My Storage Dream Comes True

[Aragorn243]

I have located Formby's finally. Plan to pick some up tomorrow so will probably start working on it in the evenings. Did use citristrip again today to get some more of the bulk goo off. Not too much left, hoping for a good result with the Formby's. Lowes, the one place I didn't check stocks it.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Can't wait for the after photos. I have a lead on a five drawer wood one that photos indicate similar condition. I would love to find a waist high metal one but no luck yet.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

The big, multi-drawer steel ones are the way to go, as long as you have the floor space!

A mate of mine who is a SERIOUS cartridge collector has a couple of them for his collection. In the bottom of each drawer is a sheet of corrugated cardboard, "groovy" side up. This has been sprayed with the stuff artists use for "sealing" charcoal sketches and the like. This prevents any residual acid from the manufacture of the cardboard making the brass cases go "green", and acts to stiffen the cardboard under the weight of the ammo.

The only problem is that these cabinets are heavy; then again, you will have great difficulty over-filling one and the better ones have ball-bearings in the telescoping steel runners. Most are BIG, (A0 size) so you need a bit of floor space. You could use the vast expanse of the top of the unit to show off your artillery stuff, (or shooting trophies), I suppose. The basic drawers cabinets are also stackable. (If you put legs under them, watch the point-loading on the floor when you fill them full of brass and lead!)

I have also seen these steel drawer units used for storage of "collectable" handguns, amongst other things. Most places that used these drawer systems for maps, architectural drawings, etc., have changed over to "vertical" plan-hanger units. The big advantage of these is that you are not forever shuffling and unloading (thus damaging) the documents.

Some of the "flat" cabinets have lock systems or, being steel, can easily be fitted with external lock bars etc.

Seek out your local purveyor of "used" office fittings and furniture.

[Aragorn243]

I was busy today and stripped the remaining finish off and coated it with Teak oil, a process I will probably never do again. But it looks nice. Please excuse the surrounding mess. It's not trash, it's bird seed.







The top did not turn out the way I want it so it will have to be redone at some point. There are half a dozen or so light spots which may be from sanding or just the finish not absorbing the same.

[marysdad]

Really nice job!

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Outstanding piece. Photos loaded perhaps?

[Aragorn243]

I'm not anywhere near ready to load it yet. I have to clear out the space where it is going and reinforce all the drawers. They need disassembled, refitted and glued and a new back extension put on each one. As they are now, they are out of the groove in the front and nothing in the rear so they can sag if loaded heavily. Probably another all day project setting up specialty tools. If I load it before I do that, I'll never do it.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Could you reinforce the drawers along the outer edge & down the center with tracks & rollers?

[Aragorn243]

The drawers are built pretty heavy as they are. I have no doubt they will hold the weight. It's just that they shrank and the previous owner never addressed the issue. The bottom fits in a groove on the sides and front but not the back. They have all slipped out of the groove in the front. I'm going to move them back in and glue them and add a rear that also has a groove. The bottoms are nearly 1/2 thick poplar. I don't want to alter it too much from original either.

[sts]

Congratulations! You definitely have a gem. I spent years looking for a map chest for the same purpose. I finally found this in Indianapolis. A downtown architectural firm was moving and this did not fit their new modern decor. I was told it had been with the firm since its beginning. My long blades do lay at an angle but that's ok since I don't want to overload the drawers. Again congrats on an excellent purchase at an excellent price!!!