Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Can you ID this one? A Tokheim 36 Minature?

The oil can is on top for size comparison. Notice how the top is stepped down like a 36B top, and steps on the sides too. It has two drawers, and a lower door on the front. Also, on the front is a small green light lens, below that a guage, and below that a metal label. It states "Sommer's ForMode Natural" Pat. 8-20-28 110volt, 60cycles, 15amps. "Made in USA".




The top raises by a spring loaded post on the inside rear. There were elec. wires running to and from the guage inside. They have been cut.




So, what is it?

Went through over 100 patents, started with Sommer, then formode, then 8-20-28. Quit while looking at every patent either applied for or issued on that date. Quit because what is inside is what was probably patented, not the cabinet. Anything in those drawers?

Jack Sim

Neat looking thing. Could it be a small parts washer?

ward

Battery Charger
Don, Maybe a 36 top. Not 36B
& check your Drawers ! LOL

Here is the guage on the front. Actually a timer. Ward, I don't think it's a washer. Doesn't appear to be liquid tight. Also, the back side of the electrical guage? Good guess Dick on the battery charger, but I don't see any corrosion inside. What else could this have been? Also, the interior is painted a military looking green color. A clue? Oh, I did check my drawers. Just as you'd expect, nothing! ha.

Here is the back side of the guage, the inside of the cabinet.

It has red paint on the tag, what color was it originally?
I searched patents under Sommer....no luck
Tried formode......it seems to be Scandinavian?
DANISH?
So it might be a compilation word, like FORM MODE.
I wonder what a FLAMO is now....LOL
What I found on Walser was they made junk for business machines.
WHERE did it come from?
Is there anything in the top or was there anything in the top?
If you had a pat # I might be able to find it..
No luck w/ the date.
Whatever the task was, must not have taken more than 30 minutes.

Maybe Darkroom equipment??

As far as the color, I believe it was originally the military green color. Here is a picture of the underside of the raised top. There has to be someone on this site that has seen one of these. I don't think we've ever been stumpped before.

Where is Mulder & Scully when you need them?

Hmm...maybe we need more clues. Let's get those drawers opened up and put some light on em and post some more pics.

FREDRICK SOMMER WAS A FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THAT ERROR. FORMODE MEANS ADD TIMER. IS THAT HARLEY SIGN REAL?

So, does everyone agree it has something to do with film developing? Im curious now.
Don, do you frequently buy things you have no idea what they are for?lol My wife would kill me if she asked "Whats that for? " and I said, "I have no idea, but I bought it anyway"

Hey Ohio Oil, here are photos of the drawers. Nothing special with them. But again, green colored.
No markings, just an old fishing hook laying inside.
Vermonter, yep, I've been known to buy things I didn't know what they were. My friends know this about me, and often have to tell me what I have. DB often tells me where to go, in addition. lol

well i dont know what it is either,but if the price was right,i would of bought it too!!