Modular Workbenches that were built to connect

Shure, Alemite and Excelsior built cabinets that could be ordered to attach on to one another to create long lines of Merchandisers.

You can see the squared off end on this Shure Work Station. The top and side was manufactured different, on these models, in order to allow this type of stacking.

I found this below image years ago of two Shures at a Brake Museum. I am unsure what state this display is in.

Excelsior and Alemite also built cabinets with this type of expansion in mind.

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.

Shure Mfg. Workstation Differences

Here are all of the different unit model numbers and style changes for these Shure Merchandisers from 1946 thru the late 50’s… Or is it possible that these cabinets were available to buy from the company up into the 1970’s?

If the model number ended in 50, that unit had sliding lower front doors instead of swinging.

Manufacturing changes are very small on these cabinets over the years. The hinges changed from a screwed in chrome hinge to a welded on two-piece pin style. The front of the bench had a thin inlayed stainless vertical trim on some of the chrome hinge units. And the handles went from sweeped to an arch style.

This later model has full length piano hinges on the cabinet doors and plastic handles.

A friend of the website found this interesting Shure catalog, that shows these styles of Workstation available for purchase in 1971. Is it possible they were still using the original tooling, or did they have overstock available? We are waiting to hear from the Company about this new development.

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.

Natkin & Co. Merchandisers

In the mid 40’s, “Natkin & Company” had a deal to produce workbenches for GM. Shure jumped in and helped out with there metal fabrication experience. Here are a few of these rare “N” branded Natkin cabinets in use.

Not that many of the Natkin’s were built, but their legacy lives on in the Shure’s out there. Also with their oil resistant “Nat-flex” work top surface.

 
 

The Bench below was built by Natkin and badged by them, then purchased by Bear and decals were added to the doors.

Shure Mfg. Variations

Here are a few Shure Workbench variations that we don’t see very often.

This cabinet has the rare four piece pull-down center door. Very few work stations had this add-on! It would have been a custom request from the factory.

 
 

Next up are these black square handles. They seem to be on later model Shure’s and to date we have only seen a few merchandisers with these present.

Did Dealerships lean towards certain brands of Workbenches?

We often get asked if Chevrolet or other makers carried a specific brand of Merchandisers.

From our findings; Kent-Moore’s were utilized in many Nash Dealerships.

While Shure Workbenches were used in some Ford and Buick service departments. Also they seem to have had a deal with many Shell Stations.

And Graco’s look to show up in more Caddilac bays than other makers.

That being said, we have seen many of the different brands Work Stations in different makers Dealerships over the years. Alemite’s and Lincoln’s are often mixed in with other brands.

Merchandisers used as Bars and TV cabinets

Here are some images of alternate uses for these workbenches

Workbench Oddities

Here are some Work Station cabinets with unique details that we have not seen very often.

First up is this very early Kent-Moore with and extra back surround detail and lots of trim.

Next is this narrow Kent-Moore. We have not seen many built in this style without their side cabinets.

Could this one on the right be a Kent-Moore Oil Bar? Although this option is not listed in their early 40’s catalogs.

Here is a Shure one sided cabinet bench. The end cap is something new to us.

A Graco wall surround with just cabinets.

These Visualiner cabinets have been reworked into stand-alone smaller cabinets.

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Finally, here is a Work Station that never actually existed. The Artist for this ARO ad was probably worried about showing a Alemite Bench in the final print, so they modified its trim and window placement.

Largest and Smallest mechanics Workstations / Cabinets

Looking though our archive images, we thought it would be interesting to share some of biggest and tiniest cabinets we have seen to date.

First up is this huge double Lincoln lubrication surround, out of Raymond Ford in Ohio. Measuring in at 14 feet tall and over 26 feet long.

Also up there in the Large category is this 21 foot long custom cabinet out of a Studebaker dealership in Montana…

and a large cabinet built by Graco.

On the Smaller side, here is a short Lincoln storage cabinet.

30 inches wide, by 41” tall, and 15” deep.

Alemite and Shure also produced some pretty small cabinets…

 
 

but nothing quite this tiny.

Below are custom 3d printed workbenches by “Improbable Garage”.

 
 

Inspired by Alemite styling, they are producing these 1/64 scale cabinets. You can see these and their other products on Ebay at this link.

The Unique "Under-Window" Merchandiser Cabinets

Most of the major manufacturers offered these lower style work benches to their consumers.

The quantities must of been very low as most of these benches are quite scarce.

The Gulf themed Work Station

For years we have entertained the idea of painting up a Merchandiser in the Gulf Racing theme. The colors play so nice off of each other and we had never seen one.

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Well a regular to our site has found a Shure bench in Gulf colors, and we are still loving it.

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A.S.I. - Auto Service Industry show

From at least 1938 through the 50’s the Automotive Service Industry Show at Navy Pier in Chicago was the main place for suppliers to show off their new products. The shows / conventions were highly attended; around 21,000+ people in their peak years of 1947 and 48 and 500-600 manufacturers . There was no show in 1949 and by 1950 the numbers began to drop off. (16,000)

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The Alemite display booth was well attended, with a merchandiser displayed right in the center. Some displays cost north of $10,000 at the time, and companies used everything from key rings to smoking pipes to attract visitors.

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The show floor; 1938

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The Shure Sales Promotion Manager, Stan Lenehan, at the International A.S.I. show with one of the first Shure Mfg. Merchandisers

The Show floor in 1946; I can see a Graco booth on left along with many other companies