In praise of FILE CABINETS! Yes, file cabinets . . . I love 'em!

[CharlesWaugh]

There are many styles of file cabinets that you can use in your shop to ORGANIZE (kinda sorta a little bit like I don't do)

[VinnieL]

I've thought about doing the same thing with file cabinets. We always have them at the auction and seldom does anyone ever buy them. They would be great for small tools supplies etc, and take up less room than the big metal cabinet I have out there now as well as being easier to organize.

[CharlesWaugh]

And I didn't show my storage container that has another 10 sets or so.
As I said:
I L O V E T H E M !

[olderdan]

I have used this type of filing cabinet for years, tons of items in there but takes up little space. I would recommend anyone obtaining similar when they find them.

[Crusty]

Old tanker desks can be made into really handy roll-around tool chests by removing the top and welding or brazing the pedestals together vertically, The problem that I have with file cabinets is that the drawers are too tall for small hand tools and so waste a lot of space, but they do work well for power hand tool storage.

[bruce.desertrat]

Also good for powder coating oven https://hackaday.com/2014/09/09/diy-...hings-cooking/ and dinner https://www.instructables.com/Filing-Cabinet-Smoker/

I have a two-drawer on in my shop that keeps all my rattle cans of paint organized. and the top holds my surface plate handy, covered, and out of the way under the bench.

I would love to find one like olderdan shows, though. A Map cabinet would be a good substitute. Heck with an appropriate top it might even make a decent lathe bench for a 7 or 8 inch lathe

[mklotz]

I know what a "tanker desk" is but why are they so called? A lengthy internet search has not provided an answer.

[bruce.desertrat]

The closest I can come is that they were part of the post WWII 'Midcentury modern' designs built of steel, hence maybe 'tough as tanks'? The references I can find all refer to ones like Steelcases' designs in the late 40's early 50's. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/vintag...on-102904.html

A google image search produces a few basic designs: all gray, rounded corners massive steel desks up on four legs.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tank...=1791&bih=1152

(and the prices ! yeesh! )

[olderdan]

High Bruce
I got really lucky with that cabinet, I was decorating an insurance office and they had just thrown it out for the refit, it didn't get thrown very far. It is a TRIUMP brand and it was meant to be as I was restoring a Triumph T100SS at the time.