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Angel
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| Posted: Aug 28 2008 at 6:00am | IP Logged
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I'm looking for a lockable, rolling cabinet I can put in a closet. The closet is not a walk-in closet, but it's long, not deep. It has sliding doors, which I don't know how to lock.
I really like these folding storage units from Discount School Supply, but they're expensive!! I'm sure my dh could put a couple of cheaper shelving units together and attach casters to the bottom, but he's a busy guy. So if I could find something else...
I suppose I could do without the wheels, but wheels would be nice. 
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Maryan
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| Posted: Aug 28 2008 at 6:37am | IP Logged
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Angela,
I've seen these too and drooled! I don't know another source, but I've wondered if you can take two 30" bookshelves (Staples has some that go on sale for $15 each at least four times a year) and install casters, hinges, and a lock? The back of the shelves is just cardbord so you may need to add a back too...
The bottom of the shelves needs a board for the casters, OR I'm wondering if you could turn it upside down...
Okay so there are flaws in this plan.  But do you know what I mean? I'm wondering if you could DIY halfway? That way busy dh wouldn't have to start from scratch?
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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Kristin
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We have done a couple of different things.
A couple of years ago, we did build our own set of shelves. When they are not in use they face each other, which works VERY well! Originally we were going to put hinges on them but decided against it; I have found that it is very helpful to have the flexibility of being able to adjust the placement of each individual cabinet. We have not found it necessary to lock them, but you might be able to put locks on both ends.
Back in my thrift store junkie days, I was able to locate two smaller shelves that were more or less identical and use them in the same way we use our other shelves. What Maryan proposed is very do-able and reasonably priced!  As she said, you may have to add a board across the bottom for mounting the casters, although we didn't have to do that because the bottom shelf was close enough to the floor. Turning them upside down is also an interesting idea, the lip around the edge could come in handy if you planned on using the top as an additional shelf.
Also mentioned were the somewhat unsightly backs of less expensive bookshelves. One way around that is to make a cover to put over the shelves when they are not in use. Maybe this would also deter inquisitive little ones from getting into the cabinets at undesirable times! 
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Bunch 'o Honey to my Honey Bunch and Mama to five - Noah 10y  , Rose 8y  , Dominic 2.5 y  , Oliver 16m 
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Aug 29 2008 at 6:25am | IP Logged
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I love the idea about a diy shelf!
As someone who sees less and less of her dh lately because of an extremely busy work schedule, I love the look of the shelves you link to!
I can tell you that the quality of wood and workmanship on the little shelves is something you pay for, and I have really enjoyed that!
I splurged on a large book display shelf for this year and I love it. It has heavy duty casters on the bottom for easy rolling. The wood is solid as well as the construction - that means the shelves don't bow under the weight of a lot of books. I love it.
I've considered the shelves you link to, Angela! They may end up at the top of my wishlist for next year! I love them, and the idea of the folding shelves rolling off into the sunset behind locked doors... 
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Jen Mackintosh
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Angel
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| Posted: Aug 29 2008 at 8:23am | IP Logged
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How are your Target shoe shelves working out, Jen?
I wish I was handier... or my 11 yo ds was further along with his skill set. Right now all my dh's time is taken up with finishing off a winter chicken coop, a wood shed (of sorts), and the garden. Frost in the next couple of weeks will end the garden, but...
Maybe it would better to figure out some way to lock the closet door for now, and I could turn the shelves around to face each other, as Kristin suggested. I'm mainly looking at these shelves for Practical Life work for my 5 yo and twins. Right now I don't have a place to put trays where the little ones can retrieve them by themselves. And of course with these guys leaving anything out all the time is a big no-no.
Plus the baby is now WALKING!!! 
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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Donna Marie
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I remember Kathy Von Duyke...a homeschooler who was also a trained Montessorian and mother of 12(?) She mentioned on one of the Montessori lists for Montessorians...sorry can't remember the name of it... that she made a cabinet like you mentioned...having it hinged with casters to hold some of the items that would be disastrous if they were scattered..like the multitude of nomenclature cards, reading cards..etc. This cabinet could be closed and locked when not in use. In the real family world we do have marauding toddlers as well as a wide age range of students..not all of which are ready to respect the work.
She is an interesting person to read...there are several of her articles available on-line via google search...
HTH!
God love you,
Donna Marie from NJ
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Donna Marie from NJ
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Finding Elegant Simplicity
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: locked shelving?
