Vintage Weatherhead Cabinets - Need Drawer Sources

[Dan in Pasadena]

I need a source for drawers (I've searched: Uline, Grainger, eBay, even Walmart & HF, etc) Weatherhead was taken over by Eaton in '02 (Yes, I contacted them). OR I need advice on how to build plastic drawers, OR just make them out of thin plywood(?)

I've got a line on THREE vintage yellow Weatherhead small parts storage cabinets for $80. Each cabinet should have 49 drawers but the seller only has a few drawers in one of the cabinets.

Cabinets are in pretty good condition except bolted together vertically. The drawers are approximately 8-3/4" long, 3-3/4" wide and 2" tall.

I've been Jonesing for true small parts, nuts & bolts organization for a long time and this may be my chance. Suggestions? Pass?

Found one identical cabinet on eBay for $150. Similar to this photo but wider.

 

[MoonRise]

IF you can't find store-made plastic drawers/bins, maybe just make your own out of thin acrylic plastic and glue the parts together to make drawers.

Set up a mini assembly line and cut all of one size part, then do the next, and so on. Left side, right side, front, back, and bottom.

Five pieces per drawer/bin x 49 drawers/cabinet x 3 cabinets = only 735 pieces to cut and glue together.

Make a jig (or several) and it might not be all that bad to do.

http://www.e-tplastics.com/blog/how-to-cut-drill-finish-and-glue-acrylic/

 

[Outlawmws]

Those look like mine and mine are @ 16 trays per unit:

Or is the "49" (48?) for three units?

And yes, if you get them a trip to Tap plastics would be in order.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Outlawmws, No its actually 49 drawers per unit! Seven drawers across a row, seven vertical rows. I know, that's a lot. If I get them I MAY use two and sell one to break even.

Moonrise, I thought the exact same thing about making an assembly line. I remember from school cutting plexiglas with the paper on it, sanding the edge a bit then momentarily hitting the edge with a flame to smooth it and using some kind of solvent that causes the "welding".

But I'm also wondering if it wouldn't be easier to make the drawers out of 1/4" plywood glued and brad nailed together but use the plexi JUST for the drawer front? I guess I'd dado in a slot and glue it in.

 

[Outlawmws]

If the contents are light,then the ply would work but for the usual load of hardware, maybe on the flimsy side. the acrylic trays in my Weatherheads have held up well, but I'd expect them to since they were designed to hold brass hardware.

I'd think 1/8 or 3/16 plexi with the "welding glue" they use would be the hot setup, maybe with some U channel aluminum handles pop riveted on?

Hmmm have you looked into cardboard tray/bins they use in industrial settings a lot for small parts?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

...Hmmm have you looked into cardboard tray/bins they use in industrial settings a lot for small parts?

You mean INSTEAD of the Weatherhead cabinets or IN the Weatherheads?

I've got an existing 36" wide, 6 ft tall standard metal shelving unit that I've filled with an assortment of Plano boxes and small Tupperware type containers to hold nuts & bolts, fittings of different kinds, wire nuts, PVC fittings, etc. I'd like to have the consistent organization that these cabinets will give me.

 

[Outlawmws]

You mean INSTEAD of the Weatherhead cabinets or IN the Weatherheads?

I've got an existing 36" wide, 6 ft tall standard metal shelving unit that I've filled with an assortment of Plano boxes and small Tupperware type containers to hold nuts & bolts, fittings of different kinds, wire nuts, PVC fittings, etc. I'd like to have the consistent organization that these cabinets will give me.

Def in the weatherheads.

 

[66HertzClone]

Bringing this thread back from the dead. In my parents basement I came across this Weatherhead cabinet and my dad said he was fine with me taking possession. I now am trying to find drawers to replace the five that are missing, I'm sure I have some responsibility in their disappearance way way back in the past.

The drawers measure 5 1/2 x 3 x 2, pretty standard for these cabinets I would guess, the dividers are also missing so getting a hold of some of them would also be helpful. Short of buying another one off of eBay has anyone found a source of these?

 

[Outlawmws]

looks like you are missing eight, unless not all were in the pic.

I think Eprey, or you MIGHT get lucky on CL for a donor...

 

[sapcpo]

I have had a lot of experience with fabricating using acrylic. I would say that's your bet bet to use. Just regular acrylic is going to break when dropped or hit hard. Another choice is Lexan. It's a lot tougher and uses the same solvent to "glue " together. You can use a table saw with a good sharp fine tooth blade. Also you can use a joiner to make the pieces nice and straight. Use "Weld On # 4" for gluing. Good for reg acrylic or polycarbonate(Lexan Brand). On other tip is to find a small glass syringe and needle for applying solvent . Nice and neat job. If you need more info, contact me.
I have made tons of fixtures and projects using all kinds of plastics. Total plastics , e-plastics are two company's to check out for material and the solvent.

 

[66HertzClone]

No just five the other three are sitting outside the picture area. That's what I thought, took a quick look on eBay there are several listed a wide range of prices. Having the OCD thing going on if I bought another one it to would be missing drawers which would then lead me to fill the missing spaces a never ending loop.


Interesting option fabricating my own but duplicating the curved handle would prove to be challenging I would think. As would making the slots or blocks for dividers.

 

[Richard Cranium]

too bad you are so far away, I sold this big wall mounted storage bin in a yard sale

 

[Outlawmws]

Use the fabricated bins for where you don't need dividers (Most of mine...) or use material thick enough to slot. Round tubing could be slit to make the curved handles.

I may have some leftover dividers if you get desperate for them. I'll have to look