George Nelson designed the Omni System when he was working at Structural Products, Inc., before he left to go to the Herman Miller company. The Omni was a revolutionary idea and design and was patented as a modular wall unit formed with slotted aluminum poles, shelves, and various types of cabinets.
The original cabinet mounting hardware is made of Bakelite (developed in 1907, it was one of the first plastics). Over time the plastic became more brittle and with anchoring heavy components to the poles, the thinner hook part of the cabinet side mount has had a relatively high failure rate. While George Nelson was at the Herman Miller company, they wanted a system like Omni, so he designed the Comprehensive Storage System (CSS). Many more CSS systems were made than the Omni system.
We have a 4 bay, free-standing Omni system with the cabinet components on the floor that we used to anchor the poles and shelves above. Like many Omni owners, we don’t have all the old hardware to safely mount them on the poles. With the new cabinet hook brackets, we’re now off the floor!
There are two different types of mounting holes in the cabinets – a small one for a molded metal piece and screw that was abandoned for the larger 3″ long hole and bakelite hardware. I’m only working on the larger mounting option, although I have been considering how to enlarge the smaller cabinet mounting holes with a router to convert them to the sturdier and safer mounts.
I’ve been able to make, and test over the past two years, a very suitable substitute for the hook part of the mounting set. The hook brackets fit well and snugly, have supported heavy, filled cabinets in our wall system without signs of material fatigue, cracking, bending, or cabinet damage. I’ve had the fortune to help almost a dozen friendly people mount their cabinets for the first time in years, and have gotten no complaints or returns (If I have what they need, I offer a no questions asked, full refund within 60 days).
My components are made of a combination of hardwood and aluminum and should, by far, outlast the bakelite or any molded plastic replicas. After quite a bit of research and testing of how to best mate the wood to the aluminum hook, I’ve settled on a rivet as best for the shear force of the weight of the cabinet on the mounting hardware and manufacturability. Here are a couple of photos:
UPDATES: Please take a look at “In the Queue” for updates on any extras we might have.
Thanks Again!! Retro
Hi! These are looking good! So, I would need quite a few…16 of these. I suppose I should ask, what would the price for that be?
GEORGE NELSON OMNI
Hello.
As for me, that of OMNI Cabinet Mounting?Hardware needs three sets (12).
I am an eBay user from Japan, ?but I have a contract with network transferring company in US.
Since U.S. inside may be available for dispatch, can’t it be purchased?
Is the payment in paypal possible?
Add me to your list as well!!!
We went through all our parts to determine just what we need. It comes down to we need 1 pole part that holds up the hooked piece. We do not need any hooked pieces. We also need the T fasteners that hold the hooked piece to the pole piece. We need about 20 of them. Are you making the pole part I am looking for? And do you have any T fasteners, or know of where I can purchase them?
thanks
Evelyn
Hopefully this will be a happy day for us. Due to a flood our omni system was taken down by professionals for clean up. Unfortunately lost were the hooked piece that held up the sliding door cabinet. The parts we need are the original hooked piece and the other piece that it locks into. Your photo shows the hooked piece, but are you making the other piece and the screws?
Can you help us? We would be delighted to order parts.
Evelyn Aronson
Hi Evelyn,
Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the flood.
I am currently fabricating a run of about 30 bracket hooks now. I’ve machined the metal piece and am working on the wood part that joins with the hook. I have made drawings and have purchased some aluminum to make the pole part that holds the hook but haven’t made any of those yet. I’m also working on wall ties to hold the poles to the walls and have a run of about 30 of those in process, but they take longer since each tie bar needs a threaded wall end that I have to machine individually on a metal lathe.
I’ll take another look at the pole holder and see what I can do. You’ll need 4 of them, correct?
Thanks!
8-))
Hello,
While I was moving, someone removed the hardware box for my wall unit. I have three cabinets that use the smaller mounts and I need approx 22 of the shelving brackets. Can you help or do you know anyone that can?
Hi! Sorry to hear about the missing box. Seems like that happens more often than you’d think it would.
I believe you’re describing the tub-like metal cabinet holders that are much smaller than the hook piece shown here. I don’t have those or know who does. They’re really hard to make since they are a small piece of metal pressed in a mold under extremely high pressure. My wife has several cabinets with the smaller mounting piece and when I get time, I’m thinking about taking a router and enlarging the cabinet opening to accommodate the larger hook piece.
Let me know if I understood your needs properly. And thanks!
Do you have any of the small metal washers that fit into the poles? I am also looking for brackets. Do you know anyone who might be able to find them?
Glad to hear you’re making some of these. I need 2 of both the male and female parts. Are you also making the female rectangle part as well as the male hook? Thanks.
Hi Sandra,
I haven’t started the female part yet. The hook piece and the wall brace seem to be a lot of people’s biggest problem so I’ve been focusing on those. The problem with the female piece is that it’s hard to replicate as a cast item – it’s a piece made for high volume type of injection molding. I’ve investigated sand casting it out of aluminum, but haven’t found an expert yet who can tell me how to make a mold that works. The only solution in mind now is to make it out of 4 separate pieces of aluminum, epoxy them together, and have the screws hold them together.
The other problem I’m solving now is that the T-Nuts that go into the pole slot are not a standard size today and a standard size has to be ground to the proper size.
Please keep checking back though. I hope that as I get the braces and hooks done and out to people who have expressed interest, I can get to the female pole piece.
Thanks!
Am I too late, or do you have any of the “hook” part of the brackets left?. I too have cabinets that I would like to lift off the floor.
I will have more in the next few weeks. I’ve been trying them on our Omni system to make sure there’s no obvious problems. So far so good. Also doing the same test on the wall braces. The next run will be about 20 hook pieces. It looks like they’ll be in the $15-$18 range.
I have a spring tension Omni wall sustem that I bought round the 1970. I would love to have it free standing. I am interested in the braces to the walls. I have a 3 bay system. I have been thinking about having 2 free standing towers so I can put a flat screen TV inbetween. How much are the braces to the walls. What would you suggest as a cap for the top if the braces work.
Susan
Hi Susan,
I’m working on the braces now – threaded 11 tubes and made 3 wall connector pieces this Wednesday. Still have to weld the pole plates to the tubes.
I don’t use anything to cap the ends of our free-standing system poles. I’ll let you know the size of allen wrench when I purchase all the screws.
The materials for the braces are much more expense than the hook brackets and I’m estimating that the cost will be in the neighborhood of $30 dollars, but probably not more than $35. I hope to have initial units in the next few weeks.
Thanks for your interest, let’s stay in touch.
Regards
Hi I’m interested in a full hardware set for mounting a cabinet. My email is zeig6@yahoo.com.
We are looking for the t-nuts for a George Nelson OMNI/Accent Two Free Standing Wall Unit. We need 20 of them. We use a 9/64″ hex wrench to assemble the wall unit. This wall unit has been in our family since 1976 and absolutely love it. It is now being passed down to our son and the t-nuts got lost in a move. Thank you very much for your help.
Hi Tracie,
The T-nuts are a non-standard size and are not manufactured any longer. The Omni poles are also non-standard, being 1 1/4″ wide vs. the 1″ and 1 1/2″ industry standard today. I am grinding a standard T-nut down to size but it is a tedious, costly process.
What I would recommend is that you try an industry standard T-Nut that will slide into the pole from the top or bottom and can be used with the #8-32 Socket Cap Screw or the #8-32 x 7/8” slotted oval head machine screw used on the cabinet pole mount bracket piece.
The best one I’ve found in many hours of searching and comparing specs is the 80/20 Inc. part #3275 that can be found at the 80/20 website, on amazon.com at 16 cents each, or on eBay in packages of 50 for $8 +shipping.
As mentioned this T-Nut will have to be inserted from the top or bottom of the pole as it will not fit straight in through the pole slot. This won’t be a big problem if you’re starting to assemble the system from scratch.
One more tip is that the threaded pilot projection (small raised collar on the T-Nut) should be facing the inner “V” of the pole and not facing outward toward your screw.
Let me know if this helps. Regards and good luck!
Thank you so much for the info!! Already purchased and on the way. I am definitely glad I came across your page……We have searched high and low for these. Now we can finish assembling the center boxes and use the unit as whole once again. I actually saw this same unit on ebay for 5600.00! Wow. And thank you for the instructions as well. Relayed to my husband and he totally understands how to do it. Much appreciation from all of us to you! Thank you ever so much!!!!!
Thank you so much for the info!! Already purchased and on the way. And thank you for the instructions as well. Relayed to the hubby and totally understands how to do it. We have searched high and low for these and are very glad we came across your page. Thank you very much for the help and are so glad we can finally finish the center boxes and use as a whole again. Much appreciation is being sent your way……..Thanks.!
I need four of the brackets for the drawer units, we recently had to take them down for renovations and they old brackets crumbled. Can you let me know if you will make more and where/how I can purchase them?
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your interest and request. I’m about ready to make a run of the cabinet hook brackets upon receipt of a new tool and completion of a new drilling and assembly jig this week. I’ve had a number of requests to date, so I am posting this reply for all to see.
As you know, this is a hobby for me, not a business. I built the brackets for personal use and they have worked on my wife’s Omni system…but I’m aware that other people might not have the same experience. To that end, I can take your order with the following understanding – until I have more user experience and know that the brackets work well in everyone’s Omni system, I can supply each user a maximum of 4 brackets to begin, at a cost of $15 each (which includes shipping costs). If for some reason they do not work, or they crack, or they even fail within 6 months of shipment, I will refund the full purchase price to you upon receipt of the parts back from you. You pay the returned shipping costs, which are small. If there are any failures, I need to understand why. Proper installation must be done so that four brackets are used on each cabinet, and the load properly adjusted so that no two brackets are carrying the entire load of the cabinet.
After receiving feedback as to the brackets’ effectiveness and satisfactory user feedback, I will feel comfortable enough to take multiple set orders from people. I cannot accept orders from resellers. Half of the purchase amount needs to be paid upon order, and the balance upon shipment to you. I can accept PayPal.
I hope this is acceptable to you and others who have requested brackets. I will do my best to meet any commitments and to provide you with parts that meet your Omni hook bracket needs.
Thanks again!
I need a total of 16 brackets. I understand your retrofits are only a hobby, but are you still producing these brackets? Can I order more than 4 now? Any I can buy will be a huge help. Thank you so much!
We still need about 16 brackets, are there any available, in production or planned?
Thank you so much.
Hi Alyce,
Thanks for your post. I am going to get back to making more brackets as soon as the weather warms a bit. I have milled the metal hook pieces and have 60-70 of those done. It’s now a matter of mating the metal to the wooden piece and then hand fitting and finishing each piece to make sure they fit properly in the Omni cabinet. Unfortunately, these don’t lend themselves to low-cost, high production manufacturing. I’ve consulted with several metal and woodworking experts and have ot found a better way to make them. I’ll keep you posted and will hope to resume making the brackets after the first of the year.
My Aunt has an omni system and needs to replace 12 of the bakelite brackets. Are you still making / selling these items? She’s afraid shelves will start falling. thanks
Julie
Hi Julie,
I’ve been away from this project for a while but am going to get back to making more brackets as soon as the weather warms a bit. I have the milled metal hook pieces (60-70 each) and the same for the wooden mate. It’s now a matter of mating the metal to the wooden piece and then hand fitting and finishing each piece to make sure they fit properly in the Omni cabinet mounting opening. The replacement brackets have been holding up my wife’s heavily loaded Omni cabinet for about a year and everything has been fine. I’m going to take them down this month to inspect them closely to see if there are any stress points on the wood or fasteners.
If your Aunt has all four of the old brackets installed in each cabinet, and the four are supporting the load fairly equally, she should be OK for now. I’d have someone look at each bracket to see that the four of them are each carrying a part of the load.
So glad to hear from you. SHe is missing 4 out of her whole wall unit of 16, so a little unstable in places. These are the bakelite holders. What do mean by wood? guess I’m a little confused. Look forward from hearing from you once you start on them again though. Have a great holiday season.
Hi! Do you still have these omni pieces? Would love some… I have poles and cabinets- the brackets look great! Thanks-
Hello Mike,
As you can see from the posts here, there seems to be a large need for the Omni brackets. I have made more than a dozen and have the materials for several dozen more, but have been hampered from returning to this project by many reasons. I have been testing the brackets on my wife’s Omni cabinet under a heavy load to see if there are any longer term problems with the wooden piece and the ways I’ve used to secure the wood to the the metal hook. I’ll be taking the cabinet down this month and looking closely at them and will try to get back into the project and see if I can help the great people who have expressed interest and need.
Will keep everyone posted after the first of the year.
Hello. I’m writing from Italy (you will excuse, I hope, if my english is not perfect and if I mistake some terms). I just found some pieces of an Omni today, in a cellar. It’s six poles, some 20 shelves, 24 brackets, three drawers in their cabinet, etc. I was planning to keep half for myself and selling the rest (that’s my job after all) but then the brackets wouldn’t be enough to fit all the shelves. Do you still have some to sell? Is the price still 15 $ each? Shipping included, even here to Italy?
And I’d also like some help with something: though I’m pretty sure what I found is a genuine item (I’ve checked some Omni installing instructions I’ve found on the web, and everything seems exactly alike, and there’s “Omni” printed on the white rubber feet, too), the drawers don’t have wooden or metallic handles, but sort of ropes (and it doesn’t seem to be that they broke and were replaced). Do you know anything about that?
Buon giorno!
Your find sounds very interesting. Some photos would help me see what you have. I only make the “hook” brackets for the cabinets and as soon as the weather starts to get better I will be making more. Could you please send some photos of your Omni, especially the cabinet mounting holes, inside and out.
Grazie e buona fortuna!
Hi Retro Refit,
I just bought a spring loaded three bay Omni system with a super rare return desk. The ceiling in the home were 8 feet, however our loft has 15 foot ceilings. Do you sell the hardware to mount this to the wall? I would need four braces, for the four poles. If so, how would I contact you, and arrange for payment/delivery?
Hi RetroRefit
I inherited 8 of the original omni poles, shelves, and plenty of brackets but am missing four hooks and 2 of the female pieces. I was about to machine some pieces myself, but thought I’d ask if you have any coming. I’ll gladly pay more than the $15 you used to charge.
Btw all my hooks are cast aluminum not bakelite. the system I have looks just like this one
http://www.circamodern.com/george-nelson-omni-wall-system.html
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve, sorry for the delayed response, I somehow lost several responses on the site. I do have the Omni hook brackets currently – just made a dozen pairs. I do not have the pole mount, female piece. Thanks!
I have about 8 Omni poles and many bookshelves and since I am moving to a place with higher ceilings I need some kind of extension that will go from pole to wall as anchor for bookshelves. Any ideas?
Hi Retrofit, are you back to making these? Cathy
Hi Cathy, thanks for the nudge! And great timing! I’ve set aside 3 days the end of this month to process a batch of the mounts. My wife rearranged her Omni layout in her office and the mounts that were holding a heavy cabinet for a year looked great when I took them out to inspect them. Also used the wall braces I made and they are super as well. I’ll post an update soon with photos.https://retrorefit.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?p=173&approved=1#comments-form
Great news! Hoping then to here from you soon about these brackets.
Julie Emberton for Alyce Thorpe
Hi Julie, how many pairs would you need. I’ve made about a dozen pairs and would like to help as many people as I can.
My Aunt need 16, so that would be 8 pairs right? for a start 3 would be great, these are totally broken.
She’ll at some point need a total of 16. To start 4 would ok. These would replace totally broken pieces.
Thank you!
Hi Julie, I’ll contact you via email to discuss. Thanks!
Hi, there!
Just wondering if you’re still fabricating these mounting brackets for the OMNI wall unit? I recently invested in a 4-bay unit with three cabinets, but only have brackets for two. I’m also trying to install two more shelves and have the brackets, but not the bracket mounts. Am wondering if any of these are still available and how much you’re willing to sell them for?
Thank you so much!
Amy E.
Seattle, WA
Hi Amy, I have finished about a dozen pairs of the cabinet mounting brackets to replace the older broken and missing Bakelite pieces. So I so I do have extras for the time being to help with your cabinet. I’m sorry to say that I have not made the shelving sliding brackets to hold the shelf holders in place, but have seen some on eBay. 😎
We have the hooks. We are looking for the part that screws into the pole so that the hook going through the cabinet can slide onto it. I think it is made of bakelite. Do you have one?
Thanks
Evie
Evie, I haven’t made the pole mounting piece since my wife did not have an immediate need for those to put up her bays. I did create drawings and bought metal in anticipation of needing them at some time. I’ll create a new post if I make these in the future. Sorry I couldn’t help.
Hi Retrofit – I have had an Omni Wallsystem in my house since roughly the 1970s. When I had more floors refinished the men moved the wallsystem and now we have discovered that some of the bakelite male female cabinet brackets are broken. I would like to purchase 3 or 4 sets of these brackets if you still have some available. Thank you, Sophie
Hi Sophie!
I do have some of the “hook” brackets left. I do not have the mating piece that screws to the support pole. I’ll contact you via email so we can discuss the details. Thanks!
Do you have or plan to make more sets of these brackets? I need to buy 4-5.
Thanks
do you have the cabinet mounting hardware4 for the Omni unit? if you do I would like to purchase at least 4 sets. your reply would be greatly appreciated.. t
Hi Retrofit,
Do you still have brackets for sale? My Omni wall unit is in need of 6 they are suddenly breaking.
Thank you Carol Anne
Hi Carol Anne,
I do have some brackets remaining. I’ll contact you via email with details.
Thanks for your interest!
Retrorefit
Thank you. l am not sure how this site works.
I am excited though to fix this unit.Two of my big boxes are sitting on the floor:(
Just a note to let you know that I found the original brochure for the Omni unit dating back to 1968. I did for many years work in the furniture industry. Sophie
Hi,
I hate to even ask ,with all the responses and requests on here you must be extremely busy.
I just purchased my first omni unit. I am so excited. It has 5 bays and 4 shelfs. Just like everyone else I am in need of some hardware.
If you help me that would be so great.
Thanks so much.
Jake
Sorry that should have read, if you CAN help me that would be so great.
Hi Jake,
I do have some of the hooks left from my last run. How many can you gt by with?
12 would be ideal but whatever you could do for me would be so appreciated.
Im hunting for the pole side of the hook too. Im thinking those are going to be super hard to find. .
Hi there,
I’m so happy I stumbled upon this blog. I need 9 or if you have them, 12 brackets.
Can you please get in touch?
Thanks!
Gijs
Hi Jake,
I also need mounting hooks. 10 would be ideal but could get by with fewer. Do you have any available?
Hi Clarence,
I do have some of the brackets that go in the cabinet and have the hook to go into the pole bracket. I do not have the pole bracket that the hook goes in to, but am working on how to best manufacture that piece. Since each cabinet takes 2 brackets per side, and the metal brackets I have come “Left” or “Right” I’ll need to know how many “Left” and how many “Right” brackets you need.
Thanks!
I am about to move my omni wall unit to its fifth installation. I have had it since 1974. I am worried than when I remove some of the cabinets the metal cups into which the screws go may rip. Can you advise me as to whether these “cups” the cabinet fasteners are available. If not can you recommend a substitute. Thank you in advance.
Hello! It sounds like your metal cups may have some wear and you’re in danger of the screws pulling through its hole in the metal mounting cup. Unfortunately the cups are custom and almost impossible to remanufacture without a large expense on tooling.
First thing to do is to try to support your cabinets with a stack of books or a strong cardboard box while you are disassembling the unit. Start with the top unit first and work your way down. Support the weight of each cabinet as you are removing the bracket supports.
If you do have a screw go through a cup, go to a hardware store and try to find a metal washer with an inside diameter equal to the screw size and an outside diameter that will fit inside the metal cup and try that on your remount.
Good Luck!!!
Hi, there. So glad to have discovered this page! Thanks for taking the time to help all of us preserve these great units. I bought my first OMNI unit last fall from a guy who also manufactured his own bracket hooks, but has since stopped and doesn’t live in my area anymore. I’m in need of about 12 bracket hooks and possibly some female brackets that go into the cabinets. What are the chances of these being available? Thank you for your help!
Best,
Amy
Hi Amy!
I do have some bracket hooks but have not started to make the female piece yet. It is on my “to do” list though. Each cabinet requires four (4) mounting hooks so I’m assuming you have 3 cabinets to mount. How many female mounting pieces are you missing out of the 12 needed?
Thanks!
8-))
hello my friend-wow i would love to get some hooks. i am a dealer and have several complete set in need to some hooks-can you hook me up-pun intended. i do look forward to your reply-god bless,constance
Hi Constance,
Thank you so much for your nice note and pretty decent pun!
I’m afraid that all I have left now are 7 LEFT hook brackets. The Bakelite ones could be used for either left or right but the cabinet would be skewed an unnoticeable 1/16″ or so. If you had 6 of the old brackets, you could use them for right side cabinet hooks and use 6 of my LEFT to mount 3 cabinets. I make LEFT and RIGHT brackets that fit snugly and well for maximum strength. I’ve had them on my wife’s Omni unit for two years and when she rearranges or moves cabinets, I look for signs of wood and fastener fatigue, and so far they are all working like champs.
It will probably be 2-3 months before I make another run of the hook brackets and in the meantime will also be working on the pole mount. Till then I’ll be building the piece parts and turning lots of George Nelson and some Drexel wooden knobs on my lathe.
Thanks again for your interest!
8-)) Retro
hello my friend-i will take what you have-how much are they? i look forward to your reply-god bless,constance
I recently aquired a 6 pole set of Omni… like many others I need shelf mounting brackets and associated hardware ….I probably need at least 12 aluminum brackets and associated tabs and bolts….if you are going to be fabricating some ot these please let me know. With crude shop equipment I have made a few brackets but the tabs and associated screws-nuts are harder.
Thanks
Jan Leestma
Holland, MI
Thanks Jan! Right now I’m planning to make a run of the Omni cabinet hook brackets in August. I’d like to make the pole mounting hardware as well about this time. Thanks for your interest and subscribing! I’ll be updating the status on the parts in this site. Best of luck! 8-)) Retro
Greetings…I wonder how you are comming with fabricating omni shelf brackets and mounting tabs? You mentioned August…any idea when and what your prices might be per bracket and tabs?
Hi Jan!
Thanks for your comment. I’m moving forward and designed a new test jig so that I don’t have to use my wife’s cabinet to make sure each bracket firs, and have also ordered the piece parts. Timewise, putting the pieces together and being able to have completed brackets for everyone who has expressed an interest is expected to be toward the end of September. Again, thanks!!
I’d love to purchase 6 of the mounting brackets and associated hardware.
thanks a million !
gil
Hi Gil! I have scoured the house and taken from my wife’s brackets and I’m afraid I only have 6 LEFT brackets remaining. These brackets will only fit on the left side of the cabinets, so you would need to have 6 of the original bakelite hooks to use for the RIGHT cabinet hooks.
I’m planning for an August run of hopefully both the Cabinet Hook bracket and the Pole Slide bracket that the hook engages. Let me know if you have the 6 bakelite hooks to use on the right side of the cabinet. Thanks! RetroRefit
I haven’t got any spares actually so I’ll wait patiently for the August run as I’ll need both bracket pairs and pole mounts. Thanks so much!
Gil
Hi there! I just acquired my dad’s George Nelson OMNI system and it came with several broken hook brackets. I’m hoping I can buy some from you after your next run? I’d take however many you could part with, up to 12. Please let me know what information you’d need from me. Also do you have any helpful hints for installing the system? Are there any on-line videos? The instructions that came with it aren’t so helpful, especially for my not-so-handy husband and me. Thanks for your help!
Thanks Julie! I will keep you on the list ot contact when the next run is complete. How many usable bakelite brackets do you have now? I have a few left brackets left if you used the bakelite brackets on the right side of the cabinet (looking at the cabinet from the front). Thanks for visiting!! 8-))
I am looking to obtain the oblong/flat butter fly nuts needed for the OMNI wall unit. Do you have 1/2 a dozen to sell?
Thsnks
Hi Brian,
The Omni T-nuts are a non-standard size and are no longer manufactured in the size that fits into the pole slot. The Omni poles are also non-standard size, being 1 1/4″ wide vs. the 1″ and 1 1/2″ industry standard today. When I need a T-nut, I grind a slightly larger standard size T-nut down to size against a sanding disk.
However, if you are able to slide the standard slightly over-sized T-Nut into the pole slot from the top of the pole, it will hold and you can avoid the sanding work. The T-Nut can be used with the #8-32 Socket Cap Screw or a #8-32 x 7/8” slotted oval head machine screw.
In MANY hours of searching and comparing specs, the closest and most cost effective T-Nut I’ve found so far is from 80/20 Inc., their part #3275. You can find the part on amazon.com (search for 80/20 3275) at 16 cents each, or on eBay (search for 80 20 inc 3275). If you can’t insert the T-Nut from the top of the pole, you will have to do a little sanding to size to be able to insert them into the Omni pole.
One more tip is that the threaded pilot projection (small raised collar on the T-Nut) should be facing the inner “V” of the pole and not facing outward toward your screw.
Good Luck!! RetroRefit
Thank you very much, I have proceeded to order these via Ebay. Best regards, Brian
I have been trying to fabricate Omni brackets and associated hardware….I found a possible solution to the oblong nuts….Lowe’s has some nuts in 6/32 or 8/32 size that have a round plate attached to a raised nut….one can reasonably easily grind the round plate to an oblong one just wide enough to fit into the groove of the extrusion pole and plate to support the bracket….there are I think 3 small holes in the plate so if you straddle a little you get more metal to function as the oval nut…..its not perfect but it will work. As for the brackets, Lowe’s has relatively thin aluminum stock a bit over an inch wide which with a small band saw can be shaped and sawn to pretty much match the existing 9 inch long brackets or the longer ones for 10 1/2 inch shelving. A little grinding or filing can make the latching notch that fits into the pole so it snags….then and here is the harder part….Lowe’s has some less than 1 inch aluminum stock that can be sawn to function as brace….affixing to the bracket seems to requite more professionism and tech than I have…but a welding shop can probably TIG spot weld the bracket and brace together for not too much money. The more difficult job is making the hardware into which the bracket marries with the piece that slides into the groove in the aluminum pole and the oblong nut holds fast to the pole…..this piece is extruded and would be expensive to crease with a milling machine…I have fabricate some with steel and using oxy-acetylene torch which not everybody has….its not pretty but it works…to me this is the toughest part of the job. I hope our message host will solve these problems and have brackets and hardward available soon at a reasonable price.
J Leestma, Chicago
Does anyone know where I may find some of the ceiling springs to fit firmly and snuggly to the ceiling. i have the foot threads but need 6 springs for the top of the poles
Greg, I needed the metal insert and spring. My local hardware store/ACO/ACE has springs of various sizes. One was a good replacement. I cut four slices into an aluminum pipe with a hand saw, then a Dremel to get the insert. I did this with a PVC pipe inserted inside the aluminum one to hold the round shape. I spray painted the finished piece black. I did have the rubber feet thankfully. My Dad used either Plumbers or Electrical Conduit mashed on the bottom of the poles to lengthen them as they were pretty short.
Hi there. I would love to order 2 left and 2 right bracket hooks. Any chance you have any still available?
Thanks!
Blake
Hi Blake,
I’m in the process of building more. I just posted the following update on Jan’s request and will send you an email when I have the first ones done.
“Almost half way there on the bracket hook piece. I have fabricated several dozen of the wooden parts and built a test jig so that I don’t have to go into the house and fit each piece into my wife’s Omni. A side benefit of the test jig is that I now have what I need to turn some of our older Omni cabinets (with the very small metal piece and one screw) into the slot that will accept these brackets.
This coming week I’ll be making the aluminum hook pieces to mate with the wood part.
I’ve been trying to also build a prototype of the bracket that fits on the pole but I’ve not yet gotten to a design that I could build in the dozen quantities. I have a revised design that I have to order different thicknesses of aluminum flats for.
Thanks for your patience and understanding! Retro”
Does any one have a pdf of the installation instructions. I have a complete unit, but don’t know how to install it. Thanks.
Hi! I will be posting a copy of the Omni Installation Card instructions shortly, but will send a copy to you via email while I’m working on that.
Regards, Retro
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Regards, CAT
Any progress yet on fabrication of OMNI shelf brackets and associated hardware? Jan L
Hi Jan! Almost half way there on the bracket hook piece. I have fabricated several dozen of the wooden parts and built a test jig so that I don’t have to go into the house and fit each piece into my wife’s Omni. A side benefit of the test jig is that I now have what I need to turn some of our older Omni cabinets (with the very small metal piece and one screw) into the slot that will accept these brackets.
This coming week I’ll be making the aluminum hook pieces to mate with the wood part.
I’ve been trying to also build a prototype of the bracket that fits on the pole but I’ve not yet gotten to a design that I could build in the dozen quantities. I have a revised design that I have to order different thicknesses of aluminum flats for.
Thanks for your patience and understanding! Retro
I don’t need brackets but what I do need are T-nuts along with the corresponding piece that goes inside the cabinet itself. I see a lot of discussion about getting a slightly oversized nut and grinding it down, which makes sense, but what do you use for the other part?
Hi Brad.
I’m so sorry. I just found your comment buried in this website. I’m going to grind down some of the T-nuts in the next week and can do a few for you if you still need.
Hello! I have a two pole Omni set up from my Mom. She worked at a Lansing Michigan store Liebermans that as I understand it George Nelson had involvement with its interior. Lansing is adjacent to Charlotte Michigan where the Omni was produced.
Anyway, I want to start using mine for storage of a few different art supplies. How much weight is reasonable? I don’t know what vintage of hangers I have but they seem to be metal.
Also I am in need of 8 of the brackets that are inserted into the wood cabinet and then hand it on to the pole. Are there any to purchase?
One of my side walls for the sliding door storage area is missing the bottom bar which secures the side wood pannel to the shelf which makes the the bottom of this area. I hacked a small thin wood piece of moulding painted black to hold the side board in place. Any one know of a metal piece available to purchase?
Hi Ann,
Reference a reasonable weight for the shelves, as long as they aren’t cracked or compromised, they should be fine to hold any of your art supplies. They were OK to hold books, so load the shelf with what you think is OK and then watch to see if there’s any sagging. If the shelf bends or sags even a little bit, I’d unload a few things.
I have been very delinquent on the hook brackets, being sidelined by other tasks and family matters. I do plan to start making some soon and will post when I have some availability,
I don’t have any support braces to better secure the poles to the wall. There’s someone on eBay that is selling a much simpler design than the original at http://www.ebay.com/itm/George-NELSON-Mid-Century-OMNI-CSS-Storage-System-Reproduction-WALL-BRACKET-/321655813685?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae42e3635.
Good luck!! 8-))
Hi! I’m also in need of 8 brackets. I have quite a large collection of shelves and cabinets and most of my original bakelite hooks have broken. It’s extremely discouraging! Please keep us posted if/when you plan to make more. Thank you so much!
Amy
206-619-7842
amy@higherames.com
I am in need of 2 “u” hook brackets. Do you have any available?
Hi! Are you still making these? In search of 2. Thank you!
Hi! Although I do have piece parts to make about 100 mounting bracket pairs, I’m not completing them as there is a substitute available on eBay at the same price that I would charge, and I am not a business and sell parts only as a service to mid-century enthusiasts. The eBay parts are at https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XNelson+omni+mounting+brackets.TRS0&_nkw=Nelson+omni+mounting+brackets&_sacat=0. They seem to be very good parts and I would only start completing my piece parts if their price were to increase or they stop making them.
Good luck!
Are you still making these parts and what do you charge? I need about 28.
Thanks so much.
Linea Anthony
Hello Linea! Thanks for checking with us. Although I do have piece parts to make about 100 mounting bracket pairs, I’m not completing them as there is a substitute available on eBay at the same price that I would charge, and I am not a business and sell parts as a service to mid-century enthusiasts. The eBay parts are at https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XNelson+omni+mounting+brackets.TRS0&_nkw=Nelson+omni+mounting+brackets&_sacat=0. They seem to be very good parts and I woul only start completing my piece parts if their price were to increase or they stop making them.
Regards!
Hi Amber! I will send you an email about making some Drexel Parallel drawer pulls.
Retro
Hi
I was wondering if you had any insight as to how to properly identify if a wall system is truly the Omni or the CSS? I am trying to purchase something online but it’s always tricky when you can’t inspect the items in person due to the location of item. Any tips for a newbie buyer?
Thanks!
Hi Jenn, here are some considerations for you:
We’re less familiar with CSS and have not had one of those ourselves. We do know that it was made by Nelson for Herman Miller. We prefer the quality, sizing, and look of the Omni.
– The George Nelson Omni was made in walnut wood veneer on a a variety of case pieces and shelves.
– The poles are four sided
– The hooks are bakelite (plastic), but often those became brittle after 60 yrs, so replacements are good as long as they’re high quality (i.e., not “pot metal” copies. Each cabinet needs 4 sets of Hooks and Receivers.
– The original sets of Omni cabinet pieces had small oblong holes on the sides, to attach the hangers and hooks, but those were quickly replaced with the newer better model of longer oblong shapes that take the hooks and receivers shown in our website.
– The shelves were often, but not always marked OMNI (burnished mark), and always have finished edges, and brass threaded screw “inserts” holes on the bottoms (2 on each side).
– The poles were always marked Omni, but with a paper foil tag at the base, so that may or may not be easy to identify, and they came in multiple lengths. Check for poles that are the length you want as a lot of them have been cut by previous owners.
– The original shelf brackets came in black, copper, brass, silver or (rarely,) white.
– I’m also happy to look at images and give you an opinion if that helps.
We do have several Omni components – base cabinet, tambour door cabinet, magazine shelf, shelves, drawer/writing desk, deep shelf (goes to the wall and sticks out front as well), and hanging parts, brackets, tension parts. If you need any of these, let us know.
Hi, I have an Omni shelf unit I bought new in the 60s and need some (8) of the hooked brackets and the pole retainers. Are you still making them and what is the cost ? Thank you, Brian
Hi Brian. I have piece parts to make the brackets and retainers, but I’m not making the final assembly now as there is a metal shop selling them on eBay at what I would charge – $25 each. Just search Google for “George Nelson mid-century Omni wall system mounting bracket hardware” and you should find them. At this point, I’d only start making them again if the prices were higher for these. Regards, Retro
Hi, thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I really love the OMNI shelves and wish they still made them. Brian
From: RetroRefit To: fatherfee@yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 11:37 AM Subject: [New comment] George Nelson Omni Wall System – Cabinet Mounting Hardware #yiv9266815246 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv9266815246 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv9266815246 a.yiv9266815246primaryactionlink:link, #yiv9266815246 a.yiv9266815246primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv9266815246 a.yiv9266815246primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv9266815246 a.yiv9266815246primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv9266815246 WordPress.com RetroRefit commented: “Hi Brian. I have piece parts to make the brackets and retainers, but I’m not making the final assembly now as there is a metal shop selling them on eBay at what I would charge – $25 each. Just search Google for “George Nelson mid-century Omni wall syste” | |
I am looking for 8 of the hooks and mounting brackets for the pole. Can you offer me a price for that and how long it would take to get them? Thanks!
Hi, Shaun, I’m so sorry, but my husband passed away recently, and I didn’t see this. If you still need these, I can certainly have a look and see what he still had already made (or original bakelite).
Hi RetroRefit,
I’m sorry to hear about your late husband, but do you still happen to have any of the brackets available? I’m looking for the several sets of both the hook and the receiver.