I have five matching file cabinets in my shop.. 42"wide x 66" high x 18" deep. Five drawers each. The front of the top drawer slides up over the drawer, so that drawer can be used as a pullout shelf,,works good for drill bits and smaller tools. Very heavy duty units with key locks that work....Large top for added storage... Paid $150 each at Habitat for Humanity in Moorhead, Mn....... I also have some regular width two drawer commercial grade cabinets that could be used to support a bench ..
My used bolts are stored in a "free" office drawer file cabinet.. There are three drawers across and nine drawers down.. About 3'x3'x13" .. A second unit was bought for my ofiice, however??
Oil drain pans are stored in a metal wardrobe..About 3'x6'x18" deep..
Pump oil cans, spray lubes,funnels, etc are stored in a metal kitchen pantry cabinet.. About 2'x5'x14".again,"free".
For chains, load binders, load straps, jackstands, axel jacks, etc, I scored a free section of skate lockers 4'x6'x15",,, 24 doors..
For lighter objects such as filters and light bulbs, A pair of RubberMaid four shelf storage cabinets,,about 3'x6'x18". Were on sale for $90 about 5-7 years ago..These are ok for what I use them for, and are nice looking;;;but have gone up in price...Would I buy them at the current price???? maybeeee not..
New nuts and bolts, nails, etc are stored in the typical plastic small parts bins that measure about 14"x18"x6",,each unit has 18 or 60 drawers...these will be SHELF mounted about 3' above the floor, and two high.. That is about a 12' span of those little drawers. Neat looking setup, but they will not take rough treatment.
For parts storage out in my pole shed; I scored a free bunch of old school gym lockers. These are about 12"x30"x12" deep.. They are built as two high units, so those 14 units contain 28 lockers..... Mounted them on a heavy shelf about 18" off the ground, between the poles...
That covers 60' of wall space; Spent about $1400.. Have not painted any of these units, as they are ok as is ? Till I get the urge to "recolor" 4 of them.....
I have 12 of those 18"x36"x72" metal 4 shelf units downstairs,, they are ok where they are;; storing Christmas decorations, paint cans, canned goods and whatever "stuff" that I would not care to see in the shop... I have had some of these for 37 years, but if I had to replace them today; I would buy Gorilla Racks..
We are on the same page as far as the file cabinets on Craig's list,, Habitat For Humanity advertised their file cabinets in the Business section on Craig's list.. Those Stainless Steel restarant service counters and work benches are worth looking at along with steel office desks. .. Don't forget to read the rest of the book on equipment repurposed for shop use.... Remember, It is perfectly legal to beg, borrow, or steal any idea you come across; for your own use..
