reader2580
Well-known member
I am looking at getting one or more blueprint cabinets for storing some tools and other stuff. Has anyone regretted getting these? The local university surplus has them for $75 each.
Anyone regret getting blueprint cabinets?
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They are very deep and take up more space than tool chest. Drawers don't usually have multiple rollers or ball bearings. Can be hard to open/close with weight of tools. I cut a pair down to reduce floor space issue but never like the hard to open and poor roller issue. Closing them involved an almost "slam" amount of action. Shook tools around even when using non-skid liners fabric.
Tossed them and bought Harbor Freight tool cabinets. It was a step up.
Tossed them and bought Harbor Freight tool cabinets. It was a step up.
OP
reader2580
Well-known member
I'm conflicted here. My other thread about tool storage some said to not use a tool box and to go with Lista, Vidmar, or blueprint cabinets instead. Blueprint cabinets would certainly be cheaper than a tool chest. Others have said to get a real tool box that is like 30" deep, but I can't afford those.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
I have a small one I use for gaskets, best ever for those. I also use one drawer for storing grinder wheels and wire brushes, but that's about it.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
That can happen with a conventional toolbox as well.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
You should ask Drivesitfar, he has like 50 drawers of blueprint cabinets
MarkWilliams60
Banned
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- Apr 23, 2016
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- 99
It's $75. Buy one and try it out.
I had one years ago and am currently building a wood one in that 'style" but tool specific.Not as deep. The one I had would handle plenty of weight and was smooth enough. The slides **** but if you're smarter than the slide you can tune them up.Speaking of which. Gotta go buy a set of dado blades in a few minutes.
matt_i
Well-known member
Keep in mind its designed to hold a uniform load of paper. Not a concentrated load of steel in the uber long span.
I use mine for small lighter parts that fit inside, gaskets, outlets, plugs, PVC and some copper fittings, tie wraps, etc. And they work great for this. Too heavy and they will jam into the drawer below.
Not a substitute for a Vidmar in any way imo, but has its place.
It might be possible to reinforce the span some more but its low profile as I recall. Probably have to plug weld, etc, not sure if enough room for a screw head. Its probably in range of a spot welder, but could be a very long span for a spot welder unless you have special arms.
I use mine for small lighter parts that fit inside, gaskets, outlets, plugs, PVC and some copper fittings, tie wraps, etc. And they work great for this. Too heavy and they will jam into the drawer below.
Not a substitute for a Vidmar in any way imo, but has its place.
It might be possible to reinforce the span some more but its low profile as I recall. Probably have to plug weld, etc, not sure if enough room for a screw head. Its probably in range of a spot welder, but could be a very long span for a spot welder unless you have special arms.
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I got one. It's one of the bigger ones top is like 36 deep by 48 wide. and the actual cabinet is 35.5 by 47.5.
Mine's an older one. so well made heavier gauge steel and decent rollers and guides to the drawers are good opening and closing.
It's great for storing big sheets of foam core etc, it was designed for that. The problems are that it is BIG. The drawers are not full extension , so you only have about 24 inches of a 33 inch drawer actually accessible when it's open. Nobody cares about that when you are storing a 32x40 sheet of something. You just grab it at the front and pull it out.
Stuff that is smaller than that gets slid to the back of the drawer and is hard to get to. Drawers are also shallow so there is a limit to what you can put in them.
they make ones that are not as deep, but the 3/4 extension on the drawer depth still applies. I do not have any complaints about the construction or the durability of the unit but I don't have a ton of really heavy things in it.
They are workable but not the ideal solution for a lot of things.
Mine's an older one. so well made heavier gauge steel and decent rollers and guides to the drawers are good opening and closing.
It's great for storing big sheets of foam core etc, it was designed for that. The problems are that it is BIG. The drawers are not full extension , so you only have about 24 inches of a 33 inch drawer actually accessible when it's open. Nobody cares about that when you are storing a 32x40 sheet of something. You just grab it at the front and pull it out.
Stuff that is smaller than that gets slid to the back of the drawer and is hard to get to. Drawers are also shallow so there is a limit to what you can put in them.
they make ones that are not as deep, but the 3/4 extension on the drawer depth still applies. I do not have any complaints about the construction or the durability of the unit but I don't have a ton of really heavy things in it.
They are workable but not the ideal solution for a lot of things.
ptgb
Well-known member
if you have some really deep pockets, then Lista or Vidmar is ideal.... but most of us aren't able to spend thousands to store nuts and bolts.
If you aren't a garage "diva" then the blueprint cabinets work great! Especially if you are getting them for $75 each.
I picked up three sections of blueprint cabinet at an salvage place that were in great shape for less than $300 total (1/3 the cost of a tiny Lista). 15 drawers total.
Picked up a ton of Schaller drawer bins, which was another $200 (whole thing still less than half of a tiny Lista).
Loaded up the drawers with bolts, nuts, nails, rivets, drill bits, o-rings, so on, so on, and so on... name it, it's in there. Never an issue with weight, the drawers open smoothly and each drawer hold a ton of stuff!
I say, go for it! I have used them pretty much daily for 4-5 years and they have given not one problem. I still have empty drawers as these hold thousands of small parts easy.
If you aren't a garage "diva" then the blueprint cabinets work great! Especially if you are getting them for $75 each.
I picked up three sections of blueprint cabinet at an salvage place that were in great shape for less than $300 total (1/3 the cost of a tiny Lista). 15 drawers total.
Picked up a ton of Schaller drawer bins, which was another $200 (whole thing still less than half of a tiny Lista).
Loaded up the drawers with bolts, nuts, nails, rivets, drill bits, o-rings, so on, so on, and so on... name it, it's in there. Never an issue with weight, the drawers open smoothly and each drawer hold a ton of stuff!
I say, go for it! I have used them pretty much daily for 4-5 years and they have given not one problem. I still have empty drawers as these hold thousands of small parts easy.
I think they're best at storing light weight supplies that consume alot of sq inches. Sandpaper, gasket material, foam and plastic sheets, small tools (laid out).
Supplies are spread out, accessible and it seems a shame to use Vidmar type storage for pencils and scotchbrite!
Pros:
Easy to see everything.
Shallow drawers make for quick access.
Light to moderate weight capacity.
I think they look cool.
Negs:
Nothing heavy.
Tools turn into a jumble unless secured somehow.
Take up more shop space than other typical tool chests.
Supplies are spread out, accessible and it seems a shame to use Vidmar type storage for pencils and scotchbrite!
Pros:
Easy to see everything.
Shallow drawers make for quick access.
Light to moderate weight capacity.
I think they look cool.
Negs:
Nothing heavy.
Tools turn into a jumble unless secured somehow.
Take up more shop space than other typical tool chests.
Hey ptgb, those look nice. Are your drawers full extension?
Are those former lab cabinets for your uppers? Looks like the ones we had in high school. But that was when you had to blacken the end of a stick in fire to make a pencil. ;-)
Are those former lab cabinets for your uppers? Looks like the ones we had in high school. But that was when you had to blacken the end of a stick in fire to make a pencil. ;-)
OP
reader2580
Well-known member
I'm now thinking about the Masterforce tool chest again. I was looking at the blueprint cabinet more for tools and some parts rather than small parts.
I need something, anything for storage so I can actually find tools all in one place. I was so frazzled this weekend after spending an hour looking for a masonry blade it was ridiculous.
My garage is completely unusable from about Dec 1st through April 1st due to no heat. I have a shop in my walkout basement that is more for hobby and woodworking stuff. Some of the tools like cordless tools I need to move between locations.
I need something, anything for storage so I can actually find tools all in one place. I was so frazzled this weekend after spending an hour looking for a masonry blade it was ridiculous.
My garage is completely unusable from about Dec 1st through April 1st due to no heat. I have a shop in my walkout basement that is more for hobby and woodworking stuff. Some of the tools like cordless tools I need to move between locations.
csp
Well-known member
Part of the problem with recommendations is just like tool boxes, not all blueprint cabinets are made the same.
Some have full extension drawers, some don't. Some have full ball bearing slides, some don't. So on and so forth.....
You're going to have to physically look at any cabinet you're interested in to see what features it has and the level of quality.
Some have full extension drawers, some don't. Some have full ball bearing slides, some don't. So on and so forth.....
You're going to have to physically look at any cabinet you're interested in to see what features it has and the level of quality.
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
I have two and I really like them, may post
pics later. I just need to put some rubber
or plastic organizers in them to keep stuff
from shifting around.
pics later. I just need to put some rubber
or plastic organizers in them to keep stuff
from shifting around.
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
I wouldn't listen to the person above
about only storing light weight stuff in
them. They are blueprint file cabinets!
Do you know what a drawer full of paper
can weigh ? I do, I had to clear out a
bunch of blueprints from some I got, and
they were packed.
about only storing light weight stuff in
them. They are blueprint file cabinets!
Do you know what a drawer full of paper
can weigh ? I do, I had to clear out a
bunch of blueprints from some I got, and
they were packed.
csp
Well-known member
Even loaded with paper it's still a helluva lot less weight than a drawer full of steel.
It's all relative
It's all relative
justanengineer
Well-known member
JMO but blueprint cabinets are awesome for tools, I've had them and know others who like them, and will be getting a few for my next garage too. If they weren't good they wouldn't command the prices they do. As mentioned above they come in various sizes to hold various size prints, 36" deep being common to hold D and E sized prints but there are shallower ones ~24" deep as well for A and B. Some folks hate the extra depth of the bigger cabinets, others put toolboxes, bolt bins, or other storage on the back 12," and others still use them as standalone "island" workbenches.....to each their own. Personally I've always liked the quantity of shallow drawers which make it easy to spot every tool and prevent anything from being buried. As for the weight capability, they're not quite in the same league as my Vidmar/Lista cabinets but well beyond a "toolbox." I've helped move a few of them and whenever possible a forklift is used bc the drawers fit the paper nicely and engineers tend to stuff the drawers FULL. No, paper isn't as dense as steel but steel won't fill a cabinet like paper will, I've seen a few that were basically solid cubes of mylar with a steel wrapper.
DocsMachine
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,875
I got a cheap set of Cole architectural drawers several years ago. The outer shell was badly bent, and as note earlier, the drawer slide were just slides, with one nylon roller.
I cut the shell apart, extracted the drawers, stripped off the slides, and cut something like 18" off of each drawer, like so:
I tacked on a strip of fresh metal on the end, to make a new back wall, and then added new full-extension slides from the local Homey-D.
I built a new frame under my workbench to hang them, and mounted them there:
As a machinist, they're awesome for things like measuring tools- this was an early load as I was migrating stuff over, I've got 'em pretty well packed now.
I agree, they're not great all-around drawers. Hell, I have some rubber mallets that won't fit in there.
But they're great in addition to regular tool drawers. With my cased mics and such as shown, I no longer have to stack them up in a drawer, which means I don't have to keep shifting things around all the time- because naturally, the tool you want is always on the bottom.
If I could get more for $75 each, I'd pick up at least three more. I'd love to find another sit of Coles identical to what I have, and run them all the way to the floor.
Doc.
I cut the shell apart, extracted the drawers, stripped off the slides, and cut something like 18" off of each drawer, like so:
I tacked on a strip of fresh metal on the end, to make a new back wall, and then added new full-extension slides from the local Homey-D.
I built a new frame under my workbench to hang them, and mounted them there:
As a machinist, they're awesome for things like measuring tools- this was an early load as I was migrating stuff over, I've got 'em pretty well packed now.
I agree, they're not great all-around drawers. Hell, I have some rubber mallets that won't fit in there.
But they're great in addition to regular tool drawers. With my cased mics and such as shown, I no longer have to stack them up in a drawer, which means I don't have to keep shifting things around all the time- because naturally, the tool you want is always on the bottom. If I could get more for $75 each, I'd pick up at least three more. I'd love to find another sit of Coles identical to what I have, and run them all the way to the floor.
Doc.
OP
reader2580
Well-known member
The U of M Reuse Center has at least five pallets worth of blueprint cabinets in stock. They had them marked $150 each, but I noted they had been there for over six months. I talked to the manager and he said he would sell for $75 each because he had so many and they were not selling.
The ones on the floor were open on the top and bottom. The rest were high up on pallet racking. If I was going to buy I was going to call the manager to ask if he had any on the pallets with solid tops.
The ones on the floor were open on the top and bottom. The rest were high up on pallet racking. If I was going to buy I was going to call the manager to ask if he had any on the pallets with solid tops.
ssdave
Banned
I brought one home from work when it was obsolete, and it was absolutely worthless for storage of tools and stuff. Too big, heavy, takes up a lot of space, and the shallow drawers only hold certain things. I sold it to someone else, and was glad it was gone. The next ones that came up surplus at work, I took to the steel recycle place instead.
The only way they would be useful is if you wanted to have a single layer of thin stuff that you need to be able to look at. It also needs to not be too heavy, as the big drawers can really stack up the weight fast, and then you can't open them without failing.
Overall, I'd buy them if you're really hard up for storage, and can't afford anything more.
The only way they would be useful is if you wanted to have a single layer of thin stuff that you need to be able to look at. It also needs to not be too heavy, as the big drawers can really stack up the weight fast, and then you can't open them without failing.
Overall, I'd buy them if you're really hard up for storage, and can't afford anything more.
DC73
Well-known member
No regrets here. I scored two 6 drawer flat file cabinets from craigslist last year and I am currently incorporating them into my workbenches. They are the perfect size: 42" wide x 26.5" deep x 21" tall. They are heavy duty with ball bearing rollers on the slides. 11 of the 12 drawers work perfectly. One has a bit of a sticking issue due to some rough handling in its past but I'll get that sorted out as I get them mounted. These are Steelmaster by Art Steel Company of New York. Not bad for $50 each.
Below is a pic from the original craigslist ad. I'll post some pics down the road once I get them built into my work benches.
DC
Below is a pic from the original craigslist ad. I'll post some pics down the road once I get them built into my work benches.
DC
Jon_E
Well-known member
I use my blueprint cabinet (15-drawer E-size Hamilton) for storing.... blueprints. I haven't gotten around to scanning them all and ditching the paper.
I also have a vintage oak Keuffel and Esser 8-drawer flat file (D-size) and it's treated as fine furniture, and has a bunch of very old prints and architectural drawings, as well as some artwork, inside.
As for tools or shop storage, I think that a flat file has it's place but it's not heavy-duty enough for a lot of weight in tools. A smaller unit, such as a B- or C-size unit, with shallow bins or organizers, would be excellent for hardware storage. I really like Doc's idea above, but that would obviously require major modifications. I have never seen a flat file that extends out all the way.
I also have a vintage oak Keuffel and Esser 8-drawer flat file (D-size) and it's treated as fine furniture, and has a bunch of very old prints and architectural drawings, as well as some artwork, inside.
As for tools or shop storage, I think that a flat file has it's place but it's not heavy-duty enough for a lot of weight in tools. A smaller unit, such as a B- or C-size unit, with shallow bins or organizers, would be excellent for hardware storage. I really like Doc's idea above, but that would obviously require major modifications. I have never seen a flat file that extends out all the way.
OP
reader2580
Well-known member
I decided to try out a Montezuma 36" triangle portable tool box for my mechanic tools. I got a pretty good deal on a brand new one from Craigslist so I can resell it if I don't like it. I also ordered a cart to put the box on to move it around.
TLCObsession
Well-known member
I like them for storing parts.
michjacket
Well-known member
Well this is a timely thread. I was about to pull the trigger on a couple of these. Now I am rethinking that plan, especially since I have concerns about running out of room. Maybe I am better off spending my money on something else.
NO
got my 5 drawer for $50 from an art store that was closing, happened to be across the street from a very art-centric university. Not perfect condition cosmetically maybe 7/10 but functionally 10/10. It will become the bottom of a large workbench/outfeed table with 5" casters and overbuilt to the 9's.
got my 5 drawer for $50 from an art store that was closing, happened to be across the street from a very art-centric university. Not perfect condition cosmetically maybe 7/10 but functionally 10/10. It will become the bottom of a large workbench/outfeed table with 5" casters and overbuilt to the 9's.
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
I just bought some of the same organizers as PTGB on the first page and spent quite a few hours yesterday organizing the shop. Wow what a difference, I cleaned up my work bench surfaces and took things out of boxes and cans that I had things stashed in, and even got rid of my rotary bin I got from horrible freight. All my hardware and even some machine tools fit in two drawers of my blueprint cabinets. The drawers open and close without problem, maybe a slight bit of sag but no big deal.
