I've decided to make the move on some used Lista, Vidma, Equipto, Lyon, etc type cabinets. Looking at the used market, there is a fair amount to choose from in a wide variety of conditions. So I'm wondering if there are any particular issues that should be avoided because of lack of parts availability or difficult in repair. Having used cabinets shipped to me will increase the risk condition misrepresentation, so I want to be as educated as possible. I'm not worried about cosmetics like rust, a few dents and a bent handle or two (if the price is right). I intend to paint whatever I get anyway. Do the tracks wear out? Are parts available (pulls, dividers, etc)?
Buying Used Lista & Vidmar Cabinets
- Thread starter climb.on
- Start date
bl00
Well-known member
Here's some info on parts availability for Lista cabinets.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179140&showall=1
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179140&showall=1
Thanks for that link - exactly the kind of info I was after. Not sure how I missed that thread in my research. Sooo....Old style Lista drawer slide parts = unobtanium. Can't help but wonder if that isn't part of Lista's strategy when they updated the design. I wonder if the same is true for Vidmar...?
pcmeiners
Well-known member
If you are looking online, if you see a unit repainted, especially the typical crappy job, steer clear. You really do not want to repaint if possible, it is a lot of work. If you do, 2 part resin putty works wonders.
Make sure you can see the bottom of the cabinet in pictures, some have real rust damage ( bottom 1 1/2") which weakens the unit.
Some cabinet have not been moved carefully while full, actually frame can be shifted, left or right.
If it comes with lock, make sure you get keys, lock and key can be >$50
Drawer dividers are expensive, even if you are going with plastic bins, get at least 3 full length dividers per draw as drawer stiffeners/keeps content from slamming back of drawer.
Most of the bearing/slide parts are OK after a good cleaning, unless the cabinets have been abused for years. Check the rails on the drawers, seen a couple worn beyond usable, to the thickness of a razor blade ( rare).
Avoid units primarily with large drawers 7",8",9", great deal of wasted space. A couple large drawers, the remainder smaller ones is good mix. I like 4" and 4 1/2 " drawer the most.
As far as parts.. bearings you can match up. You can find drawers/slides on Ebay occasionally. Taken care of minimally you will not need parts for a few generation, unless they are dropped 5 ft off a truck (full) or pushed down a 20ft stairs; if it is the stairs you will need a new cabinet and a full set of stairs at minimum, a head stone if anyone was in front of it...jaws of life won't help
If you are patient/and a bit lucky, you can get decent cabinets with no need to repaint, for a good price. I picked up 6 unused, almost flawless Vidmar cabinets ( (3) 59"h 14 drawers, (3) 33" h) in the last couple weeks for under $2300.
Ebay has some really funky units in the last few months, not worth buying. I had very good buys on CL. Forget shipping, the truck companies have rip-off shipping charges.
If you find any units and pick them up, make sure the drawers are removed before moving them in a pickup or strap the drawers closed, do not trust the lock to keep the drawers secure...I found out the hard way, with drawer laying in the street.
Plastic bins either AkroMills or Schaller are close to $40-50/drawer, not cheap but best for organization/re-organization. Zoro has decent prices on Akro bins
Make sure you can see the bottom of the cabinet in pictures, some have real rust damage ( bottom 1 1/2") which weakens the unit.
Some cabinet have not been moved carefully while full, actually frame can be shifted, left or right.
If it comes with lock, make sure you get keys, lock and key can be >$50
Drawer dividers are expensive, even if you are going with plastic bins, get at least 3 full length dividers per draw as drawer stiffeners/keeps content from slamming back of drawer.
Most of the bearing/slide parts are OK after a good cleaning, unless the cabinets have been abused for years. Check the rails on the drawers, seen a couple worn beyond usable, to the thickness of a razor blade ( rare).
Avoid units primarily with large drawers 7",8",9", great deal of wasted space. A couple large drawers, the remainder smaller ones is good mix. I like 4" and 4 1/2 " drawer the most.
As far as parts.. bearings you can match up. You can find drawers/slides on Ebay occasionally. Taken care of minimally you will not need parts for a few generation, unless they are dropped 5 ft off a truck (full) or pushed down a 20ft stairs; if it is the stairs you will need a new cabinet and a full set of stairs at minimum, a head stone if anyone was in front of it...jaws of life won't help
If you are patient/and a bit lucky, you can get decent cabinets with no need to repaint, for a good price. I picked up 6 unused, almost flawless Vidmar cabinets ( (3) 59"h 14 drawers, (3) 33" h) in the last couple weeks for under $2300.
Ebay has some really funky units in the last few months, not worth buying. I had very good buys on CL. Forget shipping, the truck companies have rip-off shipping charges.
If you find any units and pick them up, make sure the drawers are removed before moving them in a pickup or strap the drawers closed, do not trust the lock to keep the drawers secure...I found out the hard way, with drawer laying in the street.
Plastic bins either AkroMills or Schaller are close to $40-50/drawer, not cheap but best for organization/re-organization. Zoro has decent prices on Akro bins
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Thank you very much for such a detailed reply pcmeiners and congrats on your recent finds. Sounds like great deals. I really appreciate all the great info. The repaint jobs are pretty much a deal breaker for me. I've restored enough old machines covered in crappy paint to know what i'd be in for. Funny how some of these guys spray it on the pallet and call it restored - that's not quite my definition. I'd be more than willing to repaint and even do some body work if I knew everything else was right.
Also the drawer size info is very helpful too. I went to my shop and studied what exactly I have in drawers now and with a few exceptions any drawer over 4" deep is either full of empty space or half the stuff is buried. That also reinforced just how much I can potentially store on one of these cabinets.
I have to remember if I drop the cash, it needs to help my organization, by getting what I need, not just a good deal.
The freight quotes i've been seeing are in the 250-300 for 1 cabinet and about $100 more for 2 if they are on the same pallet. May be worth that to me, if I find just the right setup.
I just need to be patient and find the right unit.
Also the drawer size info is very helpful too. I went to my shop and studied what exactly I have in drawers now and with a few exceptions any drawer over 4" deep is either full of empty space or half the stuff is buried. That also reinforced just how much I can potentially store on one of these cabinets.
I have to remember if I drop the cash, it needs to help my organization, by getting what I need, not just a good deal.
The freight quotes i've been seeing are in the 250-300 for 1 cabinet and about $100 more for 2 if they are on the same pallet. May be worth that to me, if I find just the right setup.
I just need to be patient and find the right unit.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
I agree with everything here. However, I am now on the hunt for 7", 9" and larger drawers for the bulky stuff. I have enough (kinda) shallow drawers. Here's a pic of my set up. Looking for sliding shelf type now....
Small Vidmar = $75 CL
Tall blue Lista = $250 CL
Tall grey Equipto = $200 or $300 CL
60" Vidmar = $200 delivered. Saw dude on highway and flagged him down.
Cleaned all BB and slides with WD-40. Used Super Lube. Love these things.
Small Vidmar = $75 CL
Tall blue Lista = $250 CL
Tall grey Equipto = $200 or $300 CL
60" Vidmar = $200 delivered. Saw dude on highway and flagged him down.
Cleaned all BB and slides with WD-40. Used Super Lube. Love these things.
Attachments
pcmeiners
Well-known member
"Funny how some of these guys spray it on the pallet and call it restored - that's not quite my definition."
They spray or roller it with any old oil base paint they have sitting around...wonder if they even clean the units or do they count on the thinner doing the job. Forgot about the over-spray onto the pallet, one of the things I look for.
"I'd be more than willing to repaint and even do some body work if I knew everything else was right."
Restoration? =Lazy *** job to hide the major damage and rust.
Nice prices on your units Mohawk, I am in NY,C forget pricing within 50 miles of the city, my last run for a Vidmar was short, only 93 miles. Mohawk you already have many cabinets, you should be checked out for the Vidmaria or the Listaus virus, you have the typical symptom, you want MORE.
Some of the bins I used, and number needed per draw, number of full length dividers needed for 25 3/8 x 25 3/8" drawers......
Drawer face height 3". Schaller 2x2x2 156 bins, or 2x4x2 84 bins , 2x3x2 104 bins. I use 3 full length dividers perpendicular to front.
Drawer face 3 7/8". Could use Schaller as above or Akro bin #30-210 (18) and #30-220 (6) I use full length dividers behind each row of bins 3 parallel to front, produce small gap in back. Schaller 3" depth bins also fit this drawer.
Drawer face 4 5/8". Schaller 3" height draws fit this. 3 or 4 dividers parallel to front, gap on one side filled with smaller Schaller bins.
Drawer face 6 1/4". #30-224 (12) or #30-230 (8) using 2 full length dividers parallel to front , gap in back filled in with Schaller bins.
Drawer face 7". Akro bin 8 1/4w x 6h" x 11 3/8"deep (6) gap filled in with Schaller bins, two dividers, one behind each row. Akro bin 4w x 6"h x 11 1/2" deep (12) also fit, 2 full length dividers.
Drawer 9 1/2" Akro bin #30-860 (6), and 30-230 (2), 2 dividers parallel to front.
As far as locking...If I leave the premises for any length of time I will leave them unlocked, as anyone with a crowbar can open the drawers. The locks are to keep my family out.
Not the cheapest casters but a true 1000 lb rating, ball bearing wheel/swivel, wheel lock.....
Shepherd caster # BMS30152TZ-GFN61(KK)SL.
http://apollocaster.com/store/3-x-11...3-p-65513.html
http://www.shepherdcasters.com/pdfs/blsbms.pdf
They spray or roller it with any old oil base paint they have sitting around...wonder if they even clean the units or do they count on the thinner doing the job. Forgot about the over-spray onto the pallet, one of the things I look for.
"I'd be more than willing to repaint and even do some body work if I knew everything else was right."
Restoration? =Lazy *** job to hide the major damage and rust.
Nice prices on your units Mohawk, I am in NY,C forget pricing within 50 miles of the city, my last run for a Vidmar was short, only 93 miles. Mohawk you already have many cabinets, you should be checked out for the Vidmaria or the Listaus virus, you have the typical symptom, you want MORE.
Some of the bins I used, and number needed per draw, number of full length dividers needed for 25 3/8 x 25 3/8" drawers......
Drawer face height 3". Schaller 2x2x2 156 bins, or 2x4x2 84 bins , 2x3x2 104 bins. I use 3 full length dividers perpendicular to front.
Drawer face 3 7/8". Could use Schaller as above or Akro bin #30-210 (18) and #30-220 (6) I use full length dividers behind each row of bins 3 parallel to front, produce small gap in back. Schaller 3" depth bins also fit this drawer.
Drawer face 4 5/8". Schaller 3" height draws fit this. 3 or 4 dividers parallel to front, gap on one side filled with smaller Schaller bins.
Drawer face 6 1/4". #30-224 (12) or #30-230 (8) using 2 full length dividers parallel to front , gap in back filled in with Schaller bins.
Drawer face 7". Akro bin 8 1/4w x 6h" x 11 3/8"deep (6) gap filled in with Schaller bins, two dividers, one behind each row. Akro bin 4w x 6"h x 11 1/2" deep (12) also fit, 2 full length dividers.
Drawer 9 1/2" Akro bin #30-860 (6), and 30-230 (2), 2 dividers parallel to front.
As far as locking...If I leave the premises for any length of time I will leave them unlocked, as anyone with a crowbar can open the drawers. The locks are to keep my family out.
Not the cheapest casters but a true 1000 lb rating, ball bearing wheel/swivel, wheel lock.....
Shepherd caster # BMS30152TZ-GFN61(KK)SL.
http://apollocaster.com/store/3-x-11...3-p-65513.html
http://www.shepherdcasters.com/pdfs/blsbms.pdf
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I agree with everything here. However, I am now on the hunt for 7", 9" and larger drawers for the bulky stuff. I have enough (kinda) shallow drawers. Here's a pic of my set up. Looking for sliding shelf type now....
Small Vidmar = $75 CL
Tall blue Lista = $250 CL
Tall grey Equipto = $200 or $300 CL
60" Vidmar = $200 delivered. Saw dude on highway and flagged him down.
Cleaned all BB and slides with WD-40. Used Super Lube. Love these things.
$200 for that 60" Vidmar? I wish I could find a deal like that. I've been searching for a nice wide Lista or Vidmar at a reasonable price for years now with no luck.
malykaii
Well-known member
pcmeiners... While NYC isn't the best place to shop, maybe long island? I grabbed a matco box for cheap out there.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
"While NYC isn't the best place to shop, maybe long island?"
Have all the cabinets I need (for now). I did pickup 1 on LI, 1 in NJ, most from PA.
Have all the cabinets I need (for now). I did pickup 1 on LI, 1 in NJ, most from PA.