the Steelcase small desk drawers. The desk has 4 shallow drawers and one standard deep drawer but the deep one is on steel ball bearings. The 4 shallow drawers have these small rollers on a peg at the back of the slider with a push in retainer, the larger ones go in the tracks if I'm not mistaken.
Large are roughly 1" diameter and the small ones are 3/4" with a 1/2" inset on one side.
archirelic
Well-known member
Awesome, many thanks for the pics. I'm trying to locate a source for replacement rollers. Hoping I won't have to fire up the lathe.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Hey Nine.....What's the plans for the chairs? Are you going to give them what they deserve and refinish them to match the one of many desk you have?
I have a wood desk, well more of an MDF office desk that will be sitting at the curb as soon as I find a Tanker. I never thought I'd be looking for one, but this thread has me on the lookout. One think about the desk and the chairs, the new stuff will never last as long as the old ones have.
Val_C
Well-known member
This is my baby-tanker I've picked up earlier and re-finished for my older son.
I didn't paid attention that it was re-painted with latex wall paint when I've got it... I've spent on paint stripper way more than on desk itself
Now re-done with Tremclad:
$5 drawing lamp on it, and old Swedish chair we re-upholstered with leather under the desk.
I didn't paid attention that it was re-painted with latex wall paint when I've got it... I've spent on paint stripper way more than on desk itself
Now re-done with Tremclad:
$5 drawing lamp on it, and old Swedish chair we re-upholstered with leather under the desk.
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BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Scored this today.. Going to strip it and match my desk.
Keep
Well-known member
Scored this today.. Going to strip it and match my desk.
You have a make on that? That is one cool piece.
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
It's got the combo for it. Seller said he doesn't understand how to get it open, not sure if he's never used a combo lock or what.
A family member is supposed pick it up tomorrow, I'll post up a model number..
A family member is supposed pick it up tomorrow, I'll post up a model number..
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Nowater
Well-known member
I have the larger version of Val_C's baby tanker (at least it is close enough to fool me.)
Anyone willing to chime in as to how to refinish these desk tops? The top material reminds me of Formica, and despite being tough, this stuff still can scratch like mine has.
It looks like the base finish on the rest is a lacquer, maybe with a clear coat on top. What do you guys do to repaint/refinish these desks?
Anyone willing to chime in as to how to refinish these desk tops? The top material reminds me of Formica, and despite being tough, this stuff still can scratch like mine has.
It looks like the base finish on the rest is a lacquer, maybe with a clear coat on top. What do you guys do to repaint/refinish these desks?
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Supposedly, there use to be a chemical you could pour on them, they'd turn back into "gel" and smooth themselves out.
On mine, I peeled up the "Velvoleum" and am replacing it with glass..
On mine, I peeled up the "Velvoleum" and am replacing it with glass..
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Well, I spoke too soon on the filing cabinet. He sold it out from under me while a family member was on their way to pick it up.
Gotta love Craigslist.. Even offered him a deposit..
Gotta love Craigslist.. Even offered him a deposit..
rustyjames
Well-known member
Gotta strike while the iron is hot!
dittle fart around
Well-known member
Picked these up off a local craigslist ad for 20 bucks apiece.
View media item 36973
View media item 36974
View media item 36975
They look like they were used by a small business. Room for a cash drawer, with the safe and room for invoices in the file cabinets.
The other one has a drop down shelf on the top section that has a label with instructions to call in credit card purchases.
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Oh, I struck.. Struck multiple times.. Went through the hassle of arranging people 2.5 hours away from me to pick it up, offered a deposit to ensure my legitimacy and boom.. Sold..
That hurts me..
mercman86
Well-known member
Measure the holes and if they are 2" apart, I have a tag for you.
I was unable to save the other desk so I borrowed some ideas from here and will be using this setup as my bench drill press station. I have an oak butcher block top for it, just need to paint/stain it when I get a chance.
Thank you, I will measure and send you a PM if it will work. Sorry for the delay!
Hey Nine.....What's the plans for the chairs? Are you going to give them what they deserve and refinish them to match the one of many desk you have?
I have a wood desk, well more of an MDF office desk that will be sitting at the curb as soon as I find a Tanker. I never thought I'd be looking for one, but this thread has me on the lookout. One think about the desk and the chairs, the new stuff will never last as long as the old ones have.
I will definitely be keeping the Globe chair, probably sell the other as I have several old chairs like these already. You're right, nothing new will outlast these old school chairs!
Score, I really like the one on the right. Did you get the chair as well, how about any other organizer stuff, I see cool old stuff in the pic.
No problem, just let me know.
I picked up a few metal trash cans that go with the tanker desks at auction a while back and just got around to separating them from being stacked. There was one in the middle that was quite interesting, I could tell it was customized by the painted lip but did not know how cool until I got them apart. Check out this badass trash can, looks like the arts and crafts teacher may have did some magazine paper mache on the outside!!
rustyjames
Well-known member
I could see that trash can bringing a fortune in some SOHO gallery in NYC.
rustyjames
Well-known member
Sorry to hear. That really ***** the way that deal went sour.
What a piece of ****! I've had a huge upset like that before. I really had to hold myself back from dropping him where he stood.