30" Deep Steel Cabinets

[64coupedeluxe]

Hi Guys,

I have the opportunity to pick up some old server cabinets.

They are 29w x 30d x 84h. They are bare inside but have doors either side. They are also full steel.

In the planning process of a 50x30 pole barn and thought these could be good,as the price is right.

I realize the shelves are a bit deep but with a door either side and the height they are, I could use them to section off a work area. Then I could access both sides.

I currently have some 24" deep open shelving so don't think 6" more should be too bad.

Tell me your thoughts.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

Lot's of Lurker's....

No opinions?

I thought they were like ********'s....everyone's got one!

 

[bczygan]

Sounds intriguing. Got photos? How many can you get? Thinking of rigging some shelves inside? Are there more than you need? Where are you located? How much?......Tell us more...

 

[daveroy]

That would actually be totally awesome if you had a bunch of the full pullout shelves!!!

 

[64coupedeluxe]

The cabinets are empty and between$40-50 each(just waiting on my offer). I am looking at getting 10 of them. There are more and I will post the info when I have mine.

10 long would be 290" or just over 24' long. Would leave me 5' or so at one end for access. That may be a bit too long but I could always use a couple somewhere else.

Thinking of having them run down the side of my work area(across 30' section) to part section the rest of the pole barn for storage of other cars.

I plan on installing shelving and perhaps a vertical divider in some, to halve the depth.

The pull out sliders would be good but not sure on the cost of them and if he has them.

 

[May Pop]

The shelves are made different for each brand so if he is getting a different brand they wont work. So get him to toss them in for a few or 0 bucks.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

The shelves are made different for each brand so if he is getting a different brand they wont work. So get him to toss them in for a few or 0 bucks.

Thanks for the heads up.I will see about that.

 

[Falcon67]

Maybe - if they are standard 19" relay rack size, then any relay rack 19' shelving will work. We have Dell, HP and no-name racks and all simple flat shelving fits. However, parts for relay (server) racks are not cheap. And the shelves are not that big, typically. Unless it for "racking" regular boxy PC type units and not rack mount servers. You'd be money ahead to fashion shelves out of 3/4' ply for those. Should be plenty of holes in the rail mounts for attaching wood things.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

Maybe - if they are standard 19" relay rack size, then any relay rack 19' shelving will work. We have Dell, HP and no-name racks and all simple flat shelving fits. However, parts for relay (server) racks are not cheap. And the shelves are not that big, typically. Unless it for "racking" regular boxy PC type units and not rack mount servers. You'd be money ahead to fashion shelves out of 3/4' ply for those. Should be plenty of holes in the rail mounts for attaching wood things.

Cheers, thanks for that.

 

[bczygan]

They're good looking AND ventilated!
Tell people they are a multi thousand dollar custom cabinet installation just for your space. Use some other black accents in the space to tie them in visually, maybe a stripe down the opposing walls would offset and balance the visual of this ********* presence..

 

[Capstone]

Maybe... just maybe, you should think sideways...

The width on these when standing is restrictive IMO.

What if you flipped a few of these on their sides and stack them two high?

you'd end up with a 38-42" high base cabinet with space for shelving to be built in a pull out slides like another post suggests.

Just a thought.

 

[CNGsaves]

Souinds like a great score that will eventually be well used storage space.

The fronts of these cabinets are sturdy enough that memorabilia signs could just be attached. Cabinet that you store oil products could have an old Kendall Oil sign on front, etc. These would add color and interest to the large black visual effect from the row of cabinets.

I too bought a couple server racks from CL but they were tinted plexiglass on front & back. One became nice techy rack to hold all computer equipment that generally clutters office like uniterrupted power supply, router, internet modem, seldom used equipment, etc. Other one is mobile storage in the garage.

Good luck with your build of large garage!

 

[jabin]

You may be able to find the rails that the servers used as pull out shelves. I have a set from an old PowerEdge 10u server, and they are rated at 250lb -rails.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

Maybe... just maybe, you should think sideways...

The width on these when standing is restrictive IMO.

What if you flipped a few of these on their sides and stack them two high?

you'd end up with a 38-42" high base cabinet with space for shelving to be built in a pull out slides like another post suggests.

Just a thought.

Now that is a great thought. Although I for me the width isn't a problem as I already have some large open pallet style racking. But I do like the idea of putting a couple on their side.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

Thanks all for your input.

Some good thoughts and you've also helped me feel good about the purchase!

Cheers, Brendon.

 

[FJ 432]

I work in data centers and I have seen a lot of server cabinets.

The "strength" of these cabinet are the side panels so it's my opinion that removing the side would not be a good options. We have tried to use these as material storage at our shop and they really do a poor job unless you're really creative. The pluses would be that they're on wheels. The minuses (and this is big) is that you would have to fabricate shelves to store items.

The cabinets we look for are used in data centers to store IT equipment. These usually are found on casters, adjustable shelves and at times will have roll up doors.

I wish I could be more positive but server racks are very job specific.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Yeah I don't think these will make good garage cabinets.. they are wicked sturdy, but only when standing up, and when standing, they aren't configured very well for storing anything other than rack mounted equipment

 

[Jack Olsen]

I can't see any problem with 30" of depth in a place as big as you're describing. It would probably be pretty easy to adapt shelves and shelf supports for them -- I have one steel cabinet where I simply used plywood to make the shelves (and the same plywood up the sides to support the shelf above), and it's worked great. If you weld, it'll be that much easier.

 

[Outlawmws]

I would NOT do a single row. Id go two rows facing each other @ 12' "long" and use them as the base for over head storage for larger things. space the rows as needed for access or maybe a bit more for top side storage. 2X framing across the tops, and some lighting, or if you can find the catwalk type rack and stack "flooring" it is expanded metal and you don't need lighting as much (Maybe for inside the cabs...).

Some of those units have access front and back so the 30" depth is even less of an issue....

 

[adragontattoo]

You may be able to find the rails that the servers used as pull out shelves. I have a set from an old PowerEdge 10u server, and they are rated at 250lb -rails.

The same rails that are used in custom Cabinets, toolboxes and servers are THE SAME. Its only a matter of price, strength and length.

I have about 900lbs of server sitting 20' from me right now on a single shelf and 2 rails. I wont pull that shelf out fully but I am not concerned it will suddenly fail either. I have other servers on the same rails that weigh over 150lbs and I have had them pulled out to full extension overnight without any issues.

If you go looking for shelves and similar for the cabinets you do not have to stick to the manufacturer of that cabinet. Look at Norco, I-star, Ebay, Craigslist and Amazon (amongst others)for cheaper shelves, drawers and rails. I used to have my entertainment center in a smoke front Telco rack, I have changed that one to a 24u server rack, and a separate rackmount system for my entertainment center. I have shelves, rails and parts from IBM, Dell, Middle Atlantic, Sun, Norco, I-Star, APC, HP and so many others and excluding some that are specific sized, they are all interchangeable.

If I can get time tonight, I will take pictures of the various rails I have to show what I am talking about and see if I am missing something when I say they are the same.


OP If you can get them, GO FOR IT! If nothing else, you can turn around and sell them for a pretty penny. I have a 24u (half height) rack sitting upstairs at my job that I need to take home but dont have a truckto do it with. I have a rough design in my head about making it into a toolchest.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

I work in data centers and I have seen a lot of server cabinets.

The "strength" of these cabinet are the side panels so it's my opinion that removing the side would not be a good options. We have tried to use these as material storage at our shop and they really do a poor job unless you're really creative. The pluses would be that they're on wheels. The minuses (and this is big) is that you would have to fabricate shelves to store items.

The cabinets we look for are used in data centers to store IT equipment. These usually are found on casters, adjustable shelves and at times will have roll up doors.

I wish I could be more positive but server racks are very job specific.

I wasn't planning on removing the sides.

I think making shelves would be ok. Not as much work as completely building a storage unit, as I don't want to spend the big dollars it takes to get fully enclosed storage units.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

I can't see any problem with 30" of depth in a place as big as you're describing. It would probably be pretty easy to adapt shelves and shelf supports for them -- I have one steel cabinet where I simply used plywood to make the shelves (and the same plywood up the sides to support the shelf above), and it's worked great. If you weld, it'll be that much easier.

That's a great idea about just using the same plywood to support the shelf above.

I can weld, but that would ruin the finish on the sides. Although when their pushed together you wouldn't see it except for the outers, but you never know what the future holds.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

I would NOT do a single row. Id go two rows facing each other @ 12' "long" and use them as the base for over head storage for larger things. space the rows as needed for access or maybe a bit more for top side storage. 2X framing across the tops, and some lighting, or if you can find the catwalk type rack and stack "flooring" it is expanded metal and you don't need lighting as much (Maybe for inside the cabs...).

Some of those units have access front and back so the 30" depth is even less of an issue....

That's a good idea too but I'm leaning towards using them to section off my work area a bit from my storage side.

If I needed to, it wouldn't take much to close off the top section to the ceiling.

They won't be bolted down though, so I can always change it up if it doesn't work.

All of them have doors both sides.

 

[64coupedeluxe]

The same rails that are used in custom Cabinets, toolboxes and servers are THE SAME. Its only a matter of price, strength and length.

I have about 900lbs of server sitting 20' from me right now on a single shelf and 2 rails. I wont pull that shelf out fully but I am not concerned it will suddenly fail either. I have other servers on the same rails that weigh over 150lbs and I have had them pulled out to full extension overnight without any issues.

If you go looking for shelves and similar for the cabinets you do not have to stick to the manufacturer of that cabinet. Look at Norco, I-star, Ebay, Craigslist and Amazon (amongst others)for cheaper shelves, drawers and rails. I used to have my entertainment center in a smoke front Telco rack, I have changed that one to a 24u server rack, and a separate rackmount system for my entertainment center. I have shelves, rails and parts from IBM, Dell, Middle Atlantic, Sun, Norco, I-Star, APC, HP and so many others and excluding some that are specific sized, they are all interchangeable.

If I can get time tonight, I will take pictures of the various rails I have to show what I am talking about and see if I am missing something when I say they are the same.


OP If you can get them, GO FOR IT! If nothing else, you can turn around and sell them for a pretty penny. I have a 24u (half height) rack sitting upstairs at my job that I need to take home but dont have a truckto do it with. I have a rough design in my head about making it into a toolchest.

That's good to know...Thanks.

 

[CNGsaves]

Once you decide go or no-go, could you spill the beans on source? I too would recommend that you Go For It . . . can't beat that price for such versatility!

I ran across government surplus auction one day and there were Pallets full of 3-inch black binders that apparently were ordered by Homeland Security (think they were out of Indiana). They were selling for 37 cents a piece, and exactly same as Office Depot or Staples was selling for $3.50 or $4 every day of week!! If I wasn't 4 states away, I would have purchased a basement full and started up an Ebay business selling 3-ring binders!!