Red cedar meat safe - farm shed find

[Blackout]

Took delivery of this one on Friday and started the cleaning to find some great red cedar grain. This one won't be going back to the dark coloured finish that hid the grain. I aim to have this one in my office with the red cedar filing cabinet , desk and captain chair all showing the grain. I tried cleaning with metholated spirits and then thinner but it wasn't really getting me there. I started with scraping and found it too hard and slipped a few times. Finally I used the orbital sanded and certainly went through sandpaper (240 grit). Finally I was really happy to see what the top and doors revealed so far. This one is a keeper.

Missing one of the original very thick hinges and too many screws loose and odd sized.

The top has nail holes but also a couple of other larger holes I suspect for dowel material but I have no idea what was originally on top.

This is just the beginning for this unit.

Can anyone help me with the story behind these latches?

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[auscab]

Hi Nick. The piece looks like it once had a back with a shelf and the holes were the turnings that supported the shelf. It probably once had four turned legs that must have been taken ? sawn off ?. Turn it up and look at the bottom of the corners for later saw marks . Or it may have sat on another base but legs would be my first guess. That catch looks to have been moved over but it also looks to have been put on the wrong way around. Its handle is sticking out below the door . I have a Barossa Valley food cupboard with similar catches I think , I'd have to go check tomorrow. similar date as well . Yours also had the pierced zinc metal sides . I can see the holes left an impression in the finish . I have a similar Cedar cabinet with legs , no back or shelf , that had zinc on doors and sides . It was all gone when I found it and I put glass in and made a display cabinet . I may put zinc back in one day , I saved some from somewhere years ago. It is for the restoration of the Barossa food cabinet first . The cedar meat safe second if there is any left over.

see this for comparison
https://www.google.com/search?q=Antique+cedar+meat+safe&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwivkvPFhJTbAhUFnJQKHQpQCV8Q_AUICigB&biw=1344&bih=686

Rob

[Blackout]

Hi Rob,
Clicked on the link and went "Oh, wow" the colours are great. I have a chiffoner from earlier this year. With what you have told be I may just have the turned pieces, back and shelf (maybe the hinge). This could be really good. Turned legs would be hopeful but maybe I have some bun feet for now.

I'll look at the catch and see what I can do.

Yes, a cabinet with a shelf would suit my needs.

Thank you for the post and great information.
Cheers,
Nick

[auscab]

Similar iron door bolts

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[Blackout]

Finally actually took another look at the back and convinced myself it is actually red cedar. Nothing like the quality of the rest and one very large piece at the top was even installed over lapping the lower piece. This top piece even has some chamfer. There are the sections where the branches were. Most importantly not split and coming off with the gentlest of persuasion. Definitely different type nails. These are going to take some gentle cleaning. Metholated spirits helped me see some great grain. Any problems using sugar soap for the cleaning?

The shelving also looks like tongue and groove red cedar.

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[Blackout]

Cleaning and then started layering the shellac to bring warmth of this grain to life. Amazing how much dust had been layered onto the wood. Lots of fun finding and removing the little tack nails whereas the inch nails were very easy to remove using fingers only.
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[Blackout]

I'm looking for what the meat safe mesh should be and where to buy in Brisbane. Any guidance greatly received.

[OldGrain]

Hi Blackout. Maybe a pool pump shop - filter mesh.Or that 'auction bay' site.Numerous ads there re s/s mesh panels.

[burraboy]

I'm looking for what the meat safe mesh should be and where to buy in Brisbane. Any guidance greatly received.

Google 'goods and chattels' and look for:
Pie Safe Steel Mesh
Should be close enough for the job.

[OldGrain]

Ah yes.Forgot about them although i mentioned they sold gripper catches a few days back in another story. Interestingly enough the entire business is up for sale....lock,stock,barrel & website. Some Arts & Crafts shops sell 'swatches' if that is the correct term of copper and/or stainless mesh pieces.

[yvan]

Maybe a fireplace screen manufacturer? But, in Brisbane...

Yvan

[Blackout]

Progress today with a replacement pine back (the old one was too brittle and warped but the new one is from old maple wardrobe we are recycling), shelving nailed down again, and one door fitted with original hinges. I just wanted to give the frame some stability and get it ready for use in my study.
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[Blackout]

It was too crazy cold this morning at 4C and 85% humidity but I was outside with artists brush touching up the putty. I decided to clean one of the hinges and keep a record while looking for a replacement to the missing one. I don't want to repeat the mistake that had been made where someone used a standard thickness hinge and had the door twisting when opened. All it did was damage the screw holes. The hinges are impressed with "Baldwin" "Patent" "333" " 2 1/2 IN" . Hopefully this might help me with dating the piece. The leaf gauge is 4mm (approx 1/8") and the open width is 50mm (approx 2"). I put the closed hinge on top of USB cable plug to help appreciate the thickness. Any suggestions where I could find a matching replacement with this thick gauge? Any history on the manufacturer would also be appreciated.
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[OldGrain]

https://www.goodsandchattels.com/Hinges/Butt-Hinges/View-all-products.html?redirected=1

Hi Blackout. Maybe this company. This hinge listing covers two pages. Scroll down > Butt Hinges.

[Blackout]

https://www.goodsandchattels.com/Hinges/Butt-Hinges/View-all-products.html?redirected=1

Hi Blackout. Maybe this company. This hinge listing covers two pages. Scroll down > Butt Hinges.
Thank you OldGrain. I couldn't confirm enough details with their website but have sent them an email. I now have 2 more old pieces needing similar thick hinges :)

[Blackout]

Latch has had vinegar bath and slight scrub to be very shiny indeed.
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[auscab]

Try these guys for the hinges . They have a large collection of original fittings.

https://www.facebook.com/LostArkAntiquesColectablesPl/photos

Rob

[Blackout]

Thanks Rob, I've messaged them and can see them as a possible supplier for other materials. Looking at the photo's I realised I have a lot of things in my shed that I think I will start to liberate for others to enjoy. When I started out I grab lots of old things and used them in a different way such as a first aid cabinet became a stains and touch up paint storage and sewing machine drawers become small item storage boxes.

[Blackout]

At 90% complete I decided to add the castor wheels and bring into the house to start using it.
The hunt for original size hinge will continue as will it for the screen material for the side.
I hope by the ed of the year to have all 3 meat safe / chiffoniers completed.

Here is the first one finally being used.
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