Looking for a Flat File? Your Area Might Be In Here

Information on shipping, storing and repairing your art, plus your reviews on products for art collecting, making, storing, etc..
User avatar
SnakeEyes75
Art Connoisseur
Posts: 266
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 7:13 am

Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:08 pm

So I am looking to purchase a flat file; probably custom, and have been looking around / researching different places online to find various options. I like both metal and wood but leaning wood. I was looking to see if folks here might know of places that either create custom flat files or re-furbish older flat files that either ship CONUS or are somewhat close to the Washington DC area. Also any pictures of your own flat file would be appreciated; always good to see whats out there. Thanks.
User avatar
SnakeEyes75
Art Connoisseur
Posts: 266
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 7:13 am

Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:28 am

Anyone have any opinions on SMI vs Mayline vs Richardson wooden Flat Files? Looking to buy today
User avatar
sendit2d
Art Connoisseur
Posts: 154
Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2014 1:39 pm

Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:22 pm

Does anyone know if these flat files are ok to store art in being that they're 30% poplar, 70% MDF?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Martha-Stewa ... /207087815

Is MDF bad for storing paper in?...

MDF is typically made up of 82% wood fibre, 9% urea-formaldehyde resin glue, 8% water and 1% paraffin wax. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard)
User avatar
theperfecttree
EB Team
Posts: 11789
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Austin, TX

Sat Nov 26, 2016 2:56 pm

lots of interest in these, for $225 it's hard to be the price. here's a past review and pic of a 24x36 poster to get a feel for the drawer size. I believe the exact measurement is 24.5x36.5
SurfingJeff wrote:I figured I'd drop in a quick review of one of the Martha Stewart flat files. I recently picked up this one:

http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Martha- ... 00/Outlet/
Image


Pros:
- It's the only "factory" flat file I've ever seen that comes with a glass top
- If you time it right with the appropriate coupons, it's almost cheaper than buying a used one. Mine came to $210 shipped
- Sitting in the corner of my living room, it's actually quite good looking (mine is in the brown wood finish)

Cons:
- Assembling this thing was a giant pain in the ass. The precision of the cuts is not great, and you need quite a bit of elbow grease to get everything to fit. I actually snapped 3 of the shitty cam connectors that comes with it, and had to buy my own replacements from home depot (you might want to do this from the start, the home depot ones are MUCH better).
- The drawer runners are not nearly as nice as a good metal flat file. Getting the drawers inserted in the first place was a big pain, and they don't run that smoothly or lock that well.
- The interior of the drawers is a extremely tight for a 24" x 36" print with less 1/2" margin around each edge. I don't think you'd want to keep a big stack of 24" x 36" in here - getting them out would involve serious risk of edge damage.

Ultimately - it's that last point (drawers too small for 24"x36") that's the real killer. The arduous assembly and imperfect runners are tolerable, but if you collect anything in that size range, then this isn't going to work that well. Too bad - it really does look quite good for the price.
captainhavoc wrote: Image

Snug but not flush
User avatar
bhutanpro
Art Connoisseur
Posts: 881
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 6:08 pm
Location: soCal desert

Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:10 am

I'm in the lookout for a used or new flat file in soCal.

I'm in Palm Springs, but if the piece and price is right I could come out toward the coast to get it.

There are some options on Craigslist, but wanted to put the word out in this thread too.

:pint: :pint:
User avatar
earlgreytoast
Art Expert
Posts: 9366
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:14 pm

Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:55 am

I've got a flat file that's been sitting under my deck for awhile now...I should get rid of it before the snow hits. It's a big one, fits 24" X 36" prints and all drawers in great working condition. $200. $250 if you'd like me to sand and re-paint in the color(s) of your choice. I live about an hour north of NYC in the mighty Hudson Valley.
FF.jpg
Examples of ones I repainted:
FF2.jpg
Codeblue wrote: I’m sorry for everything.
User avatar
FOODRAP
Art Expert
Posts: 3346
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:15 am
Location: NEW YORK CITY
Contact:

Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:57 am

earlgreytoast wrote:I've got a flat file that's been sitting under my deck for awhile now...I should get rid of it before the snow hits. It's a big one, fits 24" X 36" prints and all drawers in great working condition. $200. $250 if you'd like me to sand and re-paint in the color(s) of your choice. I live about an hour north of NYC in the mighty Hudson Valley.
FF.jpg
Examples of ones I repainted:
FF2.jpg

Looks amazing. Wish I was talented enough to paint my three.
User avatar
earlgreytoast
Art Expert
Posts: 9366
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 1:14 pm

Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:00 am

Ha, no talent needed. Just space, an electric hand-sander and some good spray paint.
Codeblue wrote: I’m sorry for everything.
User avatar
electrachrome
Site Admin
Posts: 18199
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:00 am
Location: Boston

Tue Dec 27, 2016 1:11 pm

Hamilton Ohio:
https://www.ebth.com/items/4948505-anti ... e-cabinets

auction ends in 6 hours
User avatar
cotis
Art Expert
Posts: 5406
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:03 pm
Location: USA

Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:07 pm

about to refinish this guy. it's in absolutely wonderful condition and so glad we came across it. going for a darker stain to match the rest of our furniture.

Image
User avatar
jjttdw
Art Expert
Posts: 7843
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:45 pm

Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:21 pm

^^That is nice.
NEWPORTS69 wrote:ive kept journal for very long time and ranked public restrooms because i srs hate using them, was working on an app but im not very smart
User avatar
hunterjax
Art Expert
Posts: 4619
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 10:40 am

Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:23 pm

wow, that things a beauty - will look great in a glossy dark stain.
_____________
RambosRemodeler wrote:.........You're entitled to your opinion but it's wrong.
Kramerica wrote: . . . . . Also, never listen to anything rambo says.
Dragyn
Member
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:30 am

Sun Mar 19, 2017 2:21 am

I am very new to collecting but have a few pieces and need to find a flat file for them! I need one that fits the big boys 24x36 but doesn't break the bank. I am located in Atlanta, GA.

Thanks!
User avatar
cotis
Art Expert
Posts: 5406
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2012 11:03 pm
Location: USA

Sun May 07, 2017 7:01 pm

NJ/NYC/PA folks...

Hamilton 10-Drawer Blueprint Art Architectural Poster Map Flat File - $100
Image
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/fuo/6121771008.html

Hamilton 5-Drawer Blueprint Art Architectural Poster Map Flat Files - $100/ea
ImageImage
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/fuo/6121785460.html
Post Reply