Cheap lateral file cabinet storage

[fury9]

I picked up these two tan lateral file cabinets for $70 on craigslist, 4 drawers each and a flip up door front at the top. Each drawer is rated for 100lbs and only one drawer can be opened at a time. I started with a cluster of stuff and ended up with more storage and a cleaner look. Not the most awesome looking but it serves my purposes well, I even have some empty drawers.The gray one I got for free a number of years ago. I haven't figured out how to add captions to the pics. I also need ideas on what to do with the drawer full of random tools. The cabinets are sitting on a 5 inch ledge in the back and I plan to add some support in the front, the cabinets are securely bolted to the studs.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have 7 laterals with the flip up door and pull out in the shop. They are great for blow molded cases, power tools, and everything else that doesn't fit in a toolbox drawer. I like them over open shelves because they are child resistant and keep the dust out if something gets blown off in the shop.

 

[Tribalvision]

I've been looking for some also for my power tools. theyre either too high in price, too far o drive, or I dont have the cash. But im searching.

 

[akdiesel]

I would put all hand tools in the drawers your son is working on and put power tools (cordless drills, power saws, etc... )

 

[fury9]

I would put all hand tools in the drawers your son is working on and put power tools (cordless drills, power saws, etc... )

Thanks for the idea.He's my little helper I think I'll do that, after I weed out the dangerous ones

 

[rick carpenter]

We have those at work for job ticket storage. They're a pain because only one can be open at at time but that's actually good so they don't tump over.

 

[smedly]

I had some Of the tall ones too. On the top shelf I put a magnet strip and hung some smaller tools on there. Also had some pegboard parts and various holders on the insides of the drawers that worked pretty well. Since switched to 2drawers as a workbench base. Nice find. They are weirdly addicting.

 

[darkk]

All the cabs were free from work. They were beige, I painted them red to match the floor, great storage..

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have them in my garage. I got them from a tile store going out of business for $100.

Neet look, and very sturdy. They helped my organization tremendously. I will likely not paint them since they fir the garage colors.

Jim

 

[LutzTD]

ive got two so far, I am cheap so I try to get them less than $50. I will end up with at least 4 more, no hurry. Im also trying to keep them matched but the $50 max take precedence. the two I have are already full of molded case tools and electrical components and screw packages I had in a box on the floor, sadly now that Im old I need to go buy a labeller or suffer the open drawers till I find it syndrome.......

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Hmm. My job has a bunch of those too that nobody wants, but they are pull out drawer types, so not so useful. If they opened up from the side like those in the pictures, that would be quite nice.

Ideally, I'd like to see a combination of both. The lower two sections being drawers and those above being side access.

I'll have to consider this.

 

[cowboy73]

Dang it you guys!!! Now I need to find some of these.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

They are cheap as government surplus. University of Washington sells them for $25-50 typically at their surplus store. Check your state university and other surplus sites to see what is available.

 

[fury9]

Hmm. My job has a bunch of those too that nobody wants, but they are pull out drawer types, so not so useful. If they opened up from the side like those in the pictures, that would be quite nice.

Ideally, I'd like to see a combination of both. The lower two sections being drawers and those above being side access.

I'll have to consider this.

You might find the drawers are pretty useful

 

[darkk]

Hmm. My job has a bunch of those too that nobody wants, but they are pull out drawer types, so not so useful.
I'll have to consider this.

Mine pictured above have drawers in the two far right cabinets. They are pretty heavy duty. Mine have my spare electric motors and machinery parts in them. That stuff is heavy as hell. If you don't like drawer units, just store stuff that you don't use often in them...

 

[fury9]

All the cabs were free from work. They were beige, I painted them red to match the floor, great storage..

Do you remember what size nap you used when you rolled the paint on your cabinets? Did you thin the paint?

 

[LutzTD]

Hmm. My job has a bunch of those too that nobody wants, but they are pull out drawer types, so not so useful. If they opened up from the side like those in the pictures, that would be quite nice.

Ideally, I'd like to see a combination of both. The lower two sections being drawers and those above being side access.

I'll have to consider this.

I like the drawer ones better, the open front type lose a little drawer height. Most of the things I have in there are in cases anyway, plus IMO with the front wall intact you can use the whole bottom, either way its better than an open shelf or the floor

 

[onemore]

Nice work, anything painted red looks custom! I have a small 1 car shop and it's a mess, maybe 1 or 2 lateral cabinets would help. Thanks

 

[carhunter]

Bought a couple awhile back but they're still just taking up space in the mezzanine waiting for me to make up my mind.

I like the idea of pull out drawers for fluids and paint - you can put pans or liners in the bottom to catch leaks.

 

[tornadocaster]

I haven't taken any real after pictures yet, but the handles are back in now.
I have so much storage now and with a couple of fasteners thru the back and into the wall, I will definately take out the mechanism that stops me from opening up the bottom 3 drawers without opening up the top.

also as for painting, you can't beat the Hammerite paint put down with the small foam rollers, no nap. I got all thes done in 3 nights as I lightly sanded between coats.

Since I must have around 5 batches of cabinets there is no chance of any colors matching so this paint was a perfect choice because it is super easy to touch up.

Cheers
Gio

Before:
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/258253359853696465/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/258253359853696465_JYt18HKi_c.jpg' border='0' width='554' height ='415'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href=''>Uploaded by user</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/tornadocaster/' target='_blank'>Giovanni</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>

After:
<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/258253359853722511/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/258253359853722511_hcAz8x8N_c.jpg' border='0' width='554' height ='415'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href=''>Uploaded by user</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/tornadocaster/' target='_blank'>Giovanni</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Four drawers high is about the upper limit. Above that and you need a stepstool to see in. It seems the ideal combo is four drawers and a side opening fifth section on top.

As the drawers are steel, but perforated for their own structure and hanging file use, it may be worth the effort to line interior with some plywood or MDF. That should keep stuff *inside* the drawers. You could also put in dividers that way if you chose as well.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Four drawers high is about the upper limit. Above that and you need a stepstool to see in. It seems the ideal combo is four drawers and a side opening fifth section on top.

As the drawers are steel, but perforated for their own structure and hanging file use, it may be worth the effort to line interior with some plywood or MDF. That should keep stuff *inside* the drawers. You could also put in dividers that way if you chose as well.

All of the ones I have seen have the fifth "drawer" as a sliding shelf with a fold up front. Though there are small holes in a few spots on mine in the bottom, they are few and small, so I have not needed to line my drawers.

IMHO, one of the best storage systems for a garage to keep things clean and organized.

Jim

 

[964haus]

Love this! Instead of looking to incorporate new toolboxes (which I don't have) into my workbench design, I think i'll go this route. Some paint and some trim and these things look the part.

Thanks for sharing - another great idea found on this forum.....

M.

 

[LutzTD]

I haven't taken any real after pictures yet, but the handles are back in now.
I have so much storage now and with a couple of fasteners thru the back and into the wall, I will definately take out the mechanism that stops me from opening up the bottom 3 drawers without opening up the top.

also as for painting, you can't beat the Hammerite paint put down with the small foam rollers, no nap. I got all thes done in 3 nights as I lightly sanded between coats.

Since I must have around 5 batches of cabinets there is no chance of any colors matching so this paint was a perfect choice because it is super easy to touch up.

Cheers
Gio

looks great, what is your top made from?

 

[smedly]

I've posted this before, but I had the same ideas. This setup cost around $100 total. It was slapped together to try it out and it stayed. Plans are to build a steel base for it and add drawers, but I'm in no hurry.

These are handy. They are for 3x5 cards I think and hang on the file hanger rails.

 

[tornadocaster]

looks great, what is your top made from?

Thank you.
Its 26 gauge painted steel used in the flashing and metal roofing industry.
Up here i sell it for $45 per sheet 4x10 feet

Check out my build to see the bench.

Cheers
Gio

 

[fury9]

Glad to see some more pics! I'm already on the hunt for more!

 

[darkk]

Do you remember what size nap you used when you rolled the paint on your cabinets? Did you thin the paint?

I used Rustoleum Signal Red enamel. The roller was a cheap 3/8" nap. I did not thin the paint at all. It goes on real heavy orange peel and then flattens out a lot. I put two coats on everything. One gallon did all the cabinets so it spreads out pretty far. You will have to keep checking it for about 1/2 hour after each coat. You will need to run the roller over any areas that sag/run, and there will be some. All the cabinets dried with a very shiney light orange peel look. You could thin the paint out a bit, mine went on pretty heavy. It is sticky as hell and you will get it on anything close....

 

[LutzTD]

Thank you.
Its 26 gauge painted steel used in the flashing and metal roofing industry.
Up here i sell it for $45 per sheet 4x10 feet

Check out my build to see the bench.

Cheers
Gio

wow great material resource tip thanx, ill check out your build

 

[tinbender 66]

They are cheap as government surplus. University of Washington sells them for $25-50 typically at their surplus store. Check your state university and other surplus sites to see what is available.

That's a great store! I picked up a lateral for $25 and a big metal storage cabinet for $15. I could get carried away in there. Too bad they are only open to the public one day a week.

 

[bob_s2]

I love the idea of using the filing cabinets! Great safe metal storage to protect against sparks and stuff, too. nice clean lines. Tornadocaster, where did you get the silver small drawers on the top of the filing cabinet?
--Bob