Vintage 50's ice chest

[1930artdeco]

Hi all,

I just bought a pink/white 'Path finder' ice chest from the 50's (I will upload a pic when I get home). I know it is just outside of the Lounges time line but I need some help. It is missing the little drain cap and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. Also, It could use a new gasket again any ideas?

Thank you,

Mike

 

[dh66]

What size is the little drain? I replaced one of my aluminum ones with a little rubber cap that comes on the end of oxygen/refrigerant prepped copper tubing. Also I had some luck with a roll of gasket that I got from an a.c. repair supply house that was made for sealing around the doors of air handlers. It was kind of a black foam looking strip with adhesive on one side. Don't remember what I gave for a roll of it, but i don't think it was too crazy expensive.

I'm super looking forward to seeing yours. Post up some pics asap. Maybe we can get a thread going about vintage coolers.

 

[1930artdeco]

Ok, here is the chest and it is pretty good shape all things considered. Thanks I will look for a cap like that and see if it works. The gasket unfortunately won’t though.

mike

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Ok, here is the chest and it is pretty good shape all things considered. Thanks I will look for a cap like that and see if it works. The gasket unfortunately won’t though.

mike

I would think a screw-on pipe cap or plumbing cap would work as a drain cap.

You can buy rubber weatherstripping by the roll or by the foot that is slit down one side so it can be pushed onto an edge. It comes in several diameters. Your gasket looks to be mounted in the same way. Buy the correct diameter so it will compress & seal, it should work fine.

 

[1930artdeco]

Here is what I came up with for the cap. The threads are an odd size and I could not justify spending $30 for a tap that I will use once. So, I ended up with a brass acorn nut that is a thread off but still will gone about a turn. I then found a rubber type grommet in the plumbing section of the local hardware store and just cut it down. I will test it out and hope it works-or at least slows it down.

Mike

 

[clementishutin]

For some reasons i am having vision of putting that ice chest at the back of a 4 wheeler with booze stack in it.

 

[tonyb]

To echo Hurricane Jack …

Is there some type of plastic plumbing cap of a close-enough size that would take the threads just by being twisted on? You know, seeing how the plastic would be considerably softer than the metal it’s going over, the threads would be cut easily enough?

 

[tonyb]

By the way, I dig old picnic gear, too. I have several pieces myself.

 

[tonyb]

Ok, here is the chest and it is pretty good shape all things considered. Thanks I will look for a cap like that and see if it works. The gasket unfortunately won’t though.

mike

That’s really cool. A true survivor. How’d it come your way?

 

[1930artdeco]

I think this was a craigslist item if I remember right. It will go great in the back of my 57 wagon.