A steel cabinet is a way of storing objects such as gardening equipment, tools or other supplies. Steel is a tough and durable material so it can withstand heavy use, plus it is more resistant to weather than wood. Building your own steel cabinet is a cost effective way of getting extra space, although you will need to create a plan, find the correct materials and spend time putting it together. However, by doing this you can build it to your own specification.
Things You'll Need
Screws
Corrugated Steel Sheets
Steel Strips, 2 Inches Wide
Four Hinges
Drawer Glides Or Shelf Brackets
Two Handles
Measuring Tape
Welder
Plumb Line
Drill
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Step 1
Measure the height, width and length of the area where you wish to place the cabinet. Write these measurements down as you will need them to design your steel cabinet to specification.
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Step 2
Create a diagram of the steel cabinet and label it with the dimensions you obtained. A basic cabinet consists of a rectangular steel box with two doors opening outwards, plus shelving fixed on the inside. Adding custom features such as chrome handles and a lock for security is also possible.
Step 3
Place the cabinet's back panel on the ground. Place two even strips of steel measuring 2 inches wide diagonally across the back of this steel sheet to form an "X."
Step 4
Fix them into place by drilling screws and nuts along the length of the metal strips. These will provide strength and support to the back of the cabinet.
Step 5
Construct the basic cabinet shape by fixing the sides of the steel cabinet. Weld the long edge of the back panel to the side panels. This provides a rigid join between the two edges.
Step 6
Attach the top of the steel cabinet to the sides and back panel. Weld the sheet at a right angle to create a box. It is positioned horizontally, while the sides and back panel stand vertically.
Step 7
Weld the base to the bottom of the back panel and sides in the same way as the top.
Step 8
Screw brackets to the inside of the side panels to support the shelving. Alternatively, screw drawer glides to the sides to hold drawers in place. Make sure the fittings are horizontal by using a plumb line.
Step 9
Attach the door using two hinges on each side of the cabinet. Add a lock and door handles if these are included in your design.