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Shop Shop storage - old filing cabinets

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Elektrishun

Ultra Member
Maybe it's just me but I think these old filing cabinets are awesome shop storage:

IMG_20261014_154727.jpg

Found this used one for sale. Not unusual to find them offered for free. Missed a smaller free one yesterday. Another larger unit was for sale about 30 minutes out of town. It sold quick, too.

Not just any filing cabinet. Has to have the flip up door that slides out of the way. This one is 30" wide and 17.5" deep. I have a bigger one that is 36" x 18". Get rid of the document folder hangers, put 'em on castors, and fill 'em up. Oh, and these cabinets, probably older models, are built like frickin' tanks.

The larger one is where I store some electronic test equipment. I have power running to it with a power bar and LED light strip inside. Pull the door up from the bottom and it's a light weight soldering bench.

IMG_20261014_160130.jpg

Close it up and it does a great job of keeping the dust out. Now, where to put this cabinet...
 
Elektrishun said:
Maybe it's just me but I think these old filing cabinets are awesome shop storage:

View attachment 88099

Found this used one for sale. Not unusual to find them offered for free. Missed a smaller free one yesterday. Another larger unit was for sale about 30 minutes out of town. It sold quick, too.

Not just any filing cabinet. Has to have the flip up door that slides out of the way. This one is 30" wide and 17.5" deep. I have a bigger one that is 36" x 18". Get rid of the document folder hangers, put 'em on castors, and fill 'em up. Oh, and these cabinets, probably older models, are built like frickin' tanks.

The larger one is where I store some electronic test equipment. I have power running to it with a power bar and LED light strip inside. Pull the door up from the bottom and it's a light weight soldering bench.

View attachment 88100

Close it up and it does a great job of keeping the dust out. Now, where to put this cabinet...
Click to expand...
Most of these have the anchor point at the back to prevent tipping or the lock mechanism that only allows one drawer at a time to be open to prevent tipping as well.
 
Doggggboy said:
Most of these have the anchor point at the back to prevent tipping or the lock mechanism that only allows one drawer at a time to be open to prevent tipping as well.
Click to expand...

Yes, depending on how heavy you load them being able to only open one drawer is a great safety feature. Here is the details for a new modern permium file cabinet that is worth over a $1000:

Each drawer has a 90 lb. weight capacity. Depth adjustable hang rails accept both letter and legal sized folders. Front to back bars convert each side-to-side drawer into 2 rows of front-to-back filing. Central locking system with keys secures all drawers. Anti-tip mechanism permits one drawer open at a time. Includes adjustable leveling feet for uneven surfaces. Recessed handles provide a catch-free surface. Measures 18"D. 1 Year Limited Warranty.
www.globalindustrial.ca

Interion® 4 Drawer Premium Lateral File Cabinet, Letter & Legal Size, 36"W x 18"D x 52"H, Black

Interion® 4 Drawer Premium Lateral File Cabinet, Letter & Legal Size, 36"W x 18"D x 52"H, Black. Ships in One Business Day. Buy it and Save at Globalindustrial.ca
www.globalindustrial.ca www.globalindustrial.ca
 
I like them so much I even have some inside the house. My old office was clearing out a bunch of heavy duty 30" deep x 18" wide and I loaded as many as I could into my friends van. I put down some nice finished plywood tops (doubled up) over two cabinets on each end and have a nice big working surface.
 
IMG_6396.pngIMG_6395.pngThat's more what I'm looking for but without the adjustable height
Edit- and I think the feet are drilled, so casters would be easy
 
For those in Edmonton, GD Liquidators still have a wack load of army coloured Vidmars. No idea about price, but love my (very second hand) Vidmars- bought in the US during the financial crisis.
 
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