ABRA File or Modern equivalent ?

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

Hey Guys,

I'm disappointed to discover you can no longer get Abra files so what do we do ? Is there a modern equivalent ?

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Likewise.

They seem no longer manufactured, and the nearest available now, at least easily, is the abrasive type intended for cutting ceramic tiles, and a lot shorter than the original Abrafile.

I have not experimented with cutting metals with them. They may be all right on steel. may be fine on harder steel like gauge-plate and might even cope with tool-steel, eg for roughing out an HSS blank.

I think they would clog very rapidly on aluminium alloys, copper and its alloys, and plastics.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

There are some on ebay at present.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Abrafile-Tension-files-Sawing-Wires-Blades-8-200-9-225-Vitrex-Blades/113789005078?hash=item1a7e5a6d16:g:WpEAAOSwPddc~9sF

Or, I believe that Vitrex still do them.

Brian

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Check out this thread, especially the post by Mark Simpson 1

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137524

Bill

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

This is worth a look: **LINK**

Abrafile Replacement using Axminster Coping Saw

MichaelG.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Are these any good?

Axminster

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Vic on 19/06/2019 20:19:39:

Are these any good?

Axminster

.

See above

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

The tension type of Abrafile is not the original concept at all, back in 1959, at school we all were given an Abrafile which was about 1/16" diameter by 2" long in a little black wooden handle about 5/16" diameter by 1 1/2" long. Their main advantage over ordinary files was that they were bendy. I still have a few short bits and a 1/4" version with a plastic handle. I also have some of the tension versions.

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

Posted by Brian H on 19/06/2019 18:14:46:

There are some on ebay at present.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Abrafile-Tension-files-Sawing-Wires-Blades-8-200-9-225-Vitrex-Blades/113789005078?hash=item1a7e5a6d16:g:WpEAAOSwPddc~9sF

Or, I believe that Vitrex still do them.

Brian

£100 or nearest offer….errrrr NO :/

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

Posted by peak4 on 19/06/2019 18:19:24:

Check out this thread, especially the post by Mark Simpson 1

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137524

Bill

5$ for 5 Blades. Sounds about right. Errr wait 15$ for International shipping on 5 coping saw blades = 20 $ or £18

Errrrrrr…. NO :/

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 19/06/2019 20:26:23:

Posted by Vic on 19/06/2019 20:19:39:

Are these any good?

Axminster

.

See above

Phoned Axminster this morning. A very good possabillity but its spiral blade and maybe just for wood. However you need the Japaneese Saw to use thes blages and they are currently out of stock of the saw that uses this blade type. 4-6 weeks wait for stock.

Errrr …. No :'( Sigh

[Paul KennedyParticipant @paulkennedy14200]

So Great Britian, The hub of the British Commonwealth The leader of the free world, well we were at one point, The center of the industrial revolution and the world leader in manufacture but we cant make an abra file or coping saw blade. Sigh I'm going to emigrate.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Try here then
https://www.tilgear.info/index.php?category_id=0&search=abrasaw&submit_search=&route=product%2Fsearch

Bill

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Right then, who's going to risk it, buy some of these various blades, and review them for us!

I think I have some of the Vitrex abrasive blades and Abrafile clips, somewhere(!), and when I'm recovered enough I'll given them a go on off-cuts of steel.

Regarding the Japanese blades being for a particular saw-frame, I would not think it too hard to make adaptors to suit an ordinary hacksaw. Or for a power fretsawing machine?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 20/06/2019 11:23:32:

 

… Regarding the Japanese blades being for a particular saw-frame, I would not think it too hard to make adaptors to suit an ordinary hacksaw. Or for a power fretsawing machine?

.

Just for clarity … as I mentioned on the parallel thread, the 'Japanese' blades are actually American, and the special end fittings are one of several available options.

If someone knows a UK supplier of blade by the yard/metre I would be grateful if you could share that information.

MichaelG.

.

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137524&p=1

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 20/06/2019 14:35:09

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

For general info – I have bought the job lot of Abrafiles (and the Vertex copies) which were on Ebay. This was done to prevent the dreadful rip-off pricing which happened last time this product was being sought. Once I have received them I will make them available at cost plus postage in SMALL lots only. I would not expect delivery for at least 7 to 8 days.

The advantage of Abrafile, as against any of the others is the small diameter fixing pins which allow the blade to be started in the middle of a sheet with minimum material loss.

rgds

Bill

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Update on the above post. I now have the Abrafile/Vitrex to hand. There are some 20+ packs, all displaying signs of long term storage. 2 packs only of Vitrex, the rest Abrafile. Give or take a penny or so, they will cost £4.20 for a pack of three (something for the weekend, Sir?), plus postage . These will be long-term available (although at 83, 'long-term' maybe a relative value!!)

rgds

Bill

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks for that, Bill

May I ask what grade[s] and length[s] of Abrafile you have available ?

MichaelG.

.

Found the old thread … Just in time to include the link:

https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=136748

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 26/06/2019 16:02:30

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Michael – the Vitrex are 9", no grade that I can see. The Abrafiles are a mix, some 8", some 9"" and the only ones I can see graded are two VERY old packs of 'Coarse'

HTH

rgds

Bill

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks, Bill

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hi Bill,

As you are doing this as a service to forum members, rather than to turn a profit, I'm happy for you to place a classified ad over here ——->

Neil

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