[NHCOLL-L:2219] RE: new cabinets: points to consider

[Paul Callomon]

I would add a vote for Steel Fixtures and their frontmen Biblio Design. We had a number of unusual criteria in rehousing our dry mollusk collection, including low floor loading limits and the need to expand the capacity of the collection while not increasing its gross weight, and we were able to work with SF to design a good solution (about which I will be giving a presentation at SPNHC this year). Our custom-built cabinets feature simple d-section gaskets that can be replaced in an hour with no adhesives when it becomes necessary, and are so far proving durable and well-finished. 
Feedback and support from both firms have been very good, and our initial decision to choose SF/Biblio over its rivals has been justifiied - not to mention that theirs was by far the lowest bid price.



PC. 

Paul Callomon
Collections Manager
Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
Department of Malacology
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
Tel 215-405-5096
Fax 215-299-1170
Secretary, American Malacological Society
On the web at http://erato.acnatsci.org/ams/


>>> "Rich Rabeler" <rabeler at umich.edu> 02/19/04 11:45PM >>>
I'd like to comment on two aspects that I now look at in cabinetry.  The gasketing; the material, how it's installed, and how easy (or difficult) it would be to replace if one had to do so.  That is one of the features that switched my allegiance from Lane to Interior (Viking) cabinets.

Whatever handles you choose, be they recessed or conventional, be sure they are large enough for folks to easily operate.  I still hear about the recessed handles on one batch of cabinets; they are only about 2" across and difficult for some to grasp.
 
The next time we purchase cabinets I think we will be seriously considering Paramount Cabinets.  I can't speak from an "owners" perspective, but several of the features that I have seen on one that was able to inspect suggest a quality product.  The major installation of their cabinetry that I am aware of is at the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium.  

Sincerely,

Rich Rabeler, 
University of Michigan Herbarium

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu 
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu]On Behalf Of Kate Wellspring
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 1:07 PM
To: NHCOLL-L (E-mail)
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2210] new cabinets: points to consider


Good day,

We are in the process of reviewing demo models of various types of steel storage cabinets to be purchased and placed in a new museum facility.  We currently have very few steel cabinets, and are thus still learning about their finer points.  If you have past/current experience in choosing cabinetry/drawers for your collections, we would be very interested to hear your comments, horror stories, etc.  

So far we are looking at double-width models by Viking and Steel Fixture.  While we like certain qualities for each of them, some issues of concern are the ease with which removed drawers can be reinserted into their runners, drawer and external door torsion, durability of gasketing, and drawer release hardware that is not user friendly.  You may be aware of other important factors that we have not yet considered, and we would be most grateful if you would pass them along.

Thank you in advance.

Kate Wellspring

______________________________
Kate Wellspring, Collections Manager
Pratt Museum of Natural History
Amherst College
Amherst, MA 01002
kwellspring at amherst.edu