McGraw's Flat File Flip

[gambit]

will get some pictures up when i get started as well as when i figure out how to post on them on the forum

[Parzival]

Can I just hire you dudes to refurb one for me?

[mcgraw23]

To put it plainly, probably I've been considering offering to refurb the other 2 files I have for folks on here.

[jmagee87]

Hoping to try and do this later this summer sometime hopefully

[mcgraw23]

will get some pictures up when i get started as well as when i figure out how to post on them on the forum

[mcgraw23]

Just noticed Gambit's photo never posted. Here's a pic of his finished product with that sleek glass top.

[jtanner11]

I love the look of the glass top files. Are those spill proof? I would love to make one but am afraid that my little girl would spill on it.

[theghost206]

Man that's some nice work. I've been looking for a flat file in Seattle on Craigslist and other places and it seems like they are all $500. Did you need to prime the metal before painting? What kind of paint did you use?

[mcgraw23]

I love the look of the glass top files. Are those spill proof? I would love to make one but am afraid that my little girl would spill on it.

There's no seal on the ends to make it spill proof but it could be done, I'm sure.

Man that's some nice work. I've been looking for a flat file in Seattle on Craigslist and other places and it seems like they are all $500. Did you need to prime the metal before painting? What kind of paint did you use?

We used a primer/paint combo for the outer frame (I think Behr Premium from Home Depot) and they for the drawers, used a rubberized spray coating on that worked out really well called Plastidip. It's super easy to apply and doesn't require priming beforehand. I've got one last file sitting in my garage that's in pretty rough shape aesthetically so I'm contemplating sanding it down, covering it in the Plastidip, and throwing it on Craigslist or here for someone else since I don't need it.

[Particle]

Question about Glass tops that see through into the first drawer: DO you buy the flatfile with the top exposed already or do you take a traditional flatfile and cut the top out? If the latter, is that hard?

[iambillyg]

Question about Glass tops that see through into the first drawer: DO you buy the flatfile with the top exposed already or do you take a traditional flatfile and cut the top out? If the latter, is that hard?

For my wooden one, I had the top built to allow glass to be placed inside.



For my metal, it had a sealed top originally. I had a rectangle window cut out. The glass then lays on top of the file. I did not do the cutting, but believe it wasn't too difficult. The steel on the top isn't very thick at all.

[mcgraw23]

Gambit's file had the top off when I found it so I built a wooden frame for the top that was painted and then the glass just placed on top.

Also, Billy, I think that blue file might be my favorite of the ones I've seen you refinish! It's an absolute beauty

[Particle]

Damn, thanks for the info and awesome flatfiles

[iambillyg]

Also, Billy, I think that blue file might be my favorite of the ones I've seen you refinish! It's an absolute beauty

Thank you, sir. Girlfriend chose the color.

I have another file sitting in my garage that would match this one to go under it, but I've been going back and forth about painting it to match or offering to paint it for someone else.

[kansasbbq]

Also, Billy, I think that blue file might be my favorite of the ones I've seen you refinish! It's an absolute beauty

Thank you, sir. Girlfriend chose the color.

She chose wisely.