Estate sales are fantastic - auctions can be as well
I picked up these older flat files (also called blueprint/drawing or map cabinets at an auction recently. Unfortunately some creative genius used a permanent marker on them and it is well, permanent(most of comes off with a non tree hugger friendly solution in a well ventilated area but I think it may be time to refinish the ones I keep.
(just a note for those that haven’t used an online auction site - just be sure to take the time to read to instructions before committing to an auction)
I recently almost bid on a mis identified antenna rotator, and some high end test gear, but then saw the Thursday only pickup clause. And when you are in $60/hour training all day that Thursday, you just can’t take a 2-3 hour lunch to go pick something up. Heck, there aren’t that many weekdays that I have that large a block of time not full of conference calls.
I know that feeling all to well ! My target pickup days are Mondays but I have found that most (not all-I’ve run in to a few that have been vying for employee/arsehole of the month) auction pick up sites are pretty flexible on their pickup dates / times even though the printed instructions say otherwise.
The simple fact today is - few people actually use that thing they call a “phone” as a telephone and call to ask if the dates to pick up an item can be rescheduled.
The vintage Hamilton Flat files above are the same - switched a Friday to Monday pickup. 41 flat files…minor miscalculation on my part. phook me.
That’s a fantastic find! I’ve been searching for the same to store wood veneer sheets.
You might try the miracle fluid: WD-40.
While the wood is porus, the finish might have provided enough of a barrier to the ink that it can be wiped with wd-40.
Depending on the finish used, alcohol might remove it and discolor. If it wasn’t a concern, I would have gone straight to suggesting acetone. For metal ok. For wood - be careful.
Make sure to account for that buyer’s premium most sites extract. I’ve witnessed several auctions where widely-available NIB items get bid up to retail price, with the bidders seemingly unaware of the additional >10% that the auction house would tack onto their bid.
I have a few of the drawers out of some of the more “experienced” cabinets if you’re available. I’d prefer it you came to me work instead of me lugging them to the space.
Erik,
That was precisely the case recently at a local auction I was watching for a “big ass” industrial ceiling fan. Those along with most of the other gear (that i was interested in )went for prices close enough to buy new after their "premium fee plus rigging fee for removing said fan from the 28’ ceiling. No thanks.
I was looking for flat files forever but always found ones that were way too expensive. Eventually found these for super cheap, like $150, but didn’t ever confirm their dimensions before I picked them up. Glad I brought a U-Haul, lol.
They can be found - typically when you “aren’t looking for them” and the larger ones are often cheaper than the smaller ones due to the simple fact of the shear size of the footprint that they occupy in a home.
There are “three common sizes” - then there is the mammoth size that I have under my heated vacuum press. The drawers are about 76" long x 48" wide.
not sure if this will work, but on whiteboards, if someone writes on it with a permanent marker, going over with a removable marker and wiping it removes both.
This ink has been on the wood a long long time. I did try a variety of products and naphtha. Naphtha gave the best overall results but there is still a ghost of the blue green or black marker in the grain of the finish.
That was a month or so ago.
I’ll try a few other as the other suggestions that were posted in this thread - perhaps next month when the time permits.
Last night I was moving a few things around and opted to put some of the old wood cabinets to use.
