wood vs metal wall cabinets?

[Vintage Veloce]

So, besides cosmetic appearances, is there some benefit of metal over wood/mdf cabinets?
Obviously, some cabinets of either type are poorly made or limited in the load they can carry on their shelves. But is there some intrinsic advantages to the metal cabinets that I am not aware of?
Carl

 

[bdamico]

In humid environments like Florida, mdf cabinets can swell over time

 

[James-W]

If I were in the market for some cabinets for my garage/shop, I would go with metal cabinets instead of wood. I don't have a particular reason for wanting metal over wood, it is just my preference. But I think overall the metal cabinets would be lighter weight and they would be less prone to having doors not opening/closing correctly if your shop is humid/damp.

 

[matt_i]

MDF for doors maybe. But never any structure. The stuff I want to put in cabinets is made of Steel, or metal for that matter, which is heavy. I'd use plywood at minimum.

 

[csp]

There's such a range of quality in both wood and metal that I can't see making a generic comparison between the two on material type alone.

I have some wood cabinets that blow some of the metal cabinets available out of the water just based on quality of construction. Then there are metal cabinets that I'd rather have instead of the wood ones I do have. It's not a matter of wood vs metal in that case.

 

[nadogail]

Are termites a consideration?

 

[ddawg16]

Metal will rust....and is more expensive.

I made mine out of gray Melamine. My MIL remodeled her kitchen so I got all the door facings and drawers

If you seal the ends with paint or glue on edging....then humidity is not an issue







I attached SS strips to the front and back of the shelves for added stiffness.











I think they turned out ok....

 

[creativecars]

I like wood cabinets for wood tools and metal for others.

I don't like the idea of nicking wood cutting blades as they are placed on metal. I have both kinds of tools so I like to have both. Both have their advantages to custom storage ideas, and can be high quality.

What are you most comfortable working with?

 

[csp]

Metal will rust....and is more expensive.

Yet I see you happen to have a metal toolbox.

 

[Keel]

Yet I see you happen to have a metal toolbox.

maybe his garage roof leaks

metal doesn't rust when painted, and cared for..
and doesn't **** up oil and stuff like wood does.

 

[ddawg16]

maybe his garage roof leaks

metal doesn't rust when painted, and cared for..
and doesn't **** up oil and stuff like wood does.

wood doesn't **** up oil either when cared for.

In fact, my melamine shelves are a lot more resistant to oils and paints than metal is.

 

[TONE]

wood doesn't **** up oil either when cared for.

In fact, my melamine shelves are a lot more resistant to oils and paints than metal is.

YUP. Totally agree!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Depends.
Metal in the car shop cause grinding and welding sparks can't get in little nooks and torch the place.
Wood where there are NO nice hot shiny sparky things flying around.
I had ONE small wooden cabinet in my last metal shop. FAR from any welder or grinder. Just a little padded chest for micrometers and whatnot for the lathe. Unbeknowst to me a rather large hot chip flew off the lathe behind it and lay there making smoldering wood. Luck had it that I forgot to turn off the compressor and I went back down. I found the shop full of smoke and the toolbox aflame.
Even though my current metal shop has all metal cabinets and boxes, after I do ANY potentially hot thing, I walk the place with the blown gun clearing off any horizontal surfaces or potential catch areas to knock any sparks to the floor and return to recheck after 30 minutes to verify no smoke.

 

[crerus75]

I like steel for another reason. Because I have a couple of filing cabinets aside from my toolboxes, I've got a lot of things hung up with small rare-earth magnets. Chip brushes, Sharpies, clipboards, small bins for holding parts while I work on something, my magnetic angle finder, a cheap HF multimeter, etc. I bought a couple hundred neodymium magnets of different sizes from Amazon and stick them onto stuff with super glue.

I got the idea from this site (the tool rack about halfway down the page). I can usually find something metal where I'm working and it's nice to be able to stick a marker or small bin onto my toolbox, a steel jackstand, or whatever. I've also recessed 1/4" round magnets into some pegboard holes. I have my hex-to-square-drive adapters stuck to the pegboard this way.

 

[Ilikeike]

I like a more industrial look with metal.
I do not care for the kitchen cabinet look in my garage or shop.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think it's personal preference more than anything. Wood or metal, when properly built can do about anything until you go to the extreme.

 

[txvwnut]

I think it's personal preference more than anything. Wood or metal, when properly built can do about anything until you go to the extreme.

Exactly this only adding, what your budget will allow you to do.

I've got a mixture of both in my shop. Wood for the milling tools since it's less damaging should I drop a cutter or something, metal under the lathe with plastic partitions in the drawers. Metal for either storage or combined with a bench for a working station.

 

[csargents1546]

I prefer metal due spark issues as mentioned above. My garage has only 2 wood cabinets, they are under my work bench also are made of industrial grade laminate.

 

[lakeroadster]

I bought cabinets from Home Depot back in 2007, constructed out of Melamine. I've been pleased with them. They have held up well. Top notch adjustable hinges too.