Practical uses for file cabinets?

[Daddy454]

I've had these things for a while now,and I'm not sure I'm getting my best bang for the buck.Some of you guys are pretty clever with your storage uses,and I'm wondering if I could utilize these better.Like the title says I got 3 file cabinets that I use for various ****,but I'd like to do something else/better with.Mostly just have assorted stuff in them 1 drawer for elect. Cords,1 for household misc.,1 for street bike misc.,1 for dirt bike misc.,paint stuff,carpentry,owner manuals, random shop ****.You get the picture.Is this really the best use of them,or do you guys got something better?I'm really just jonesing for a shop project,and this is all I got for now.Pic shows them off to the left for reference.

 

[tornadocaster]

Great garage, especially that big beast sitting in the middle!
Try as i might, i never found a great use for that type of filing cabinet, although i use them at my work since we have lots of room. If it was my garage I would get rid of those and pick up some of the 5 or 6 drawer lateral cabinets ( currently on kijiji here from $free to $50 each). Tomorrow I'm actually cutting down a rolling bench i made at the beginning of my garage build, as the 36" depth is stopping me from pushing my blazer further out of the way. If you go to the laterals you could get rid of a bunch of stuff from the shelf on the right and maybe the helmets? under the workbench.
I might seem a bit partial to the lateral cabinets, after all my whole garage build is based around them.
Cheers
Gio

 

[waggie]

I have a bunch of old school file cabinets, too. They're well made, but I too can't think of how to use them in the garage besides using them to keep my tool receipts, user manuals other garage related paperwork. the drawers are too tall.

now, if they were horizontal ones, that'd be different.

 

[mnster]

They work well for holding literature manuals, wiring diagrams so on. I have found them to cavernous or odd for odd parts. Maybe some dividers to maximize drawer space potential? Perhaps storage containers which stack neatly inside the drawers?

 

[PCO6]

I have two 2 drawer cabinets under my bench that I store bulky power tools and lubricants, additives, cleaners, etc. in. It's a handy spot for them and I really like the full extension sliders.

 

[darkk]

Lateral cabinets are the way to go. You can usually get them pretty cheap and they are built heavy as hell.

 

[AndrewnTX]

Lateral cabinets are the way to go. You can usually get them pretty cheap and they are built heavy as hell.

Sharp, looks a great use of them!

 

[John in OH]

I don't find the typical file cabinets to be too useful. Agreed, there is a lot of volume in a set of those drawers, but they are too deep and stuff gets lost too easily. The lateral file cabinets are more useful.

Note, however, the term "lateral file" is used for TWO different style of file cabinets. One style is the horizontal drawer style. This is the style of cabinets used by tornadocaster in his garage (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163657). The second style of lateral file is the fixed shelf with top-hinged front cover. This style is used in darkk's garage (see post #6 above). Both are better than the old style file cabinet drawers. I have several of the latter style and am very pleased with them. Although the shelves are fixed height, and that is a restriction to some degree, I really like the ability to close the covers and hide all the stuff on the shelves.

So, if you choose to use lateral files, you need to decide if you want drawers or shelves.

 

[Falcon67]

I use my 4 drawer strictly for literature. We use some at work for storing cords and thing, but we are IT and we have hundreds of those things. If you have 60 power cords for a PC, and 100 VGA extension cables you probably ought to throw some away. Otherwise, a file cab is not a very good storage place for "stuff". Too much wasted space.

 

[bgarrett]

I put a bunch of hammers in one drawer, another has wrenches that are over 1"
soldering guns in another if a drawer gets too full, its hard to find anything
A skil saw fits

 

[cabriolethiboy]

I have one drawer in mine full of spray cans.

 

[PAToyota]

I picked up a bunch of file cabinets and mounted them along the back wall of my woodshop for storage.

 

[bobcat]

Timely thread as I now have a 4 drawer vertical file cabinet and was wondering how it could be used in my garage where space is limited . Looks like the lateral units make far better use of space .
Looks like Habitat for Humanity gets a 4 drawer unit Monday .

 

[PECVD2]

I picked up about 6 of them 15 years ago. I have used them in my wifes garage to store all of her seasonal items in plastic bins.

My future SIL has asked for one less used cabinet to fabricate a file cabinet smoker.
I am inclinded to give him the one in my practically unused home office just to see what he makes of it and maybe benifit from some of the spoils.

 

[Daddy454]

Tornadocaster-first off thanks.That beast in the middles actually a CB 750 mutant/hybrid I'm working on for a friend,but may soon be mine.I looked at your build and see what you mean by the lateral cabs.Storage wise it's probably the same space,those are definitely more accessible though.I guess I'm gonna have to start looking around for some .

 

[Daddy454]

I have a bunch of old school file cabinets, too. They're well made, but I too can't think of how to use them in the garage besides using them to keep my tool receipts, user manuals other garage related paperwork. the drawers are too tall.

now, if they were horizontal ones, that'd be different.

Yeah I got a really good deal on these(free)and it pains me to get rid of them,but they just don't seem as practical,now that I've sen all the ideas on this forum.Maybe just keep one for paperwork related stuff.

 

[Daddy454]

They work well for holding literature manuals, wiring diagrams so on. I have found them to cavernous or odd for odd parts. Maybe some dividers to maximize drawer space potential? Perhaps storage containers which stack neatly inside the drawers?

Yeah I've tried the dividers,but they seem to get overpowered by tools of any sort.As for the depth,it is nice although I can't pull them out all the way with my truck parked in there.Small containers might work,but then again only for small stuff.

 

[Daddy454]

I have two 2 drawer cabinets under my bench that I store bulky power tools and lubricants, additives, cleaners, etc. in. It's a handy spot for them and I really like the full extension sliders.

Maybe I could cut them down somehow,and make some sort of rolling bench/cabinet.I do really like the storage of the deep drawers though.

 

[Daddy454]

Darkk-those do look nice.I think I'd be more inclined to the shelf style more so then the drawers.I'm gonna have to start looking around.

 

[Daddy454]

Thanks John OH.^^^^^^^ I think I've decided.Course that also depends on what I can find $$$

 

[Daddy454]

I use my 4 drawer strictly for literature. We use some at work for storing cords and thing, but we are IT and we have hundreds of those things. If you have 60 power cords for a PC, and 100 VGA extension cables you probably ought to throw some away. Otherwise, a file cab is not a very good storage place for "stuff". Too much wasted space.

Word.And I DON'T have 60 power cords,and I don't even know what a VGA cable is

 

[Daddy454]

I put a bunch of hammers in one drawer, another has wrenches that are over 1"
soldering guns in another if a drawer gets too full, its hard to find anything
A skil saw fits

I actually got the idea for these from when I was doing const. Remodels back when.Old finish carpenter I worked with used to store all his tools in separate drawers by category.I thought it was slick til I got my roll-away,and JOBOX,for all my tools.Now it's just random ****.

 

[Daddy454]

Cabriolet-all my paint stuff goes in the room in the back corner.

 

[Daddy454]

Timely thread as I now have a 4 drawer vertical file cabinet and was wondering how it could be used in my garage where space is limited . Looks like the lateral units make far better use of space .
Looks like Habitat for Humanity gets a 4 drawer unit Monday .

Glad I could helpMaybe I'll be making a trip to the thrift store as well.I gotta keep the one with the stickers though.

 

[Daddy454]

I picked up about 6 of them 15 years ago. I have used them in my wifes garage to store all of her seasonal items in plastic bins.

My future SIL has asked for one less used cabinet to fabricate a file cabinet smoker.
I am inclinded to give him the one in my practically unused home office just to see what he makes of it and maybe benifit from some of the spoils.

Now there's an idea-I'll unload 'em on the wife and let them clutter her "garden shed".

 

[Bull]

I use one for cans (spray paint, cleaners etc.) and quart bottles of ATF and oil, tubes of grease etc. You just reach in, pull up what you want and go.

 

[darkk]

I have used them in my wifes garage to store all of her seasonal items in plastic bins.

Wifes garage? Anyone else see a problem here? hahaha...Just kidding..

 

[PECVD2]

Wifes garage? Anyone else see a problem here? hahaha...Just kidding..

HaHa, yeah it was a solution to my "problem" (her **** in my way).
Learned long ago that we needed separate areas.
Built me a detached garage so the attached is her own place for her ****, her tool box, extra pots, pans, dishes, coaching gear and cars.

And she actually loves the file cabinets for her storage items.

 

[FarmWrench]

I have a few. They are not the best but when you like to save way too much junk....
1. Hard to beat for manuals and records. 2. Those things that would destroy tool box space. I keep my Diesel injector tester. Beed roller. a "fender fixer" plannishing hammer. spare set of torch regs and hoses. Gasket material. A box of semi orginized hydraulic seals/rings, pump packing/gland junk. 3. stuff you don't want to take out of blow mold cases.

If you are as bad at carpentry as I am they can give great insight into what will/not work for you.

 

[wrench409]

Standard file cabinets for hanging folders (while being deep) are good for large tools.

What I've done is use the two sets of drawers from an old 'tanker' or industrial desk and mounted them under my work bench. I have some distance under them for my feet (close work) and for sliding stuff under than can be stored on the floor. These have no external handles on them so that's a plus. I keep searching for more (a recurrent wanted ad on Craigslist) but haven't found exactly the same ones.

 

[Daddy454]

I use one for cans (spray paint, cleaners etc.) and quart bottles of ATF and oil, tubes of grease etc. You just reach in, pull up what you want and go.

Yeah,copy that,doing it already.Thinking I could probably just get away with one cab. for all that though.Maybe use it for ALL my oils.

 

[Daddy454]

I have a few. They are not the best but when you like to save way too much junk....
1. Hard to beat for manuals and records. 2. Those things that would destroy tool box space. I keep my Diesel injector tester. Beed roller. a "fender fixer" plannishing hammer. spare set of torch regs and hoses. Gasket material. A box of semi orginized hydraulic seals/rings, pump packing/gland junk. 3. stuff you don't want to take out of blow mold cases.

If you are as bad at carpentry as I am they can give great insight into what will/not work for you.

Yep,sounds like mine-mostly just misc. stuff with no real designated home.

 

[Daddy454]

Lefty-I've been wondering now if maybe I could cut them down,and set them under my workbench somehow.At least this way they would be more handy/practical

 

[5lima30]

I've got an old 2 drawer filing cabinet that is fire-rated and very heavy! I picked it up at Habitat for $8.00 and thats what I store all my drill bits, hole saws, and saw blades in.

 

[Bull]

Lefty-I've been wondering now if maybe I could cut them down,and set them under my workbench somehow.At least this way they would be more handy/practical

Jack Olsen can tell you a think or two about cutting cabinets down. He hasn't down file cabinets, but Stronghold brand industrial cabinets and I think Lista/Vidmar pieces as well.

 

[Scoutman]

I love these cabinets and would probably have one more as I keep coming up with categories for different drawers. They are the same depth as my gray industrial cabinet so they are always neighbors. 5 drawers a piece and they are the heavy duty ones with the hinge latch on the front (can be lockable with a padlock)

Drawers have...

Misc: manuals, chargers, other things that don't have a home
Screws: different lengths in peanut butter jars
Nails: different lengths in peanut butter jars
Painting: brushes, pans, rollers, etc
Drywall: knives, trowels, pans, sanding stuff, etc

Files: instructions, manuals, etc
Electrical: plugs, switches, boxes, covers, adapters, conduent fittings, short extension cords (this drawer should really become 2)
Automotive painting: spray guns, mixing containers, strainers, cleaning, tack rags, etc

I've drawn a blank on what the other 2 drawers have but you get the idea.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Lateral cabinets are the way to go. You can usually get them pretty cheap and they are built heavy as hell.

Mine! Very useful!

Jim

 

[wrench409]

Lefty-I've been wondering now if maybe I could cut them down,and set them under my workbench somehow.At least this way they would be more handy/practical

These were easy to mount under my bench. There are 4 holes with slots on each drawer (they break down into individual drawers).

One set I just picked up even had casters on it.

 

[Daddy454]

Jack Olsen can tell you a think or two about cutting cabinets down. He hasn't down file cabinets, but Stronghold brand industrial cabinets and I think Lista/Vidmar pieces as well.

Cool,maybe I'll hafta hit him up.

 

[Daddy454]

Scout man-sounds almost exactly how mine are set up.Seems like that might be the only/best use for ' em so far.