Opus die filer

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Hi, just bought an Opus model 140 die filer which originates from Italy.

 

It a 1960’s mahine but in near mint condition and just needs a good clean and some attention.

 

There is no manual and I wondered if anyone has any recall of using this type of machine or any information about it.

 

The company is still trading in Italy but looks like they just do band saws now.

 

If anyone has any information then please post here,

 

Thanks,

Mick

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

[Neil GreenawayParticipant @neilgreenaway71611]

Hi There,

 

I have a vague recollection of an article a few years back in MEW describing a strip/rebuild/usage of a die filer – it was a thiel machine. I checked a web index and it was in issue 37 page 14. This may be useful as a starting point.

 

Hope this is some use.

 

Many thanks,

 

Neil

 

ps there is also a series on building a die filer with some help on usage in MEW

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Filing machines are getting like shapers, there actually are probably even fewer of them than shapers.

 

You have to hunt about for places like this and this and this

 

Take a few weeks and search, refine your search terms, and you will be rewarded.

I got a ton of shaper stuff off the netty, WW2 stuff, huge manuals, and still relevant for a new user.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Maybe if you could talk to someone in a die making company, they might have the paper work stuffed away in a dark corner, it would proberbly be a small older company, big outfits are too tidy. Ian S C

[colin hawesParticipant @colinhawes85982]

I used a Thiel die filer in my apprentice days.It used special files with a plain section at both ends for gripping. The filer was mainly used for adding relief to the press tool dies.It can be a very useful machine. Colin

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Hi again, got the machine running now and it is as smooth as silk, managed to get a manual from Tony Griffiths and made sense of the operating set up. Managed to modify some hand files but I'm waiting for some machine files to arrive.

It certainly seems to be a useful addition to the shop and will be more so as I get too old to file lol.

Cleaned up a 2 inch steel block in a few minutes and it looked like it had been in the shaper.

Will keep you posted on the machine and its uses as I discover them.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Amazingly useful things

Watch your fingers if you get ambitious and start making square holes etc which are not much bigger than the file size.

The file can catch on 2 sides of the hole/slot and it lifts the workpiece…turning it into a hammer

ouchies…you soon learn the safest way to hold a workpiece

…not that it's ever happened to me or anything…

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I made one from scratch out of scrap and using pictures from the web

Popular mechanics

Another

I never saw any "anti lifting bar" on any of the pictures I looked at, a good idea though

Both me and my fingers agree with you

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

LOL John!

What you are saying is that in the old days engineers were digitally challenged in a biologivcal way but nowadays we are digitally challenged in the electronic sense!

Neil

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Thanks for that

Definitely on my to do list

[DuncParticipant @dunc]

Couple more references in Popular Mechanics:

1. October 1947 – another plan – simpler mechanism

2. July 1943 – a how to use article

[Richard ParsonsParticipant @richardparsons61721]

I acquired a decent stock of such files many years ago. I do not know what speed the thing should run at. Anyone help?

Rdgs

Dick

Edited By Richard Parsons on 24/02/2012 16:31:18

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I've been on the lookout for a filing machine since viewing Tractor Man's thread here quite awhile ago, and have finally located a smaller OPUS – 120 model with a good inventory of accessories, including a sawing attachment. I'm expecting delivery next week, and will post some photos in an album soon.

Although this is an old thread, it would be interesting to compare the differences with Tractor Man's OPUS – 140 and the OPUS – 120 model.

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Hi Mike.
Just spotted the post. Yes I’m happy to compare machines and notes. Mine has moved home with us and now resides in a cosy machine shop in my garage.
Drop me a private message if you like. I will look out for your photos. Mick

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Not seen one of these machines before. Had a look on Tony's Lathes site. Very interesting.

He obviously rates them very highly. But I bet in the wrong hands the potential bad things of one kind or another to happen would be high.

Nick

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

This beauty made the square handles for the Boxford shaper.

A dream to use.

Geoff – Took me ages to find one.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I can relate to it……. "Took me ages to find one". Your Excel looks like a nice compact machine. It would be interesting to see a close up of how the upper end of the file is supported by the extended arm ?

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Do these things file on the up stroke or the down?

My thoughts are towards 'down' as that way the debris does not cover the viewed surface so quickly. Or could the files be fitted either way up?

Cheers, Tim

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by Tim Stevens on 01/05/2017 17:30:19:

Do these things file on the up stroke or the down?

My thoughts are towards 'down' as that way the debris does not cover the viewed surface so quickly. Or could the files be fitted either way up?

Cheers, Tim

.

I would have thought on the down stroke so that the table prevented the work from jumping about.

Cutting on the up stroke I would think would sooner or later end badly for the machine, work piece or the user.

Nick

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

As I understand……. Filers which have a single attachment point, file on the down stroke, and files for this type of machine are designed that way; with straight shanks. The machines which have two attachment points to support the files also file on the down stroke, but could also file on an up stroke if needed. Some filers have an attachments which blow air to clear debris away, and also have adjustable position arms to keep the work from jumping up while being filed.

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Geoff, that's just a baby, when they grow up, they look like this.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Even grown up, the industrial size filers do not appear to take up much floor space. Guess I'll find out this week.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

The Opus 120 was delivered late this afternoon. Its a heavy beast, and except for looking tired and being a bit greasy and dirty, everything moves smoothly and it seems to be in very good condition. The seller disassembled parts which could have worked loose in shipment and put them all in a box to prevent possible loss. The accessories included a dozen file holders, 16 various files, a couple of saw blade holders, top and bottom saw guide brackets, and a wrench. All in all, I'm happy with the purchase.

I took several quick photos and will post them in my album until I can post better detailed ones after I clean things up a bit.

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Mike glad she arrived safe and well. Can’t wait to see the photos. Mick

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