Files

This topic has 19 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 23 February 2017 at 22:48 by JA.

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 20 total)

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21 February 2017 at 18:23 #285311
john brown 17
Participant
@johnbrown17
Hi all ,how do you experts go about cleaning up files,have been told vinegar will do or even drain cleaner? got some nice files but are getting very dull now,did buy a couple of new ones ,but am not impressed .

john
Advert

21 February 2017 at 18:23 #18422
john brown 17
Participant
@johnbrown17
21 February 2017 at 18:56 #285318
peak4
Participant
@peak4
John Have a read of THIS POST from some time ago

Bill
21 February 2017 at 19:22 #285322
john brown 17
Participant
@johnbrown17
Hi yes have had a read,think it may be best just to get a few new decent files,can anyone name a decent make please,thanks
21 February 2017 at 19:51 #285329
Sam Longley 1
Participant
@samlongley1
There was a thread Files- best bang per buck In it were a number of comments from forumites re preferences & I believe a video from Arc Euro trade on file making & a particular make of file that they eventually started to import.

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 21/02/2017 20:00:33

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 21/02/2017 20:26:07

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 21/02/2017 20:26:30

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 21/02/2017 20:26:53

Edited By JasonB on 21/02/2017 20:41:00
21 February 2017 at 19:59 #285330
Sam Longley 1
Participant
@samlongley1
Sorry about last post my copy seems to run off the page. Is this just me? Might need help from a moderator !!
21 February 2017 at 20:27 #285337
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
I give up!

Neil
21 February 2017 at 20:40 #285341
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/02/2017 20:27:23:

I give up!

Neil

Wimp
22 February 2017 at 06:50 #285386
Sam Longley 1
Participant
@samlongley1
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/02/2017 20:27:23:

I give up!

Neil

Was that because it took you 3 goes, or because you have told us forumites a thousand times how to post links & I still got it wrong?????

Thanks

Sam L
22 February 2017 at 08:32 #285394
Martin King 2
Participant
@martinking2
Hi All,

We sell quite a few files and are often surprised by the prices realised.

The smaller needle file types that do well are Vallorbe, Grobet, Stubs & Nicholson along with EA Berg.

Larger makes by the same makers also do well plus Firth, also a Portuguese firm whose name escapes me and of course Auriou which make ludicrous amounts.

We clean them in our ultrasonic bath then a brass wheel.

Cheers, Martin
22 February 2017 at 09:09 #285398
Rik Shaw
Participant
@rikshaw
I have never used anything but one of these types for de-clogging larger file teeth:>>

**LINK**>>

Cheap as chips and effective enough for my needs.>>

Rik>>
22 February 2017 at 10:20 #285407
speelwerk
Participant
@speelwerk
When you go with a small 1 mm thick brass strip along the cap, it very quickly takes on the profile of the teeth and takes out all dirt and filings. Niko.
22 February 2017 at 10:42 #285412
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
Similar to speelwerk, just get a scrap of copper water pipe, flatten one end.

Ian S C
22 February 2017 at 18:05 #285473
john brown 17
Participant
@johnbrown17
Many thanks for the info ,have placed an order for a file card,will se how l get on with it
22 February 2017 at 19:28 #285487
Kenneth Deighton
Participant
@kennethdeighton43272
Hi John, I was told by an old hand many years ago to rub chalk onto the file if you are going to do a lot of work, I must say that on most occasions it does stop the file clogging up and if it does I use a file card brush. Ken.
22 February 2017 at 21:26 #285497
Marischal Ellis
Participant
@marischalellis28661
Was told of chalk from my school days.

Best wishes to all.
23 February 2017 at 19:38 #285643
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
Remember being taught about chalk back in my apprentice days… still use it… used it couple of weeks ago on a small file followed up with a small wire brush… did the job nicely.

George.
23 February 2017 at 19:51 #285646
JA
Participant
@ja
I have a number of files that are only used on brass and bronze, never steel. I try not to clean them using a steel card brush. Instead I usually use a stiff tooth brush!

Am I being too careful?

JA

Edited By JA on 23/02/2017 19:53:54
23 February 2017 at 22:16 #285663
Jon
Participant
@jon
If the tooth brush works, keep using should be ok for smooth and 2nd cut.
Rasps and bastards can collect or even have the metal shavings welded to them especially some aluminiums, card brushes and wire brushes wont dislodge.

Chalks good even as a lubricant for those known to collect/weld metals.

No substitute for quality files Martin, cost more but last 15 to 20 times longer.
Portugese theres Bahco average, Tome Feteira decent but in a different league to the old Stubbs, Valorbe and Grobet up to 15 years ago. The old Valorbe 4" knife pre 2003 used to last three weeks, new ones a day top whack three days similar with all others.
23 February 2017 at 22:48 #285664
JA
Participant
@ja
I certainly don't expect brass or bronze to weld to a file. As for aluminium, anything goes. For files aluminium is the same same as steel but far worse (OK, I know this sentence is not logical).

One has to look at files as disposable tools and buy the best one can.

JA
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