Got used metal cabinet: what next.

[Val_C]

Couldn't pass on $10 deal for metal cabinet. I don' really need another cabinet, by being scavenger I am I couldn't pass on it. It's quite big (26" width 21" depth and 30.5" high).
Only after I brought it home I noticed that shelves are not adjustable but spot welded and I have no use for such a small place between shelves.
What to do next: should I try and chisel out some shelves or get rid of it and find another one with may be one-two shelves in it?

 

[larry_g]

I would fashion some trays to sit on the shelves and use it for storing all the small bits of hardware, picture hangers, small screws, bolts ,and nuts. Each tray could be for a specific project you may be working on.
lg
no neat sig line

 

[D Force]

That looks nice. Kind of a weird shelf arrangement. I've got the same problem cutting out stainless steel cell dividers in an aircraft battery housing. I'm interested in any solutions any one comes up with. I don't have any heavy duty demolition equipment. When you finish. I'd paint the cabinet red and the door grey/black. Nothing sits too long in my garage without getting painted red!

 

[R6 Racer]

Dammm
If you cant use it I sure can!
& I'm only 1/2 hour away...

Steve

 

[gary300]

I would take out a few of the shelves and then use it for flamable storage like paint, thinner etc.

 

[Jack Olsen]

It's going to be tricky to take out the shelves -- if you try prying at the spot welds you're going to end up with stretched and distorted steel. I would try using an abrasive cutting disk on a 4-1/2" grinder, but you'd have to start at the top and pretty much take them all out.

That said, it looks like one has already been removed, which might give you some clue as to where the welds are. That'll improve your chances of not messing the steel up.

If you take all the shelves out, you could put in plywood uprights on either side with strips to support adjustable shelves.

Or if you leave the shelves in, you could still put in plywood with drawer runners and make flat platform-type drawers that slide out.

There are probably things that would be perfect for those very short spaces, but right now I'm drawing a blank on what they might be.

 

[onewaydave]

If you can find the welds, drill and fill the holes later.

 

[TONE]

You could always buy some drawer glides and mount hardware trays to them. Would be a cool little hardware organizer.

 

[Born_Annoyed]

That looks nice. Kind of a weird shelf arrangement. I've got the same problem cutting out stainless steel cell dividers in an aircraft battery housing. I'm interested in any solutions any one comes up with. I don't have any heavy duty demolition equipment. When you finish. I'd paint the cabinet red and the door grey/black. Nothing sits too long in my garage without getting painted red!

Hey what Cman box is that? It would make perfect for a parts organizer for me. Thanks.

 

[Born_Annoyed]

Couldn't pass on $10 deal for metal cabinet. I don' really need another cabinet, by being scavenger I am I couldn't pass on it. It's quite big (26" width 21" depth and 30.5" high).
Only after I brought it home I noticed that shelves are not adjustable but spot welded and I have no use for such a small place between shelves.
What to do next: should I try and chisel out some shelves or get rid of it and find another one with may be one-two shelves in it?

That would make perfect for manuals and warranty information storage. (ie) paper stuff, or plastic bins for small parts.

 

[keflaman]

I'm visualizing slide outs for torque wrenches, calipers, micrometers...all your precision measuring equipment.

 

[D Force]

Hey what Cman box is that? It would make perfect for a parts organizer for me. Thanks.

That's a Craftsman box model called "Hotpoint side-by-side refrigerator/freezer." I painted it.

 

[Val_C]

Thanks guys for excellent ideas!
I already have cool cabinet with no less than 33 drawers, so my small stuff will be organized.

I think I will not alter the cabinet in question meanwhile... I was looking more for a metal wall mounted cabinet with 2-3 shelves only to keep my cans with paint, auto cosmetics and other stuff like this, and this one seems to be too deep for this, even if I'll manage carefully remove extra-shelves.

 

[D Force]

Thanks guys for excellent ideas!
I already have cool cabinet with no less than 33 drawers, so my small stuff will be organized.

I think I will not alter the cabinet in question meanwhile... I was looking more for a metal wall mounted cabinet with 2-3 shelves only to keep my cans with paint, auto cosmetics and other stuff like this, and this one seems to be too deep for this, even if I'll manage carefully remove extra-shelves.

That cabinet there is a piece of junk. I suggest you get rid of it immediately. How much for me come over there haul it off for you!

 

[Val_C]

I think I will keep this piece of useless scrap in my garage just to avoid polluting landfield and counterbalance my driving of old not fuel efficient car, but if someone wants more metal junk, those cabinets periodically pop-up for sale (images are clickable, no affiliation with sellers):

and

 

[D Force]

How are the drawer slides on the first cabinet? Not BB, I take it? But, it does look great. All I can think of when I see it is...RED!

 

[Val_C]

How are the drawer slides on the first cabinet? Not BB, I take it? But, it does look great. All I can think of when I see it is...RED!

Unfortunately, no BB, drawers just slide on stamped channels.

I was thinking to paint it, but I have some other cabinets and I plan do it at once, but haven't decided about colors and what brand of paint to use yet. I think about gray-red, but not 100% sure.

Plus I am a little worried about getting handles out, don't know yet if I'll find stock looking rivets.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's a Craftsman box model called "Hotpoint side-by-side refrigerator/freezer." I painted it.

um, have you posted that before ? got a link to it? If not, you need to do a thread on it.

 

[D Force]

Unfortunately, no BB, drawers just slide on stamped channels.

Plus I am a little worried about getting handles out, don't know yet if I'll find stock looking rivets.

Yowza! I didn't notice the card holder rivets. That would take FOREVER. You could always use regular pop rivets after you painted it. Still a very nice/functional cabinet. I would love to have something like that to roll around the garage filled with the 33 most used items in my daily projects. Very cool.

 

[KenS]

That's a Craftsman box model called "Hotpoint side-by-side refrigerator/freezer." I painted it.

You really got me on that one! Love it.

I see you you have installed casters on it. Do you use it as a refrigerator, or a tool chest?