Customer Reviews

SentrySafe Fire-Safe 2-Drawer Insulated Vertical File, Black

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall, I'm happy with this cabinet. One thing this cabinet really has going for it is the dearth of competition in this price range. For the price, it seems like a very worthy item. That said, for the price, I'd buy a scanner and go electronic before buying a second one. But I figure one is good, because having at least some physical files is inevitable.

First, this cabinet is very heavy. It took 3 people at the store to move to my car, and I could only carry it a few feet at a time when I got it home. The weight appears to be due to the 2-3" thick fire insulation on all sides. The interior material looks like standard, thin sheet metal. But probably due to the heft, it doesn't rattle or clank. In fact, the drawers roll rather nicely. I'm not sure if the tracks will hold up (I'm afraid they might bend) but it's nice so far. It lets you pull both drawers out at the same time (very nice cabinets don't). However, I've done this (probably a bad idea!) with two full drawers and it didn't tip over.

As you can imagine, that much insulation means the interior dimensions are significantly reduced. The drawer interiors are a hair under 12" wide and a tad over 18" long. It's tight - my hanging folders barely fit. If any papers stick out the folder edge, they won't even go in. And even then, the folders don't slide on the track.

Security-wise: Remember that this is not a security safe. It's mostly to keep fire out, not people. It's got a very basic lock, and works by extending a metal bar from the lower drawer into both the upper drawer and into the case side. I'd bet it'd stay closed if it was dropped a couple feet. But, really, your security comes from someone being more interested in your consumer electronics than your papers.

I can't comment on the actual fire protection. It says in the manual that the insulation expands in fire and seals all the openings, making the cabinet completely air-tight. I gather the thing is then ruined and needs to be cut open afterward. Another thing I've gathered from research - while this is a fine level of protection if live in a single family ranch home, you may want to reconsider if you live in something like a 5th floor apartment. The file is only rated for 1 hour in fire, and you have to worry about it breaking open in a fall.

If I could change things, they'd be adding just a smidge to the drawer width, and possibly adding some folding handles.

Finally, since I'm a conclusions-first kinda guy, I already said I like it. Now let's hope I never need it.

I bought these to replace ones that had gone through a fire. I had my photographs and negatives in them and all contents were fine.

Fortunately, I have not seen the fireproof abilities first hand, however I looked at them onling at the Sentry Website. The safe requires 2 people to move because it is heavy and has no handles to move on the outside. It appears to be built well and the drawers glide easily. You can outfit it for Legal use by going to an office store and getting standard legal conversion rails. I was suprised to receive my safe 3 days after I ordered it, but this may not be typical.

Sentry 6000 Gray Safe 1 Hour Fireproof Two Drawer Office File, 2.38 Cubic Feet, Dove Gray

What a SAFE buy! I searched the stores and internet looking to get this safe and was able to find it on Amazon for 1/2 price. It arrived very quickly,only charging me $7.50 for shipping. Most places were going to charge $100 or more on top of twice the price. I even got a bag of Jelly Beans with my purchase.I would not have gotten that in any store. I would absolutely recommend this product and Amazon to everyone!

I have a few of these file cabinets for records that I would not want to loose in a fire. They are extremely sturdy and well built. When I ordered that last file cabinet, the key did not work in the lock. So, I reported that to Amazon and get a replacement shipped and the defective one picked up free of charge. These are heavy which requires some help getting them up stairs and moving them in place.

Probably the best price you'll see for something this size with a fireproof rating.

It's a rough/heavy plastic casing (not metal) that melts in the event of a fire, to seal the drawers/case, and the encased moisture helps dissipate heat. So, yes, in the event of a fire, this will self destruct, although that would really be the least of your problems.

Because the casing is plastic, I imagine someone with a hacksaw could get into it, but it would probably take quite a bit of time. There's also no way to bolt it to the floor, but at 175 pounds (plus whatever's inside), it's not the easiest thing to move. Another possibility is the face of the keylock has a 3 digit code engraved into it, which I assume is the key it accepts...so if someone has visual access to it once, they could probably order the key, and get into it the second visit. The easy way to prevent this is to scratch/dremel off the code that's engraved into the metal. So while it provides a decent level of theft protection, a determined person could cut into it, carry it off, or order the key the safe accepts (if you leave the code visible).

My top drawer opens much easier than my bottom drawer, which I believe to be the result of the locking/latch system. I don't think it will ever pose a problem, but sometimes I have to push in the bottom drawer while pulling the handle out to have the latch activate enough to open.

The company that delivered it didn't have a lift gate, and only the driver, so I had to help him get it off the back of the truck (shoulder high). Not taking a star off for this, and it's not the fault of Amazon or Sentry, but I thought I'd mention it.

I received my order quickly and at my convenience. The delivery driver was very helpful because the item is heavy. My only peeve is the the inside dimensions are a little "snug" for regular file folders. They do not slide well and tend to stick.I am satisfied as to the durable and strong construction of the cabinet.

Product:
This file safe is heavy as you would imagine -- 175 pounds heavy. The construction is very good. It has a plastic-coated exterior, which gives the safe softly rounded outer edges. Beneath the plastic, of course, the actual safe is constructed of heavier stuff. The drawers roll smoothly and the lock and key work as expected.

Shipping: I placed my order on a Wednesday and it arrived unexpectedly only two days later on Friday, free shipping. It was delivered by a guy driving a full length semi truck. He was really relieved to find me at home, because he needed help lifting it down off of the truck, which had no tailgate. After that it was easy to move it via my dolly and even easier to unpack while still on the dolly. The packaging was pretty minimal, but there was no shipping damage.

Other: I give it 4 stars rather than 5, like some others, solely because the manufacturer did not include legal size file rails, which seems like a logical and inexpensive feature to add.

When it says that this filing cabinet accommodates legal folders, what it actually means is, after you receive the item, you can fill out a form requesting "free rail modifiers" which will take an additional 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. I think this should have been disclosed up front.

Went to an office store, and they didn't have it in stock. They said we could order it online from the store, or do it at home. We decided to order from home, and I told my husband he should let me look on Amazon.com, because the store's website wanted the same $ amount, but over $100 shipping to boot. The dealer on Amazon didn't charge any shipping, and they delivered it when they said they would. The product is just what my husband was wanting, a fireproof file cabinet for important papers. Again, amazon.com has came through for us, with their amazing vendors and selection!