What do I do with this?

[Beerhippie]

This showed up in the shop while I was out to lunch yesterday. I do mean I was out having lunch.



It's long--15 1/4" on the tray. It's 5 1/4" wide inside, but only 3 1/4" high. I know it was a card file, but what can I re-purpose it as in the shop?

The badge belongs on a high-end car from the sixties:



It doesn't sit flat as-is, due to two tabs sticking out from the bottom. The slot above the badge looks like it might accommodate one of those for stacking, but there is no corresponding slot at the back and I don't have another to try it. It probably came in a cabinet.

Ideas? I'm asking the GJG--Garage Journal Genii--so I hope to get something creative.

 

[RTM]

I have a double wide version, and use it for tin snips and shears, tho one or the other will need to move out.

 

[Beerhippie]

I know who dropped it off, so I need to find out if the rest of the cabinet is around. That might make more sense.

 

[rooster59]

Bean cans with screws, nuts, washers, …

 

[Motorman55]

I have a single drawer like that and a double drawer. I've used the single drawer for my rivet guns and rivets. The double is currently stored way.

 

[engineer2]

It's like new!
Add dividers for alkaline or rechargeable battery storage.
Store extra long bolts.
Plumbing fittings or pipe *******.
Miscellaneous **** bin.
Storage for measuring tools like micrometers or calipers.

 

[tool_scrounge]

l like single drawers bolted under work bench tops for frequently used tools like a hack saw, dead blow hammer, soft jaws for vise, etc.

 

[Beerhippie]

I found a use for it.

First, it is a free-standing file, but built to be stackable.





The four holes in the corners are threaded 1/4-20. I added two short screws to act as legs, with the hook in the back as the third leg. Easily leveled and stable now.

For stacking, the tab in front fits the slot on the top front of the next file. The hook at the back goes into a slot a the back and they're locked together.

They fit the spare batteries for our M18 collection nicely, with a charger on top:



I can sleep well tonight.

 

[RMERR]

I see these often on Craigslist, single and double wide. I kinda like them, but have the same question, what do I do with a single drawer?

 

[slowtwitch73]

 

[johnre]

I have something like that next to the drill press to store my collection of various drill bit indexes and miscellaneous related items - wood brad point, wood forstner, countersinks, metal bits, etc.

 

[jimy]

I think you need more.

I got these last year out of the town scrap metal bin.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I have two of those also. I keep music CD’s in them just because I couldn’t think of anything else to put in there.

 

[gleman]

I use them for long tool storage and sorting medium size parts

 

[rust in the eye]

There would have been removable rubber feet on the bottom, removable to stack as you suggested.
Cole Steel was a well regarded brand of office furniture in their day.
These are handy for storage but I find the channel on the drawer bottom, intended for a follower block, to be annoying.

 

[WildBill]

I use mine for grinding and sandpaper discs.

 

[Beerhippie]

If I could find a full set of these, they'd be perfect for organizing my fasteners. I currently use the crappiest tool chest in the shop for that.

The "follower" and its parts are a pain. I removed the rod entirely and put the follower at the very back, but could easily get another battery in there if I tossed that and tacked a flat plate to the end of the drawer.

I tried it for 4-5" grinding/sanding disks, but it's too low to hold them at a convenient angle. They'd be lying almost flat, which means digging through to get to the one I want. Same goes for drill bits--I want those standing vertically. I have other storage solutions for both that are more convenient.

Here's my solution for grinder disks and wheels:



File cabinets that the office was throwing out. Pieces of 4" PVC irrigation pipe, cut in half lengthwise, make great organizers for the disks and wheels.

 

[Wamsutta]

That reminds me of a drawer for a library card catalog file.

 

[Beerhippie]

Basically the same, but a free-standing/stackable unit instead of a cabinet. It even had the retaining rod.

 

[Beerhippie]

Now I'm wondering how many libraries will be discarding their old card files as they go to computers. Imagine all the nuts, bolts and screws you could sort in one of those!

 

[seber]

Now I'm wondering how many libraries will be discarding their old card files as they go to computers. Imagine all the nuts, bolts and screws you could sort in one of those!

They show up now and then but the prices are way beyond what you would pay for utilitarian cabinets. They get used for home decor.

 

[hobie18]

This showed up in the shop while I was out to lunch yesterday. I do mean I was out having lunch.



It's long--15 1/4" on the tray. It's 5 1/4" wide inside, but only 3 1/4" high. I know it was a card file, but what can I re-purpose it as in the shop?

The badge belongs on a high-end car from the sixties:



It doesn't sit flat as-is, due to two tabs sticking out from the bottom. The slot above the badge looks like it might accommodate one of those for stacking, but there is no corresponding slot at the back and I don't have another to try it. It probably came in a cabinet.

Ideas? I'm asking the GJG--Garage Journal Genii--so I hope to get something creative.

Ever want to keep your lunch safe in the work refrigerator?
Well, now...
Label this emergency safety hazard and put it in the refrigerator.
Hold a giant sub sandwich.