Bull's Big Lista

[Bull]

A buddy and I are heading out after work to load a big Lista into my pickup and bring it to my garage. It's a seven-drawer measuring 56" wide x 45" high x 28" deep. I am hoping that the box and drawers will all fit in my bed. I'll remove the drawers to move the box. Not sure how me and just one friend are going to muscle this up into the bed, either. I have a forklift hand truck that would help, but it is too big to take with me.

The box should kick *** for my needs. Pics will follow. Wish me luck, give me any advice you can.

 

[rhastings80]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Very cool. Take some pictures. The Vidmar I have in my avatar picture is like 60x30x28. I would take out the drawers and carriages to move it. It also helps if you number the drawers and carriages as it will go back together much better. Yours probably weights 600-800 pounds empty. You should be able to move it fine with the drawers and carriages out. I got my in the basement down a flight a stars with the wife's help. I used a tall appliance cart. I got my 14 drawer in the pickup with topper and 8 foot bed fine. You may need to make more then one trip though since its so wide. good luck.

did you get a good deal on it?

 

[archirelic]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

I'd recommend removing all drawers, as you already mentioned, and then facing the back of the cabinet towards the bed of your truck. If you have any moving quilts, take them with you. Lay out a moving quilt so half hangs on the tailgate of your pick up and the other half hangs off the tailgate. From there, both of you will be on either side of the cabinet and will slowly tilt it back till the back of the cabinet is resting against the edge of the tailgate with the moving quilt protecting it. From there, you both can grab the front bottom edge and raise it parallel with the bed of the truck and begin to slide it along the moving quilt into the bed of the truck. You will have in the interior of the bed an additional quilt that the cabinet will slide into. When I was younger, my buddies and I used to load tons of heavy items just like that.

I'm hoping the cabinet's not too heavy for both of you guys. Sometimes I forget how strong my back and legs are, I used to powerlift for several years.

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

600-800lbs empty? As in, nothing in it but the drawers and carriages still in place?

That's a lot of weight for two guys to lift.

My Vidmar is maybe 30" wide x 60" tall x 28" deep. Because it is tall it was easy for two of us to lean it over onto the tailgate and then lift the bottom up. This cabinet, at only 45", will be another ballgame.

 

[archirelic]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

600-800lbs empty? As in, nothing in it but the drawers and carriages still in place?

That's a lot of weight for two guys to lift.

My Vidmar is maybe 30" wide x 60" tall x 28" deep. Because it is tall it was easy for two of us to lean it over onto the tailgate and then lift the bottom up. This cabinet, at only 45", will be another ballgame.

Heavy to lift, yes, but since the cabinet will be getting leaned over on its bottom, back edge & gently placed onto the edge of the tailgate, shouldn't be too difficult! And afterwards, with two guys both grabbing opposite corners of the bottom front edge, the weight would be distributed evenly amongst you two and since the portion of the back that is resting on the edge of the tailgate acts as a fulcrum, you really won't be lifting what you think you are...

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

So, other than some gloves, should I bring anything to make this go smoothly?

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

A third guy with a strong back and weak mind?

 

[flashman]

So, other than some gloves, should I bring anything to make this go smoothly?

I would bring a blanket to protect the back of the cabinet. It will also help with sliding it in the truck.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[mitusa]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Archirelic has a good idea.....but I would tip the cabinet up on one end. Then back your truck up close enough to rest the cabinet onto the tailgate. As the cabinet is five foot long, the tailgate should hit it about midways. This way, after you and your friend start lifting, the top half of the cabinet will be pulling the bottom half up....kinda like a teeter-totter. I did this with another guy three weeks ago with a five foot long equipto cabinet, almost identical dimensions, only four drawers. Good luck!

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

I'm not sure this thing is pretty enough to need a blanket for the paint. It is an older cabinet and I am sure it has scratches, dings, maybe some rust. But it is big, wide, and should hold a buttload of tools, so the cosmetics for me are secondary or tertiary.

If it is as heavy as people here are saying, tipping it on its end like that might be a bit of a dangerous proposition on its own.

A third guy with a strong back is a good idea. But, the few people I have to call are are unavailable.

 

[930dreamer]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

This would be a good opportunity to put a face to a name! Have a safe trip.

 

[glenmore]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

It might look like this one that I almost bought.

With one that wide, most of the weight is probably in the drawers and trays which are easily removed.

On my older model Listas you need a very narrow pair of needle nose pliers to compress and remove a springy plastic clip to free the rails. There is a lot of weight in the rails but you may be able to leave them in.

You are right that it will hold a TON of stuff!!!

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Are you gonna put casters on it? Don't forget, Lista makes a complete drawer divider system. All you gotta do is slide the dividers into those slots on the outer perimeter of the drawers.

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

It might look like this one that I almost bought.

With one that wide, most of the weight is probably in the drawers and trays which are easily removed.

On my older model Listas you need a very narrow pair of needle nose pliers to compress and remove a springy plastic clip to free the rails. There is a lot of weight in the rails but you may be able to leave them in.

You are right that it will hold a TON of stuff!!!

It does look like that one, yes. And, with the drawers and carriages removed, my friend and I found it quite manageable to lift the bare box up onto the tailgate and then push it into the bed of the truck.

Are you gonna put casters on it?

I need to contact Linda from Lista and ask her if a mobile base is available for this thing, and see how much it would be. I dropped $700 on the box, which I think is a good price when you look at what truck boxes that will hold a lot less than this cost. But, it's still a lot of money for me and I can't afford to blow another load on a mobile base and casters.

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

So, my good buddy agreed to meet me at my house after work. I ran to the bank to get the $700 that the seller and I had agreed on, after I suggested that while $800 was fair for something this size, I was looking for a deal.

The box was about 1.5-1.75 hours away. The seller already had it empty and sitting on a floor jack and dolly in his driveway when we got there. I tested the drawers to make sure they worked, paid the fellow his $700, and got to loading the box. We took the drawers out, lifted the base into the truck and stood it up, then put five of the seven drawers back in. I strapped the box down, locked the drawers (good thing I asked the seller if he had the key) and we rolled out. Stopped at the local Scrubway sandwich shop for a meal and made it back to my house some time after 9. My friend then offered to help me get the box out of the truck so that tomorrow when I need to move it around on my own the hardest work is already done.

I want to paint the box and treat the rust that is on it. But, I don't want this to become a major project, since I have other stuff going on around here.

I will take better pics later, but for now I shone the truck lights on the area under my barn's cantilevered roof where I set this for the night and snapped some shots.

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

WOW!! That thing is awesome!! I bet it's heavy too.

 

[archirelic]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

That box is oozing with potential in terms of cleaning it up and painting it! Awesome score Bull!

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

I need to contact Linda from Lista and ask her if a mobile base is available for this thing, and see how much it would be. I dropped $700 on the box, which I think is a good price when you look at what truck boxes that will hold a lot less than this cost. But, it's still a lot of money for me and I can't afford to blow another load on a mobile base and casters.

No need to call Linda:

Mobile Caster Base Part No: CB-DW6ML
Capacity: 3600 lbs.
Weight: 65 lbs.
Price: $308.45

LINK

 

[north]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Congrats on your Lista Bull. To bad those won't fit in a medium flat rate box.

Looking forward to see it loaded with tools.

 

[rhastings80]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

very cool. show us what it looks like after you clean and paint it.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

That's a great cabinet.

Even if you don't weld, I think you could put together a base/casters for pennies on the dollar compared to new.

 

[fatfillup]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Bull, great buy! I have just bolted casters to the bottom of my Vidmar type cabinets. The holes should already be there to line up with at least 2 holes on standard casters. And you really don't need more then 2 bolts per caster anyway. I can't imagine you will be moving it much except in your shop from time to time so 2 bolts on each should be plenty. I may have welded casters on one of my cabinets, just can't remember.

I will say my forklift aided immensely in bolting on the casters.

Enjoy your new storage!!

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

No need to call Linda:

Mobile Caster Base Part No: CB-DW6ML
Capacity: 3600 lbs.
Weight: 65 lbs.
Price: $308.45

LINK

Darn...a bit pricey!

Congrats on your Lista Bull. To bad those won't fit in a medium flat rate box.

Looking forward to see it loaded with tools.

Yeah, it is too bad. Maybe I could put the tools I have for you in one drawer and send it by boat or something.

That's a great cabinet.

Even if you don't weld, I think you could put together a base/casters for pennies on the dollar compared to new.

Jack, what are you thinking? How would you go about it? I do want this to be mobile, and I'd love not to spend $300 in getting there.

Bull, great buy! I have just bolted casters to the bottom of my Vidmar type cabinets. The holes should already be there to line up with at least 2 holes on standard casters. And you really don't need more then 2 bolts per caster anyway. I can't imagine you will be moving it much except in your shop from time to time so 2 bolts on each should be plenty. I may have welded casters on one of my cabinets, just can't remember.

I will say my forklift aided immensely in bolting on the casters.

Enjoy your new storage!!

Thanks, Phil. Is there anything wrong with just bolting casters to
the bottom? The mobile bases support the weight of the cabinet along edge edge, whereas if I just bolt casters on, the weight will be concentrated on just the corners, right? If bolting on casters is all I need to do, then I am golden.

 

[zuk123]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Congrats Bull!

I picked mine up this week. Used a forklift to get it in, and it's still sitting in the truck, waiting for me to figure out a safe way to get it out.

I don't have time to fully restore mine either, so I did a quick test with rubbing compound and a rag. What's left of the original finish buffed right up! You might want to give it a try. Don't want to threadjack but here's a pic of the finish...

Good luck! and good score!

zuk

 

[glenmore]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Bull,

That looks like the same vintage as my Listas. There is a small plastic clip at the front of each rail that needs to be removed and then the rails just lift out. Not sure if these clips are really necessary. It would take a magnitude 10 earthquake to get those rails to hop out of their slots.

Mine were in similar condition and I didn't do much more than just knock off some of the rust and hit it with some gray primer.

I still keep an eye out for a wide one like yours. They are far less common than the typical tall square ones.

 

[glenmore]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Here's a rather large lot of them offered on CL.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tld/3261039413.html

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Darn...a bit pricey!

Without knowing the exact model number of the cabinet, I'd estimate the new price to be around $3000. By picking up the cabinet for $700, you saved yourself about $2300. That easily pays for the caster base. The caster base is designed to spread the weight out evenly and eliminates any pressure points to the bottom of the cabinet. It's a must-have if you're going to be moving the cabinet. And besides, doesn't Lista give a steep discount to GJ staff members?

 

[t100]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

my Vidmar cabs have Colson High-Capacity casters, I would think you can get them a lot cheaper than what Lista wants.

 

[Dar]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Nice score bull! You seem pretty partial to those lista products!

 

[jpoe]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Here's a rather large lot of them offered on CL.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tld/3261039413.html

Oh, sweet Jesus!

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

It's a seven-drawer measuring 56" wide x 45" high x 28" deep.

Okay, I'm trying to narrow down a model number for your cabinet, but your 45'' height measurement is not jiving with Lista's literature. Do you mind clicking on this link and going over the different drawings to try and identify your cabinet? I'm curious as heck which model you have.

LINK

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

you can strain spaghetti in the drawers

 

[Link-Belt]

Bull, go get some 2"x4" angle iron and maybe some flat strap 3/16 to 1/4 thick. Make a square that the ID of the lip created by the 2" leg will fit around the bottom of your Lista with it the 4" leg to the bottom weld the square up, use the flat strap for a center support and maybe if needed at the corners for barring of the casters. Weld casters on at corners. Flip your new moble base over where casters are down insert Lista inside 2" leg. Then put the dog on it's leash get a bucket of tennis balls sit on Lista and pitch balls. Enjoy the ride.

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Okay, I'm trying to narrow down a model number for your cabinet, but your 45'' height measurement is not jiving with Lista's literature. Do you mind clicking on this link and going over the different drawings to try and identify your cabinet? I'm curious as heck which model you have.

LINK

There are units on there that look like mine, but as you say the heights don't match up. Let me measure mine today to confirm the height. The figure I gave was from the seller's ad.

Are Listas stamped anywhere to identify them?

you can strain spaghetti in the drawers

I was wondering when you would stop by and say that since you've said it in every Lista thread I have seen. Yes, I believe I could strain 440 lbs of spaghetti in each of the seven drawers.

Bull, go get some 2"x4" angle iron and maybe some flat strap 3/16 to 1/4 thick. Make a square that the ID of the lip created by the 2" leg will fit around the bottom of your Lista with it the 4" leg to the bottom weld the square up, use the flat strap for a center support and maybe if needed at the corners for barring of the casters. Weld casters on at corners. Flip your new moble base over where casters are down insert Lista inside 2" leg. Then put the dog on it's leash get a bucket of tennis balls sit on Lista and pitch balls. Enjoy the ride.

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

If I had the skills to do this, I would feel badass.

 

[csargents1546]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Here's a rather large lot of them offered on CL.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tld/3261039413.html

Nice, How about a group buy? Think the wife would kill me

 

[cbacres]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Bull,

As I think it was mentioned, you should be able to bolt casters right to the base.
I have a few Vidmars and the have the rails for this. The one Lista I have, I just mounted direct, been good for over 20 years. Not as wide as your though. A little flat bar to spread out the load would work.

I can get used casters here for $ 5.00 each, I can usally pick out four goods ones. Bearing swival and greasable at axle and pivot.

Let me know if interested, I'll take a picture of ones I have.

I think they are 5".

 

[Bull]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

I spent some time yesterday and today working on the box. The bottom had lots of surface rust, pitting, and one spot where the rust made a hole. None of it is going to be visible or affect the function of the box, but I sure wasn't just going to leave it. This is what it looked like.

I went over it all with a handled wire brush, then a grinder with a sanding flap disc. I just wanted to knock the loose rust and scale off.

The sides of the box have some spots of light rust; not going to be a big deal.

I applied a coat of Ospho to the area and let it dry overnight. Today, I knocked off any powdery residue and cleaned a couple small gelatinous pools, then applied one coat of Master Series silver. I'm not sure if I will top-coat this, or just leave it. No one is ever going to see this again, at least not for a long time, and the rust shouldn't be able to return quickly.

I think I am going to paint the box with the Rustoleum gray that matches what was on the old gray and red Craftsman boxes. I was going to do the drawer fronts red to make this look like a big vintage Craftsman box. I might still do that, but after cleaning up one drawer really well, I see that the paint is in nice condition. So, it will be quicker just to clean and wax them and leave them blue for now. The blue and gray might look nice, and I can always do the drawers in red later.

I'm still not sure what exact model this is. It is indeed 45" tall, 56" wide, and 28" deep.

 

[thesilverone]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

looking good!

 

[JC23]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

Ha ha! Needs paint!

 

[CWP1616L]

Re: Picking Up a Lista Tomorrow

I'm still not sure what exact model this is. It is indeed 45" tall, 56" wide, and 28" deep.

Okay, what I'll do is go dig out my Lista hard copy catalogs I got stashed away. I'm determined to find out the model number.