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

driftpin · May 27, 2019

Something I got for free, and used cast-offs from around the garage, and a few new nuts & bolts to make it functional. It's 18 gauge steel. I added the back panel (missing), and swapped-out the heavy-duty rubber 5" locking casters for smaller ones from Harbor Freight, off a furniture dolly. I added the backsplash, just a taller part of the back panel, reinforced with PT 1 x 2's, and a sacrificial top of masonite w/a 3/4" plywood top and bottom.

I added a magnetic strip to the top of the backsplash.

Originally, I think it held some-sort of automotive servicing equipment, maybe an AC service cart, w/a vacuum pump, and space for a 20 lb can of freon, and storage for the manifolds and other tools of the trade. The front door has two piano hinges, and it has a neat radiused steel front with storage inside. It has a cutout for a threaded drop-in front lockset in the front cabinet door. The bezel is there for the lockset, but the cylinder is missing.

You can see what it looked like when I got it, the last two pics. I cut-off the deep front sheetmetal shelf brace to give it more-accessible room. The OEM 5" hard-rubber tires/casters are shown.

drivesitfar · May 28, 2019

LUG: i actually almost bought one of those old Lyon order desks a while back, but sadly I passed cause i didn't have one place i could put it other than storage.

I moved out of my inexpensive shop/storage the last few months and buying stuff isn't on the top of any list at the moment while i'm finishing up my move. the cost of storage is much higher now so i'm trying to stop buying in bulk, but it's hard so i'm working on my TO DO and HONEY DO LISTS around the house. here's a picture of my front yard that looks a bit better than my storage units that is for certain.

if you want to follow along and maybe post a few words of wisdom or encouragement on my DIY thread please do and the link is in my sig line!!

MAC: talk about SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED if there was welding required to build your old LYON cabinet. i've seen more than a few of that style and mostly a bit bigger that i think is as good as a Vidmar, Stanley cabinets and unfortunately the word is out on how stout they are and prices are NEVER CHEAP so i'll keep looking or maybe save up and get the next one. I bet the drawers hold a ton of stuff cause a friend of mine has one and I bet he's got 200-300 pounds of tools in each of his drawers and the drawers slide in and out with one finger.

Drift: nice find and good modification to make it work for you!!

macgee · May 28, 2019

drivesitfar said:
MAC: talk about SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED if there was welding required to build your old LYON cabinet. i've seen more than a few of that style and mostly a bit bigger that i think is as good as a Vidmar, Stanley cabinets and unfortunately the word is out on how stout they are and prices are NEVER CHEAP so i'll keep looking or maybe save up and get the next one. I bet the drawers hold a ton of stuff cause a friend of mine has one and I bet he's got 200-300 pounds of tools in each of his drawers and the drawers slide in and out with one finger.

Thanks Drive and good to hear from you,

Sorry to hear about losing space, that's always a hard one but I will say from recent experience, it forced me to clean up my act (I mean space)

And it was actually quite liberating getting rid of **** and no longer seeing stuff that I really didn't need. There were some hard decisions but my shop is much nicer now.

What I do hope to never get rid of is my Lyon cabinet. I have one 34" wide drawer full of lathe chucks and like you said, opens and closes with a finger. Another drawer full of sine plates, vises and indexing heads. I like it just as much as my Lista's and Nu-Era's if not more.

I'll try to take some pics of the backside and show the welds and bolts holding the whole cabinets together. It's different

macgee · Jun 2, 2019

drivesitfar said:
MAC: talk about SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED if there was welding required to build your old LYON cabinet.

Just found some older photo's of my Lyon metal cabinet before cleaning it and filling it. I think I need to pull it out again and beef it up some. Doesn't look like there's a lot of bolts holding it together considering how much I've loaded it and opening and closing the drawers daily. Mine is is only welded at the front tying in the metal top to side T-section bars.
It's all held together by drilled t-section bar and fasteners but feels very solid. Panels and front of drawers are stamped with Lyon logo.

tombell572 · Jun 2, 2019

Drives, that's some extremely nice landscaping. You may have some envious neighbors.

Tom B.

thundermug · Jun 14, 2019

Just picked this up the other day. Homemade machinist box. Dovetails, quarter sawn oak, brass hardware. Someone used it as a jewelry box at some point and did some regrettable modifications / repairs. The front panel was designed to flip up on an internal pivot and slide into the box, like a barrister bookcase. Needs some work, but it was priced right. Didn't come with a key. I was able to modify one from an antique shop. Works great.

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64320901_10100107895359452_6027255214250131456_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlYg-mFvjfqIVGUcSvYCYQxzLqf0VlqS8fPW5aEXzZMm0Elb-Q11RL90RjiNvFJmls&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=260d1f819a9ec7e47fe2652c998ae3ab&oe=5D8A5877

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64668466_10100107895394382_804632028069756928_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQlIgx01uYJYthp8XmMngUTM6GGnHAE_2rfb06nQt1dAqIY8A8tqdWfE_NRbsS_Z7kY&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=2e37d7739a7fcb85269c6df041ee962a&oe=5D9C3E8C

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64674397_10100107895409352_7999215600540844032_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQmkLL55eRH03zIA5Wrix6vIj-6o7cb0FS3E5tWYFyvsKKvjztRdy_Kj0nyaXEcdFnE&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=93c5cdf9096b3c0ee9d74e279e613c38&oe=5D875B26

Outlawmws · Jun 15, 2019

I like that box Tmug! very cool!

Private Lugnutz · Jun 15, 2019

Outlawmws said:
I like that box Tmug! very cool!

macgee · Jun 15, 2019

Outlawmws said:
I like that box Tmug! very cool!

Private Lugnutz said:

I think that box is from the 1800's and the address no longer exist and could be from this person?

http://www.chartiers.com/beers-project/articles/pollock-605.html

Outlawmws · Jun 15, 2019

Vaguely possible but the only Washington in the write-up is Washington county PA, and A Washington Iowa. No ref to DC, Virginia or Maryland.

thundermug · Jun 16, 2019

Thanks all. I'll try to do right by Mr. Pollock. I was having trouble dating the box, so any insights are appreciated. I would like to get in touch with the family for the history. I may be able to do so through the seller.

Macgee - That's interesting. I did some searching on one of those genealogy websites and came up empty.

jeffmoss26 · Jun 16, 2019

thundermug said:
Just picked this up the other day. Homemade machinist box. Dovetails, quarter sawn oak, brass hardware. Someone used it as a jewelry box at some point and did some regrettable modifications / repairs. The front panel was designed to flip up on an internal pivot and slide into the box, like a barrister bookcase. Needs some work, but it was priced right. Didn't come with a key. I was able to modify one from an antique shop. Works great.

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64320901_10100107895359452_6027255214250131456_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQlYg-mFvjfqIVGUcSvYCYQxzLqf0VlqS8fPW5aEXzZMm0Elb-Q11RL90RjiNvFJmls&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=260d1f819a9ec7e47fe2652c998ae3ab&oe=5D8A5877

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64668466_10100107895394382_804632028069756928_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQlIgx01uYJYthp8XmMngUTM6GGnHAE_2rfb06nQt1dAqIY8A8tqdWfE_NRbsS_Z7kY&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=2e37d7739a7fcb85269c6df041ee962a&oe=5D9C3E8C

https://scontent-msp1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/64674397_10100107895409352_7999215600540844032_o.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQmkLL55eRH03zIA5Wrix6vIj-6o7cb0FS3E5tWYFyvsKKvjztRdy_Kj0nyaXEcdFnE&_nc_ht=scontent-msp1-1.**&oh=93c5cdf9096b3c0ee9d74e279e613c38&oe=5D875B26

Those little bit/barrel keys will work so many locks! Great cabinet.

PacificaVette · Jun 17, 2019

You might want to look at old census records They usually have name and address.

thundermug · Jun 17, 2019

Today I went back to the resale shop and talked to the owner of the booth. The woman was about 70 years old, and she said the box belonged to either her brother-in-law or father-in-law. Both men have long since passed away. I told her my plans and that I'd like to send them pictures of the restored box. She asked for my number and said they will be in touch with me. I hope they follow up.

Private Lugnutz · Jun 22, 2019

Picked up a small parts cabinet at the flea this morning, Drives. Teaser photos below. Full story here.

Oldtuleguy · Jun 22, 2019

Nice find! Stuff like that is great because seller usually has no idea what it is.

Jayman17 · Jun 22, 2019

Lugz, nice parts cabinet. I like the fact the drawers have a flip top lid. :thumbup:

Jay

drivesitfar · Jun 22, 2019

Mac: that Lyon cabinet almost looks unfinished. I'm guessing it was made that way to maybe attach more cabinets on each side? Did I mention I love Lyon products?

Lug: very cool little cabinet and one i've not seen. Keeper? what are you going to put in the drawers?

TMug: very cool little wood cabinet. looks like a previous owner did a ****** job putting hinges on the front door when all they had to do was maybe beef up the top sides of the door and put a pin in so it could fold up inside your cool cabinet up out of the way.

there is also a wood cabinet thread i started that you might post it on in case some of those guys are subscribed to that thread only and they might have some more information for you. I haven't ever seen one exactly like it so guessing it's not common. nice find!!

Private Lugnutz · Jun 22, 2019

drivesitfar said:
Lug: very cool little cabinet and one i've not seen. Keeper? what are you going to put in the drawers?

I'm going to leave the entire kit as it is, Drives, and use the fasteners as needed.

steaks&anvils · Jul 3, 2019

I posted this on the garage sale page, but knew you all would want it here too!

Local thrift store.

Two "Wards Master Quality" four drawer metal parts storage cabinets (is that the correct name?). They are 6x6x8in, six drawers have three dividers and two are no dividers. Original paint is great, no rust, just some wear. A few drawers are a bit wonky, but fit well still. They were $1.99 each (regular price).

Empty, no hardware either...

-jeff

Barrytomia · Jul 4, 2019

view all

Hi, noticed that the view all pages option in the thread is now gone.
is it possible to have it back?

tia

yes, this is something i really miss...
the old mcf set itself apart from other forums by having the view all feature which i thought was very useful for someone to view all the posts at one go... would it be possible to reinstate this wonderful feature?

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Jul 18, 2019

I've got others but I'll start with this one I got today, old Napa.

Private Lugnutz · Aug 2, 2019

Picked up this little Lyon cabinet at the flea market today. Measures 34" H x 21-1/2" W x 15" D.

I bought it for four reasons:

(1) It's OD green
(2) It's a Lyon
(3) You can never have too many cabinets, and
(4) Maybe it will prompt Drives out of his sabbatical!

I like the lip to keep things from rolling off. No drawers, but several shelves.

Outlawmws · Aug 2, 2019

Wow, that looks like it's built like a tank! Be a great handgun safe or if not as beefy as it looks for BB pistols and parts, or reloading tools/gear! :drool:

Private Lugnutz · Aug 2, 2019

Outlawmws said:
Wow, that looks like it's built like a tank!

Oh it's beefy. My son helped me haul it down the basement and he asked if it was a safe!

You can see it has a provision for padlock. The opening above that is for closing and opening the latch built into the door. I don't know what the three through holes (two small, one large) are for. Nothing to do with the latching or unlatching.

tym · Aug 2, 2019

Private Lugnutz said:
Oh it's beefy. My son helped me haul it down the basement and he asked if it was a safe! You can see it has a provision for padlock. The opening above that is for closing and opening the latch built into the door. I don't know what the three through holes (two small, one large) are for. Nothing to do with the latching or unlatching.

Looks like it had a handle for operating the latch at one time.

Private Lugnutz · Aug 3, 2019

tym said:
Looks like it had a handle for operating the latch at one time.

Maybe, tym. If you look at the photo of the open door you can see the housing for the long bar latch on the inside. In that round opening above the hasp (one part fixed to the door, the other moves with the latch), there is a dimpled hole. I am lifting that with a thumb just a little (too far and it catches on top) to open and close the door right now. And that's where I thought some kind of handle would go. But I guess it could involve the other holes, too. I'm trying to picture what it would look like, and I haven't yet worked up enough energy to look for old Lyon catalogs or pictures of vintage Lyon cabinets here or elsewhere, but I will. If anyone knows the type of handle off the top of their head, sound off.

Outlawmws · Aug 3, 2019

That's a hard one to figure from the pics...

the center square hole I would expect to be the latch opening and closing mech. BUT the two bars are bolted together? if you turn that square (maybe a 1/2 socket extension and Tee bar?) What happens?

the other large hole with two smaller mounting holes looks to get a std Tee handle and looks liker it would lift that angle clip? to lock it? - those come with keys (commonly used for camper shells and are available as replacements)

So those two, Plus the pad lock... :headscrat

Outlawmws · Aug 3, 2019

ps: can you show a pic with the bar lifted, and/or the square drive turned?

Private Lugnutz · Aug 3, 2019

So it turns out to be a fairly straightforward latch. The square opening is 1/2" so I have been using an L-handle for a handle. Pic 1 & 2 is in locked position. Pic 3 & 4 is in open position. The same action moves three things at once. That latch you can see in the slot in the side and two bar latches, top and bottom, that I didn't take photos of but you can easily well imagine. As I said when I posted, I had already figured that was the latch mechanism.

What I don't see is what that has to do with the other three holes (two small on top and bottom of one large). Those seem extraneous to the latching operation. There is a faint outline of a circular object or plate that went there just slightly wider than the locations of the two smaller holes, no doubt for fasteners, making the center hole for something functional. But what? is the question.

Private Lugnutz · Aug 3, 2019

There is this flat wide L-shaped piece that is on the bar. When the latch is open, it is more or less even with the center hole (See Pic 1). When the latch is closed, it slides up with the bar (See Pic 2). It has no other reason for being there. It's not doing anything else. It has to have something to do with whatever mechanism was there. A second lock of some kind? What would it do, stop the bar from coming back down? And what would it look like on the outside? Unless this thing was at Ft Knox, seems overkill.

Outlawmws · Aug 3, 2019

I was thinking a tee handle, but that could easily be a (relatively) std cabinet latch for a straight key. then the pad lock a secondary? or Vise-versa? (officer, then supply Sgt?)

The operational pics of the sq drive NOW makes a lot of sense! I wasn't seeing the slots for keeping it straighter...

Provincial · Aug 4, 2019

My theory is that the original locking handle broke, and someone added another T-handle setup to block the bar at that L-shaped piece.

They could have used a padlock or replaced the original 1/2" square locking handle, but added a cobbled-up extra locking handle!

thehorse13 · Aug 4, 2019

Here's one of my cabinets. This one has magnetic strikers behind the doors. The Texaco logo is the handle pull. Shelving is fully configurable on the inside and each door has a nice metal pocket section. This cabinet is dated 10/69 on the back. I can only assume this is the date of manufacture because Texaco used this logo from about 1963 - 1980.

thehorse13 · Aug 4, 2019

steaks&anvils said:
I posted this on the garage sale page, but knew you all would want it here too!

Local thrift store.

Two "Wards Master Quality" four drawer metal parts storage cabinets (is that the correct name?). They are 6x6x8in, six drawers have three dividers and two are no dividers. Original paint is great, no rust, just some wear. A few drawers are a bit wonky, but fit well still. They were $1.99 each (regular price).

Empty, no hardware either...

-jeff

I have one of these. I found mine at a yard sale and figured that it was a small screw caddy. When I got home, I found that mine was used to store household bills and receipts. In particular, I found bank receipts for mortgage payments made in the mid 1950s. The loan note was for $5,200.

bagged89s10 · Aug 4, 2019

Finally found a good place for my 30 drawer Steelmaster parts cabinets.

drivesitfar · Aug 6, 2019

ALL: I know these old Lyon bins (24x18x12) are not exactly metal cabinets, but I picked up 12 of them and i'm going to put 5 on top of each other and get rid of one of my old Boeing 11 drawer cabinets.

I'm putting 3 under my 600 pound steel bench and another 4 fit nicely in the hole under my old Lyon Army steel bench.

I had to beat a few dents out and wire brush off some rust and old paint, but these are solid and should hold a ton of stuff.

I posted this picture in the Cats of Garage Journal thread in General Garage, but maybe you vintage guys can see my cat in this picture first.

cheers

txlonghorn1989 · Aug 13, 2019

Hey guys! I picked up what I think is a vintage metal Nielsen electrical storage box. I really didn't find anything with a google search but it looks very similar to two Klein storage boxes I've got. The top of this thing has pretty significant pitting from rust corrosion but it's still cool that it's a metal box. Anyone know anything about it's age or about Nielsen? Thanks!

txlonghorn1989 · Aug 13, 2019

Really super job on the reuse of those Steelmaster parts cabinets bagged!!!

tym · Aug 15, 2019

Outlawmws said:
I was thinking a tee handle, but that could easily be a (relatively) std cabinet latch for a straight key. then the pad lock a secondary? or Vise-versa? (officer, then supply Sgt?)

The operational pics of the sq drive NOW makes a lot of sense! I wasn't seeing the slots for keeping it straighter...

Yeah, I get the operation now.

It kinda looks like the 3 mystery holes were for a lock of some kind, to me.

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

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