Expert: Skip Bollinger - 3/3/2008

Question
what is that long binder you see in shops or auto stores that holds all of the manuals or catalogs called and how can i get one?

Answer
Missy,
  FINALLY, a question that I can answer with confidence!! Thank YOU!!
  Miss, I know this may come as a surprise to you but they are called a "Catalog Rack". No, I'm NOT making fun, okay?? It is refreshing to have a NON Technical Question.
  There are basically 2 types, Professional and junk. (That is just my opinion). Within those 2 types, you can have an 18", 2 foot, 3 foot, 4 foot, 5 foot and 6 foot. In the 3 foot and up, it could be a double tiered rack. Some have a light option and some don't.
  The difference between the Professional and junk is this: the professional, built by a company called Master, could be dropped off a building and it wouldn't bend. They are VERY tough and reliable. The binders that hold the catalogs have no sharp edges and use "horseshoe buttons" on the back of the binders to slide into the rack. Very easy to remove for desktop reading and replacing old catalogs. The cheap stuff would dent if you had a power outage. The binders are thin and have sharp edges. They attach to the rack by points at the top and bottom. These points, when replacing them into the rack, can cut the catalog next to them. I hate those types, in case you didn't get my drift.
  Where can you find them?? Well, I'd begin by going by local parts stores to see if they have any. Almost all parts stores have gone to computer cataloging, which sucks. I had a room, here at the house with almost 60 feet of catalogs... ALL in racks. I had a ton of racks. As things grew, I realized the racks were taking up too much room and went to bookcases. I still have some racks but they are heavy and expensive to ship. I sold a lot of them. Now my bookcases hold over 90 feet of catalogs going back into the early 1900's.
  When I was selling them, I sold them on eBay. I noticed there were some other racks there but they were of the short variety. AND the junk style. Again, my opinion. They may serve you just great, I don't know.
  If you want to see photos of the 2 different designs or discuss this further, you can send me a direct eMail to CarPartMan@aol.com. Please put something in the subject line like "Catalog Rack Question".
  I hope this helps and gives you a little insight. Good luck..
Skip
P.S. I forgot to mention.. A NEW Master 6' rack can cost $450.00 and the binders that hold the catalogs (2" wide binders) are about $35.00 each. Look on eBay to get a price for the other style. Good luck..
S.