2 drawer dresser

I saw this in an alley behind an apt complex where residents park their cars. I thought it was a 3 drawer deal, but the bottom 2 were just a big drawer.

The bottom drawer was rough going in and out. Took the drawer out and the wood guide was chewed up!

I decided t  see if I could find a replacement at Lowe's, Home Depot and OSH with nothing coming close. I could however pay $6 to have a metal replacement, but decided that I am not going to go through that trouble to only sell it for $10-$15.

The top drawer was great, no issues. So I took the rail off and swapped it for the bottom, I also took the chewed up rail and reversed it. There is no issues now.

The bottom was still kinda rough, even with a better rail. I looked at the metal piece under the drawer and it was bent like crazy. I bent it back to the best I could and it was smoother going in. Tightened the knobs and cleaned it up a bit and it is pretty nice!

I could not find the actual manufacturer, but there was a half ripped sticker with Made in the USA and a dot com website.

What I liked about it, it was made out of wood as well.

5 drawer dresser

Initially, I thought this was Ikea because it was particle board. After taking out the drawers (all coming apart on the sides) the structure was DEFINITELY NOT Ikea. It had some wood components.

Besides each drawer falling apart (held by staples), the railing on each side was bent and the bottom right corner was not being held together anymore, so it was very wobbly.

I decided to fix the rails since they were bent, but be easy to just unscrew and put back. Problem was, it did not use a normal screw, it used a square recess bit!!!! DEFINITELY NOT Ikea.

 After straightening the rails, I had to figure what to do with the corner. The corner had 5 long staples, all bent out of shape and the whole they had worn out where they were initial put. I removed those staples (tough) and put 3 screws instead. I had to flip it over as you can see in this picture below.

After these quick fixes, the dresser is strong and stable. Drawers work with no issue. Then I saw this in the back.

Very faint, it says "Made in Canada".

A ton of stuff!!!

I come out to my apt garage and see a 5 drawer dresser that seems to be falling apart. I looked at it quickly and decided I could fix it, so I dragged it back to my car port and started to take out the drawers to see how see what I really need to do.

I decided to drive around on this Saturday, trying to find a good piece of furniture. And I came upon a good batch.

First a table (made in the USA) and then another 2 Dresser cabinet, wood with bad dresser railing action.

I then came upon a lady putting stuff on a curb after they did not sell her garage sale, so I got a nice 3 drawer dresser, unpainted wit h no knobs and a hanging cabinet type.
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Got everything I needed and fixed all them to my best ability.

Basic Witz 2 drawer nightstand

When I found this, the top was kinda rough with cup marks and a small patch of glitter along with a couple drops of paint. One of the original handles were missing, and people were lifting it by the top, so the back end became loose.

When I looked at it, I wondered if I could get away with fixing the top and adding a handle. I was gonna forget it, but I saw the Basic Witz stamp and it was actually pretty solid.

I took off, pre drilled some holes from the underside. When I put the top back on, I screwed the back on and it is solid again.

For the handles, I tried to find something similar, with no luck. I decide on some vintage looking knobs to match the look of the nightstand.
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After trying to find more info on google, I came across a picture of the same piece at a consignment store for $95.

I have this posted for $30 in hopes someone wants it as it looks pretty decent.

Those 2 tables...

When I was driving around, I saw 2 tables on a drive way, I stopped by and asked the owner if they were free, she said yes.

I picked them both up an brought them home.

The small one in the corner is higher than the one that my mother in law is using to fold clothes. The long one actually sits lower and for me, is nice to have!

I posted the small one for $10, unsuccessful in selling it.
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When I was cleaning these, the long table had "Made in Taiwan". They are very sturdy and are in no needing of fixing. Besides a few scratches here and there, I cannot complain much about the tables.

Missed, leading to motivation!

After those quick sells, I was driving home with my family and saw a free book case (Ikea probably) just a couple blocks from my apt. I unloaded the family and took out the car seats and lowered the back seats of my Mitsubishi Outlander...

I quickly head back, and while I was at a stop, this prius pulls up and some guy picks it up. I was kinda pissed off, because it would have been an easy $15
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Since I had the back seats down, I decided to drive around and see if I could pick up some stuff. I came upon 2 tables, brought those back to the apt and headed out again.

I came upon a dresser/nightstand on a curb, near an apt complex. Explained in the basic witz post.
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I was so upset about that bookcase I decided I needed something to replace it... horrible mentality and reasoning!!!

LOL. But I picked up some good pieces.

First project: Bassett dresser/shelving unit.

This was sitting in our shared garage for about a week before I picked it up. I briefly looked at it and initially passed on it.

After that quick sell, I decided to look at it closely and if it is something I could fix. Drawers worked good, the structure was solid and this is when I decided to pick it up.

IT WAS SOLID WOOD and MADE IN AMERICA.

Found a stamped "Bassett Furniture" in one of the drawers.

So I bring it back to my apt, clean it up the best I could.

Got a screw to fix the handle, then went to Orchard Supply Hardware and bought a closing mechanism for about $2.

I posted it on CL and someone bought it for $25.
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My wife was telling, for the first few days, "is it worth the time" and for me, it was simply replacing the locking mechanism. But I told her it was worth it for me to learn and that it was an experience that I usually take with me.

But the fact that this old, vintage, great piece of furniture, could have been tossed in the trash, destroyed and lost.

The feeling of bringing something back and in a time where people look for cheaper that than quality, is amazing.