flat files, or sort of, 40$ from michaels craft store

i am too broke to purchase a flat file.
"real ones" well the ones i have always wanted
are gigantic, weigh a ton, are beautifully made
gigantic ( i know i already said that ) can hold a 32x40 sheet .. and cost a small fortune.

for the less fortunate, michaels arts and crafts store has something made by recollections
that is 15.7x15.7x26,2: .
5 drawer " rolling letterpress "
probably pressed wood with a veneer on casters
for about $45 ... about the same price as a 14x17 x1( or 2" ) clamshell storage box ...

i've armloads of glass plates, and paper negatives that have been looking for a home
and i can't wait ...

i've put together ikea pictographic instructions before, i know it probably isn't the best of construction
but for $45 ( was $70ish but 40% off till saturday ) i can't really complain !

when assembled maybe i will have a different story ? not sure, hope not !

YMMV
john

The ugly irony is that many flat file probably end up being scrapped. I assume you've tried the used office furniture places near you. An Craigslist (I see a few on my local CL).

Well, there's always the classic, time tested, artist's place to store stuff....under the bed.

If you have a futon (does anyone have a futon anymore?) you're out of luck.

yep, i've looked high and low, no luck ..
but i am sure, now, tomorrow i will find one, or maybe 2 LOL

'''

under the bed, well, its already full

A steam roller will flatten files real well.

The dust kingdom.

John: Sometimes one gets lucky. Several years ago, we found a small 5 drawer for my wife's painting studio. It was $100, IIRC. It is now in my darkroom, because later, we found this behemoth, also for $100!

Just keep your eyes open!

thanks david
wow, 100$ that is really nice !
and you didn't have to translate
hieroglyphics

We got a couple of very nice 5-drawer units from a used office furniture place, for $125 each. It definitely pays to patiently watch craigslist. Of course you'll also need a truck ;-) If you need to get them somewhere difficult inside your house, they're much easier to move with all the drawers out.

Duncan

well, i just spent the last maybe hour hour 1/2 putting it together
its not bad for 40$
gotta figure out where to put it so i can fill it with all the paper negatives cluttering my house..

Is this what you are talking about John: http://canada.michaels.com/on/deman...d=C_sb4726&cgid=products-scrapbooking-storage ?

Sadly, just slightly too small for 16 x 20 mount board.

sure is !

Just be aware that a lot of that processed fake wood stuff contains a lot of chemicals really bad for film or prints, like formaldehyde glue. You want to air out anything new several weeks to allow it to outgas. You might also have to coat anything bare with shellac to seal in contaminants.

thanks drew

im not really going to worry about it ..
i am sure the paper negatives will be safer
in a formaldehyde glue laden drawer than
where they have been lying about for the past IDK 10-15 years
i appreciate your suggestions and knowledge ....
it was either in the circular file ( read trash can ) or the cheap drawers,
and the drawers won the coin toss ...

- john