I thought I'd post a few pics of my original Alemite Work bench. Not sure of the exact year but assume 30's -40's. Came out of a Chevrolet Dealership in Eastern WA. Looks to have a repaint over the original at sometime, as well as some different door latches than original. Still has the red pull out parts washer under the middle right cabinet. I'm scheming how I want to restore. I have all the trim for it (missing a couple in pics), as well as it has the original Alemite medallions. These are really cool pieces from the past!
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
ckadams00
Well-known member
Ok Ryan... You have poured gasoline back on this Alemite work station desire of mine re-igniting my quest.... so I called Jeff at Topps Restoration, just to price one of these out again. Yup... Too expensive for me ($3000 un-restored), but WOW he does good work. The ones I posted above are all restored originals, or re-pops made by him and his team.
It seems Jeff travels to all the big swap meets in the states surrounding Oklahoma buying 'vintage cool'. He now has a large storage building and yard full of original, Vintage, garage equipment like this original work station:
Or this original Lube Center:
Jeff is a great guy to talk with on the phone, so if you really, really want on... Give him a call.
But over here in my backyard garage I guess I'll just keep looking.
Later,
Greg
Seems like you could build one of those (and customize some details) if you really wanted to for a LOT less than $3K. . . .
ckadams00
Well-known member
OK now I read the whole thread. I've never seen anything like those before. . . . .I am SO building something like that.
SWA Guy
Well-known member
Does anyone have actual dimensions of a representative unit? I love these!
softailgarage
Well-known member
Ryan, did you ever find one ?
ihredo4
Well-known member
This thread just brakes my heart. In 1987 I worked for an Uncle in his shop and he had one of the Alemite brake stations. In the early 90's the state bought the land where his station was. Little did I know but he had stored the cabinet in a dry van and I saw it when looking for something with him. I have worked three years to get that bought from him and last month I finally got it. Little did we know that his second son wanted it and asked why I had left the item I traded. When he found out about the trade he got upset and said that he wanted it. Needless to say I am as depressed as hell. I know it went to the right place but after 15 years of being hidden away and only me showing interest I thought I had it. In fact I could see it completely restored and in Cities Service colors. Both my Dad and Uncle worked for them. DAMN
loveall13
Well-known member
I have been obsessed with finding one of these since seeing one of the early ones at a customers shop last fall. His is bare sand blasted metal but it screams with potential and it is all there but is disassembled. It came out of the lincoln dealer down town Bowling Green KY. He bought it for $250 my offer keeps getting higher and he keeps turning me down.
Here is the latest to show up on ebay and the bidding is taking off like a rocket!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alemite-Gas...050?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c63c2837a
Jeremy
Here is the latest to show up on ebay and the bidding is taking off like a rocket!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alemite-Gas...050?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c63c2837a
Jeremy
don long
Well-known member
While searching the web for information concerning an alemite work station
I found the garage journal and this link
a few weeks later while surfing craigs list I found this work station
I emeadiately picked up the phone and made the call
the next day this was sitting in my shop
Three months later it looks like this and it is sitting in my 1926 texaco filling station inside my garage
the unit came with a work bench that is still being restored in my work shop
pictures to come
now its finished
and the gas station is more complete
I found the garage journal and this link
a few weeks later while surfing craigs list I found this work station
I emeadiately picked up the phone and made the call
the next day this was sitting in my shop
Three months later it looks like this and it is sitting in my 1926 texaco filling station inside my garage
the unit came with a work bench that is still being restored in my work shop
pictures to come
now its finished
and the gas station is more complete
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SWA Guy
Well-known member
Don, Beautiful restoration of that Alemite! Guy
don long
Well-known member
So this thread is still alive I cant find it except to search alemite
where am I ???
Thanks SWA Guy I am still working on the bench maybe next week it will show up here.
Don
SWA Guy
Well-known member
Don,
If you spot another one, please keep your California neighbor in mind! lol
My small home machine shop is filled with machines from WWII (1941-45). Does anyone know if these benches and cabinets were made during that time?
Thanks,
Guy
If you spot another one, please keep your California neighbor in mind! lol
My small home machine shop is filled with machines from WWII (1941-45). Does anyone know if these benches and cabinets were made during that time?
Thanks,
Guy
ihredo4
Well-known member
My Uncle bought his in the late 50's brand new. Beyond that I can't help you.
loveall13
Well-known member
Omg!
I stopped in this museum in Montana last month while out traveling on my motorcycle. In one of the buildings behind a row of old cars is this collecton from a local car dealer. The insides of cabinets are nicer than the outsides. They are awesome!
Jeremy
I stopped in this museum in Montana last month while out traveling on my motorcycle. In one of the buildings behind a row of old cars is this collecton from a local car dealer. The insides of cabinets are nicer than the outsides. They are awesome!
Jeremy
don long
Well-known member
Man that is one awesume find there
Putting this place on my bucket list.
Putting this place on my bucket list.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Wow! Awesome post!
BRIANBB
Well-known member
No wonder we cant find any of those work centers in our towns. They are all right there in that museum!
loveall13
Well-known member
This just popped up on ebay not a work bench but still cool!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEMITE-GAS...003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc94132bb
Jeremy
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEMITE-GAS...003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc94132bb
Jeremy
58Yeoman
Well-known member
That's really cool. Pekin is less than an hour south of me. If I wasn't in the middle of a'41 Pontiac project, I think I'd like restoring something like that.
shawn84&92
Well-known member
These are really neat, I have never seen one before. I should have enough metal cabinets left over from my shop kitchen project to build something similar.
I am thinking a 2 door sink base with a workbench top, a tall cabinet on each side and upper cabinets connecting them.
Here is a pic of my cabinets. I am thinking the section in the middle might work.
I am thinking a 2 door sink base with a workbench top, a tall cabinet on each side and upper cabinets connecting them.
Here is a pic of my cabinets. I am thinking the section in the middle might work.
loveall13
Well-known member
Another one has surfaced on ebay item # 150895737414
Wish it wasn't on the other side of the country.
Jeremy
Wish it wasn't on the other side of the country.
Jeremy
Any time I read "antique" or "vintage" in an eBay title, I brace for sticker shock.
356vintage
Well-known member
I tried toppsrestoration.com but it doesn't respond (Safari can't find the server). Anyone know if he is still around, selling, restoring these Alemite stations?
Thanks,
Rich
Thanks,
Rich
ihredo4
Well-known member
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Damned cousin. lol
58Yeoman
Well-known member
Here's one about an hour south of me in Pekin, IL.
261074531003
261074531003
SWA Guy
Well-known member
Can anyone who owns one of these beauties please tell me what the radius is on the major edges?
Also, I am thinking of building a replica and am drawing it in Sketchup now. I could really use some accurate dimensions, for the drawing and build. Might I impose on one of you owners to go over yours with a tape measure?
Thanks in advance,
Guy
Also, I am thinking of building a replica and am drawing it in Sketchup now. I could really use some accurate dimensions, for the drawing and build. Might I impose on one of you owners to go over yours with a tape measure?
Thanks in advance,
Guy
don long
Well-known member
I have been squeezing out a little time each week to work on my
alemite bench and it is almost done
just waiting for a final sanding and then the paint
this goes in the center for a work bench
with a vise and small drill press on top
hopefully this week I will paint it
alemite bench and it is almost done
just waiting for a final sanding and then the paint
this goes in the center for a work bench
with a vise and small drill press on top
hopefully this week I will paint it
don long
Well-known member
this is the back piece the bench will sit in front of
What color should the bench be RED or WHITE ?
with the motors gone I'm leaning toward red sides including the wrap around and white front with a black work top
any thoughts ??
What color should the bench be RED or WHITE ?
with the motors gone I'm leaning toward red sides including the wrap around and white front with a black work top
any thoughts ??
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SWA Guy
Well-known member
That is looking great Don! Please do post more pics of it during the process. I can't get enough of these things!
Guy
Guy
don long
Well-known member
went on road trip this morning and loaded this up and brought it home
must thank you Jeremy for bringing it to my attention
TireTracks
Well-known member
Hmmm. I think I will have one of these ( or a copy) in my shop someday.
akdiesel
Well-known member
That bench looks great and the new one, I am sure, will look just as good.
A question of to the side- Is that a fabricated wall system for a show room within your shop?
A question of to the side- Is that a fabricated wall system for a show room within your shop?
Wingnut65
Well-known member
don, I like your ideas, but I was thinking that it could use some Texaco Green somewhere.
Here are two from the first page of this thread that might give ideas...
Here are two from the first page of this thread that might give ideas...
loveall13
Well-known member
went on road trip this morning and loaded this up and brought it home
must thank you Jeremy for bringing it to my attention
No problem, I knew it was too far away for me to get it during the school year. Glad to see a garage forum member get it so I can see it restored.
Jeremy
don long
Well-known member
akdiesel
if you are looking at the system to the right in this pic.
it is my work bench system
here is a good shot of the entire system set up in my old garage
and in my garage now
LutzTD
Well-known member
heres one with a side cabinet for you guys in the north
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/tls/3240543345.html
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/tls/3240543345.html
don long
Well-known member
spent the day in the spray booth painting the work bench and the top
hope to finish tomorrow
hope to finish tomorrow
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Beautiful work, Don. Can't wait to see it finished.
don long
Well-known member
Well I did get the bench painted again today
The bench top turned out ok if I do say so myself
the shine looks pretty deep and the paint is single stage no clear !!!
I'll be putting this together tomorrow just in time for a wedding in the backyard and garage
The bench top turned out ok if I do say so myself
the shine looks pretty deep and the paint is single stage no clear !!!
I'll be putting this together tomorrow just in time for a wedding in the backyard and garage
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Well I did get the bench painted again today
The bench top turned out ok if I do say so myself
the shine looks pretty deep and the paint is single stage no clear !!!
I'll be putting this together tomorrow just in time for a wedding in the backyard and garage
I love the reflection in this shot. Beautiful finish on the whole bench.
And of course on your build thread, you need photos of the garage in action, even if it is a wedding. That is not something everyone here can do in theirs!