Readers are constantly sending emails asking where to find cabinet pulls for vintage kitchen cabinets made by Youngstown, Geneva, and other makers. The answer: Not an easy one, I am afraid.
For example, the chevrons aka boomerangs above, on 2-3/4″ centers, are classic early Youngstowns. The Geneva’s that are most problematic are the kind with the recessed, plastic backplate.
The vintage Youngstowns CAN be found – but you are going to have to hunt and peck and search and wait.
- Watch ebay like a hawk – they DO come up
- Try sites like historichouseparts.com (I helped a reader find some there just last year – they are still shown under “Jamestown” cabinets – a seller of Youngstowns, I believe)
- Liz’s Antique Hardware
- Rejuvenation for new reproductions
- Crown City Hardware for new reproductions
The Geneva backplate issue has been a difficult one for years, again as far as I know. I started hunting for my steel cabinets about 7 years ago. I constantly saw this question asked on forums. I know of no source for them.
Meanwhile: Be sure to see my Category called “Cabinet Hardware” for replacement choices.
Mike Maguire says
Looking for chrome Geneva cabinet pulls
Taylor Maine says
If someone has the plastic piece to donate, it would be fairly simple to 3D scan it and 3D print a few to test fit. I don’t have a scanner, but I know if you 3D printed that part it should cost under $1/ea for materials. If it was printed with ABS plastic, you could get a nice surface finish with an acetone vapor bath.
Once the 3D file is made and fit verified, it could also get milled out of wood or aluminum for a different look. It seems like rebuilding the part would be the most time-efficient way to get the look you want.
Find a hackerspace or community workshop near you and see if they can scan/print something for you.
Christine says
What is the difference between st charles, geneva and youngstown metal cabinets? I have metal cabinets but the old owners took off door and had laminate front put on. I would like to find old doors but want to make sure of the model. Any help would be appreciated. They have adjustable wire shelves on top if this helps.
Pam Kueber says
Without the doors on, hard to say. There were 85 brands back in the day, and changes were likely made to each brand over the decades that they were made. See: https://retrorenovation.com/metal-kitchen-cabinets-history-design-faq/
Lena Murray says
I am looking for 4 pulls for a vintage Geneva Sink. The silver pull has a white plastic plate behind the metal pull. Would appreciate some information as to sources.
Lena Murray
Diana says
Hello, I have purchased a set of Geneva metal cabinets in the same color as the pink in your photo. I was wondering where I might find some literature on the interior of said cabinets. I have the mixer cabinet, with drawer, was there any particular item that “fit” this drawer? I also have a narrow bottom cabinet 12″ with odd metal piece on the top and bottom Im guessing its some sort of divider?? I would like to know what and where I can find inserts for these.
pam kueber says
Hi Diana, I have some literature and I’ll scan and post it soon. Meanwhile, why don’t you send me photos and I can use them too? Connect with me via the contact form then I’ll give you the email address. https://retrorenovation.com/contact-retro-renovation/
Jill Wilson says
Looking for replacement latches for my St. Charles kitchen cabinets. I’ve found the pins on your site but I need the plastic part that goes into the cabinet door and clamps around the metal pin that protrudes from the cabinet. Any leads from anyone would be appreciated.
Mary oliver says
Did u ever find these? I need 3 like that one is on door with protruding pin then it locks into cabinet. I really need the ones for cabinet and maybe my piece will fit in them thanks
Diana says
Hello, I have just purchased a nice set of Geneva cabinets in Pink. One of the cabinets have unusual holes (top and bottom) where I am to imagine that there may have been dowels running vertically to divide the cabinet for cookie sheets?? Another has two sides that look like there was perhaps a sliding shallow drawer (pots) I have exhausted the internet trying to find any information on Geneva cabinets and what the options may have been. I can’t even find an age for them. There is a model number on the sink cabinet. Does anyone have any information or an old copy of the Geneva options for cabinetry? Any help would be so greatly appreciated.
Thank you
David Butler says
We have a set of Coral Red Geneva Cabinets and have the cabinets like you described. Would love to see photos of yours.
Holden says
Hi,
I’m refinishing some Youngstown metal cabinets and need to replace a few drawer slides which have completely worn out. I have the serial numbers for the cabinets–36-A 29486.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!
pam kueber says
Holden, we do not have any easy answers for this. There were just too many different manufacturers, too many designs, over the years. I suggest: You’re just gonna need to google this and hunt and peck etc. Or, find another set of cabinets and scavenge from them. Finally, be sure to read all the comments, readers often have great suggestions (that I don’t necessarily go back and insert into the story.) Good luck.
Holden says
Thanks, Pam…I’ll do just that!
Howard says
I am also refinishing a set of Youngstown cabinets and the drawer slides are just terrible. It appears that there was some type of brass rail that wrapped around the drawer slides, but most are now gone or destroyed. I have never found a replacement for the brass and the drawers are rubbing steel on steel and making lots of fine black metal dust.
Does anyone have a solution for a problem like that? Thank you in advance!
Ellyn says
Howard,
Did you ever find the drawer slides? We need the brass ones with or without the hook. It’s a ’57 Youngstown set. Thanks!
Gre says
Did you ever find slide replacements
jeff h. says
I have looked all over but can not find the shelf supports for Hotpoint metal cabinets. Any help would be appreciated.
Regina MacMorris says
We are currently setting our cabinets, and wonder if the lazy Susan is recessed or should be pulled forward to be flush with the cabinet doors. The installer says recessed, the electrostatic painter says to match up the baseboards.
Does anyone know for sure?
pam kueber says
Regina, there were several designs of lazy susans, so I am not sure which you are talking about. See this for one style: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/09/15/13-pages-of-youngstown-metal-kitchen-cabinets/
Use the Search box to find lots of other images on the site or go to Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens category.
Regina MacMorris says
Thank you for getting back to me. We have Geneva cabinets, and the lazy Susan’s are the traditional style.
pam kueber says
https://retrorenovation.com/search-results/?q=geneva%20
lynda murray says
Where should I post a kitchen cabinet question? I am restoring a whole set of Crosley cabinets, and I need replacement bumpers for the doors, and drawers. Most of them are really hard, missing , or very flat. they are the type that fit into a 1/4″ hole on the cabinet. Does anyone have a resource for these? Thanks.