^^^ Can't find it?
Alemite Gas Station Work Bench Restoration
- Thread starter thehorse13
- Start date
JoCoSawdust
Well-known member
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
That is a nice old Lincoln setup but she needs a complete restoration. I am happy to finally see the finish line with my Alemite setup. The center section is the final piece and once I have it, my garage will finally be complete.
Thank you for posting this up. I know a few guys who might be interested.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Just catching up on this thread, it's great you are getting all the cabinets together for you setup.
Thanks for posting the story of collecting the cabinet, the family here all had such a laugh at it, especially this part:
""""When I arrived to get the truck, I found it on jack stands without wheels. When I asked my mom what happened she told me that my father took the wheels down to the local tire shop to get new ones. Thinking back, I did say that I would be coming to get the truck on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. My mom didn't want me riding on worn out tires so she sent my dad down to the tire place in the morning thinking that I wouldn't be there until well after lunch. Plan B was sunk...on to plan C. As a side note, my dad is a cheapskate. If you bring in your wheels already off the vehicle, they mount and balance your new tires for free. """"
I hope you thanked your Mother for her concern, and your kind and generous Father for getting new tyres for his truck so as you could use it safely. When you see him please tell him that I must be even more of a cheapskate than him, as I drive to the tyre shop and then borrow their jack to remove my own wheels to get the discount...
Please keep posting your progress. J.
Thanks for posting the story of collecting the cabinet, the family here all had such a laugh at it, especially this part:
""""When I arrived to get the truck, I found it on jack stands without wheels. When I asked my mom what happened she told me that my father took the wheels down to the local tire shop to get new ones. Thinking back, I did say that I would be coming to get the truck on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. My mom didn't want me riding on worn out tires so she sent my dad down to the tire place in the morning thinking that I wouldn't be there until well after lunch. Plan B was sunk...on to plan C. As a side note, my dad is a cheapskate. If you bring in your wheels already off the vehicle, they mount and balance your new tires for free. """"
I hope you thanked your Mother for her concern, and your kind and generous Father for getting new tyres for his truck so as you could use it safely. When you see him please tell him that I must be even more of a cheapskate than him, as I drive to the tyre shop and then borrow their jack to remove my own wheels to get the discount...
Please keep posting your progress. J.
ArmyVW_GuyInTX
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Listed on Marketplace in McPherson KS for 1500
One of these has appeared in the Dallas area for sale for $2k needing restoration. (Not mine)
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
It's been a while since I last provided an update to this thread. Currently all leads for a center section have gone cold.
The spring isn't too far off and soon I will be back on the hunt. Eventually I will track one down.
Stay tuned.
The spring isn't too far off and soon I will be back on the hunt. Eventually I will track one down.
Stay tuned.
This item I would think would be difficult to search for as the seller might not know the key "Work Station" verbiage.
And then I find this one;
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/501638397143336/
$1,750
1940s Art Deco Mechanic work station. It lights up, has a stainless roll up door, bottom storage area. Has the air hose opening on top and had a vise in the top work area.
68in tall, 5 foot wide, bench is 28 in deep.
Located inn midland texas. Must pick up here. Will not ship. 1750. Call [hidden information] to Make sure it’s available. This is cross listed.
And then I find this one;
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/501638397143336/
$1,750
1940s Art Deco Mechanic work station. It lights up, has a stainless roll up door, bottom storage area. Has the air hose opening on top and had a vise in the top work area.
68in tall, 5 foot wide, bench is 28 in deep.
Located inn midland texas. Must pick up here. Will not ship. 1750. Call [hidden information] to Make sure it’s available. This is cross listed.
Attachments
Last edited:
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
Soon?! You always stay on the hunt. With the internet there's no excuses!
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
Urgh...why did you have to show me this? I have family near this listing...If I can get it here, I can yank out my old hand made wooden workbench and this one would fit perfectly...
You're a bad influence. lol
This is technically true, however, finding time to search during the winter months is challenging. Mrs. Horsey has an aggressive interior upgrade project list along with a few other large scale projects of my own. I rarely have downtime to scour the net.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
You could try discussing with her how you need a better work/life balance..
Just think how good it would be for you if you get that 1940's work bench that you have put so much effort in to searching out. You would get such a 'boost' out of it that you would potentially just whistle through that interior upgrade list with no effort at all!
Also, you should get it, so as we can enjoy seeing the pictures of it, and how you restore it, and maybe another cliffhanger story of how you transport it home, too.
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
In terms of in-person searching, it's been a pretty dismal year thus far, and if I'm honest with myself, it will continue like this for at least the short term. Every single lead that I had for a center section has dried up; the last one followed to a dead end just recently. Some of you enjoy my accounts of such calamities and if you're one of those fans, I will indulge you.
Picture a crisp overcast pre-dawn Saturday morning with an ever so slight cold mist floating in the air. These conditions are not exactly conducive for a good day at the flea market but there are die hards there until late November and so I made the trek over to the dew soaked grass field.
A regular vendor there is a devoted estate sale and auction hound. He's extremely rough looking with tattered flannel and layers of old grease on the thigh sections of his heavily worn jeans. Many of you know this guy. He's the type that knows where he's seen something that you're looking for and can tell you exactly where and who you need to talk to. This is where my lead was born.
Armed with an address and a name, I really felt like I was on to something this time. I drove around the windy back roads of a mountain until I found the place that allegedly had the treasure I was looking for. Now, there is a certain etiquette to showing up unannounced to a farm in West Virginia. Without going through all of the specifics, I followed the trenched dirt road back to the tractor barn where I found, "Clapper" the owner of the operation.
Clapper is a 6th generation farmer and as with most old timers, he has no time or cares about your feelings. All he wants to know is why you're bothering him. Once again, I followed the proper protocol and after about 5 minutes, Clapper lead me to a barn that looked like it was ready to come down if just one more bird landed on the weather vein.
Once inside, Clapper explained that the barn wood is going to be reclaimed and used on the frame they just finished so everything inside has to go. This was music to my ears. What could be hiding in here? Am I about to trip over a porcelain Packard sign? The excitement was at fever pitch. I could hardly contain myself.
"That's it right there. Is that old thing what you're after?"
With laser focus I looked to the dark corner of the old barn believing this was the moment...but it wasn't. The center section that he had was not an Alemite. It wasn't even for a service merchandiser. Nope. What he had was a curved white triple gas pump topper that looks sorta like a merchandiser top but with three lens recesses for regular, mid grade and premium fuel. The glass lenses were long gone.
I smiled and thanked Clapper for his time and hospitality and let him know what this was. Of course he looked at me like I was nuts and said, well of course it's a fuel island topper. What the hell did you think it was? This was Clapper's country sense of humor. After a tobacco coated gruff laugh, he slapped me on the back and told me to, "Keep after her, kid." All at once, I was 16 years old again after failing to find dirt bike parts. I guess to him, I must have looked like a kid.
Clapper told me that all of his other items that I love to buy were long gone. Signs, tools, so on. We parted as fresh new acquaintances and I earned the highest badge that you could from a guy like Clapper.
"Stop past anytime." This is country for, "You're one of the good guys and you're always welcome."
The ride home was not nearly as fun as the ride out there.
I've cast my line out with guys that I know all over the country but even those hopes have returned nothing. The usual forum WTBs are all coming back with plenty of views but zero comments.
With all of that said, the search will continue until I find the elusive Alemite center section, no matter where I have to travel to get it.
I've posted this update because I've been asked about this project by a few of you. As soon as I have some more news, it will appear here.
The search continues...
Picture a crisp overcast pre-dawn Saturday morning with an ever so slight cold mist floating in the air. These conditions are not exactly conducive for a good day at the flea market but there are die hards there until late November and so I made the trek over to the dew soaked grass field.
A regular vendor there is a devoted estate sale and auction hound. He's extremely rough looking with tattered flannel and layers of old grease on the thigh sections of his heavily worn jeans. Many of you know this guy. He's the type that knows where he's seen something that you're looking for and can tell you exactly where and who you need to talk to. This is where my lead was born.
Armed with an address and a name, I really felt like I was on to something this time. I drove around the windy back roads of a mountain until I found the place that allegedly had the treasure I was looking for. Now, there is a certain etiquette to showing up unannounced to a farm in West Virginia. Without going through all of the specifics, I followed the trenched dirt road back to the tractor barn where I found, "Clapper" the owner of the operation.
Clapper is a 6th generation farmer and as with most old timers, he has no time or cares about your feelings. All he wants to know is why you're bothering him. Once again, I followed the proper protocol and after about 5 minutes, Clapper lead me to a barn that looked like it was ready to come down if just one more bird landed on the weather vein.
Once inside, Clapper explained that the barn wood is going to be reclaimed and used on the frame they just finished so everything inside has to go. This was music to my ears. What could be hiding in here? Am I about to trip over a porcelain Packard sign? The excitement was at fever pitch. I could hardly contain myself.
"That's it right there. Is that old thing what you're after?"
With laser focus I looked to the dark corner of the old barn believing this was the moment...but it wasn't. The center section that he had was not an Alemite. It wasn't even for a service merchandiser. Nope. What he had was a curved white triple gas pump topper that looks sorta like a merchandiser top but with three lens recesses for regular, mid grade and premium fuel. The glass lenses were long gone.
I smiled and thanked Clapper for his time and hospitality and let him know what this was. Of course he looked at me like I was nuts and said, well of course it's a fuel island topper. What the hell did you think it was? This was Clapper's country sense of humor. After a tobacco coated gruff laugh, he slapped me on the back and told me to, "Keep after her, kid." All at once, I was 16 years old again after failing to find dirt bike parts. I guess to him, I must have looked like a kid.
Clapper told me that all of his other items that I love to buy were long gone. Signs, tools, so on. We parted as fresh new acquaintances and I earned the highest badge that you could from a guy like Clapper.
"Stop past anytime." This is country for, "You're one of the good guys and you're always welcome."
The ride home was not nearly as fun as the ride out there.
I've cast my line out with guys that I know all over the country but even those hopes have returned nothing. The usual forum WTBs are all coming back with plenty of views but zero comments.
With all of that said, the search will continue until I find the elusive Alemite center section, no matter where I have to travel to get it.
I've posted this update because I've been asked about this project by a few of you. As soon as I have some more news, it will appear here.
The search continues...
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Ah, thanks for the update and the story. I was recently wondering how your hunt was going! At least you got to have a nice visit to meet Clapper, and you never know where that may lead.
Pleased to hear you followed all the correct protocol for an unannounced farm visit, some people don't and just seem to deserve to get shot at!
Just remember: 'It's not the destination, it's the journey'..
Pleased to hear you followed all the correct protocol for an unannounced farm visit, some people don't and just seem to deserve to get shot at!
Just remember: 'It's not the destination, it's the journey'..
y'sguy
Well-known member
Thank you for sharing your story Horsey. It might be all some of us have left. I've had similar events and chases occur and it's always about the hunt that makes it fun.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I agree with y'sguy...it's all about the hunt. What's the famous story about Alexander the Great? When he looked over his empire he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer. So think of that as you continue the pursuit of your holy grail! 
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
Don't worry fellas. I measure ROI is in experience and memories. All of you know we sure can't do it in money spent. lol
don long
Well-known member
Hey Horse
If it will make you feel any better: Just this afternoon I too went on a super pick with an Alemite merchandiser target about 50 miles away.
The lady was selling all her deceased husbands automotive memorabilia.
When I got there and looked at all her treasures, the alemite bench was not going anywhere and most of his stuff had too much sentimental value to be purchased. I did come home with a pot belly stove and a fancy scale but not the crown jewel. Like you and Clapper I now have a new found friend that has what I want
If it will make you feel any better: Just this afternoon I too went on a super pick with an Alemite merchandiser target about 50 miles away.
The lady was selling all her deceased husbands automotive memorabilia.
When I got there and looked at all her treasures, the alemite bench was not going anywhere and most of his stuff had too much sentimental value to be purchased. I did come home with a pot belly stove and a fancy scale but not the crown jewel. Like you and Clapper I now have a new found friend that has what I want
Farmer J.
Well-known member
O dear. I had to google search 'ROI' to find out what it is!
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
Hey Horse
If it will make you feel any better: Just this afternoon I too went on a super pick with an Alemite merchandiser target about 50 miles away.
The lady was selling all her deceased husbands automotive memorabilia.
When I got there and looked at all her treasures, the alemite bench was not going anywhere and most of his stuff had too much sentimental value to be purchased. I did come home with a pot belly stove and a fancy scale but not the crown jewel. Like you and Clapper I now have a new found friend that has what I want
Your pick is how 95% of mine turn out. I typically just report the successful ones. This recent failure was unexpected because the junk man who sent me there is always spot on when he says that he knows where X,Y and Z is located.
That said, I think that it's worse to see the actual treasure and then learn that it's not for sale once you get there. I'd say that this makes your experience worse than mine. You win again!
I sometimes forget that acronyms are not a good idea. Return on investment should have been written out. You'll have to forgive me as I'm used to endless acronyms in my field. Next time I will write it out.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
No need to apologise thehorse13, it was just me being dim!
I will probably remember what it is now.. Years ago, one of my second cousins who worked on aeroplanes remarked, when a machine broke down due to a belt breaking during harvest "We should have done the RBF principle" . Have remembered it ever since, 'Replacement Before Failure'. It's beginning to apply to me as I get older!
Alienbaby17
Well-known member
Ahhhhhhhhh....I enjoyed this update so much. Threads like this are one of the main reasons I keep coming back to the Garage Journal.
What I wouldn’t have given to be a fly on the wall to observe your (nearly) cold call approach on this one. I’m sure I could have learned a thing or two.
Might be time to hit up that lead in Wisconsin that I came across a while back.
What I wouldn’t have given to be a fly on the wall to observe your (nearly) cold call approach on this one. I’m sure I could have learned a thing or two.
Might be time to hit up that lead in Wisconsin that I came across a while back.
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
It's been about 3 years since I have last updated this thread and in case you're someone who is in a hurry, I will cut right to the chase. I have not found an Alemite center section for my cabinets and workbench.
I haven't had a single lead in years and I've asked what feels like hundreds of different people if they've seen one. Everyone has a similar version of the same story; "You just can't find anything anymore..."
While all of this is dismal news, I will still grind away whenever I have spare time. One of these days I'm convinced that I will pick up the scent of a center section. Until then, I will leave this as an open thread hoping to one day come in here to report the big find.
I haven't had a single lead in years and I've asked what feels like hundreds of different people if they've seen one. Everyone has a similar version of the same story; "You just can't find anything anymore..."
While all of this is dismal news, I will still grind away whenever I have spare time. One of these days I'm convinced that I will pick up the scent of a center section. Until then, I will leave this as an open thread hoping to one day come in here to report the big find.
Center section only or complete for spare parts?
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Yes, don't abandon all hope just yet.
Maybe you will find one, like the very well preserved one-owner-from-new 1952 Land Rover that I recently pulled out of a barn for someone who had searched for decades. I had heard of it's existence back in the 1970's when it was still in occasional use, but first saw it when a friend asked me if i could fetch it on my trailer! But that's a whole another story....
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
I need the center section only. I have both cabinets and of course the workbench. It's tough out there!
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
I follow every ghost story just like Scooby-Doo. One of these days I will unmask the elusive center section.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
I'll keep an eye out. Cruising FBMP and Craigslist is in my DNA now. Crazy enough, I find it highly relaxing even though it can get my blood pumping in an instant!
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
The display is awesome. I'd hold on to that one.
As for incomplete projects, I've promised myself that if I come across something that I can't resist, it must be complete. Searching for things for years on end is starting to wear on me. lol
I'm not adding to my mess, just looking for now.
don long
Well-known member
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
Yep, I was one of the first few on that page. I even welcomed you when you joined.When I saw this thread pop up I was sure that you had some success.
are you familiar with the F.B. group that just focuses on Merchandisers?
Here is the link
www.facebook.com
Every so often I ask Damon if he's seen anything. The answer is always the same. I can even tell you that Hershey was shockingly terrible this season and after what I saw last week, I question whether I will ever go back.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Finding your center section is a lot like the lottery. You can't win if you don't play.
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
My dad used to joke that he won the lottery by not playing, since the odds were so bad.
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
I've been playing for a looong time but even an addicted junk hobbyist like me can see that things have drastically changed since the COVID era. I've changed up my strategy and tactics to match hoping that I can adapt to the new way you have to dig up rare items.
Hershey was the gold standard but over the years it has yielded less and less of the stuff that I chase after. This year it was the worst collection of overpriced boring nonsense you'd ever want to see.
Now, I should have explained myself a little more. I am certainly not cashing in, rather, switching up by dropping the large scale regional events from my list of places to search.
four.cycle
Well-known member
for the benefit of our new member:
Alemite / Alemite Die Casting Co., Chicago, IL / lubrication division acquired 1919 by Bassick Co., Chicago, IL /
Alemite / Alemite LLC, St. Louis, MO / est. 1918 / tool storage systems, work benches, merchandisers / https://www.servicemerchandisers.com/alemite / https://www.skf.com/alemite/about/the-alemite-story / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite Lubrication Co., Chicago, IL / est. 1918, acquired 1919 by Bassick Mfg. Co. / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite Mfg., Chicago, IL / acquired 1919 by Bassick Co., Chicago, IL, renamed Alemite Mfg. Co. 1928, renamed Alemite Corp. 1931 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite SKF, Sven Wingquists Gata 2, SE-415 50, Gothenburg, Sweden / https://www.skf.com/alemite/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite at International Tool Catalog Library
Alemite / Alemite Die Casting Co., Chicago, IL / lubrication division acquired 1919 by Bassick Co., Chicago, IL /
Alemite / Alemite LLC, St. Louis, MO / est. 1918 / tool storage systems, work benches, merchandisers / https://www.servicemerchandisers.com/alemite / https://www.skf.com/alemite/about/the-alemite-story / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite Lubrication Co., Chicago, IL / est. 1918, acquired 1919 by Bassick Mfg. Co. / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite Mfg., Chicago, IL / acquired 1919 by Bassick Co., Chicago, IL, renamed Alemite Mfg. Co. 1928, renamed Alemite Corp. 1931 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite / Alemite SKF, Sven Wingquists Gata 2, SE-415 50, Gothenburg, Sweden / https://www.skf.com/alemite/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/alemite-zerk-bassick-hand-held-grease-guns.553024/ /
Alemite at International Tool Catalog Library
OP
thehorse13
Well-known member
It's been a long time since this thread has received a bump. Since I noticed it in the active posts I figured that I'd give a brief update for all of those die hard followers who might still be interested in this seemingly endless quest.
Post COVID junk adventures have changed drastically. It's been years since I've had even the slightest of leads to follow and that does weigh heavily on my mind. Now, I have seen the center section that I need at various regional swap meets but it's always part of a complete merchandiser. Nobody ever has the part that I'm after for sale by itself and I've been tempted more than once to buy an entire merchandiser just to get the missing center section. What always stops me is that I know myself too well and I'd end up restoring the complete merchandiser and just continue this hunt. I'm pretty sure that Mrs. Horsey would make me live in a merchandiser if I drag another one home and I kinda like sleeping in my own bed.
I haven't given up hope on finding the part that I need. I often think of a buddy of mine who chased a rare part on an early Indian motorcycle for around 15 years. It looks like I'm on this trajectory here as well.
As always, if anyone has a lead or even better yet, has the center section for sale, please let me know. Location isn't an issue and I will find a way to get it home.
Post COVID junk adventures have changed drastically. It's been years since I've had even the slightest of leads to follow and that does weigh heavily on my mind. Now, I have seen the center section that I need at various regional swap meets but it's always part of a complete merchandiser. Nobody ever has the part that I'm after for sale by itself and I've been tempted more than once to buy an entire merchandiser just to get the missing center section. What always stops me is that I know myself too well and I'd end up restoring the complete merchandiser and just continue this hunt. I'm pretty sure that Mrs. Horsey would make me live in a merchandiser if I drag another one home and I kinda like sleeping in my own bed.
I haven't given up hope on finding the part that I need. I often think of a buddy of mine who chased a rare part on an early Indian motorcycle for around 15 years. It looks like I'm on this trajectory here as well.
As always, if anyone has a lead or even better yet, has the center section for sale, please let me know. Location isn't an issue and I will find a way to get it home.
Eric Brown
ALLIANCE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2024
- Messages
- 686
I just read this entire thread and am amazed. Not just the restoration or hunting for parts. But the determination to keep looking and hoping. I have been researching German pliers and have a couple of Alemite pliers if you are interested. Just send me a PM.