Some of the most popular brands include Steelcase, Bisley, HON, Staples, Global Total Office, and Fire King. Steelcase is a top office furniture and storage supplier, offering contemporary filing storage solutions including bookcases, cabinets, pedestals, and more.
Bisley is a UK-based manufacturer that specializes in storage and filing equipment from filing cabinets to storage drawers and cupboards. HON is an American office furniture manufacturer that has been in business for over 70 years and specializes in lateral and vertical filing cabinets, bookcases, credenzas, and desks.
Staples is a trusted office supply chain with a wide selection of file cabinets, ranging from basic two-drawer units to multi-shelf units and fireproof cabinets. Global Total Office offers high-efficiency storage solutions, such as media towers, lateral filing cabinets, and bookcases.
Lastly, Fire King is a trusted name in file cabinets and specializes in fire-resistant filing solutions and safes.
How do I find out the brand of my filing cabinet?
To find out the brand of your filing cabinet, you will need to look for any identifying marks or logos on the cabinet itself. To do this, you can use a magnifying glass to help you look closely at any labels or stamps.
This will help you find out who the manufacturer of the cabinet is. Additionally, you can also research the shape and design of the cabinet which can help you narrow down its origin. If, after searching for visible labels and researching the design, you are still unable to determine the brand, you can look up the serial number or contact the seller or manufacturer from which you bought the cabinet.
How are filing cabinets manufactured?
Filing cabinets are typically manufactured from multiple materials, including metal, wood, and plastic. Metal filing cabinets are usually made from cold-rolled steel sheets. The steel is cut into different shapes and sizes and then welded together into cabinets.
Between the panels, internal reinforcements such as corner gussets and frame-strengthening members will then be welded in. After this, the cabinets will be coated with an anti-corrosion agent or powder-coated paint, and may then be spray-cleaned and then sent through a priming and painting process to give them their final finish.
Wood filing cabinets are made of cut timber planks. The timber planks are cut, sawed, and bored to the required shape, and then bonded together using dovetails or dowels. The timber pieces are then sanded down to smooth the surfaces, and then stained or painted with natural or man-made finishes.
The doors and shelves are usually made from particleboard, which is a pressed and heat-bonded particle material.
Plastic filing cabinets are made from high-grade plastic resins which are injection-molded into the desired shapes and sizes. Reinforcement bars and other parts may be added to the frames to increase strength and stability.
The doors and shelves are usually made from compression-molded and reinforced plastics. These components are joined together with rivets, optical welding, or snap fits. Once the components are put together in the desired shape and size, the cabinet may be spray-coated with a protective coating to prevent damage and fading.
Who invented the filing cabinet?
The filing cabinet was invented in the late nineteenth century by two partners, Jasper Wilson and Edwin G. Seibels, from the business The Seibels-Wilson Company. It was originally designed to help records custodians organize, store, and retrieve important documents.
The design of the cabinet allowed for easy access to files as it was essentially a two-drawer box with a lid that could open outward to reveal two columns of smaller drawers, each of which was labelled alphabetically.
This basic design remained the same over the years, eventually evolving into the lateral filing cabinet of today, with multiple drawers and hanging folders.
What are the two types of filing cabinets?
The two main types of filing cabinets are vertical and lateral. Vertical filing cabinets are the most common type, and they have drawers that extend from the short side of the cabinet. These drawers are typically a bit more narrow than lateral cabinets.
Lateral filing cabinets have drawers that extend from the long side. This type of cabinet is typically wider and shorter than vertical cabinets, and it can offer more filing capacity for a given area.
Additionally, lateral cabinets are often used when additional visibility into the drawer contents is required. Both types of filing cabinet offer different benefits and can be ideal for specific types of files and other items.
When was the first file cabinet invented?
The first file cabinet was invented in 1884 by Edwin G. Seibels, a former Confederate Army major who founded the Seibels Bruce Fire and Marine Company. Prior to this invention, businesses stored documents in boxes or shelves, which had the tendency to become disorganized and difficult to access.
Seibels’ invention revolutionized document organization by creating a dedicated and efficient storage solution with four-equal-sized drawers that were designed to be opened and closed easily. The drawers were removable and could be stored in any configuration, making it the first piece of office furniture to have ergonomic design considerations.
This invention marked the birth of the business filing cabinet, and it has since been universally adopted for all types of document storage, from home-office use to large-scale corporate documents.
Why should file cabinets be locked when not in use?
File cabinets should be locked when not in use in order to protect confidential documents and other data from unauthorized access. This is especially important in office environments when documents are stored for long periods of time or need to be kept secure for a particular reason.
In addition to protecting confidential documents, locking file cabinets prevents accidental damage or destruction should a cabinet be left unlocked and unattended. Locking file cabinets also helps limit the risk of identity theft or financial loss resulting from the theft of important records and sensitive data.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that all file cabinets are locked when not in use in order to ensure the security and integrity of confidential records and data.
How can I make my metal cabinets look good?
If your goal is to make your metal cabinets look good, there are a few options you can consider. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways is to give them a thorough cleaning with mild soap and water.
If the cabinets have a durable finish, you can use a mild abrasive cleaner as needed. After cleaning, you can also apply a metal-safe protective finish to protect them from corrosion and rust.
Another option for improving the look of your metal cabinets is to add a fresh coat of paint. Choose a paint specifically made for metals, such as epoxy paint, and invest in a top-grade brush for the task.
You can also use a spray paint system for larger areas, but it’s important to take all safety precautions to protect yourself from chemical exposure.
Finally, you may want to consider replacing the hardware on your cabinets to enhance the look. There is a vast array of cabinet hardware available, from pulls and handles to hinges and knobs. Replacing the hardware is an easy and affordable way to give your cabinets a fresh look quickly and make them look good.
What kind of paint do you use on metal cabinets?
When it comes to painting metal cabinets, you should use a paint that is designed specifically for metal surfaces. You want to make sure that the paint you use is oil-based and has a rust-preventive formula so that it will last for years to come.
Make sure to clean the cabinets thoroughly before painting to ensure that the paint adheres properly. When you’re ready to start painting, apply a thin primer coat to the cabinets with a brush or roller and let it dry completely.
Then, apply the oil-based paint in thin layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. You can either use an oil-based enamel, or a rust-inhibitive paint or epoxy coating such as Rust-Oleum.
Lastly, apply two or three coats of a clear, protective sealant over the top to prevent rust and other damage to the cabinets.
Can I paint metal filing cabinet?
Yes, you can definitely paint a metal filing cabinet. It may take a little bit of prep work to do so, but you should be able to achieve a professional paint job if done correctly. Before painting the metal filing cabinet, you will need to make sure it is clean and dust-free.
You will also want to sand down any rough or uneven areas on the cabinet. Once the metal filing cabinet is prepped, you can use either a spray paint or roller to apply your chosen paint. It is important to apply several thin coats rather than one thick coat as this will provide a more even and lasting finish.
After the paint has had time to fully cure, you could also apply a clear coat of polyurethane to help protect the paint finish and make it more durable.
Which holds more lateral or vertical file cabinet?
A lateral file cabinet typically holds more than a vertical file cabinet. This is because lateral cabinets are wider, allowing them to accommodate more drawers. Depending on the specific model of lateral or vertical file cabinet, the lateral cabinet will usually accommodate two or three more drawers than its vertical counterpart.
Additionally, lateral cabinets may come with wider drawers that can fit more documents than the same-sized drawers on a vertical file cabinet. Therefore, if you are in need of more document storage, opting for a lateral file cabinet may be a better choice than a vertical file cabinet.
What type of filing system is used for filing patient charts?
When it comes to filing patient charts, there are a variety of filing systems that can be used to keep records organized. The most common filing system is an alphabetic format, which orders documents alphabetically by patient last name.
Another popular filing system is numeric, which organizes the charts by numerical values assigned to the patient’s name. A location filing system is another way to organize patient charts and involves filing the records in sections of the file in reference to the patient’s location.
Chronological filing is another popular filing system that orders documents by date. All these filing systems are used to keep patient charts secure, organized, and easier to access and retrieve. When deciding on a filing system, one should also consider how many records will be included in the file, what extent of organization is needed, and how the records will be accessed and by whom.