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New, to me, Army Surplus Cabinets from an Estate Sale on CL

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Zeppe807

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Dec 25, 2009
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Sonoma County, Ca.
I have been looking for just the right cabinets for my Garage. I found one recently, but had not completely decided on using it. So I was randomly scanning CL and found these.

From the add:Heavy steel tool boxes - both for $75




THEY ARE HEAVY! The drawers by themselves are heavy.



One of the drawers had mirical grow in it, which caused it to put a hole the bottom corner.



They are 4ft wide, 38" tall, and 26" deep.

I am so jazzed to get them cleaned up, and painted. They are not exactly what I had planned, but I am looking forward to getting them in. I think I may turn the top compartments into a big draw instead of a lid.

Oh, I got them for $60 total.

Joe Zeppe :beer:
 
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bjmac

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They work great. The tops when closed make a handy work surface. Also, just FYI, they orginally have bars that slide thru the loops on the top and bottom on the front sides. Lift the top lid, slide the bars down thru the loops, close and lock the top. The bars keep all the drawers locked. Handy if you want to keep things locked up. Great find. I have several and keep my tools and different types of supplies in them.
 
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Zeppe807

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I was really happy that the my break cleaner cans and paint can all fit in the drawers standing up, so my next thing is to get the old crappy kitchen cabinets out of the garage SOON!

Very Happy right now.


Joe Zeppe :beer:
 
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Norcal

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Nice find!

Here are some parts cabinets found at a estate sale, made by Lyon & a couple of them have Smith-Corona property tags on them. Bad photo because of the sun but they were full of **** that ended up dumping most of, paid $50 for them.



The photo is being turned by the forum software as my copy is correctly oriented.
 
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Modifieddriver

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Moonville, South Carolina
I like what you have there a whole bunch.

I also have several old Army surplus cabinets. Good heavy drawers and heavy gauge dividers. These things are "GI proof", if you know what I mean.
 
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Zeppe807

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Sonoma County, Ca.
Bib Overalls said:
Going to be hard to beat this in the June "You ****" contest.
Click to expand...

Well...
I would like to reference my last month find: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200002

I just sold the Craftsman box in a day on CL for $80, so I am up $20.



Don't get me wrong, these old cabinets are going to take some elbow grease to get up to standards.


I am happy, my wife is no longer mad at me for the new cabinets.:thumbup:



Joe Zeppe :beer:
 
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Zeppe807

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Sonoma County, Ca.
Norcal said:
Nice find!

Here are some parts cabinets found at a estate sale, made by Lyon & a couple of them have Smith-Corona property tags on them. Bad photo because of the sun but they were full of **** that ended up dumping most of, paid $50 for them.



The photo is being turned by the forum software as my copy is correctly oriented.
Click to expand...

Nice find!
 
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djsadias

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Sep 12, 2011
Messages
16
Norcal said:
Nice find!

Here are some parts cabinets found at a estate sale, made by Lyon & a couple of them have Smith-Corona property tags on them. Bad photo because of the sun but they were full of **** that ended up dumping most of, paid $50 for them.



The photo is being turned by the forum software as my copy is correctly oriented.
Click to expand...

Lucky:thumbup::thumbup:
 
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Zeppe807

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Messages
372
Location
Sonoma County, Ca.
Zeppe807 said:
Well...
I would like to reference my last month find: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200002

I just sold the Craftsman box in a day on CL for $80, so I am up $20.



Don't get me wrong, these old cabinets are going to take some elbow grease to get up to standards.


I am happy, my wife is no longer mad at me for the new cabinets.:thumbup:



Joe Zeppe :beer:
Click to expand...

Just sold the filing cabinet for $60!:shocking: Money Ahead!:willy_nil
 
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Too_Many_Tools

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fury9 said:
Don't know why but those parts cabinets go for alot of money, SCORE!
Click to expand...

LOL...because there are no subsitutes for quality storage.

Can you offer us anything cheaper of the same or better quality?

FWIW...companies have been "value engineering" for decades...removing material and components from storage while raising the prices.

Also some of these cabinets were built according to government specs..no price spared on the quality construction.

That is why they last and last and last.....

My rule of thumb is the older the cabinet is the better it likely it will be.

In the past I had a chance to compare Steelcase filing cabinets made in the 50's and the 90's...the difference is night and day concering internal construction, materials used and the overall weight..the older ones of the SAME dimensions were over TWICE the weight..that translates into raw material in the cabinet...built like a tank.

I have also been able to compare filing cabinets from the 30's to the 50's ....again similar differences.
 
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Zeppe807

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Dec 25, 2009
Messages
372
Location
Sonoma County, Ca.
Too_Many_Tools said:
LOL...because there are no subsitutes for quality storage.

Can you offer us anything cheaper of the same or better quality?

FWIW...companies have been "value engineering" for decades...removing material and components from storage while raising the prices.

Also some of these cabinets were built according to government specs..no price spared on the quality construction.

That is why they last and last and last.....

My rule of thumb is the older the cabinet is the better it likely it will be.

In the past I had a chance to compare Steelcase filing cabinets made in the 50's and the 90's...the difference is night and day concering internal construction, materials used and the overall weight..the older ones of the SAME dimensions were over TWICE the weight..that translates into raw material in the cabinet...built like a tank.

I have also been able to compare filing cabinets from the 30's to the 50's ....again similar differences.
Click to expand...

I started loading some of the drawers up, and it amazes me how well all the drawers slide, especially since there are no slides, nor rollers: clean metal on metal. And now that they are so well broke in, the metal is almost polished.


With the plans I have, the tops will be greatly altered but I don't plan on getting rid of these once their done.



Joe Zeppe :beer:
 
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Zeppe807

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Dec 25, 2009
Messages
372
Location
Sonoma County, Ca.
I wanted to take apart one side of the top so I could insert a wooden top into the cavity and holy cow, I think this thing was designed to be dropped out of an airplane! It is built HD, & difficult to take apart. I am amazed at the build design. These should last a lifetime!
 
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