Industrial Metal Desks

[Buckaroo5]

I have a Globe-Wernicke single drawer metal desk that has a rubberized top which is cracked and has some major indentations. I have seen this referred to as drafting rubber. Does anyone know where I could source replacement material?

Buckaroo

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a Globe-Wernicke single drawer metal desk that has a rubberized top which is cracked and has some major indentations. I have seen this referred to as drafting rubber. Does anyone know where I could source replacement material?

Buckaroo

Find an arts supply store. They sell that stuff by the sheet for drafting tables, although it's usually kind of a light green color.


edit: Here's a link. They offer it in gray as well: https://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-vyco-drawing-board-covers/

 

[Buckaroo5]

Find an arts supply store. They sell that stuff by the sheet for drafting tables, although it's usually kind of a light green color.


edit: Here's a link. They offer it in gray as well: https://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-vyco-drawing-board-covers/

Stuart - I think this is the stuff....Thank you so much....Buckaroo

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Find an arts supply store. They sell that stuff by the sheet for drafting tables, although it's usually kind of a light green color.


edit: Here's a link. They offer it in gray as well: https://www.dickblick.com/products/alvin-vyco-drawing-board-covers/

Thank you Stewart - I never considered **** Blick as a supplier of this item - duh!

My son has a tanker desk that needs a new top - maybe we will try this.

Jim

 

[Pathfinders]

I have a tanker desk I am giving away. If you are in the area of Greenville, Sc and want one in fair shape shoot me a PM.

 

[J-arts]

Hello All,

I am new here so thank you in advance for patience with my level of knowledge regarding the many topics here.

I'm curious if the desk I have is considered a Battleship, tanker or the like.
I am not sure how to attach a pic of this so any help would be appreciated.

It looks like it was made in the 60's. It says Standard Pressed Steel on the top "pencil" drawer.

Thanks again,
Joan of Arts

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm curious if the desk I have is considered a Battleship, tanker or the like.

The term as used here generally refers to steel desks that are grey with rounded corners (although they did come in other colors as well, grey was most common.) They typically sit on four legs. This is a typical example.

As for posting pictures, if you have them hosted online somewhere click on the little yellow icon above the text box that has a mountain shape on it, and you can then cut and paste the URL for the photo. If they aren't online, you can upload them here directly using the Manage Attachments button below the text box. There's a tutorial in the Test Section of the forum. However, I think you have to a have made some minimum number of posts first before you're allowed to upload photos.

 

[J-arts]

Hello All,

I have one of these in my warehouse.

Question of the Dayid the manufactures use screws with there initials on them? I have attached it. Looks like TN or TjN?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mark

 

[drivesitfar]

J-Arts: now that you figured out how to post pictures can you post up a few of your Tanker desk too? more than likely the bolt lettering is some code by the nut & bolt company, but you could be right since these old desks were made to last the manufacturer might have made his own bolts too.

welcome to GJ by the way and hope you enjoy our group.

ALL: anybody have one of these old Mayline flat file desks? I need to replace a roller on the top flat file and anybody know where to buy one?

I just GOOGLED pics and only found one other Mayline flat file desk similar and now i want to make the drawers on the side for mine too.

 

[XAMfed]

This auction site has 6 tanker desks listed right now, and matching file cabinets

https://www.auctiondeals.com/index....on=ad&timing=BySimple&timingType=&category=46

 

[bctexas]

Picked this up on Craigslist a few weeks back. A bit beat up but the top is in nice shape. No manufacturer label that I an find. Anyone know who would have made it?

 

[drivesitfar]

BC: not sure how many companies made TANKER DESKS, but if I had to guess I'd say the color and handles look like COLE.

ALL: speaking of old industrial steel desks i always though LYON was the only maker of this style bench and anybody know for sure or have another maker's name to toss out as the company that made these?

i'm guessing this steel bench that is 6 foot wide and 3 foot deep and 3 foot tall weighs close to 300 pounds and i've put nearly a ton of steel on one and it didn't even shed a tear.

hope you all are going to have a great 2019.

 

[Saint of Circumstance]

Hi, 1st time poster. I found this forum because of a search for tanker desks and tables for sale, glad I did this place seems cool. Anyways I am looking for a tanker desk or table because I want to use it as a lathe stand for a glassblowing lathe I am purchasing from India. The lathe weighs about 700 lbs, in y'alls opinion would a all metal tanker support this no problem? Thanks, look forward to meeting people here! is there a introduction thread somewhere?

 

[drivesitfar]

I think a tanker desk would hold your 700 pound lathe or for sure one of the old Lyon brand desks I posted just before your post would. I bet I’ve had close to a ton of steel stacked on my Lyon benches.

Welcome to GJ and hope you like it as much as I do!!

 

[kbs2244]

Tennsco and Lyon are the ford and Chevy of this market.

 

[deh]

Hi all, first time poster here. I've been in possession of an old steel tanker desk for a few years now, and it has served me well as my office/computer/everything desk. Unfortunately due to a move, it ended up being stored outdoors for six months with nothing more than a tarp for protection, and exposure to the elements have caused the linoleum surface to warp and chip off in places.

I've now found a spot for it inside, but due to the damage it has sustained I have decided to completely overhaul the whole desk. I plan on sanding, priming, and re-painting the whole thing a more modern color. I've already torn off the old linoleum surface. Thanks to this thread and some online tutorials, I have a pretty good idea on how to proceed, but I have a few questions:

- Should I get a new linoleum/other material surface, or leave it bare? My main priorities are having a surface I can write on, and being able to move/slide around heavy-ish objects (small shelves, computer towers) on top without having to worry about scratching the surface. The old linoleum surface was perfect in both cases. If I should get a new surface, where do they sell them and how do I go about cutting it to fit the rounded corners?

- Since the desk is extremely heavy and likely to get dinged up upon moving again (even if I move it in pieces), what kinda paint and primers should I use to keep the desk as scratch-proof as possible? (And if I don't get a new surface, this is especially important since I'm not going to want to scratch the desk from just writing.)

 

[drivesitfar]

deh: welcome to GJ and hope you like our forum. I don't have a good answer for you on your top replacement or a fix so maybe another member can answer that one.

I can tell you if you are painting the PREP is the key and whether you are using a rattle can or professional painting equipment having the room temps in the 60 to 70 degree range is the best. sure you'll scratch and maybe even chip it if you bang it hard on something, but if you did your prep work good and waited until it was dry and hard to move it I bet your old desk will look good for many many years to come.

or if you really like it and want to pay someone to sandblast and powder coat it that is another option, but maybe a bit too spendy for this old desk.

good luck!!

 

[sberry]

Old pics,,, but put runners on them so they can be moved with pallet jack.

 

[kbs2244]

Instead of the hassle of powder coating look into electro static painting.
I worked in an office once where they just asked the worker to clear off the top of the desks.
Putting stuff in the drawers was OK

When the painted the opened the drawers about 2 inches and the spray would wrap around the edge like magic.
They did well over 100 desks in two nights.
Changed the typical lite gray to a glossy black.

The tops and rubber edges were unchanged.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Instead of the hassle of powder coating look into electro static painting.
I worked in an office once where they just asked the worker to clear off the top of the desks.
Putting stuff in the drawers was OK

When the painted the opened the drawers about 2 inches and the spray would wrap around the edge like magic.
They did well over 100 desks in two nights.
Changed the typical lite gray to a glossy black.

The tops and rubber edges were unchanged.

I heard the story that they did that to desks in the office before I got hired. They apparently forgot to shut off the copy machine while they were working and it made a mess of the machine due to the electric charges.


The challenge is that vintage steel desks are hot right now - one came up locally and someone gave him $200 for it - I'm too check to pay those rates.

Cheers

Jim

 

[sberry]

I paid 5 or 10 a piece for 3 of them at a sale, it was a long time ago though.

 

[Augus7us]

So off the wall question here and this may have been answered so I apologize in advance as I'm not reading 1500 posts for this. But I"m curious what the little flat "drawer" up top on a lot of these desks is used for? A calculator or something like that? My dad had one and he kept a ******* centerfold taped to his. Lol now that I think about it, this was in a business my grandfather owned, I imagine that would be frowned upon now

-Clint

 

[dittle fart around]

So off the wall question here and this may have been answered so I apologize in advance as I'm not reading 1500 posts for this. But I"m curious what the little flat "drawer" up top on a lot of these desks is used for? A calculator or something like that? My dad had one and he kept a ******* centerfold taped to his. Lol now that I think about it, this was in a business my grandfather owned, I imagine that would be frowned upon now

-Clint

That's to put your feet on whilst leaning back smoking a stogie.

 

[Corndoggeh]

I heard the story that they did that to desks in the office before I got hired. They apparently forgot to shut off the copy machine while they were working and it made a mess of the machine due to the electric charges.


The challenge is that vintage steel desks are hot right now - one came up locally and someone gave him $200 for it - I'm too check to pay those rates.

Cheers

Jim

They are? My university sells them for $20- $40 each at the surplus warehouse. Do I smell side money..?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

They are? My university sells them for $20- $40 each at the surplus warehouse. Do I smell side money..?

Penn State has a place called Lion Surplus. Every time I go there they have a bunch of nice tanker desks, usually way under $50.00. I just don't have the space for one in the garrage or basement & Mrs. LS6 doesn't see my vision of setting up a vintage style office.


Tommy

 

[deh]

deh:
or if you really like it and want to pay someone to sandblast and powder coat it that is another option, but maybe a bit too spendy for this old desk.

I'm gonna call some shops in my area tomorrow and get some estimates, but in the meantime, has anyone ever had this done, and for how much? My desk is the standard ~6'x~3' tanker, not unlike the one pictured in Stuart in MN's post on the last page.

Instead of the hassle of powder coating look into electro static painting.
I worked in an office once where they just asked the worker to clear off the top of the desks.
Putting stuff in the drawers was OK

When the painted the opened the drawers about 2 inches and the spray would wrap around the edge like magic.
They did well over 100 desks in two nights.
Changed the typical lite gray to a glossy black.

The tops and rubber edges were unchanged.

I'll see if anyone in my area does this as well.

 

[kbs2244]

As an aside.

Like to use the 3 drawer sides as desktop power tool stands.
They are just the right height and you have storage right there for any accessories.
H F dollys work great for castors

Don't be afraid to flip them upside down to get the top and feet off
(Be ready for some strange stuff to come falling out of the cracks.)


I never had much use for the file drawer side.

 

[J-arts]

Hello Steve, I realize this is an old thread but have a question regarding these tanker desks. Let me know you are still around.
Thanks.
Mark

 

[Stuart in MN]

If anyone in the Minneapolis area is looking for a tanker desk, there's one sitting out at the curb at 49th St. and Lyndale Avenue South with a big FREE sign on it.

 

[FarleyMcD]

This thread has been helpful. I picked up an Invincible with the rounded linoleum top yesterday. After a spray, the top looks to be in good shape with only a few stains I'll work on later.
This was the photo in the ad (complete with gasoline jug and full junk drawer).

 

[Dolph804]

Hi I was directed to this thread by a moderator. I'm hoping someone can help me identify the model of this General Fireproofing desk. I'm told it came off of an aircraft carrier. What is the black platform used for? Any information or where I can find some would be great.

 

[welder4956]

Hi I was directed to this thread by a moderator. I'm hoping someone can help me identify the model of this General Fireproofing desk. I'm told it came off of an aircraft carrier. What is the black platform used for? Any information or where I can find some would be great.

 

[Dolph804]

Much appreciated! I did some checking based on the helpful information your provided. It appears the 1660 C3 is not the same model as my desk. I have attached a picture of the 1660 C3 and its the same overall concept, but a different design.

 

[01birddog]

Man what a long thread. Proped up on mine right now and it is also a "General Fireproofing" from Youngstown, Ohio with gray top, six side and one center drawer. As you say heavy as can be and gray in color with dark gray/black top and rounded corners. Got it and a equally heavy thirty drawer cabnet also gray in color at a Church yard sale for like $10.00 for both. Sure don't make them with this much character any more.

 

[firebirdparts]

Hi I was directed to this thread by a moderator. I'm hoping someone can help me identify the model of this General Fireproofing desk. I'm told it came off of an aircraft carrier. What is the black platform used for? Any information or where I can find some would be great.

Typewriter. I don't mean I used one in the Navy, I just mean that's what I think they did that for. I notice the brochure above appears to show a cash register. Somewhat open to interpretation I guess as to what machine you put there.

 

[volleyball]

I think that is a bookkeeper's desk. It isn't a typist desk which I have 2 different kinds of.
You would put your calculating machine on it.

 

[dfiler2]

Correct, that drop was commonly used for adding machines, if you can remember those, some were fairly big.

 

[SAA44-40]

I’ve been eyeballin’ this. I’m partial to the smallish size. Thoughts?

 

[RStewart]

Nice to see an old friend resurrected. This thread got me hooked on this site. Still don’t have a tanker desk but still looking.

 

[FJ 432]

I’ve been eyeballin’ this. I’m partial to the smallish size. Thoughts?

Looks like a service writer's desk or a warehouse desk. Pretty cool.