Needle File Recommendations?

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Needle File Recommendations?

This topic has 26 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated 15 May 2020 at 23:02 by peter smith 5.

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13 May 2020 at 13:03 #471382
Hollowpoint
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@hollowpoint
Im looking for a good set of needle files and wondered what you guys might recommend?

I have lots of good quality large sizes (Osborne, Sandvik, Simmonds, Bahco etc) but all my small needle files are cheap crap.

I don't want to go over about £50 if that is possible. (I know some sets are hundreds of pounds.) The only ones I have considered so far is a set of Swiss Vallorbe and these look like a good contender?
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13 May 2020 at 13:03 #27358
Hollowpoint
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@hollowpoint
13 May 2020 at 13:06 #471383
roy entwistle
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@royentwistle24699
Vallorbe aren't bad
13 May 2020 at 13:12 #471385
Martin Kyte
Participant
@martinkyte99762
Depends what you want them for. For clockmaking in brass I use Vallorbe but for steel I generally use fairly coarse cheap needle files and chuck them as soon as they stop cutting well. If you are intending to buy a good set mark them up and make sure you have a cheap set for general use to save wrecking your good set. If your good set is for brass do not use them on steel.

regards Martin
13 May 2020 at 13:17 #471387
mechman48
Participant
@mechman48
I too have various sets of needle / diamond files from one source or another, all do the job I want them to do, some I've had for years ( blue / black wallet ) & still cut nicely. In your case I would suggest you go for the Vallorbe as they are considered the best of files.

George.
13 May 2020 at 13:29 #471392
Mike Crossfield
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@mikecrossfield92481
Hollowpoint

I can recommend the Tome Feteira Swiss pattern needle files sold by Arceurotrade. IMHO close to Vallorbe quality, but at a more acceptable price. Set of 6 was about £38 pounds last time I looked, though I prefer to buy just the shapes and cuts I need.

Mike
13 May 2020 at 13:31 #471393
Hollowpoint
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@hollowpoint
I will be using them on brass mainly, though I do sometimes need them for steel too.
13 May 2020 at 13:52 #471397
Steviegtr
Participant
@steviegtr
I guess if using on the materials you say then diamond type would not be necessary. I have some but only use on hard tooltips.

Steve.
13 May 2020 at 14:11 #471403
Hollowpoint
Participant
@hollowpoint
Yes diamond would be overkill I think. I have to admit I don't particularly like them anyway. I feel like I have more control with ordinary files and a good sharp one is a joy to use.
13 May 2020 at 14:35 #471410
Thor 🇳🇴
Participant
@thor
As Roy, my vote is for Vallorbe. The Vallorbe needle files I have were not cheap but they have lasted a long time. If your budget is around £50, maybe these would be suitable?

Thor
13 May 2020 at 14:42 #471412
JohnF
Participant
@johnf59703
Vallorbe are possibly the best around, not cheap but they do last extremely well, I have also used Bacho and they are not bad. Not tried Ketan's at Arc yet but intend to do so next time I need some. Most of my work is in tool steels, SS, gauge plate etc.

John
13 May 2020 at 14:52 #471414
magpie
Participant
@magpie
A shame you can no longer get Stubbs files. I have a set of their needle files I bought in the early 70s. They have been used at least once a week since and are still in good shape.
13 May 2020 at 15:06 #471417
Hollowpoint
Participant
@hollowpoint
I did find these vallorbe files which seem to be good value for money? The only thing putting me off is that in some descriptions they are said to be "lighter manufacture" and "less durable" than the more premium vallorbe offerings?
13 May 2020 at 15:16 #471425
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
I have had some Kennedy diamond files for years and they are good. This firm is selling sets of needle files, no2 cut by Kennedy, hopefully they are also good. My set of 12 Vallorbe files cost me £50 years ago, probably at least £80 now.

**LINK**
13 May 2020 at 15:23 #471428
Rod Renshaw
Participant
@rodrenshaw28584
Hi

Some good advice re Vallorbe and Tome Feteira above.

But just to emphasise what Martin said, the traditional watchmakers' advice is that one should keep a set of files for use on brass and never let them anywhere near steel. Apparently any use on steel will take the sharp edge off the teeth and from then on they will only be useful on steel.

Whereas, if kept for use only on brass then one set of decent quality can last a lifetime. So perhaps a buy a good set and a cheap set, and remember which is which?

Rod
13 May 2020 at 15:49 #471437
Dave Wootton
Participant
@davewootton
I'm a recent convert to Tome Feteira files and needle files from Arc, very pleased with them.

I have been using them on gauge plate for loco valve gear and they are lasting very well. I've also used Vallorbe in the past which were good but I think more expensive, but I was very disappointed in some Bahco files that didn't keep their edge at all.

I do keep separate files for brass, and they seem to last indefinitely, I've colour coded the handles because I'm easily confused.

Dave
13 May 2020 at 17:24 #471463
geoff walker 1
Participant
@geoffwalker1
Hi Hollowpoint,

If you want an inexpensive set of small needle files try the 6 piece blue spot mini file set on ebay.

At £3.89 for the set you have little to lose and a lot to gain.

I bought a set from Boyes in York nearly two years ago, I've used them a lot

They are cheap and cheerful but nevertheless great value for money.

Geoff
13 May 2020 at 17:41 #471467
Peter Hall
Participant
@peterhall61789
I have some Vallorbe needle files, which I use often. I don't know what a set of eight of them would cost today. I bought them 39 years ago.

Pete
13 May 2020 at 18:23 #471480
JohnF
Participant
@johnf59703
Posted by Hollowpoint on 13/05/2020 15:06:28:

I did find these vallorbe files which seem to be good value for money? The only thing putting me off is that in some descriptions they are said to be "lighter manufacture" and "less durable" than the more premium vallorbe offerings?

On Amazon it says the supplier is H S Walsh which a well respected supplier of jewellery & clock makers supplies so one would expect them to be genuine Vallorbe / Grobert files — strangely the H S Walsh web site will not open ? maybe the times we are in.

John
13 May 2020 at 19:51 #471499
roy entwistle
Participant
@royentwistle24699
H S Walsh website just opened for me they are only doing mail order at present
13 May 2020 at 20:17 #471510
Bill Phinn
Participant
@billphinn90025
Hollowpoint, it may be that you do actually want a cut 2 needle file set. Most people do, as cut 2 is good for general purposes. Personally, I like to have the commoner profiles in cut 4 and cut 6 on hand as well. My Vallorbe 4s and 6s were all bought as individual files, not in a set. Sets of cut 4 or 6 are rather hard to come by.

I notice Arceurotrade's Swiss Pattern needle files sets are available in cut 4 as well as 2, which is a welcome option to have available.
13 May 2020 at 21:50 #471533
Hollowpoint
Participant
@hollowpoint
Posted by Bill Phinn on 13/05/2020 20:17:22:

Hollowpoint, it may be that you do actually want a cut 2 needle file set. Most people do, as cut 2 is good for general purposes. Personally, I like to have the commoner profiles in cut 4 and cut 6 on hand as well. My Vallorbe 4s and 6s were all bought as individual files, not in a set. Sets of cut 4 or 6 are rather hard to come by.

I notice Arceurotrade's Swiss Pattern needle files sets are available in cut 4 as well as 2, which is a welcome option to have available.

That was my other question, not sure what "cut" I want. I think the ones I have are 2's but it seems like cheap 2's are more course than expensive 2's. 🙄
14 May 2020 at 00:04 #471561
Pete.
Participant
@pete-2
Have a look on amazon, Pferd sets for £75~80, a little more than you wanted, but they are good quality.
14 May 2020 at 12:21 #471661
Kiwi Bloke
Participant
@kiwibloke62605
I think it's a good idea to define your problem before spending money on a solution. Sets of files (anything?) may seem attractive, and may appear to save a little money, but will you end up with several things in the set which never get used? With files, I think you need a range of cuts at least as much as a range of shapes, and the sets of needle files that I've seen have been of one cut only. I have bought my needle files individually, as needed, and am particularly glad to have been able to get No 6 cut Vallorbe files here in NZ, where it's often difficult to get things that aren't of indifferent quality. And, as others have suggested, you need to keep separate files for ferrous and non-ferrous application. As usual, buy cheap, pay twice…
14 May 2020 at 12:46 #471672
Martin Kyte
Participant
@martinkyte99762
Posted by Hollowpoint on 13/05/2020 13:31:41:

I will be using them on brass mainly, though I do sometimes need them for steel too.

As I said you will need two sets then. Mark your best set up and reserve for Brass which is 'slippery' and needs really sharp files to cut efficiently. Personally I would buy individual files in the shape I need. If you are clockmaking you will occasionally need to modify standard files to get into corners or create safe edges etc.

regards Martin
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