Old Files

[Alan GirvanParticipant @alangirvan88520]

Hi,

I have accumulated a pile of files over the years. Quite a few are completely done and I really hate to throw them out. Has anyone any suggestions as to what could be made out of them or what they could be used for. Would there perhaps be a book of suggestions for making tools with them.

Many thanks, Alan.

[Alan GirvanParticipant @alangirvan88520]

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

They make excellent wood turning tools when ground to the correct shapes.

[BERT ASHTONParticipant @bertashton57372]

Somebody once wrote a article in the ME on how to restore old files by soaking them dilute sulphuric acid.

Bert Ashton.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Alan,

Be wary of making 'form tools' from them [a popular recommendation]

… Left 'as-is' they are too brittle.

They do, however make excellent scrapers [of the hand-tool variety]

MichaelG.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

If you're really stuck for a challenge, soften them (that's not easy), cut/machine them into rectangular sections without the teeth, reharden and use as turning tools. Carbon steel can actually be made sharper than HSS, you just need to keep the speed down.

Even tho' I'm a Yorkshireman I'd bin them!

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Clearly you could make a sheath knife of some variety; There's lots of tutorials on utube amongst others. However with the state of UK knife laws as they are, something smaller, folding, and non locking might be more appropriate.

Whilst Michael Morris friction folders are commercially available, I quite fancy a go at something similar when I get the new workshop set up.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by BERT ASHTON on 28/06/2016 19:40:26:

Somebody once wrote a article in the ME on how to restore old files by soaking them dilute sulphuric acid.

Bert Ashton.

Or even a thread on here

**LINK**

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Files can be softened by heating to red and holding the temp for a short time, cooling slowly. Full details on the web. I've made allsorts from old files, a set of tyre levers many years ago, still in use and bend without breaking. Lathe tools of many shapes, no need to soften for this. A set of lathe tools for wood inc. boring bars, these just have large clearance angles and are good for ally and plastics. etc. etc.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Just a small update- just found 2 tap wrenches ,made from old files, small with aprox 4mm square and larger aprox 6mm sq. holes drilled and filed ,then re-hardened. We were encouraged to do this sort of thing at work, about 50 yrs. ago.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I'v got quite a selection of wood turning tools made from old files from when I was getting into wood turning30 years ago. My first screw cutting lathe tool was a bit of a 3/8" sq file, it's still in the draw of lathe tools. Ian S C

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

I've been experimenting using old files to make lathe tools and currently am using one for almost all my external turning. I find it easy to keep sharp, although it does need touching up rather frequently, certainly easier than HSS and carbide. I also find that I can get what appears to be a better surface compared to HSS & carbide, although I am unable to make proper measurements. The downside is the need to keep speeds down, but for me that is of no consequence as it gives me plenty thinking time.

The initial shaping can be tedious due in part the need to keep the work cool, but it is reasonably easy, certainly easier than shaping HSS.

Best of all, the source material is free and given a reasonably sized file, say a coarse 12inch, then enough material can be sourced for say 6 tools.

Of course, I'm speaking purely as an amateur who is in it for self educational purposes, and I fully realise that this won't do for a lot of people.

Have fun, and have a go,

Peter G. Shaw

[Author]

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