What can I use to replace the rails in A vertical filing cabinet?
by
Missy Truth
+9
I have a low side two drawer vertical metal cabinet. Bi want to use it but the drawers are missing the rails. There are circular holes an inch apart on top of the side lips, and the front and back lips turn downward, the back being lower than the front. I dont like the insert rails that scrape and slide and break. I want something very strong and there are no bracket attachments in front or back either. Im very tight on funds, is there something I can make from old things around the house to make this work that wont collapse? Also, it is metal, can I paint it with acrylic paint or will it come off?
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Hello Missy,
Depends on how big the round holes are, you might be able to use a strong wire coat hanger or a length of tubing metal or strong plastic or timber dowelling. Hope that helps!
It almost sounds like your file cabinet was made for hanging files - the holes are where the files were anchored. A picture would be helpful.
I was thinking along the lines of rebar, all depends on the hole size, if the rebar is too big, can the holes be enlarged to accommodate the diameter?
For the paint job:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/repaint-metal-filing-cabinet-93702.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Repaint%20a%20Metal%20Filing%20Cabinet%201,with%20auto%20body%20filler.%20...%20More%20items...%20
I bought file holders for each drawer of my two drawer cabinets. They are made of metal and when put together and placed within each drawer provides a suspension system for file folders. They are called file folder frames. I tried to copy and post a picture but wasn't able to but they are availalbe wherever file cabinets are sold and worth every penny if you use the suspended file folders to organize your manila file folders.
You can order the rails from Amazon for under $10.
https://www.amazon.com/file-cabinet-rails/s?k=file+cabinet+rails
Amazon has Pentiflex file frames.
Pendaflex Actionframe Drawer File
You may be able to make them if you have some metal tubing around.
Hello I would suggest looking around on Amazon or online office supply companies like Office Depot or Staples to see if replacements might be able to be obtained..
I use accordion files in my cabinet. They will stand on their own so you don't have to worry about having brackets or rails.
You can paint them with a spray paint for metal, Rustoleum has one.
YOU CAN BUY REPLACEMENT RACKS AT AN OFFICE SUPPLY STORE.
Office supply store used to carry those rails because I have purchased them for clients to make the hanging file folders work.
It almost sounds like your file cabinet was made for hanging files - the holes are where the files were anchored. A picture would be helpful.