I'm in the beginning stages of hoarding cabinets and other storage stuff to begin building my own corner of the world in my garage. These are flat files that I imagine most here have come across. I know they don't provide very deep drawers, but I'm thinking about them for maybe screwdriver, socket, wrench, etc storage. I haven't yet gone to see them, but what do you think of real world practicality? Do you think the $170/ea price is worth taking a look?
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Are these flat-files a good use for tool storage?
- Thread starter LouG
- Start date
They may not look deep. Do you know the dimensions? I looked at several for same reason but the ones I come across were much deeper than the work bench I wanted to put them on.
The deep flat files we use at work also have very lightweight bottoms on drawers designed to distribute weight of mechanical drawings, not large collection of wrenches. Just something else to inspect.
The deep flat files we use at work also have very lightweight bottoms on drawers designed to distribute weight of mechanical drawings, not large collection of wrenches. Just something else to inspect.
Flathead Johnny
Well-known member
i wouldnt buy, if they were 75 each then I would consider
72Anthony
Well-known member
In addition to the limited weight capacity, a lot of them (if not all) do not have full extension drawers...they were designed for the drawings to take up the entire area of the drawer, so you only have to open the drawer a little to pull out the drawings.
irishtom
Well-known member
I bought some recently, found on CL, for $50 per section.
Keep looking. These look like the faces were just painted.
Keep looking. These look like the faces were just painted.
I've got about 5 sections. They start stacking pretty high....pretty fast. You wont be able to see into them when stacked above eye level.
The drawers are thin gauge and will hold good weight. Most are roller bearings. They do bow but I have had loaded up and they are doing ok.
Use a liner to keep things inside from sliding around. They should have detents to keep the drawers from gliding open.
Price? I would shop around before paying that "resprayed" from army green to gray price.
The drawers are thin gauge and will hold good weight. Most are roller bearings. They do bow but I have had loaded up and they are doing ok.
Use a liner to keep things inside from sliding around. They should have detents to keep the drawers from gliding open.
Price? I would shop around before paying that "resprayed" from army green to gray price.
I'd like to have some of them but I'd say those are way over priced.
Old Moparz
Well-known member
I have a wooden one by default & use it to store some old posters & prints that I don't want rolled up. I was going to give it away, but put casters under it & use the large surface on top as a secondary work surface. I also keep some nicer, furniture grade, wood in it so it doesn't get banged up or scratched in the shop.
Would I buy one? Probably not. It's huge & it isn't as practical as you think it might be.
Would I buy one? Probably not. It's huge & it isn't as practical as you think it might be.
The only problem is their width and the temptation to overload them.
They are designed for blueprints and county plat map books.
That spreads the weight around.
But they do provide enough room to spread your tools around.
If they were cheaper would by them if I needed them.
But I have my IBM card cabinet.
Watch your local government auctions.
The plat maps are going digitized and a lot of theses cabinets are beings surplused.
They are designed for blueprints and county plat map books.
That spreads the weight around.
But they do provide enough room to spread your tools around.
If they were cheaper would by them if I needed them.
But I have my IBM card cabinet.
Watch your local government auctions.
The plat maps are going digitized and a lot of theses cabinets are beings surplused.