Simple Houseware Expandable 5 Section Upright File Sorter Organizer, Black

I needed a file sorter to organize both equipment and files for my craft area. This has beern a perfect choice. I was impressed at how easily it assembled, it's sturdy enough for what I'm using it for, it's attractive, and best of all, it makes me look organized :-) At one end it's holding two different sizes of paper cutters, three ruled cutting mats, a tall container that holds my variety of long rulers, my light box, and two mats I place on my work table to protect the surface from being marred, stained by dripping paint, stuck on paste, Plaster of Paris drips, Mod Podge, super glue, and spray adhesives calamities. I was delighted to be able to clear those items from a box on my office floor. The rest of the space is used for kits I assemble for each cross stitch project I will work on. The kits include the pattern, the chart, a check list for everything I will need to complete the project, the fabric, the thread or floss I'll need, the instructions, and other items that are called for in the instructions. Instead of putting all of these items in a bag or box to lay on its side, one on top of the other, I now place each completed kit upright in the file sorter. For my purposes, the upright position is better to preserve the fabric, thread, pattern, chart and instructions in a wrinkle-freer environment. A last remark I would like to make that is totally voluntary on my part. I purchased the double file sorter four months ago. In the process of keeping the unassembled pieces together until I was ready to place the sorter where I wanted it, I misplaced the black and white pieces that are needed to erect the parts of the file sorter. I contacted customer service at the SimpleHousewares store, and left a voicemail asking if I could buy another set of the connectors. I received a response the next morning telling me that they would send the parts immediately (and they did!). How often does that happen in the customer service realm of Amazon venders? SimpleHousewares has earned my trust and loyalty. I've liked the products I've purchased in the past, and I will be purchasing their products in the future.

Usually when I buy something that has to be put together, I turn it over to my husband. But when this was still sitting there after 3 weeks, I decided to tackle it myself. The instructions consisted of just two pictures - one showing the WRONG way, one showing the RIGHT way. No words - but clear as could be. VERY simple to put together - an 8-year old could do it. Line the holes up with the base, stick a little white plug in the first hole. Stick a black plug on top of the white plug. Push firmly.Move to the second hole and do the same. Do this for 24 holes and you're done. I hope this review was helpful.BUT... the plugs are small. Open the pack and pour them immediately into a small dish or jar lid. Work in a cleared area so if one gets away from you, it is easy to find. It took me almost 14 minutes from the time I opened the box. A younger person could do it much faster, but my hands are at that age where they have a bit of trouble holding small items and manipulating them. And so I dropped them numerous times as I was inserting them in the holes. It is a piece of cake for a younger person. But if your fingers aren't what they used to be....... expect it to take a bit longer. As I was doing it, I was thinking....if they didn't include an extra white and an extra black plug, I will dock them a star!!! Imagine my delight when I finished and discovered several extras of each!!!!There is no way provided to hook the two units together. When you use them together, it provides an extra filing slot, though a little narrower than the other 10. I didn't want the units to slide apart when I inserted files in that middle slot, so I laid the units on their side and twist tied the bars together that are underneath the units that form like feet for the unit, though it is a better design than feet. It is a bar all the way across.I definitely recommend these sorters. They are not at all flimsy. Very sturdy. Great design. I will say this. If you are wanting a sorter that you can fold flat and put away when not in use, these are not the ones for you. They don't fold or collapse. While it was simple to put all the little plugs in, I wouldn't want to take them all out to take this unit apart every time I finished filing.

This thing is great. And I had no trouble with the enclosed pins. You have to be careful to push the pins in until they click twice, once in the "U" bracket on top and then through the base. You will hear two clicks. Just push hard. Easy to do. Holds just fine. Solid and useful product.