Flat File/Map Cabinet Useful for a home shop?

[chstrumpetdude]

Hey y'all, I have the opportunity to buy the grey cabinet pictured for $100(in the plastic wrap). Looks like two bolted together cause the seller said it won't come apart. The drawers are thinner than some others he has and I have seen and I have no clue about the top drawers are for. It is deeper, at least it appears from the ground, than a standard file cabinet.

This seems like a good deal, but I am having a hard time thinking what could fit in here. Any suggestions? Yea or nay? He also has one that is newer in design with more standard drawers and is not so deep for $150, which seems fair to me similar to the cream on under this plastic wrapped one.

 

[MrSurly]

If those upper drawers have dividers, then bolts and nuts(?)
The blueprint drawers are all but a waste of space unless you have a ton of sander, photo paper, or maybe give all of your drill bits and taps a lot of room to breathe? Hacksaw and other blades, files, Allen wrenches (but not while they are in certain holders), wrenches, but size limited. I mean I could probably use a few of those drawers but not many.


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[4xdog]

What size is it? That seems like a real deal.

I have a 2-unit, 10-drawer flat file with metal top panel, 49.5" x 38.25" inside drawer dimensions that is used for my collection of maps, posters, and prints in my library. I paid several times what yours is and I've been happy with it for 5+ years. They're terrific things to have if one has the space.

Mine is too deep to be practical for tool storage. But for large, flat items -- nuthin' better.

 

[chstrumpetdude]

These are pretty deep, which is why he priced it cheaper than the smaller one that is more of a file cabinet depth. I have two steelcase 4 drawers that are fairly deep and this one seems deeper.

Kind of sounds like what I thought that my two car garage shop can't quite justify this. I even thought about taking the top drawers out and making wood drawers that aren't 2 inches across like these

 

[couch67]

I passed on a similar one from work when we were moving buildings. I think it was 36" deep. Just didnt see how to integrate it into the shop and make use of it.

 

[drivesitfar]

CTD: I own several flat file cabinets and they are great for storing tools and my stuff in.

while I don't like the one inch deep drawers as much as the 2.5 inch ones they should work for a lot of your basic tools and stuff.

the upper cabinets are new to me and if they are really 2 or 3 inch wide, 2 inch deep and 33 or 41 inch deep would be interesting to say the least. that said you can't really go wrong for $100 for them.

if you only want to buy them to use them for tool storage i'd buy the deeper drawer tan ones for $150 and run cause these cost about 10-20 times that much new.

here's one of my flat file drawers with a few of my tools in it.

 

[chstrumpetdude]

Drivesitfar: I thought the top section was interesting too. I posted it on Reddit to see if anyone knew for certain what they are for and so far the debate is between 35mm slides and rolled print copies.

 

[matt_i]

Heck yeah those are quite useful (blueprint cabinets).

in various drawers I have PVC and Cu pipe fittings. EMT fittings and coverplates. Wiring device receptacles of many sizes, vinyl siding tools, tin snips, ductwork metal bending tools, fabric, web straps, "special tools" - sort of a catchall for things that I make for a job and then probably wont be needed for another 300 years but too good to throw out. Some actual paperwork drawings. Fish tapes and sewer snake coils. There's more but I'd have to consult the labels to recall...

You have to be a little cognizant that the center can't hold a ton of weight so keep heavy items next to the slides. They are of course limited in the height so go in with eyes wide open there.

Edit: some more stuff housed in there after a trip to the shop...extra gaskets/gasket kits/headgaskets/oil pan gaskets, portaband blades, sanding disks (I have some 20" which don't fit anywhere else easily), spark plugs, ball bearings, roofing tools, steel banding, drywall knife/rasp/jabsaw, wago "nuts" and ground pigtails all found their homes there...

 

[PugetDude]

I'd be all over that as an island cabinet.
Put a 36" wide butcherblock top on it, Kaizen foam the shallow drawers...

 

[drivesitfar]

CTD: rolled up plans sounds like what they were made for and again i've never seen any and i was in a lot of builders and architects offices in my past.

buy all of them and sell one set that you don't need for $250 and they'll be free.

good luck

 

[Brad54]

I'm thinking you're on the right track about it being a little too big, and the drawers a little too shallow, for being really useful in a shop.
The more conventional one, however, would be great.
I've got a flat drawer cabinet that is narrower side-to-side than the normal map cabinets, with 10 drawers measuring 18 inches wide, 3 inches deep, and 28 inches long. It's probably a little long for what I need, but the rest of the dimensions are perfect for the use:
One drawer will hold all my pop rivets, washers and pop rivet gun.
Another will hold dzus fasteners, tabs, etc.
A third will hold all my taps and dies.
The fourth will hold chip board (cereal boxes, etc.) and poster board for making templates and patterns.
Another will hold pre-fabricated tabs and brackets for fabrication projects.
No idea what the others will hold... maybe brake and fuel line fittings, coils of bulk brake and fuel line, bending and flaring tools, etc. etc.

I'm currently doing a full-on re-org, remodel of the shop, and that cabinet is in place already, and I'm really looking forward to loading it up.
Downside: I'm gonna have to make my own dividers for all the drawers, so that's going to take some time.

 

[Motorman55]

I've always wanted a set of those type of drawers, but the ones I came across were either ratty or just too damn high in price. I'm still in the market for one should it come up 'cheap'.

I have a ton of vintage motorcycle related drawings, artwork, posters and various original ads that I like to keep laid out flat.

 

[jmiller_2308]

Dang... for $100 or even the $150 that is a great deal.

I wanted a flat file system for my shop for a long time but they were just too expensive. In fact, they were almost on the order of what some of the harbor freight cabinets cost.

They are deep and large so I wouldn't use them as a bench. I'd prefer to put it on wheels and make it a rolling work station with tons of storage. If it had to be stationary I'd look at making it part of an island work station.

In any event, I see several suggestions for how to use the flat drawers and that is what I would have looked for. Lots of room to spread out wrench sets and if tall enough sockets, pliers, any number of hand tools that when placed in deeper drawers are often just tumbled together.

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ve had a few of the big ones move through my hands, but you really need space. They are massive. Would make a sweet island and you would figure out what to fill them with, but they won’t replace your main tool box.
The smaller size is perfect as a supplemental box. Here is my 30in deep box that sits on the 30in deep Vidmar. It’s got a drawer for screwdrivers, pliers, files, layout tools. Shallow drawers, but there are tons of tools that fit.

 

[HotrodHR]

As a former cartographer (map maker) I've used flat files and the shallow (1" ?) drawers were a pain to use for the intended purpose - flat material, maps, etc. i think you'll find it to be a lot of work to set up and use for tools. JMHO...

Price wise that's a good deal, if you can put them to use. My daughter is an artist and picked up several sections of flat files about five years ago. Great idea but guess what, they are still in my garage, stacked on their sides!

Thanks for your topic... I think I'll call my daughter and remind her to come over and pick them up!

 

[chstrumpetdude]

When I first bought my house back in April and getting the garage setup I had seen some people using flat files and thought that would be great for my hand tools. Alas, now that I have lots of stuff in my garage, I can't justify the sacrificing of the space. I have two Steelcase 4 drawer file cabinets full and those are the deep 26 inch i believe and a wall lined with steel 2 drawer and one file drawer cabinets from office desks from the habitat store that was donated by Grizzly that will be built up to counterbench height. When I get the area cleaned up more I will post some pictures on here cause they are much sturdier that say HON stuff.

 

[Ron_J]

Flat files are awesome for storage. The only problem I had was I used wood for the dividers. It was fine till I loaded up the drawers...the weight of the nuts and bolts made the bottom of the drawer flex enough that the small stuff slid under the dividers, and eventually will push the dividers up enough that the drawers wont close. Eventually I will bend up some sheet metal dividers and tack them to the bottom of the drawer.

 

[jmiller_2308]

Woo Hoo!!! This thread got me into checking craigslist for flat files and I managed to get this one yesterday for FREE!!!!

It is large (nearly 3'x4') but now that it is home I'll be thinking of creating things to do with it. Being this large, I definetly think I'll be adding support ala what Ron_J was talking about. I might also add a plate to the top and make it part of a moving work center. Possibilities are endless.

 

[casmurbax]

I love my flat files.





I am very happy with them. These work well for me.

btw jmiller_2308 you ****. nice score

 

[southernfriedcj]

I wish I had seen this thread before I dumped my flat file cabinets. I couldn't give them away. Tried to sell them on CL and then tried to give them away. Finally ran over them with a Bobcat and threw them in a job dumpster.

 

[Fatboy148]

I wish I had seen this thread before I dumped my flat file cabinets. I couldn't give them away. Tried to sell them on CL and then tried to give them away. Finally ran over them with a Bobcat and threw them in a job dumpster.

That old "Trash vs Treasure" thing again!

 

[bmxr4life87]

I put alot of hardware in my 5 drawer blueprint cabinet and also have a drawer for tools in blow molded cases like socket sets

 

[jmiller_2308]

Got a first run at making my free (yes I ****) craigslist flat file into a mobile workstation. I was able to reuse an old vise and piece of plate steel for the top. I also added 1ft square cut outs and mounts so that I can swap equipment in and out easily. It stands 39" tall, has 4 rotating casters and although heavy it moves pretty easy. I thought about adding electricity to it as well as pull bars but this was good for now. I still need to re-finish the drawer fronts and add support to support things like heavy hardware bins.

All and all I think it turned out pretty good. I have less than $100 in materials into it and now my biggest thought is what do I rearrange in the shop to take advantage of this new storage.

 

[chstrumpetdude]

Nice setup there! I am curious how you attached the cabinet. Did you drill/bolt it to the wood frame and tabletop?

 

[jmiller_2308]

Nice setup there! I am curious how you attached the cabinet. Did you drill/bolt it to the wood frame and tabletop?

Yes, lots of bolts as well as some lag screws and wood screws.

There is lots of clearance to bolt the base on without hitting the drawers but the top was a different issue.

The top is made to be 3 3/4" total thickness in case I decide to put bench dog holes in. It also allowed me to make the very top 1.5" thick with an overhang so that I can use clamps on the edges.

Anyway the bottom of the top is bolted to the top of the flat file but since I was laying more material over it I needed to inset the heads of the bolts I used. I also used 2x4 material to sandwich between the plywood next to the flat file and the 1.5" sandwich of plywood that is the top. Since the 2x4s had some twist I ended up screwing down the 2x4s into the bottom layer as well as adding a lot of lag screws through the flat file top into the bottom layer and 2x4s. This leveled it pretty well and provided a nice base for the top.

The top is a sandwich of 3/4 ply, 1/2 ply, and 1/4 masonite. I liked the idea of a sacrificial masonite top that I can replace whenever I want but I also wanted to have a good base for the cut outs to mount equipment. With 3/4 under the cut out and a 3/4 base for my equipment it is pretty solid. Also, with the masonite being sacrificial I was able to screw the 1/2 and 3/4 ply down to the 2x4s to secure the entire top.

 

[Ilikeike]

My worked out great for small parts. I painted it like my old tool box.

 

[MFortie]

I picked up a couple of plan files (flat files) from my wife's engineering firm and use them for hardware. Went to the 'Container Store' and picked up a bunch of these:

 

[88thunder]

Was able to build this all from scrap steel box/rectangle. Its sturdy to say the least. The top is the height of my table saw so it can be an out feed table. It is large, but works great for a mobile work surface.

 

[junkyardwarrior]

We use them at work in the parts dept for gasket storage.