Would this STEEL cabinet be good?

So I've been thinking about my different chamber designs for a month now. I like the dimensions of this steel cabinet pictured below (the shelves are removable) 76" tall x 36" wide x 18" deep...just enough space and head room for three 12" planters and some companion plants.

I am unsure how a 250w HID + Steel would do me. How would I cut into the steel to install vent/fan and electrical? Would it get too hot?

If you guys think it would be too hot for my HID/flower chamber would it be good for the cooler and lighter weight T5/veg chamber?

Also do any of you have experience in hanging heavy switchable HIDS from a steel of this grade? I would bolt a garment rod near the top to hang the light from and don't know if that would pull out/bend the metal. I've been looking at melamine cabinets or constructing my own from plywood but I am concerned at how much weight they would support also!

Thank You!

I beleive you can get hole saws for your drill that should be able to cut into that steel...if not maybe get something to start it off and get some metal cutters. i dont see why that wouldnt be able to support a 250w hps socket and bulb provided the ballast is outside or not being suspended in the air. a 250 should be fine your sitting at just over 4sq feet so that would be around 60watt/sq ft which is a good spot to be at...i hear minimum is 50w/sqft and anything over 75 w/sqft is a waste so id say that 250 is optimal for that box.

I ran a 250 not even cool tubed in a box that was 72" tall 48"wide and 18"d and it was fine temp wise so cool tubed you should have no issues with heat aslong as your ambient temps outside the box are not to high i would expect only a few degree difference if you cool tube it.

You can use a hole saw that will put a nice uniform cut in the metal, but they start to get pricy as you increase in size. I imagine you would try to run 6in ducting? This is probally one of the cheapest bits I was able to find for that size http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-59748/Detail.
There are other option as well. You start by drilling a good sized hole that a thin bi-metal blade will fit in (5-25$) depending on the thickness of the blade. Drill into the cabinet then get inside of it and cut the hole out with the sawzall. Being on the inside should put the mess to the inside as the blade teeth face down (cutting) and when on the upstroke actually rips through the material raising it.
You could also use a hole cutting saw similar to a dremel but on a larger size that uses either small cutting wheels (takes forever and you better have alot of them) or they have a rotoary straight plunge bit that will do the job also with alittle smoother cut if you can control the tool (it takes alittle practice).
Fixing to cut some holes in my cabinet when the parts come as I'm waiting on taxes to order (any day now the suspense is killing me).

Another post I read is you take the light you want to use W and multiply it by 3.2 then divide by the CFM of the fan you are planning to run through the cooltube and you should come up with how many degrees the cabinet should rise above the ambient temp the cabinet is in. It will be a few months before I can test this out but am excited to see how close it is.

Hope this helps as I'm new to growing but with a long history of construction DIY experience.

(edit) You can also ask at the local hardware rental store such as HD or Lowes or any rental place if they have the size bit you need to use on rental. Saving $$$ on something you only need to use once.
Wake~~n~~Baken since far too long to remember...

Please be sure to have that cabinet itself grounded along with all electric items. Wires going through metal holes can get nicked by sharp edges or leaking electricity due to moisture can make that cabinet energized and give you a nasty shock.
That cabinet looks like it can be made into a good grow box but never let electrical safety leave your mind. You don't want shocks or fire.

Pane and 420 - Thank you, these are great tips. I'm a girl and don't have a lot of the construction and electrical knowledge but my dad's garage is at my disposal and it's decently stocked. Knowing what bits to use, ect is very helpful - as well as the math for considering cfms, wattage and so on!

Harry - Man I didn't even think about that. I'm generally a very careful person but isht happens. This comment has really made me reconsider the melamine. Plus - that steel cabinet is gon'na be a heavy b*tch to move around when needed.

A makita or dewalt grinder w/ a metal cutting disc... disc about $5 @ any auto parts store. you can cut a square vent pretty easily.. even an octogon. that is if ya dont have a hole saw. Good Luck and make sure ya show pics when the inside is green

Simply - I am going with the cheap melamine. I was gon'na just frame up some plywood but decided I liked the cleaner look. Black and decker had some pretty pimpin' garage storage units at the hardware store - but I'll prol'y just go with the cheapy white-coated ones and make some adjustments for light leaks (the b&d units sealed up real nice though). Man, I need power tools of my own. I'm an artist and I'm always needing to drill or cut or weld something. Missed out on shop class for home-ec but if I hadn't taken home-ec I'd prol'y be complaining about that too!

Don't know how your project has been comming along but mine has taken leaps and bounds. Since I've finished my metal cabinet I've gone ahead and built a smaller box out of plywood to veg in. I noticed you had talked about melamine and plywood and just keep in mind that these materials can also get very heavy very fast. You can always put casters on what ever you decided to use if you have the vertical space.

Did you ever find a solution?