MultiTool storage solution

[Bruce909]

I have determined that Multitools are a virus at least they multiply like a virus, both have a containment problem.  The Multitools will grow and overwhelm all the available storage very rapidly.  I bought some nice aluminum tool cases at Harbor Freight but they were quickly overwhelmed.  So I got lucky and bought a really nice Gerstner Dental Tool Chest but it got full.  So what's next? 

STEELCASE to the rescue:




Leatherman Boxed Drawer:




Miscellaneous Tool Drawer: 



I still don't have any of the SOGs in there yet but I should only need 1 more drawer....let's see I have 5 of the Steelcase lateral file cabinets with 4 drawers each and I think I can put all the tools that don't fit in the dental case in 3 drawers.  How long before I need a bigger garage?

Bruce

[Chako]

By my estimation...not that long.

[Bruce909]

By my estimation...not that long.

Daniel,

You were the very person who I thought had first hand experience with the outbreak.  I have come to the conclusion that the tools and knives will take over 1 entire cabinet...which won't take long since that only means 1 more drawer.  I had an opportunity to get a blueprint cabinet but it was pretty big for the garage 5' wide and at least 6' deep with 12 or 14 3" deep drawers.  It was free and I passed it up...I almost wish I would have picked it up. 

Bruce

[Chako]

Well, my struggles with storage is well documented. I now have two 6 feet tall chest and cabinet sets that are almost full as I type this.

I know most people would love a storage issue like this...but it can be a PITA...although a lovely PITA at that.

Nice storage solution you have going there. 

[J-sews]

By my estimation...not that long.

Daniel,

You were the very person who I thought had first hand experience with the outbreak.  I have come to the conclusion that the tools and knives will take over 1 entire cabinet...which won't take long since that only means 1 more drawer. I had an opportunity to get a blueprint cabinet but it was pretty big for the garage 5' wide and at least 6' deep with 12 or 14 3" deep drawers.  It was free and I passed it up...I almost wish I would have picked it up. 

Bruce

WHOA!! A blueprint cabinet would be perfect! I never would have thought of that...is it still available?

[Bruce909]

Bob,

The blueprint cabinet was offered to me before the Portland trip and when I went back they were all gone.  There was about 10 of the cabinets all together.  My accountant friend has a client that closed their engineering offices because of the home building slowdown.  They designed whole tracts of home and had the huge blueprint cabinets.  I almost thought about taking one or two and just leave them on the trailer until I found space for it in the garage.   

There are several of them available on ebay and craigslist for really good prices.  These are kinda nice:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACHINIST-CABINET-PRINTERS-CABINET-TOOL-BOX-/160661257041?pt=Tool_Boxes_Storage&hash=item2568283b51

I wish there were some of these for free but I am thinking of looking at these this week since they are close:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280749955575?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

There seems to be a lot of these available lately...both the poor economy and people not making blueprints anymore. 

Bruce

[Chako]

I never thought about that either. Looks like those would be the ideal storage solution for SAKs and MTs. 

[Bruce909]

I am really liking this one:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/art/2583201115.html

I am planning on looking at it this afternoon.  The guy said the drawers are about 2 1/2" deep and the unit is very sturdy.  Being that it is made of wood it will look very nice.  Too bad I can't seem to find one the next size smaller I think these are designed for D size drawings (Bob keep me honest here) and a C size would be 1/2 as big which would be perfect. 

I will post a report after I look at it this afternoon....I wonder if I should drive the Volvo or the pickup truck?

[Metropolicity]

I always thought these were neat.

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40196241/

[Neil]

That birch one looks to be quite the bargain.

Wouldn't the ikea jobs be too deep really?

[J-sews]

I do like that wooden one Bruce. Hope you got it!

[Bruce909]

The guy never called me this afternoon to go look at it.  I left him a message this evening so hopefully I can go get it tomorrow.

I have not figured out where to put it yet...but that is the least of my problems.

[Bruce909]

Bob & Neil,

Thanks for the nice words about the "Birch" on from Craigslist.  I just got home from looking at it and unfortunately the only solid wood on the cabinet was the fronts of the drawers.  The sides, top and bottom and back are all veneer covered particle board.  The bottoms of the drawers are hard board and very flimsy.  It looked nice but it was not going to work for multi tools. 

Bruce 

[J-sews]

Bummer. Well, I guess that's why its a good idea to always check these things out.

[Bruce909]

And have a backup plan:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfs/2627455340.html

[J-sews]

And have a backup plan:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfs/2627455340.html

Ooooh, I like that one!

[Bruce909]

Want me to pick it up for you?  I can get it to at least Fort Wayne, IN.

More info from the seller:

The cabinet is approx. 43 1/4" high, 21 1/2" deep, 35" wide.

There are 24 removable drawers. Each are approx. 30 1/2" wide, 15" deep and 1 1/4" high.

The outside is metal but the draws are wood with metal fronts, handles and slide hardware. It is super heavy.

I don't know about the weight. 150lbs?

It says: Hamilton, Two Rivers Wisconsin USA, 1C15-C99290


I am waffling about the 1.250 deep drawers and 24 of them!  I don't have that many tools!  But I also wonder if a drawer or 2 could be taken out to easily make double or triple depth drawers.  If you or anyone else is interested let me know.....Maybe it should go to Wapakoneta?

Bruce

[Neil]

Want me to pick it up for you?  I can get it to at least Fort Wayne, IN.

More info from the seller:

The cabinet is approx. 43 1/4" high, 21 1/2" deep, 35" wide.

There are 24 removable drawers. Each are approx. 30 1/2" wide, 15" deep and 1 1/4" high.

The outside is metal but the draws are wood with metal fronts, handles and slide hardware. It is super heavy.

I don't know about the weight. 150lbs?

It says: Hamilton, Two Rivers Wisconsin USA, 1C15-C99290


I am waffling about the 1.250 deep drawers and 24 of them!  I don't have that many tools!  But I also wonder if a drawer or 2 could be taken out to easily make double or triple depth drawers.  If you or anyone else is interested let me know.....Maybe it should go to Wapakoneta?

Bruce

Yet

Wouldn't be much good for boxed tools but would be great for bare tools.

[Bruce909]

The backup plan fell apart on Saturday, I went to look at the cabinet but no go.  It turns out that it is a typesetters cabinet that was used in the old days.  The drawers are made of cheap pressboard and the cabinet was dirty, rusty, beatup....I could keep going.  It sure looked a lot better in the poorly lit picture than in person, the guy admitted the picture was a few years old too. 

Time for "PLAN C" I have a couple of file cabinets from a bank vault that housed signature cards and I am using them for lawn sprinkler supplies and PVC Pipe fittings.  I am going to try to find a similar cabinet or see if I can clean one of them up to put back in the garage.  They are both outside now under cover but exposed on all 4 sides so it might be a bunch of work to get all the sand out of the drawer slides.  But maybe I should go to .....

PLAN D:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-DRAWER-MICROFILM-BLUEPRINT-FILE-ARCHITECT-CABINET-Russ-Bassett-25-x-29-x-45-/260868886776?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbcff50f8

The drawers should be about 23" wide x 27" deep and 5" tall.  The one shown in the auction seems like it is very expensive to me so I will start shopping around to find one. 

[Metropolicity]

What an apothecary chest or a dewy-decimal cabinet?