T
Tom in KC
Guest
This is a first-time post/message for me - so I'll try to make it concise...
I've just finished reading thru this GTD book. One thing I'd like to do soon is improve my file cabinet/reference system - in my office here at work AND at home.
For mini-background, I store a LOT of software licensing/etc info at work (among other things), so that's my main motivation for at work. At home, I have various tax documents/info, car title/insurance policies/financial records/etc, that I'd like to 'better protect" with a fireproof file cabinet.
Additionally, not to get too overly weird, but I also feel (after reading the GTD book especially), there might (??) be something to be said for some subconscious, psychological plus for investing in a fireproof file cabinet - since I'd psychologically feel that anything I put in there would be "really" secure. And once it was in there, I could "really" feel relaxed that my reference "system" was 'especially' solid and wouldn't be going anywhere.
That having been said (!), for those who may not be very familiar with fireproof file cabinets - they are VERY HEAVY. In the range of 500 to 600 pounds heavy for 4 drawer vertical models.
I currently have one "small" 2 drawer Sentry fireproof cabinet (model 6000) that I've been using for 5 to 7 years. (I'll try to include a link to it here - I hope that's ok to do in this forum!).
https://www.sentrysafe.com/Products.asp?r=24&s=14
This Sentry model has worked well/ok - but like David Allen accurately predicted/noted in this GTD book when talking about file cabinets - it's already packed to the gills and I do hesitate to even think of putting anything else in it - since there's no room left.
Thus, that's why I'm seriously considering shelling out the bucks for a new, "spacious", 4-drawer one with extra long drawers (in the range of 26" to 31" long drawers for vertical file cabinet models). By the way, these babies cost approximately at least $1,200 to $1,600 from what I've been able to price so far (keep in mind, this cost in addition to the extra heavy weight mentioned above).
I had basically narrowed it down to the following two brands/names (again, I hope it's ok to include these below names/links! If the forum moderator needs to remove them- then obviously that's ok and sorry about that!!):
1) Phoenix
http://www.kcsafe.com/FireFiles.htm
2) FireKing
http://www.kcsafe.com/FireKing-31-Vert-Letter.htm
I went yesterday and looked at showroom models for each of these two. Each one seemed to have a drawback (at least in my mind).
* The Phoenix is NOT rated for the 30 foot drop test. In other words, if there was a fire and it fell thru some floors, it was not officially "certified" to withstand a drop test of that distance.
* The FireKing is 30 foot drop test certified (at least certain models); however, as the very helpful salesperson pointed out - the FireKing file cabinets have an "unfinished" interior surface of this clay-like/plaster-like, heat resistance substance. He showed how this plaster/clay-like material tends to flake off in small powder like dust. He indicated that some people may not mind, but he had noticed that over time, this fine dust stuff can get into files, on the outside of the cabinet, etc. [By the way, the Phoenix had finished metal-like interior surfaces.]
There was another brand they offered (but did not have a showroom model for me to inspect/review):
3) Schwab - which seems to have a somewhat unique offering ("Trident" series) which offers models that have the fire-rating protection and the 30 foot drop test - and a semi-waterproof feature (for, say a sprinkler system going off) - but I have not been able to look at one of these in person yet.
http://www.schwabcorp.com/File_Cabinets/schwab_trident series_5000.htm
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that this might be overkill. I have been thinking of just getting another Sentry cabinet (or two) for much less than the cost of one of these big-dog, heavy 4 drawer cabinets. Indeed, the Sentry model (at least the one I currently have) has a "finished"/plastic sealed interior. So, there is no "dust" issue with it. So, I may in fact, get another one or two of these - but that certainly is not very space efficient as these are NOT safely stackable/etc.
However, I figure if I shelled out the bucks now on a heavy 4-drawer one, it would be a long-term (i.e. lifetime!) investment. [Even though, they would be a total killer/pain to move!!] Note: I'm still considering one for the office and one for home. So, please keep in mind that many of the considerations I'm mentioning may or may not necessarily apply to both environments!
Having gone thru all of the above - does anyone have any experience or recommendations on fireproof file cabinets?
I am going to try to see if I can get a look at one of these Schwab file cabinets someplace around here - namely to see if it might have this interior "dust" issue - and, frankly, to see if I can get a feel for the overall construction - such as how smoothly/securely the drawers operate/etc.
Again, in summary, any thoughts/input/recommendations/tips/etc on fireproof file cabinets? Any such feedback would be greatly appreciated... thanks! (and sorry this got so long!)
I've just finished reading thru this GTD book. One thing I'd like to do soon is improve my file cabinet/reference system - in my office here at work AND at home.
For mini-background, I store a LOT of software licensing/etc info at work (among other things), so that's my main motivation for at work. At home, I have various tax documents/info, car title/insurance policies/financial records/etc, that I'd like to 'better protect" with a fireproof file cabinet.
Additionally, not to get too overly weird, but I also feel (after reading the GTD book especially), there might (??) be something to be said for some subconscious, psychological plus for investing in a fireproof file cabinet - since I'd psychologically feel that anything I put in there would be "really" secure. And once it was in there, I could "really" feel relaxed that my reference "system" was 'especially' solid and wouldn't be going anywhere.
That having been said (!), for those who may not be very familiar with fireproof file cabinets - they are VERY HEAVY. In the range of 500 to 600 pounds heavy for 4 drawer vertical models.
I currently have one "small" 2 drawer Sentry fireproof cabinet (model 6000) that I've been using for 5 to 7 years. (I'll try to include a link to it here - I hope that's ok to do in this forum!).
https://www.sentrysafe.com/Products.asp?r=24&s=14
This Sentry model has worked well/ok - but like David Allen accurately predicted/noted in this GTD book when talking about file cabinets - it's already packed to the gills and I do hesitate to even think of putting anything else in it - since there's no room left.
Thus, that's why I'm seriously considering shelling out the bucks for a new, "spacious", 4-drawer one with extra long drawers (in the range of 26" to 31" long drawers for vertical file cabinet models). By the way, these babies cost approximately at least $1,200 to $1,600 from what I've been able to price so far (keep in mind, this cost in addition to the extra heavy weight mentioned above).
I had basically narrowed it down to the following two brands/names (again, I hope it's ok to include these below names/links! If the forum moderator needs to remove them- then obviously that's ok and sorry about that!!):
1) Phoenix
http://www.kcsafe.com/FireFiles.htm
2) FireKing
http://www.kcsafe.com/FireKing-31-Vert-Letter.htm
I went yesterday and looked at showroom models for each of these two. Each one seemed to have a drawback (at least in my mind).
* The Phoenix is NOT rated for the 30 foot drop test. In other words, if there was a fire and it fell thru some floors, it was not officially "certified" to withstand a drop test of that distance.
* The FireKing is 30 foot drop test certified (at least certain models); however, as the very helpful salesperson pointed out - the FireKing file cabinets have an "unfinished" interior surface of this clay-like/plaster-like, heat resistance substance. He showed how this plaster/clay-like material tends to flake off in small powder like dust. He indicated that some people may not mind, but he had noticed that over time, this fine dust stuff can get into files, on the outside of the cabinet, etc. [By the way, the Phoenix had finished metal-like interior surfaces.]
There was another brand they offered (but did not have a showroom model for me to inspect/review):
3) Schwab - which seems to have a somewhat unique offering ("Trident" series) which offers models that have the fire-rating protection and the 30 foot drop test - and a semi-waterproof feature (for, say a sprinkler system going off) - but I have not been able to look at one of these in person yet.
http://www.schwabcorp.com/File_Cabinets/schwab_trident series_5000.htm
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that this might be overkill. I have been thinking of just getting another Sentry cabinet (or two) for much less than the cost of one of these big-dog, heavy 4 drawer cabinets. Indeed, the Sentry model (at least the one I currently have) has a "finished"/plastic sealed interior. So, there is no "dust" issue with it. So, I may in fact, get another one or two of these - but that certainly is not very space efficient as these are NOT safely stackable/etc.
However, I figure if I shelled out the bucks now on a heavy 4-drawer one, it would be a long-term (i.e. lifetime!) investment. [Even though, they would be a total killer/pain to move!!] Note: I'm still considering one for the office and one for home. So, please keep in mind that many of the considerations I'm mentioning may or may not necessarily apply to both environments!
Having gone thru all of the above - does anyone have any experience or recommendations on fireproof file cabinets?
I am going to try to see if I can get a look at one of these Schwab file cabinets someplace around here - namely to see if it might have this interior "dust" issue - and, frankly, to see if I can get a feel for the overall construction - such as how smoothly/securely the drawers operate/etc.
Again, in summary, any thoughts/input/recommendations/tips/etc on fireproof file cabinets? Any such feedback would be greatly appreciated... thanks! (and sorry this got so long!)