Author Topic: Flat file drawers (Read 109241 times)

Monster_A_GoGo · « **on:** March 17, 2016, 01:25:25 PM »

I've occasionally heard people storing their posters flat (when they were either originally rolled or folded) in large flat filing drawers. (And yes...I know that putting both previously folded and rolled posters together is a bad idea that will ruin the rolled ones). My question---since I've never seen these filing cabinets and know nothing about them, is where do you get them? how much do they run? What, exactly, are they called? Which ones would you recommend and which ones would you avoid? THANKS!

jayn_j · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2016, 02:12:29 PM »

Quote from: Monster_A_GoGo on March 17, 2016, 01:25:25 PM

I've occasionally heard people storing their posters flat (when they were either originally rolled or folded) in large flat filing drawers. (And yes...I know that putting both previously folded and rolled posters together is a bad idea that will ruin the rolled ones). My question---since I've never seen these filing cabinets and know nothing about them, is where do you get them? how much do they run? What, exactly, are they called? Which ones would you recommend and which ones would you avoid? THANKS!

Check ebay or your local craigslist. The keywords are 'flat file' or 'blueprint file'
Buy locally. There are a lot available. Make sure the interior is large enough for a 1 sheet. That is basically 'C' or 'D' size.
Here is a good example of what I would look for from my local craigslist: http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/fuo/5489848622.html

Monster_A_GoGo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2016, 02:15:48 PM »

OOoooo AWESOME! Thank you so much, Jay!

MoviePosterBid.com · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2016, 02:20:36 PM »

yep.. you search Craigslist for flat files, but wait until you find some listed at the best price

they are always listed by used office furniture dealers at something close to full retail (for used cabinets), but yu can find them cheap if yuo wait.
check every day and be sure you get the right size

Monster_A_GoGo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2016, 02:29:26 PM »

Thanks so much for the advice. WOW! CHEERS!

MoviePosterBid.com · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2016, 04:36:46 PM »

Quote from: Monster_A_GoGo on March 17, 2016, 02:29:26 PM

Thanks so much for the advice. WOW! CHEERS!

you're welcome

I have 5 flat files, 4 are the size you can put one sheets and 30x40s in and some stuff like Argentinian posters and one is a little larger than half sheets

I spent $300 on one newer pair, $100 on the older pair & I got the smaller one, which was nearly new - for a whopping $15!!

look hard.. you'll find them

jedgerley · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2016, 06:09:40 PM »

Years I have been looking on craigslist and never found a decent deal. Especially not one for $100.

erik1925 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2016, 06:16:34 PM »

I just looked on craigslist Los Angeles, and there was nothing listed or shown that was under $350.00 for a standard 5 drawer cabinet of the right OS (or larger) size.

50s · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2016, 06:22:35 PM »

Quote from: erik1925 on March 17, 2016, 06:16:34 PM

I just looked on craigslist Los Angeles, and there was nothing listed or shown that was under $350.00 for a standard 5 drawer cabinet of the right OS (or larger) size.

It's the previous generation that got all the good deals... Rich, howsabout some discounts on your website for us younger folk, throw us some scraps

MoviePosterBid.com · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2016, 06:53:20 PM »

Quote from: jedgerley on March 17, 2016, 06:09:40 PM

Years I have been looking on craigslist and never found a decent deal. Especially not one for $100.

that was for (2) cabinets! full sized

Quote from: erik1925 on March 17, 2016, 06:16:34 PM

I just looked on craigslist Los Angeles, and there was nothing listed or shown that was under $350.00 for a standard 5 drawer cabinet of the right OS (or larger) size.

takes patience. I don't look anymore because 2 of them are in the back not used (can't use them in the warehouse - the metal gets hot & guess what having posters in them would do to the posters) so I don't need more. (no room for them in the office. I need to move into a house again)

erik1925 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2016, 07:00:43 PM »

Quote from: MoviePosterBid.com on March 17, 2016, 06:53:20 PM

that was for (2) cabinets! full sized

takes patience. I don't look anymore because 2 of them are in the back not used (can't use them in the warehouse - the metal gets hot & guess what having posters in them would do to the posters) so I don't need more. (no room for them in the office. I need to move into a house again)

Plus people selling know that there is a bit of a second hand market for those collectors looking for them.. hence the price jacks. $:-\$

jedgerley · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2016, 07:07:58 PM »

Quote from: MoviePosterBid.com on March 17, 2016, 06:53:20 PM

that was for (2) cabinets! full sized

Fuck! That what I get for living in a big metropolis.

MoviePosterBid.com · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2016, 07:19:50 PM »

Quote from: jedgerley on March 17, 2016, 07:07:58 PM

Fuck! That what I get for living in a big metropolis.

Las Vegas has a population of 2million.. not big enough for you?

and widen your search.. drive 50 or 100 miles to save $200

Mirosae · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2016, 08:01:35 PM »

Quote from: Monster_A_GoGo on March 17, 2016, 01:25:25 PM

I've occasionally heard people storing their posters flat (when they were either originally rolled or folded) in large flat filing drawers. (And yes...I know that putting both previously folded and rolled posters together is a bad idea that will ruin the rolled ones). My question---since I've never seen these filing cabinets and know nothing about them, is where do you get them? how much do they run? What, exactly, are they called? Which ones would you recommend and which ones would you avoid? THANKS!

Agree with Jay. Buy locally, I found several at auction in my local auction house (UK) price range was £75. I always look out for vintage cabinets and files to see whats on offer.

If anyone in the UK is interested I can pass on the details of the auction house in case there are more available.

CJ138 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2016, 08:20:21 PM »

I bought a flat file for 100 bucks on craigslist. I feel like unless you have A LOT of posters, it is overkill. I wound up framing or storing them flat in a moving box, so I sold the flat file on craigslist and got my 100 back...

erik1925 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 17, 2016, 08:23:40 PM »

Good to hear you broke even on the all around deal, Connor.

Gingerman · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2016, 09:25:21 PM »

GOGO.... I like this one because of the size of the drawers. These are of course brand new...... I look about every week for one locally...no luck yet.
Wasting time looking for these dang things.....

http://www.wayfair.com/Sandusky-Cabinets-Flat-Files-5-Drawer-Filing-Cabinet-244879-SN1317.html

Monster_A_GoGo · « **Reply #17 on:** March 17, 2016, 09:56:51 PM »

Wow...everything about it sounds great...except the price. Jeepers. It will be a few months yet (late May / early June) before I am back in my house...but I do need to get me some of those ( used and cheaper) cabinets. Wow! Poster access. What a concept. Cheers.

erik1925 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2016, 10:08:12 PM »

Quote from: Gingerman on March 17, 2016, 09:25:21 PM

GOGO.... I like this one because of the size of the drawers. These are of course brand new...... I look about every week for one locally...no luck yet.
Wasting time looking for these dang things.....

http://www.wayfair.com/Sandusky-Cabinets-Flat-Files-5-Drawer-Filing-Cabinet-244879-SN1317.html

Compared to those, the $350.00 model I found on CL earlier sounds like a real bargain. And they looked brand new, too.

Harry Caul · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2016, 12:45:13 AM »

Quote from: CJ138 on March 17, 2016, 08:20:21 PM

I bought a flat file for 100 bucks on craigslist. I feel like unless you have A LOT of posters, it is overkill. I wound up framing or storing them flat in a moving box, so I sold the flat file on craigslist and got my 100 back...

Probably true. I started with a flat cardboard box stored under bed before graduating to my first flat file. Then another. Then another.

paul waines · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2016, 02:48:38 AM »

They may well be listed different in the States, we call them Plan Chests over here... A flat File is something we shape metal with.

Oh, and I'm looking for another (plan chest) if any UK people come across one, preferably up North...

hepcatpunk · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2016, 11:17:32 AM »

Ignore the surrounding mess, but this is the setup I will eventually have for mine:

Purchased on Craigslist last summer from a print shop that was closing. The owner's daughter was selling the flat files for $25 each and the stands for free, until demand was so great she raised the price to $50 for a file and $15 for a stand. I had a stand and file lined up for $25, but miscalculated how big it was so couldn't fit the stand in my minivan. Went back after removing the seats to get another file, this time for $50, and a stand for $15. All told, $90, and some elboqw grease to get some ink off the cabinets. Still haven't actually put in posters in there, but I will and hopefully soon.

Patience is key, but yeah CL will be your best bet.

erik1925 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2016, 12:47:54 PM »

Great find there, hepcatpunk. NICE!!

Mirosae · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2016, 06:24:12 PM »

Quote from: paul waines on March 18, 2016, 02:48:38 AM

They may well be listed different in the States, we call them Plan Chests over here... A flat File is something we shape metal with.

Oh, and I'm looking for another (plan chest) if any UK people come across one, preferably up North...

Check http://www.criterionauctioneers.com/ and get shiply.com to deliver it to you there. Vintage and really nice.

erik1925 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2016, 03:47:37 PM »

Shawn, here's another thread that discussed some "aftercare" and prep of used flat files that may need some TLC and/or cleanup:

http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php/topic,8047.0.html

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Author Topic: Flat file drawers (Read 109241 times)

Mirosae

Mirosae