Mystery Cabinets - Can you ID them?
Here are a few unknown cabinets we wanted to share. If you have thoughts as to what they are or a manufacturer, please reach out to us.
First up are these two below Lubrication Ad wall units. The left one has an Alemite next to it but the unit isn’t from their line. The right one has ARO gear but a very cool Zephyr display shelf.
I haven’t found any maker close to the look or trim on this unique red service cabinet. There is no id plate on this unit.
This 1944 image from a Vancouver Dealership has always interested us. The handles and cabinets look like kitchen equipment.
The below image is also from the same repair shop, and it appears that they repurposed other household cabenitry behind this gentleman.
We know this strange red, horizontal opening cabinet was built by Kent-Moore, but what is it used for?
This last image has some cool vertical work stations with illuminated departmental signage.
Alemite later model emblems
What years did the last sytle cabinets have these round Alemite badges on their doors vs the cutout style? As well as how many were there?
Those are questions that I do not have a solid answers for. But, below is what I have gathered about them over these years.
You can see that the two emblems have different oriented mounting studs.
Almost half of the trim-topped cabinets that I have seen, without badges, possess 4 mounting holes in their doors. This would allow the company to use either of the two emblems.
Below are what the other half of the cabinets mounting holes look like. Just two vertical ones for the cutout A badge.
This non-round A emblem is present on all lower workbenches for the whole run from 1948-55.
The Round A door badge is present in a few ads in ‘49 and ‘50, But all other ads show the other style even over these same years.
Out of nearly 400 images of these cabinets - 35% less cabinets had the round circle than the A alone. These quantities would roughly mean the round emblem cabinet was produced for 3 years, and the other cutout style for close to 5 years.
My current guess would be that the Round emblem was in use from 1948-50 and the other from 1951-55, with the 4 mounting holes lingering just past 1951.
As door badges can go missing, the round ones are more readily available, because they are on the lubers produced through all these years.
Cabinets, Cabinets...
Simply a collection of side cabinets
Merchandiser Catalog Front Pages
A collection of all the main Workbench manufactures catalog front/ad pages. Recently, I found this Lincoln Engineering pamphlet from 1947, of all places for sale on Etsy.
Almost all of the companies referred to their work station cabinet units as Service Merchandisers, outside of Alemite and Balcrank.
Little seen Alemite options
Alemite offered a few add-ons or units that we have seldom seen.
This Bench has the optional 4” back panel, and the right has the built-in hose reel.
We have yet to see any of these early 40’s short, side cabinets out in the world.
This ad from Mexico shows the top window model with a built in Oil Bar option.
Finally a rare Alemite Vacuum, and the Super De Luxe stationary Service Desk.
Alemite Service Memorabilia
Sharing some of the Alemite items we have collected over the years.
Here are a couple awards for years in the sales department
We now have over 50 different catalogs from their company
Their Service signs and a Custom glass set sent to us by a merchandiser friend
Rare Alemite Configurations
These unique variations on the layout of Alemite cabinets do not show up very often.
This Diagnosis merchandiser was sold by Allen as a package with their Electrical testers.
the only image we have found of one of these in use
A drawing and an image of a long Alemite lowboy layout with extra spacing between units
And lastly a new one for us; A double bench stretch top layout.
Workstations in use at dealerships
I cannot get enough of these black and white photos of benches in their original garages.
At lease 4 Shure Lowboy merchandisers in this service department.
A rare sight of Kent-Moore turrets combined with their 6ft benches.
All Alemite Badges through the years
Here are the Alemite Emblems used from the 1930’s til the 70’s. From pumps and cabinets.
1930’s Lubester
1930’s Alemiter
1940 - 48 The Merchandiser years 1948 - 55
and 70’s
1950’s 60’s
They really stayed with this style “A” for quite some time, from 48’ up to almost the 60’s
Alemite's in use with Test equipment
Sun Equipment and other test units show up in many old dealership images, and these have some nice Alemite cabinets along with them.
Here is an interesting article about preventing shop fires, drawn over an early Alemite.
The Tecalemit / Alemite Connection
There was Lubrication Company that was established in Paris in 1922, that sold lubrication equipment under the name of Techla. Alemite was interested in their simple coupler clip design, and traded patents with them to get use in Europe. By the early 30's Tecalemit was in the UK and the main supplier of garage lubrication equipment.
The partnership influenced some Alemite units like this rounded lubrication island, with stripes in the late 30’s. Possibly sold by Tecalmit as well. A couple of these have been found in use up in Canada too.
The crossover continued with items like this “Handy Set” with their logo on it.
Tecalemit built a full line of Lubrication Wall Batteries, grease guns, and other service equipment. But sadly no merchandiser type cabinets.
I really do enjoy their lines, colors, and trim though.
It appears Tecalemit designs inspired other Alemite styles of the 30’s. Check out the top sign on this ‘38 Alemiter.
Work Stations with repurposed Workbenches
We all know that finding the original desk for a Workbench can be quite a task at times. Here are some cabinets with creative solutions for replacement workbenches.
Lincoln with a 60’s Shure bench
Kent-Moore’s with a proper width desk. Bonus; You could actually use these with a chair.
How about a Lincoln with a toolbox and a fridge?
Shure with a Bear Telaliner cabinet and one with a kitchen counter
Three Alemite’s with desks in place
This might be my favorite repurposing of a bench. A Youngstown kitchen sink cabinet, with a top added to it, makes a nice fitting workbench for this Lincoln.
Early Alemite smaller units
Here are two examples of Alemite benches from the early 40’s.
The first is their oil bar that was built up to 1945.
The second is this model 241 Departmental WorkBench
Both of these units were found recently and it is interesting as they are both pictured together in this early Alemite ad.
Homemade Alemite Inspired Benches
There are some very talented people out there that decided to fabricate their own Alemite type cabinets.
First up is this amazing large Alemite Tribute work station
… and a couple very nice train scale models
To use that workbench or not?
Of course the question may come up;
Do you use that old merchandiser as a daily shop bench or not?
Some workbenches may be repurposed as interior home furniture or even too pretty to put tools on. But I personally love seeing these work stations being in use like they were in the 40’s.
This above shop in Kansas is using their three Alemites daily.
and here is one of my more rare benches that still gets utilized
Original 40's - 50's Merchandiser Prices
Here are some of the original prices for these Work Stations over the years.
First Alemite, 1940 - $199.00
Balcrank Workbench, 1940 - $216.50
Kent-Moore Cabinet, 1940 - $135.50 in Michigan or $160.50 to Oakland, CA
ARO Merchandiser, 1948 - $265.00
Later Alemite, 1949 - $274.50
Sioux Valve Service Bench, 1949 - $395.00
Latest Kent-Moore, 1950 - $210.00
Lincoln Short Merchandiser and Cart, 1953 - $360.00
Have to love these photos of Merchandisers in use
Someone has some explaining to do for this one
But we do get to see the Alemite unit in the background
