My 1940's Equipto Cabinet Restoration Project

[hcsi99]

So I'm going to attempt to restore this Cabinet I got off of Craigslist. I will be stripping the paint off of the front of the drawers, and off of the cabinet itself, and sanding the rest of the drawers to get them ready for primer then paint. I'm going to paint it Red to match my tool box. I've go a lot of cleaning to do first. Keep a look out for updates.

Finished 1-4-13

Also, I picked this cabinet up on Craigslist. It has no company markings on it at all. It look very interesting, and the price was right. Can anyone tell me anything about it?

 

[nine4gmc]

Both really nice cabinets!! In for updates!!!

 

[Stuart in MN]

I think the cabinet is a 1940s kitchen accessory - my sister used to have one similar to that in her kitchen.

 

[hcsi99]

Thanks Stuart! Any Idea the name of the company that would have made it?

 

[MoparTrucks]

We have a very similar cabinet that we use in the bathroom to store towels and I think Stuart is probably correct in that it was a common kitchen cabinet back in the 1940s or earlier. Ours has no markings either.

 

[geotek]

Any photos of the inside of the tall cabinet? I'm interested if you've got movable shelves or is it more of a closet? Either way, looks nice and relatively clean. That would look nice in just about any color.

 

[W650Mike]

That cabinet is way cool!

 

[hcsi99]

Any photos of the inside of the tall cabinet? I'm interested if you've got movable shelves or is it more of a closet? Either way, looks nice and relatively clean. That would look nice in just about any color.

The shelves do not come out.

I don't plan on keeping the tall cabinet because it doesn't match my garage theme so if anyone is interested and close to the Northwest Indiana area, let me know.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Thanks Stuart! Any Idea the name of the company that would have made it?

No idea - I would imagine it was made by one of the companies that were selling steel kitchen cabinets back then, St. Charles was one manufacturer but there were a number of others. If you search here on 'steel kitchen cabinets' you may find some information.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I am jealous of that Equipto cabinet!

 

[hcsi99]

No idea - I would imagine it was made by one of the companies that were selling steel kitchen cabinets back then, St. Charles was one manufacturer but there were a number of others. If you search here on 'steel kitchen cabinets' you may find some information.

Thanks again!

 

[hcsi99]

I am jealous of that Equipto cabinet!

Wait until it's done (I hope)!

 

[hcsi99]

Some progress. I took 6 of the 18 draws and stripped the paint from the front then sanded the rest of the draw. I used self etching primer before spraying the drawers with Rustoleum Regal Red. I was very happy with how things have turned out so far. I stripped the rest of the drawers, and started on the handles as well. I'm thinking of using stainless steel flat head bolts when I put the handles back on.

 

[Bull]

Yeah, baby! I'm loving these recent industrial-brand restoration threads!

 

[nine4gmc]

I went with safety red, almost went with regal, yours look great.

 

[RC KID]

Very cool! I can't wait to see them after they're finished.

 

[Strouty]

How did you know how old the cabinet was? I have a couple of equipto cabinets and never thought of how old they would be.

 

[hcsi99]

I got it from the internet so it must be true, Bonjour! For real though, the guy I bought if from seems to collect a lot of these and he told me it was from the 40's. I've seen a few advertised being from the 60's on Etsy. I also found a new one that looks just like it but only has 8 draws. I thought it was damn cool and I thought it would be a good first try at restoration for me.

 

[hcsi99]

I went with safety red, almost went with regal, yours look great.

Thanks!

 

[hcsi99]

Some progress. I got sick of overspray so I made a paint booth. I had a few leaks as you can see but I have since fixed my leaks.

Started to strip off the paint on the cabinet, found an Equipto lable that had been painted over.

I used my bench grinder and a brass wheel to clean up the handles.

Got the cabinet all cleaned up. I always forget to take a picture of the primer.

Drying in the paint booth. Will have some more pictures soon.

 

[hcsi99]

Forgot the draws. I only had one that I wasn't happy with and had to fix the front of it.

 

[jmauld]

I've got one of those I'm working on. I've been sandblasting and powder coating mine.

Mine has four different drawers in the center that look like this:

 

[hcsi99]

Very nice!

 

[WQ59B]

That white metal cabinet in post 1 indeed is a kitchen/ general household utility cabinet. I have some sort of un-asked for knack of finding these, I have 8 or 9 of these found out for trash and they're all a lil' different from one another, but in the same theme.

 

[Oldbear]

I have two sets. They came with a few of the two spot narrow ones. Great finds to have.

 

[Cemoto]

I have an Equipto parts cabinet that came from an oil burner repair van and it still had a few nozzles in it. I've never seen another like it. It was grey as well but I painted it red after skuffing it w/ a scotchbrite pad. It has an open tray on top for loose items. Got it for free about 10 years ago at the dump. Those days are gone.

I use it for specialty nuts and bolts for the motorcycles.

hcsi99 nice find, and great job on the resto!

Let me see if I can post a picture.

jmauld, the ribs are for dividers.

 

[hcsi99]

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

 

[colt zantop]

WOW hcsi99.....I want that!!!! very nice so far! I love these old vintage cabinets... Heres one I just picked up...I clearcoated it and inserted foam in the drawers...

 

[cowboy73]

Cabinet is looking great so far!

 

[nine4gmc]

those are all nice!

 

[hcsi99]

A little progress. I found these felt pads that are thin to put on the sides and on the bottoms to keep the paint from chipping off.

 

[hcsi99]

I finished my Equipto project today. For my first metal restoration I'm very happy.

I lined all of the draws and used stainless steel for the hardware.

Here is where I put it. Don't know if it's going to stay this way or not. Also need to get a label maker.

I also made a mount for my computer to move it under my bench, but keep it off the floor. I had some angle left over from another project. I drilled 4 holes in the work bench legs, gave them threads, and put another section of angle on the upper opposite side and screw it in to the bottom of the bench top. Just need to paint the angle now.

 

[nine4gmc]

nice job on the resto, looking good!!

 

[justanengineer]

Beautiful work, and definitely good taste in toys too btw.

 

[hcsi99]

Thanks guys!

 

[akdiesel]

Very nice finish. Those felt pads, for such a simple and inexpensive design, come in handy. I used them on my wood door jambs through out my house to soften the door closing so it does not slam.

 

[hcsi99]

That's a great idea.

 

[mnwishbone]

Great Job! - I actually have 4 of these units now. 2 of them have 32 drawers and are 18" deep and 2 of them have 16 drawers and are 12 inches deep.
I have not painted them but three of them are grey and one is OD Green. The OD green one is mint but the others need some work.

BTW:Equipto is still in business.

You can also buy new drawers for the cabinets and you can buy entire new units in a multitude of colors - Equipto makes a ton of other material storage solutions.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/g/storage/cabinets/drawer/metal-shelf-drawer-cabinets-99682 Price is $266.95 not including shipping so they are not cheap by any means. Individual drawers start about 7.00 and you can buy dividers for them as well.

 

[shannonw]

nice job! very sharp.

what paint stripper are you using?

 

[Flybye]

That looks great!

I love the industrial/art deco look of things like that.

Personally I think I may have sanded and sealed to keep that natural metal look.