Die Filer files

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

I have been using normal files with my die filer, now I need to progress onto a little more intricate work.

 

Can anyone suggest a source for reasonably priced correct die filer files?

 

 

Bogs

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

[VersabossParticipant @versaboss]

Well Mr. Bogs, I thought – erroneously as it seems – that’s an easy one: Vallorbe.

http://www.vallorbe.com

But after downloading the catalogs it seems they are not listed anymore. Maybe ask Mr. Brookes at Eternal tools; he has a connection to the factory I believe.

http://www.eternaltools.com/

My Google search found lots of links to Diamond machine files…not what you need I think.

But maybe that’s what is used today.

What kind of file would you need? (size, form cut).

Greetings, Hansrudolf

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Hansrudolf,

 

Many thanks for the links. I would think they would be way out of my price range.

 

After using all sorts of hand files upside down, the only really good ones I have are the parallel sided chainsaw files, but they are of limted use because of their large sizes.

 

I really have no idea of what is available, but a fine triangle, square and eliptical double sided would give me all that I really need, just so that I can get into really tight corners.

 

The most common problem with files is the taper or length, Swiss needle files are ok but difficult to hold with top and bottom support, and they are just too fragile if just mounted with the bottom clamp, the tips just snap off as pressure is applied.

 

So really I should be searching for dedicated files.

 

Bogs

 

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Go http://www.victornet.com  go to Product List then  files, parallel machine. At $5 not bad price.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Bogs, chainsaw files go down to 1/8″/3mm, I’v got all from 1/8″ to 1/4″. Ian S C

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Ian,

 

I have from 5/32″ upwards, but even 1/8″ won’t produce a sharp enough corner, thanks anyway.

 

KWIL,

 

Thamks for the link, I have sent them an email to see if they can supply. As usual the US is very difficult to deal with concerning payment, and these are no exception.

 

But I am trying.

 

Thanks again

 

Bogs

[Axel BentellParticipant @axelbentell]

There was an advert from a Czech company in MEW or ME that maked files to order, and if I remeber correctly they had a homepage too.

[DustyParticipant @dusty]

Bogs

        You will not get a very sharp corner with machine filing. In use a toomaker would file out his die with a die filer and finish to within a couple of thou by hand. The punch would then be sheared into the die to produce the finished die. I say finished but that is not quite true.

 The die would be backed off and the clearance filed into the die, then it was finished. I know not where you might obtain machine files, sorry.

 

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Axel,

 

That sounds rather expensive.

 

 

Dusty,

 

I am not to be making dies, but intricate shapes out of various metals, even stacked up to maybe 10 layers thick. Most of the work will be done on the mill, but because I can’t put pressure on a hand file for long, the die filer is going to become my right arm.

 

I can use my scroll saw for one offs in non ferrous, but it just cannot cope with large stacks or ferrous items.

 

I have had a basic reply from the US company mentioned by KWIL, so I will try them out and see how far I can get before the money payment part gets rejected. They stock exactly what I need.

 

Bogs

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Bogs i suppose you really need parallel square and triangle files, even the sharpest corner on a file is going to leave a small radius, but a touch with a needle file is proberbly enough to finish the job. It becomes a problem when the power supply for the “armstrong” machine starts to fail a bit, helps the sale of small metal cutting band-saws, and other bits and pieces .  Ian S C

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Ian,

 

I have already ordered a goodly selection of all shapes from that US link, in fact at least one of each of the smaller range.

They seem to have accepted my payment, I am just waiting on them now to see how much the postage is, that is usually the killer bit from the US, in fact I have had things sent across where the postage was double the cost of the items, but if needs must. Then there will be the dreaded customs charges and of course the obligatory post office rip off 8 squid to tell you that there is duty to pay.

 

All because I have a duff right arm!!!

 

Maybe I should try to reclaim it all back from the NHS, as it was them who buggered it up even worse than it was.

 

Bogs

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Glad the Link was helpful, please report back when they arrive.

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Don’t hold your breath Kwil, they haven’t got back to me yet with the postal charges. But it was definitely a good link, everything I need is there, thanks again.

 

I asked them to ship by the cheapest possible method.

 

If I get no joy going direct, I will get a US mate to buy them and send them to me.  I am in no rush just yet.

 

 

Bogs

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Bogs maybe he can send them to you as christmas presents,no commertial value.Ian S C

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Everything is now sorted.

 

Cost of 14 files, USPS charge, customs charge and Post office £8 ripoff all comes to approx £68-50. So the files work out to just under 5 squid each.

 

I’m very happy at that, as the amount I have ordered should last me for the rest of my natural.

 

So many thanks for the link Kwil, and I hope anyone else who has a need will follow my example.

 

Ian,

 

You have to be very careful nowadays when declaring things as gifts, over the last couple of years they have really clamped down.

I would suggest you have a read of this, go down the page a bit to ‘gifts’

Customs Gifts 

 

Bogs

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

I ordered these files from KWIL’s source exactly one week ago, and unusual for an American company, they accepted my Visa bank debit card, and they turned up today with no duty to pay, so the 14 files cost me just under £3-50p each.

 

Exactly what I ordered and cheaper than expected, a very satisfied customer.

 

 Here is the exact link

 

Victor Machinery Exchange 

 

Thank you very much again KWIL for your efforts, I now have enough files to last me the rest of my natural.

Everyone else will now have to look after themselves, as these are now as rare as rocking horse crap.

 

 

Bogs

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Don’t shout too loud Bogs, or someone from the red tape dept will be knocking on your door, with his hand out. Ian S C

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Sorry to dig this one from out of the past, but here is the final bit.

 

I ordered some of the larger ones (8″ long), and they turned up last week.

 

 

I got stung for the usuall vat and post office rip off this time, so things took a little longer this time.

 

So now I am really geared up to do eveything a die filer should be able to do.

 

 

Bogs

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Cheers Bogs, thanks for the “Credit” always glad to help those people who appreciate it.

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

bogs, usefull info on the files, I just have a homemade filing machine but it’s really usefull,I also got ripped off by customs & the post office a couple of years ago when I sent for my first ”diamond” tool holder, I bought another larger one when I was in ozz & felt a bit better about that one when I brought it back myself & of course you can buy them in this country now.

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Kwil,

 

That is one of the major problems nowadays, there is very little courtesy or even common manners left any more. A lot of people have no gratitude.

 

In fact it has got to a stage, that even if I have the information available, a lot of times I won’t post it, purely because you can tell by how a person words a request or how they treat other people when they are trying to help. They are, in all honesty, not worth helping.

 

All it takes is a quick ‘thank you’, or ‘thanks anyway for your efforts, but it was not quite what I was after’. It makes the helper feel a lot better in himself to know that at least he has tried, and been thanked for his efforts.

 

As you can see in my postings here, I think I have managed to reply to everyone who tried to help, even though some of the information wasn’t useful to me, or maybe too difficult or expensive to follow up on.

 

Artfull,

 

It isn’t just the customs and PO rip off that gets me, some of the US suppliers seem to think you are buying government secrets off them, and it takes great effort to get them to send you something, or charge way over the top for postage. Like a small jiffy bag containing 40 bucks worth of bits with over 60 bucks postage charge. You would think in this day and age they would be scrabbling to get exports up, even small ones like ours.

 

I send the same sized bags to friends in the US almost every other week, with bits and bobs of jobs I have done for them, and it costs me at most about 4 or 5 squid.

 

 

Bogs

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

bogs,

          what great sentiments, you’re so right about manners & courtesy these days, a lot of people now just ”can’t be bothered” it’s refreshingly nice to meet someone like yourself, I’m of the firm opinion that you treat people how you would like to be treated yourself, I’ve learned all sorts from people over the years & contributed myself in no small way, that’s what the hobby’s all about.

          kind regards  the artfull codger.

         

[BogstandardParticipant @bogstandard]

Thank you Artfull for the kind words.

 

I have noticed that over the years it has gone from sharing to ‘I want, I want’ or ‘gimme, gimme’. No thought for anyone except themselves.

 

I suppose that is the way of the world now, where once you were respected for what you were, in both morals and experience, whereas nowadays it seems to be how much money or chattels you have.

 

I think tthe word that covers it is SELFISH.

 

I blame it all on the media, and is one reason I don’t watch TV much before 11pm during the week , and very rarely at weekends. Everyone is getting brainwashed by the thoughts of money, and then more money, by a few moguls who get it all.

 

I can’t remember the last time I went into a newsagent to look at mags on display, very little of interest to see any more. Who are all these supposedly ‘celebrities’ who you see splashed about everywhere? The ones the younger generations are trying to emulate.

 

It seems that if you grow a juicy pimple on your a**e, get a picture of it shown publicly, and you automatically become a ‘celeb’., or in the case of females, jump into bed with a couple of dozen overpaid football players, the same thing will happen.

 

We had different words for them in my day.

 

Now that lot should start a good off topic discussion.

 

 

Bogs

 

 

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I tell you what, those “shows”,so called reality TV, that some seem to crave, whether to watch or take part, have been eclipsed by the “real world” down there in Chile, hopefully such shows could be pulled permanently, but , maybe that is just a  hope!  Off topic!

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