Lincoln Engineering Early Merchandisers
As early as March 1940, Lincoln started producing these deco styled workbenches.
They came with a built in front light, wall surround and a unique waterfall top marquee sign. These early door badges state Lincoln Systems.
The flip down door on the bench was for access to the parts washer bin.
Around ‘41 the company added in a left cabinet door on the front of the rounded top bench.
Sometime before ‘45, they included their straight sided desk into this model with the more standard double door access.
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.
Cabinets that look like they belong with Merchandisers
These light-up back cabinets appear like they may be part of some long lost workbench, but they are actually part of a self-service ice cream cabinet from the 50’s. It looks as though a few different models were built by, companies like Schaefer, Coldin, Nelson, and Savage.
Another display cabinet with styling that could easily put it in with Lincoln’s and Alemite’s is this Smith’s welding supply cabinet.
I really like the curves and trim on these, but they are getting harder to find.
Another similar cabinet is this Westinghouse roaster. The one on the right has been customized to actually go with a Work Station.
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.
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
Workbenches we have never seen photos of
Over the years, these are the two Merchandisers that we have been unable to find any real-world images of. Anyone out there seen one?
The 1940 Balcrank Service Salesman
And the 1946 AMPCO Mechanic’s Bench, from Amarillo TX
Also, here is an early styling Lincoln lube cabinet that we have yet to see.
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.
Sioux Bear Alignment Cabinets
Bear sold these Saftey Service workbenches for about 5 years starting in 1949.
Were they built by Sioux?
I have only seen three examples of this cabinet alive today, and none of them have an intact Sioux ID plate.
Even though I have never found ads mentioning a manufacturing company and the handles are a different shape than the earlier Sioux Valve service benches, I still fully believe these benches were built by Sioux Tools.
Early Style- present on all Sioux Valve Service Cabinets
Bear knob
