Well, I've learned from you guys that I should always be on the lookout for Lista and Vidmar cabinets. And last year I had a close call - one was listed for months at $500, a bit too rich for me, but one day I saw the ad pop up again with a new price of $100. I jumped but was too late. Dang it.
So a week ago a 'tool cabinet' showed up in my local listings. Fuzzy picture. 8 drawers. Fifty bucks.
An hour later it had been skillfully forklifted into the back of my truck. And the friendly guys at this heavy-equipment shop showed me two more cabinets that would be available once they were done reorganizing. I said I'd take them and left my phone number.
Over the next few days I cleaned up this big Vidmar cabinet, set it on casters, and moved all my power tools into it. It was moderately dirty but once I wire-brushed the drawer slides and lubed them, everything operated smoothly. About 8-10 hours of cleaning, scrubbing, and lubing, but I reckon it was worth it.
I kept thinking about the other two cabinets, but I wasn't really holding my breath. You know how these things go; you really can't get your hopes up. But suddenly this afternoon I got a text: the other two are available, you're first in line, boss wants forty bucks each. And an hour later the two cabinets were forklifted into my truck with exquisite care.
So here's the three of them at home. I've got a lot of cleaning and reorganizing ahead of me. And I'm grateful for my pallet jack and the Lug-all hoist with synthetic line; otherwise I couldn't have unloaded these by myself.