The Storage Cabinet - IT’S IN!!

I looked at a few catalogs and then went (Wednesday, January 21, 2004) to the Surplus Office Equipment in Manchester and bingo — out of several cabinets they had a sturdy, gray 78" x 24" x 36" (ours is 66" x 15" x 36") cabinet for $95.00 including free delivery to the Salvation Army, which was a blessing.  Large, heavy gage steel cabinets cost between $300 to $400.  Problem one, solved.  They did not have the key to the locking handle, however, a key code was on the handle and I was told any lock smith could make one.   My next stop was to Bering Lock & Safe in Concord.  Bingo again, the storage cabinet must be a National, since that was the only match to key code C601A, one key from code, $12.50.  I then went to Home Depot and purchased a gate strap and hasp (in case the key did not work), $10.45. Then, off with the shelves to Tom’s Welding to have the shelves (four) cut (5" x 8" hole) to allow storage for our screen.  One shelf has the gate strap (extended to cover the hole) welded to it as a safety precaution to prevent the screen from falling out when you open the door.  After putting the screen in the cabinet, you would have to work some to cause the screen to fall out, but it’s there.  He also extended the hasp so it can be installed to miss the door locking system.  I then went to the Salvation Army and tried the key.  It did not work, which the locksmith warned me of because the cabinet is a 1960's vintage and the locking system sometimes gets broken. Oh well, I have that covered anyway.  The shelves where ready in a few days.  I picked them up ($40.00), took them home and painted the bare metal spots from the welding.  Maybe not the best paint match, but it will have to do, and then got the hasp ready to be installed.  Two days later, paint dry and the weather okay, and with the thought I would try the key once more after I oiled the lock, I went to the Salvation Army to transfer our supplies and bring the screen, more coffee cups, name badges, and a label with our logo I made with the computer to put on the cabinet for identification.  And guess what, the key worked.  Oil does wonders.  Everything went as planned  The hasp is in the cabinet ready to be installed if and when we want to go to a padlock system.  Eventually each officer and a couple others will have keys.  The whole thing cost $173.70.  The only problem resulted when the holes for the screen were cut into the shelves.  It weakened the support (good thing they were heavy gage steel).  I think it will be okay as long as we don’t load one shelf with rocks.  If need be, a brace can be put next to the screen cut outs or the shelves removed and reinforced.   Most important, there will be coffee cups for the February meeting.

 President

Gordon Jackson

Saco Valley Gem and Mineral Club : 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Albany, NH Town Hall – 7:00 PM

Southeastern NH Mineral Club: 2^nd Wednesday of each month, St John’s Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Ave., Dover, NH – 7:00 PM