File cabinet for tool storage advice

[Daddy B]

Was hoping those who use cabinets like these could chime in on how they like them.

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I would be using them for the basic auto maintenance tools like sockets, wrenches. Just wondering if you find them to be too small, or too difficult to keep things organized, etc. Thanks!

 

[Packard V8]

Those appear to be old file card drawers. I have an old IBM punch card cabinet which is hell-for-stout and has ball-bearing slides. I use it as fastener storage. The bolts/nuts/washers/screws are in whatever boxes/cans/jars/plastic tubs came to hand, but sorted by size and organized by type. Top drawer is washers, second is nuts, third is bolts up to 5/16" and so on.

jack vines

 

[Daddy B]

I use it as fastener storage.

jack vines

That is my back up plan. I was looking for file cabinets I could use as tool cabinets and found these. Was hoping they would be able to fit tools in them and be user friendly. But for the money, I figured I could do what you are doing if they aren't convenient for tool storage.

 

[warweapon762]

I've been looking into this too since my coworker got some at a thrift store in our local that also sells building and office materials. He is using the rather large 1980s/1990s lateral style file cabinets that the front drawer folds out and the file system slides out parallel to the box rather than perpendicular like the traditional file cabinets do. He is in the middle of building a frame with casters for the bottom of it.

So far he was able to combine all his stuff from a couple of 42" chests into one of these large cabinets. He just doesn't have anyway to move it around his garage yet or organize it well with the style of drawers he has. He plans to build racks to put inside the drawers to make it easier.

I'm actually considering getting one just to organize my power tools based on how the drawers slide out.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Most of my power tools reside in a big old conventional style file cabinet. I sort of organize by type.. Saws in one, drills in another, grinders, and "others". Top drawer is drill bits, saw blades, hole saws....basically power tool accessories. Mine is mounted on an angle iron base with casters for easy moving. It it HEAVY!

 

[coralnut]

Was hoping those who use cabinets like these could chime in on how they like them.

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I would be using them for the basic auto maintenance tools like sockets, wrenches. Just wondering if you find them to be too small, or too difficult to keep things organized, etc. Thanks!

I've got several of the old IBM punch card cabinets. They're incredibly stout -- the drawers will hold as much weight as I can put into them and they still glide freely.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I've been looking into this too since my coworker got some at a thrift store in our local that also sells building and office materials. He is using the rather large 1980s/1990s lateral style file cabinets that the front drawer folds out and the file system slides out parallel to the box rather than perpendicular like the traditional file cabinets do. He is in the middle of building a frame with casters for the bottom of it.

So far he was able to combine all his stuff from a couple of 42" chests into one of these large cabinets. He just doesn't have anyway to move it around his garage yet or organize it well with the style of drawers he has. He plans to build racks to put inside the drawers to make it easier.

I'm actually considering getting one just to organize my power tools based on how the drawers slide out.

I have 5 of those 5 drawer, 42" wide cabinets, and a similar 7 drawer, 36" wide cabinet... No problem holding circular saws , large impact wrenches, cased tools, hydraulic jacks, chains, wheel chocks, large wrenches, ropes, shop supplies,, service manuals, AC and body tools... They work ok for big or bulky stuff.. They do hold allot, and are built like a tank.. The top can be used also, so there are six levels of storage on the cabinets you pictured... I have around $800 ******* in my cabinets.. It was a lazy way to get durable storage for that price..

 

[Itinerant]

Hey Dad, is your cabinet made by Art Metal? Can't tell for sure but the logo looks the same as mine. If it's got the roller bearing slides it will handle a lot of weight as others have said, I use mine for storing c-clamps, 3/4" drive socket set, drill press vises, etc.

I really like that they're narrow and unobtrusive.

 

[cheechi]

I've been looking into this too since my coworker got some at a thrift store in our local that also sells building and office materials. He is using the rather large 1980s/1990s lateral style file cabinets that the front drawer folds out and the file system slides out parallel to the box rather than perpendicular like the traditional file cabinets do. He is in the middle of building a frame with casters for the bottom of it.

So far he was able to combine all his stuff from a couple of 42" chests into one of these large cabinets. He just doesn't have anyway to move it around his garage yet or organize it well with the style of drawers he has. He plans to build racks to put inside the drawers to make it easier.

I'm actually considering getting one just to organize my power tools based on how the drawers slide out.

I have 4 of these and they are amazing for storage. They are not 'terrible' for organization but they would be terrible for hand tools without a very good organization system. Power tools yes. Bulky items like a drawer literally FULL of nails for nail guns yes. Paint supplies including a few 1 gallon cans yes.

hand tools I'd say almost definitely not.


So back to your point OP. Card file drawers are going to be either great or terrible depending on what you try. Many don't have sides so they are like sliding trays with drawer fronts. I have a small 2 drawer card file that I bought cause it was $5 and so far stuff like fasteners would be ok in small amounts even with bins but not really great for it.

 

[Fugio]

I use those 42" wide cabinets for really heavy tools and power tools. They work great because they are meant to hold hundreds of pounds of per drawer. Great ball bearing slides on them! And they bolt to the wall.

The top shelf with no cover I use for a battery charging station. Perfect for fire prevention and ease of access.

 

[Coach James]

I have a cabinet similar to the OP's that has three trays in each drawer. Got it recently and posted it on here. Another member showed a pic of using his for fastener storage so I stole his idea. Performance Tool plastic bins fit perfectly when turned sideways in the trays.

I use a regular four drawer letter size file cabinet for some power tool storage. Drills, angle grinders, recip saws and consumeables fit nicely.

Coach

 

[machine_punk]

I just converted a similar media cabinet into a tool storage cabinet. I think you will find the vertical drawer dividers are just spot welded in. I drilled out all the spot welds, cut 1/4" plywood panels for the bottom of each drawer, then cut custom drawer liners for each drawer. Now, it is a perfect tool cabinet. You will find that working around those drawer dividers is a pain, but they are relatively easy to remove.

Anyway, go to the last couple of pages of my thread (see the link in my signature below) for the detailed build on my cabinet. It was time consuming (took way longer than I thought it would), but in the end, it is a great tool cabinet, for very little money.

Kev

 

[DWise]

I use this small 4 drawer Steel Case for my bicycle tools and it works great. I left the dividers in.