Metal cabinets... What's the best value?

[vwtrey]

I am in the planning process for shop storage. I want to get a few tall two door cabinets. There are a lot of options for these and the prices are pretty different as well. Is there something that you're pretty happy with and you would like to recommend? We use Lyon at work, and as much as I love them, I can't bring myself to spend that much money for them. They start at around $1500, but I'm not sure the Amazon special for $150 is going to make me very happy.

What do you recommend?

 

[vavet]

I have the Gladiator. They look cool. They feel cheap. They've held up fine.
I don't have an anvil collection, just normal shop stuff - lesser used handheld power tools, manuals and books, hardware totes, oil jugs, paint cans.

 

[turbodave]

if you don't mind some scratch and dent cabinets check your local auction companies. Stronghold cabinets are really nice if you can find any of those.

We have a local auction house that gets a lot of Grainger returns and metal cabinets are always coming up. I've purchased 4 or 5 of basic grey Halloway or equivalent cabinets over the years, usually the ones that need assembly, often for less than $20 a cabinet. Usually have to fix some bent tabs, sometimes a dent or two (i'm ok with small dents on the back or sides). Maybe not what someone wants for a showroom garage, but they are functional and didn't break the bank.

 

[kngelv]

At work we only have Strong Hold so I feel your pain. I just kept checking Craigslist every day about ten years ago and it took about six months to get one blue Strong Hold and three gray Lyon cabinets. I scored the Strong Hold at an auction for $375.00 and it's a two shift one with two separate lockable doors and a thick beam down the center 78" x 48" x 24". The Lyon's were from Craigslist and are the typical 78" x 36" x 24". Now you can also check Facebook Marketplace and some local industrial auctions. If you can wait then that is the route I would go. I just think Gladiator, New Age and some of the other cabinets people recommend on here are not made well enough for me. I fully admit to being a cabinet snob. If I had never used industrial cabinets then I'm not sure I would have known any better or been bothered by it. Unfortunately you either have to spend a bit for new or have a little patience if you want to save some money. Good luck.

James

 

[nadogail]

My large cabinet that holds replacement light bulbs came from Office Depot.

 

[nadogail]

I frequently see cabinets and lockers on Craigslist.

 

[MovingAlong]

Thrift stores offer great value too. Have five metal cabinets, most from Craigslist..

Found a nice horizonal file cabinet for my son, $50 at thrift store. He was a bit surprised when he looked it up - was going for $1800-2000 new.

 

[dfiler2]

I bought a set of Husky's from Home Depot about 5 years ago and they have been great, no complaints at all. I had them shipped to my home and I was amazed at how well they were packed.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Think about what you want to put in them. I have a few Sandusky cabinets. I wouldn't load them down with heavy tools, parts or hardware (nuts/bolts/screws) but they are fine for my cleaning products, paper towels etc.

 

[captaindiode]

I bought the Husky bolt together on sale and they are excellent quality. Leave all the back screws loose and be sure to square the cabinet before tightening. All the metal is wrapped in a protective film and it is time consuming to remove, but they are really nice for the price.

You can also get extra shelves for them.

 

[John Timmins]

I shopped around. I bought the 2 door 6 foot cabinet from Harbor Freight. The doors hung perfectly and did not require shimming. I added wheels on the bottom if I need to move it. I bought a dolly from Harbor freight and put those wheels on the bottom of the cabinet. It's been awhile, but I think I spent about $300. I put it on a Harbor Freight credit card and paid it off with no interest. Look for that cabinet on their web site.

 

[ycgoat]

I went with used commercial cabinets, and got 6 for about $100. I had to make minor repairs to the hardware (mostly replacing missing screws) removed all of the old stickers using a 3M Stripe Off Wheel Adhesive Remover, and repainted. They still have the dents but otherwise look really nice and I got to chose the color. These were mostly Sandusky

 

[Theronswanson]

I really like my Husky cabinet.

 

[mepstein]

At work we only have Strong Hold so I feel your pain. I just kept checking Craigslist every day about ten years ago and it took about six months to get one blue Strong Hold and three gray Lyon cabinets. I scored the Strong Hold at an auction for $375.00 and it's a two shift one with two separate lockable doors and a thick beam down the center 78" x 48" x 24". The Lyon's were from Craigslist and are the typical 78" x 36" x 24". Now you can also check Facebook Marketplace and some local industrial auctions. If you can wait then that is the route I would go. I just think Gladiator, New Age and some of the other cabinets people recommend on here are not made well enough for me. I fully admit to being a cabinet snob. If I had never used industrial cabinets then I'm not sure I would have known any better or been bothered by it. Unfortunately you either have to spend a bit for new or have a little patience if you want to save some money. Good luck.

James

Huge jump from the big box store cabinets to real industrial ones. Worth it if you want something that will last forever. Not advisable if it’s just for light storage or you have to move it around or up or down stairs.

 

[Trm303]

I went with Homak cabinets to add to my pre-existing Lista cabinets, I must say I don’t notice much of a difference In quality. They were the best bang for you buck considering gladiators are getting closer to $200 these days. I paid 130 shipped for the Homaks.

 

[Theronswanson]

I went with Homak cabinets to add to my pre-existing Lista cabinets, I must say I don’t notice much of a difference In quality. They were the best bang for you buck considering gladiators are getting closer to $200 these days. I paid 130 shipped for the Homaks.

They run these on sale from time to time, might have to pick up a pair.

 

[kngelv]

Huge jump from the big box store cabinets to real industrial ones. Worth it if you want something that will last forever. Not advisable if it’s just for light storage or you have to move it around or up or down stairs.

I was trying to help the OP because he is used to industrial cabinets and is concerned he might have issues with the Gladiator, Husky etc. type cabinets that you usually see recommended on here. I agree that not everyone needs industrial cabinets in the garage but someone who is used to those will likely not be happy with the lower end types. I just looked at the Gladiator website and their largest preassembled cabinet can only hold 50 pounds a shelf and costs $779.00. I don't see how that is a value compared to a larger Lyon at $1500.00 that can hold 1450 pounds a shelf or a Strong Hold at $1750.00 that can hold 1900 pounds a shelf. I think the 20-24 gauge Chinese made cabinets are a huge ripoff in terms of value for your dollar. Obviously not everyone can or is willing to spend $1500.00 on a cabinet but I'd make shelves before getting gouged on cheap steel cabinets. At work I probably open Strong Hold cabinets twenty times a day. I knew I would hate the cheap ones at home so I just took my time and eventually found what I needed. Everyone has different needs and timelines and funding. I spent $1275.00 on three Lyon's and one Strong Hold. I was extremely lucky and patient. You can find them on industrial surplus sites for about half the new price fairly easily and they are a much better value than the stuff from the box stores.

James

 

[Doc_Possum]

I really like the ones you can get from Sam's Club. Can't remember the brand. Reasonably priced

 

[Pate]

Seville Ultra HD forms Sams Club.

 

[rsanter]

For floor standing cabinets I would look at the surplus’s office stuff from county, city, and schools.
That stuff always seems to be better than the bargain home garage ones

 

[vwtrey]

Seville Ultra HD forms Sams Club.

That's the first I've seen of those. I'll have to find a Sams and check them out.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I live in an area where FB Marketplace or Craigslist aren't useful, but I'm moving to just outside of Las Vegas, so I didn't even think about those options.

Auctions are a great suggestion too! I'll be patient and keep an eye out.

 

[Kevin1221]

I’ve also used the Seville Ultra from Sam’s Club. Had them for a year. Easy enough to assemble and very sturdy. They work great for my application.

Kevin