File drawer hardware

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I am replacing my hanging folders with plain folders and stiff cardboard alpha dividers. How do I get the stuff to stand up in my file cabinet? I remember there used to be spring-loaded type things for the back of file drawers, but I douldn't find any. Staples said they didn't sell such things but they might be included with some of their furniture. I didn't find anythere. Any thoughts out there. Thanks!
 
I can't direct you to any of the spring-loaded devices, but here's what I did in a similar situation: The offices in my firm are equipped with two built in lateral file drawers. I now use those for other purposes, but my general reference filing drawers now consist of two two-drawer file cabinets that blend in with the built-in furniture in the office. All wood, and no spring loaded devices. So, I went to Staples and bought several of the large metal bookends, and cut out and glued to the bottom of them some of that stuff they sell in rolls to keep things from shifting around -- sorry, don't know what it's called, but you can get it places like Target, Wal-Mart, etc, maybe in the shelf paper section. Then, while I can easily move the bookends around myself, once I put them in place they stay put to support my files, until I choose to move them again myself.

Hope this helps.

Randy
 
Randy,

Thanks for the idea, but I don't have a clue as to what packing-type material you're using. I suppose I'll ruffle through Staples and see what I can use to improvise. Good work on finding a solution to the problem.

-Bob
 
It's a sort of rubbery waffle weave material that I've generally seen come in rolls, and it's marketed for people who want to cut out pieces to stick on the bottom of things to keep them from sliding around or scratching. Sorry I can't remember exactly what it's called!

Randy
 
You might also try rubber as this has enough friction to stop things sliding around - I use a rubber mat in the back of my estate car to stop the boxes I keep there slidding about.

This post got me thinking how I might install a system into my own cabinet - gets the brain cells going!!!
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda made something work with a bookend and some of that waffle stuff that I just stole from a bathroom drawer.

-bb
 
Bob B said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I kinda made something work with a bookend and some of that waffle stuff that I just stole from a bathroom drawer.

-bb

Very resourceful, Bob. Now you are thinking like a true GTD'er!
 
Another possibility would be to get one of the "toast rack" style items that normally go onto shelves and put that directly into the file drawers. They come in multiple sizes, so it should be possible to find one of appropriate length and just glue it to the bottom of the drawer.

As another alternative, just get one of those metal 'L' shaped bookends, and put it behind the files with the bookend base under them. This would simulate the old spring-load types you remember.
 
I like the L-shaped bookends sitting on the sticky webby drawer-liner stuff. Since I'm new at GTD, I don't know the eventual size of my stuff. The book end let's me keep expanding till I get to about 75% full and need a new drawer.

All ideas appreciated though.

-bb
 
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