How to Make Metal Cabinets in DayZ

Making metal cabinets in DayZ can be a great way to store your loot and organize your base. With the right materials and some time and effort, you’ll be able to craft secure metal storage in no time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make metal cabinets for your base in DayZ.

Gathering Materials for Metal Cabinets

The first step is gathering the right materials. For metal cabinets, you’ll need:

• Metal sheets – The main component. Scrap metal sheets can be found at industrial spawns like factories. You can also get metal sheets by dismantling certain metal objects. Each cabinet requires 4 metal sheets.
• Nails – Nails are needed to craft the cabinets. You can find nails in industrial areas, sheds, garages, and by dismantling furniture. Have at least 10 nails ready.
• Locks – Optional but recommended. You can add locks to the cabinets for extra security. Find combination and key locks at residential buildings.
• Tools – To construct the cabinets, you’ll need a hacksaw to cut the metal sheets and a screwdriver to assemble them. Both tools spawn in sheds, garages, and industrial areas.

So search industrial areas, garages, sheds, and residential buildings to collect the necessary materials. Having a vehicle helps immensely to transport everything back to your base. Stockpile all the materials before starting crafting.

Crafting the Metal Cabinets

Once you have the materials ready, you can start constructing the metal cabinets. Here are the steps:

Cutting the Metal Sheets

Take the hacksaw in your hands and approach the metal sheets in your inventory. A prompt will appear to “Cut Metal Sheet into 4”. Doing this will cut each full metal sheet into 4 small metal sheets. You’ll need 4 small metal sheets for each cabinet, so cut up enough full sheets to get the amount you need.

Constructing the Frame

Now interact with your hands and select the option to construct a metal cabinet frame. This will combine 4 small metal sheets to create the frame. Construct as many cabinet frames as you want cabinets.

Attaching the Frame to the Ground

Place the metal cabinet frame where you want the finished cabinet situated. Make sure the placement works, as you won’t be able to move it after this point. Interact with the frame while holding a screwdriver and select “Attach Frame to Ground”. This will permanently attach it.

Adding Doors

With the frame secured, you can add doors. Interact with the frame again with a screwdriver in hand. Select “Add Doors to Frame” from the prompt. This will add hinged doors to the front of the cabinet.

Adding Locks (Optional)

If you want to add a combination or key lock, interact with the doors once they’re attached. Select the option to add a lock. You’ll need to have the matching lock in your inventory.

And that’s it! You’ve now constructed a complete metal cabinet for securing loot. Repeat the process to build as many cabinets as you need for your base.

Where to Place Metal Cabinets

Once crafted, think carefully about cabinet placement. Some tips on positioning:

• Central in your base – Easy to access from multiple rooms.
• Low traffic areas – Keeps your loot secure.
• Corner positions – Saves space and keeps contents private.
• Face inwards – Prevents outsiders from seeing your stash.
• Near relevant loot – Put food cabinets near the kitchen, for example.

Take advantage of corners and low foot traffic areas within your base. And face cabinets inwards so the doors aren’t visible from the exterior.

How to Use and Manage Metal Cabinets

Metal cabinets provide safe and organized storage, but you’ll need to use them properly to get the most benefit. Here are some tips:

• Categorize contents – Store similar items together, like food, weapons, or medical supplies.
• Utilize capacity – Make full use of the 40 slot capacity. Don’t leave cabinets partially empty.
• Only take what you need – Don’t remove everything at once or cabinets will empty too fast.
• Replace used items – Refill cabinets so they always have supplies ready.
• Lock valuable cabinets – Use locks to secure your most critical cabinet(s).
• Coded locks for sharing – Share access with teammates using coded locks.
• Guard against theft – Beware of leaving cabinets accessible to untrusted players.

Proper management and use of your metal cabinet storage will ensure you always have the gear and supplies needed to survive and thrive in DayZ.

Storing Different Types of Loot

Metal cabinets can hold a wide variety of loot. Some examples of good storage:

Food and Water

Having an excess stock of food and water is vital in DayZ. Store any extra:

• Canned Food and Drink – Soups, beans, soda, etc.
• Fresh Food – Fruit, vegetables, meat from hunting.
• Purification Supplies – Chlorine tablets, water purification tabs.
• Cooking Supplies – Pots, knives, can openers.

Keep a cabinet near the cooking area stocked with food essentials.

Weapons and Ammo

Safely store extra weapons along with plenty of matching ammo:

• Primary Weapons – Rifles, shotguns. Store dismantled to save space.
• Secondary Weapons – Handguns, melee weapons like knives or bats.
• Scopes/Optics – Scopes, reflex sights, rangefinders.
• Magazines – Spare ammo magazines/clips. Store unloaded.
• Loose Ammo – Boxes of additional rounds.
• Attachments – Suppressors, flashlights, etc.

Use locks to secure weapon cabinets. Only store what you need for defense.

Medical Supplies

Metal cabinets are perfect for organizing medical gear:

• Medications – Tetracycline, vitamins, painkillers.
• Bandages – Splints, bandages, rags.
• Medical Tools – Blood test kits, syringes.
• IVs and Bags – Saline, blood test bags, IV start kits.

Have a dedicated medical cabinet to quickly grab supplies for treating injuries and illness.

Vehicle Parts and Tools

Store vehicle gear safely out of the way:

• Parts – Engine parts, radiators, batteries. Organize by part type.
• Tools – Wrenches, tire repair kits, jerry cans.
• Other Supplies – Duct tape, spare tires.

Keep your vehicle running with cabinets to hold spare parts and tools.

Camping and Survival Gear

Lock away extra gear for outdoor excursions:

• Backpacks – Larger hiking bags or military backpacks.
• Camp Lighting – Flashlights, flares, headlamps.
• Navigation – Maps, compasses, rangefinders.
• Weapon Optics – Scopes, red dot sights.
• Knives and Tools – Hatchets, lockpicks, can openers.

Organize survival supplies for quick deployment on wilderness trips.

The roomy 40 slot capacity of metal cabinets accommodates many item types. Get creative and find ways to organize all the loot you acquire.

Locking Cabinets Securely

Adding locks provides an extra layer of security for your precious loot. Here are tips for keeping cabinets locked up tight:

Use Combination Locks for Sharing Access

Share access among teammates with combination locks. Set an agreed upon 4 digit code. Communicate this code privately to only trusted group members.

Employ Key Locks for Solo Access

Key locks are ideal for your personal stash. Keep the key with you or hidden securely in your base. Don’t risk it falling into the wrong hands.

Safeguard Keys and Codes

Never leave keys or codes anywhere they could be found and used to access your cabinets. Keep codes memorized rather than written down.

Change Codes if Compromised

If a code is learned by an untrustworthy or deceased player, immediately change it. This preserves your security.

Double Lock Critical Cabinets

For very important cabinets like rare loot or guns, use two locks – one key and one combo. This prevents access if either is compromised.

With good practices, savvy use of locks will prevent unauthorized access to your loot caches.

Base Designs for Optimal Cabinet Use

The layout and design of your base can make a big difference in how useful your metal cabinets are. Here are base building tips for maximum effectiveness:

Centralized Location

Have a room or area that acts as a center for your base. Place frequently accessed cabinets here for easy use from multiple rooms.

Low Foot Traffic Areas

Position cabinets away from high traffic paths through your base. This reduces chances of other players snooping through your gear.

Room Dividers

Utilize metal cabinets as room dividers, allowing you to block visibility and create small sub-rooms within a large base.

Defensible Positions

Locate cabinets in easily defensible areas of your base in case of attack. Safely access gear even during raids.

Loot Categories

Group relevant cabinets together – keep medical supplies together, food preparation items together, etc. for fast access.

Face Inward

Face cabinets toward walls or other cabinets so the doors aren’t visible. Keep their contents private.

With smart base building tactics, you can make the most of metal cabinets for secure and organized storage.

Avoiding Damage and Theft

While very secure, metal cabinets aren’t completely invulnerable. Be aware of these potential threats:

Raiders

Hostile players raiding your base may attempt to break into cabinets, especially if visibly containing valuable loot. Don’t flaunt your stash.

Items Despawning

Items stored in cabinets can still gradually despawn over time. Remove and interact with contents periodically to refresh timers.

Decay from Damage or Neglect

Like all base building objects, cabinets can eventually decay if damaged or not interacted with. Be sure to maintain and repair them.

Fire Sources

Open flames from items like the fireplace or gas stove can ignite and destroy nearby cabinets if placed too close.

Explosives

Powerful explosives can blast through cabinets, whether from enemy raiders or your own mishaps. Keep explosives far away.

Proper care and positioning of your metal locker stash can help mitigate these risks and extend their lifespan. Don’t let your hard-earned loot go to waste.

Interacting with Metal Cabinets Smoothly

Working with metal cabinets often involves navigating somewhat cumbersome inventory interfaces. Here are tips for smooth interactions:

Tabbed View

Use the Tab key to open a cabinet’s inventory and see its contents laid out visually in a tabbed grid for fast drag and drop actions.

Search Fields

Type part of an item’s display name into the Search field to instantly filter to matching contents to quickly find what you need.

Transfer All

The Transfer All button will rapidly move the entire inventory contents between your character and the storage. Use carefully to avoid mistakes.

Rapidly Remove Unwanted Items

Drag and drop unwanted items directly from a cabinet out onto the ground to swiftly clear space rather than tediously moving one by one.

Close When Done

Be sure to close cabinet doors when finished to prevent revealing contents to other players who may be passing by.

Learning small tips like these will make interacting with metal cabinets much more efficient and hassle-free.

Securing Cabinets in a Base

As discussed earlier, positioning is key for keeping your metal lockers locked down tight:

• Locate cabinets centrally in easily defensible areas of your base for quick access during raids.
• Face cabinet doors toward walls or other cabinets to conceal their presence and contents from outsiders.
• Place cabinets in low foot traffic rooms or offshoot rooms for privacy.
• Use room dividers and smart base layout techniques to control visibility and access.
• Never leave keys or combinations anywhere they could be found and used by intruders.

With smart base design and practices, your loot will stay secure against threats from both humans and zombies.

Conclusion

Metal cabinets provide reliable and secure storage for critical supplies once you spend the time to construct them. With the materials gathered, doors attached, and a lock for security, they become an invaluable base addition. Position strategically within your compound to safely stash loot away from threats while still keeping necessities close at hand. A set of organized metal cabinets helps form the backbone of a functional stronghold. Use this guide to build sturdy metal lockers, populate them with your precious collected loot, and sleep easy knowing your valuables are protected within your impenetrable base of operations.

Final Tips

• Construct cabinets before you need them in an emergency.
• Continuously stock and restock cabinet supplies for preparedness.
• Repair any damage promptly to get the longest use.
• Add cabinets incrementally as you accumulate more loot.
• Think carefully about positioning and room layout.

With smart practices, metal cabinets will serve as reliable repositories bolstering the security and organization of your domain. Now get out there, build some sturdy lockers, and start filling them with the provisions and gear needed to not just survive, but thrive in the post-apocalyptic world of DayZ!