Thursday, January 21, 2010

4 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet

Whether you are just starting to set up your home office or simply need a larger file cabinet than the one you have been using in your office, a 4 drawer lateral file cabinet may be right for you. These come with different length drawers and in a variety of materials that makes them easy to suit both your needs and your office decor.

How to Choose the Right Filing Cabinet for Your Home Business

A 4 drawer lateral file cabinet can be a big investment for your business. So choosing the right one to meet all your needs is important. You are going to want one that not only meets your filing needs today but will also meet the needs of your growing business a year from now. So there are a few things you are going to need to take into consideration.

Length of drawers

You can get a 4 drawer lateral file cabinet in 30″ 36″ and 42″ length drawers. When deciding what length drawers you want it is best to get one a little bigger than your immediate needs. For example if 30″ drawers will adequately take care of today’s filing needs, then consider getting a cabinet with 36 inch drawers. This will allow the cabinet to hold more files as your business grows and you have an increased need for filing space.

Construction Material

Most filing cabinets are made up of three basic types of materials, metal, wood, and pressed wood. Before choosing the 4 door lateral file cabinet for your office you need to consider how often the cabinet will be used and how strong it needs to be. Metal and real wood filing cabinets will both hold up to heavy duty use and perform beautifully on a day to day basis. While wood will fit in with almost any decor, metal filing cabinet manufactures are now making very attractive filing cabinets in a wide range of colors that also go with most office decors.

While pressed wood cabinets can and do often look as attractive as real wood filing cabinets, they are less able to stand up to the heavy usage that most will get. Unless you are planning on purchasing another in a year or so, pressed wood cabinets might not be a good choice.

Cost

Cost is also a major consideration when choosing a 4 drawer lateral file cabinet. On the whole metal cabinets are somewhat cheaper than wood cabinets and pressed board is cheaper than metal. While it is only natural to want the most attractive file cabinet available, you may have to weigh the cost of such an investment.

It is never wise to choose the cheapest model available, paying a bit extra for a good quality file cabinet in whichever material you choose will be worth it in the long run. Choosing a good 4 drawer lateral file cabinet may cost you a little more now but will save you money in the long run.

Finding the right 4 drawer lateral cabinet for your business is a simple matter of taking your time and choosing one that best meets your needs.

More 4 Drawer Lateral File Cabinet Information.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Fire Proof File Cabinet: Critique of Incombustible and Security File Cabinet Choices

If you have important documents to protect, you’re probably considering a fire proof file cabinet which will protect your files and papers in the event of a large blaze. However, models can vary significantly, each offering a different amount of fire protection time or heat resistance.

For a brief review of some of the most popular fire safe and fire proof filing cabinets on the market today, keep reading.

The Professional and Stackable Fire-Safe Filing Cabinet by Sentry

What makes the Sentry Fire-Safe Professional Stackable file cabinet stand out from other fireproof cabinets is that it’s a stackable and modular design, which is, subsequently, more lightweight and portable than larger, heavier models. One Sentry unit can be easily lifted and carried during a fire, while the stackable design allows you to expand your filing storage as your need for capacity grows.

The Sentry brand fire proof file cabinet may only retail for an average $200 per modular unit, but that low price comes with its own price. The Sentry only offers 30 minutes of protection, meaning that while it may be suitable for home use, it doesn’t offer the industrial protection required by many larger offices.

Schwab 5000 Series Fire Safe Vertical Cabinets

With a UL Class 350 rating and 2 hours of 1640 degree fire protection, the Schwab 5000 vertical, 4-drawer filing cabinet represents one of the best fire-safe solutions on the market today. There is also sufficient storage for hundreds of files alongside peripheral data storage and key information backups.

The Schwab 5000 Series fire safe filing cabinet is loaded with features like a secure locking system, thorough explosion testing and certification that the cabinet can withstand a drop from as high as 30 feet. However, with these stellar features and long-term fire protection comes a hefty price tag of just over $3000, putting the Schwab out of reach for most consumers.

2-Drawer File Safe Cabinet by Fire King

The 2-Drawer Fire King model is a moderate choice for homeowners and small office operators who are looking for one-hour protection but don’t need the overloaded features or size of the Schwab 5000 series. The cabinet can protect documents for up to 60 minutes, can withstand a 30-foot fall and explosions up to 2000 degrees. The price? An average of $850, making the Fire King fairly affordable and reasonably priced.

Another appealing feature of the Fire King fire proof file cabinet is its service guarantee and warranty. The product is protected by a 3-year warranty, and if over the course of the cabinet’s life it is ever in a fire and any of the cabinet’s fire-protection elements are damaged, the company will replace the entire cabinet for free.

Your critical personal documents and family treasures need the protection of a reliable fire proof safe or cabinet. However, you also don’t want to break the bank paying for protection you hope you’ll never need. These are considerations you should weigh carefully before making the financial commitment.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Filing Cabinets Locks

For many consumers, a filing cabinet doubles as a convenient and accessible form of vault. Filing cabinets may lack the inch-thick steel and complex security locks of a storage safe, but for the casual user, a good filing cabinet should have all the security and protective features you’ll need in the day-to-day workings of your office.

The first and foremost security feature of a filing cabinet is the lock. The vast majority of filing cabinets feature pin tumbler locks, either in standard or tubular form. Standard pin tumblers are the locks you see every day in doors and cabinets. Tubular locks, with their small stubby keys, are more common on bike locks, smaller cabinets and, yes, filing cabinets.

These two types work much the same, without much difference in security, though the specifics vary by manufacturer. No filing cabinet lock is one hundred percent secure from a dedicated lockpick, but to keep the casual snooper out of your business, a functioning lock is a vital component. Most filing cabinets these days are lockable with one of the two systems mentioned above, but some brands are available either with or without locks, so you should always double-check before purchasing.

As well, many office filing cabinets feature a single-lock system that locks all drawers or just one, depending on how the locking bolt is turned. Some systems lock one drawer only, so it’s always a good idea to ask your supplier about these details before you buy.

You may also want to inquire about filing cabinets set in old-fashioned furniture styles, such as those of the Victorian era. These cabinets may feature classic-style escutcheons and keyholes. In the old days, these keyholes were made for warded locks, commonly seen in historical films with the accompanying skeleton keys. Nowadays they’re obsolete and very rare. On modern furniture, these keyholes are merely decorative, without any security function at all. Buying a Victorian-style cabinet may get you stuck with a good-looking yet vulnerable piece of furniture, so if you’re not sure, ask!

The locks described here aren’t the only options – they’re just the most common. Many cabinets feature systems such as combination locks and even various kinds of electronic lock, all with varying features and security functions. Many filing cabinet retailers have different types of lock options available, enabling you to choose the lock that’s right for your needs and have it installed on a specific model of cabinet.

Everything on Filing Cabinets

Every office should have at least one filing cabinet. It makes your office look so much neater and more professional. Instead of having papers and files on your desk in the way or packed on top of a cupboard, have them in a filing cabinet. Not only does it look better but it also offers more privacy to the files. No one except you or the person that has the key will be able to have access to any of those files.

It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of files that need to be stored or if you have only a few, there are filing cabinets to accommodate your files. They normally range from five drawers to two. The bigger ones would be if you have a lot of files and folders to store or you can have the smaller one if you only have a few things to accommodate. They come with a 7 year guarantee, one key that can unlock all of the drawers, foolscap suspension, A4 suspension, 100% opening capability and an anti-tilt feature.

If you have many files and folders that need to be stored and even one of the big cabinets are not enough, you can have a five drawer cabinet in each corner of your office. If your office is fairly big, it would not look strange at all. It would really work to make your office less cluttered and full of visible files. Or if you want, you could have them next to each other, but put it in such a way that it looks nice. For example if you have a lot of files to store and do not want to put one five drawer cabinet in each corner of your office, you could have the five, four, three and two drawer cabinet next to each other, ranging from tallest to shortest. That would look nice and it will solve your space problem!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Better Have File Cabinets Than Clutter

If you have tried locating a misplaced piece of paper for hours and have not succeeded or if you have scoured the stack of files locating one single document and was frustrated, this article is for you.

The most common error for misplacing an object is dropping it at a place that is convenient during the time. A regular space for keeping important objects and documents makes it easier for anyone to locate them when the need to remember them arises.

This is why filing cabinets are special tools for safekeeping that when used regularly is the best way to track documents and important objects not only at work but also at home. A good filing system can save you hours and even money, without which would otherwise have been frustrating.

Filing cabinets are constant fixtures in any workplace that requires safekeeping and tracking of documents despite the rise in the electronic data keeping systems. Choosing one will require more than just deciding on the number drawers. There are subtle differences in filing cabinets that are adapted to particular requirements.

The two main types of filing cabinets

The vertical file cabinet is the traditional type where you can have anywhere from two to five drawers. The drawers are designed to fit the legal sized files and are stored facing the front of the drawers. Vertical file cabinets are space savers that make them the preferred choice in offices where rents are at a premium.

The other option, although not as commonly used are the lateral type files cabinet. These file cabinet types are much wider than standard designs. The files can be stored side to side or front to back. The design is not as deep as the vertical file cabinets that it can also be used as a wall partition or a wall divider. The lateral file cabinets have more versatility in terms of file storage and takes up less wall space.

The quality of the file cabinet is also one area that is to be given good attention. The best way to examine the quality of the file cabinet is the suspension system. A good file cabinet has strong suspensions that enable it to carry weights and still close and open smoothly. Some file cabinets have built in safety features that allow only the opening of one drawer at a time. Usually safety feature includes counterweights or internal locking devices. File cabinets that do not have this feature can accidentally tip over when all the drawers at the upper part are open.

Good file cabinets have to be built to take some abuse. It is important then that file cabinets be made of quality and thicker metals so that it protects the internal parts preventing it to be easily damaged.

Because of the valuable material that could be stored in a file cabinet, many are made to be fire and impact resistant. Fire resistant cabinet can maintain inside temperatures less than 350 degrees (most paper burns upward of 350 degrees Fahrenheit) enough to prevent the burning of its content even when outside temperature rises to 1700 degrees.

File cabinets depending on the feature, design, materials and number of drawers are priced starting from $20 to about $1,800 dollars for the top of the line option.

File cabinets also come today in designs and color that are veering away from the traditional types. Newer file cabinets can no longer be the ugly steely types of cabinets. They can come in a variety of decorative colors, materials and designs that can be blended with your furnishings.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Purchase File Cabinets for your Office Based on These Options

Office file cabinets are necessities in the workplace as well as in many home offices. I thought that computers were suppose to cut down on the amount of paper we saved, but it seems like we accumulate even more paper these days. If you haven’t shopped for a filing cabinet in recent years, you’ll be surprised at the amount of options that are available. Here’s an overview of the three kinds of office file cabinets we’re going to discuss here: vertical files, lateral files, and fireproof files.

Vertical file cabinets were the original design. If you have limited wall space, they are a good choice as they take up less wall space than lateral files. Vertical office file cabinets do not accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so you must select either vertical or lateral cabinets. The other necessary decisions are paint color, depth, pulls (if the brand you are considering has more than one pull style), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Lateral file cabinets are the most popular these days and also more versatile than verticals. Many workstations use two drawer file cabinets under work surfaces. Laterals will accommodate both letter and legal size file folders, so it’s not necessary to make that decision. The folders will be arranged either side-to-side or front-to-back in the drawers. There are many choices for these cabinets. The necessary decisions are paint color, edge detail, choice of pull style, depth of cabinet, width (30, 36, or 42 inches), and the number of drawers (2, 3, 4, or 5).

Custom lateral file cabinets are available from some manufacturers, but they are more expensive. They are custom in the sense that you can “build the file” yourself; in other words, you choose each piece from the base to the top. Since there are so many ready made options, it is rare that you would need to go the custom route.

Lateral File Tips:

A five drawer lateral file is more convenient if the top module is a lift up door rather than a pullout drawer as it’s impossible for most people to see inside the top drawer.

For a more finished look you can order laminate or wood tops for lateral files that will match the work surfaces in your cubicle or your desk top.

Fireproof file cabinets are not widely used. However, they do serve a purpose particularly since they double as a safe. The things you need to know about fireproof files is that they are expensive and extremely heavy. If you purchase a large size be prepared to pay a hefty delivery charge.

Purchasing Suggestions For Vertical and Lateral File Cabinets:

Choose high-quality office file cabinets that are made with a thicker grade of steel. This will eliminate warping or bulging cabinets when they are filled to capacity.

Purchase units that allow only one drawer to be open at a time, which will prevent the cabinets from tipping over.

Purchase office file cabinets made by the same manufacturer as the furniture in your office or your workstations/cubicles. There are several reasons why this is important:

* The paint color or wood finish will match perfectly.

* Choose the same edge details and pulls as your furniture.

* All locking drawers can be opened with the same key as long as your furniture dealer orders it that way. It’s called “keyed alike” and insist that your private offices as well as your workstations are ordered “keyed alike.” If you order additional furniture with locking drawers, request lock cores with the same key numbers.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Choosing Your Home Office Furniture

Have you ever found yourself trying to get some work done at home with no success whatsoever? You’ve probably been distracted by the kids running around, your spouse constantly nagging you about chores, or you just don’t have a private second in your life to get anything done.


Nothing can match a private home office with furniture designed to make you more productive and less distracted. You may be wondering how home office furniture can help you be more productive. Whether you are running a business or trying to balance the check book, a place dedicated to work is exactly what you need. Many people use a small, one-person room with a cluttered desk or table to get these tasks done, but if your business expands or your family grows you will probably need more space.


You’d be very surprised to learn that a matching set of home office furniture in a dedicated room of your house is sometimes all it takes to be more productive and stress free while working. Think about your current situation. For example:


1.) You probably have a small space set aside in a bedroom or extra room to get work done.


2.) You probably have a small table, chair, and a computer in this space.


3.) You probably have cluttered papers and unorganized documents all over the place.


4.) You probably don’t have private access to this area with your kids and spouse trying to get at the computer constantly.


5.) You probably have no chance of getting any work done in this environment.


Now just imagine a dedicated private room for you to use whenever you want. Maybe you have an extra bedroom or a study in your home seldom used. Also imagine a beautiful, matching set of cherry wood home office furniture in this room. The set includes an L-shaped computer desk with set-top hutch for easy storage of stationary. Look to your left and you will notice a matching filing cabinet to keep you organized and stress free. Now imagine to your right a beautiful bookcase or credenza in that same color and style.


This is just one of many home office furniture options that will make your life a lot easier. The warm, rich look of an office furniture set is all you need to relax, clear your mind of distractions, and become the productive person you know you can be. Now your probably wondering where can I get all this for an affordable price.