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Filing Cabinet Plans
A wooden filing cabinet with deep drawers for hanging folders. The drawer boxes are sized so letter or legal hanging folders rest their hooks on the top edges of the drawer sides, with no metal rails, and the drawers run on full-extension slides. With two drawers it fits under a desk.
- Default size
- 600 mm
- Parts
- 18 pieces · 9 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass + 1 door + 1 back
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- About 8 hours
- Edge band
- 9.2 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side | 2 | 696 | 600 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Top | 1 | 600 | 373 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Bottom | 1 | 600 | 373 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
6 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- The drawer boxes are as wide inside as the hooks of the hanging folders, which rest on the top edges of the drawer sides.
- Each box is 26 mm narrower than the opening for two 13 mm side-mount slides.
- Use full-extension slides rated for at least 45 kg per drawer.
- The drawer boxes are made from the same board as the cabinet; the top edges of their sides must be smooth and straight for the folder hooks to slide.
Common mistakes
- Sizing the drawers from the folders without the slides: the box will not fit the opening.
- Using light-duty slides: a full drawer of paper weighs 20–40 kg.
Tools you need
- Track saw or table saw
- Drill/driver
- Drawer slide jig
- Clamps
Frequently asked questions
How wide is a drawer for hanging files?
The hooks of letter-size hanging folders need about 311 mm (12 1/4 in) between the drawer sides; legal folders about 387 mm (15 1/4 in).
How deep should a filing drawer be?
At least 250 mm (10 in) inside so the folders hang clear of the bottom, and 500–600 mm long.
What slides should I use?
Full-extension side-mount slides rated for at least 45 kg (100 lb): a full drawer of paper is heavy.
Related guides
How to Install Drawer SlidesHow to install drawer slides step by step: side-mount ball-bearing slides, undermount slides with their clips, full-extension and bottom-mount slides, face frames.Standard Drawer DimensionsStandard drawer dimensions for dressers, kitchen cabinets and file cabinets: widths, depths and heights for clothes, cutlery, pots and files.
