Which files should I buy

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

'Filing card'.

I have a (small) collection of files acquired randomly over the years (and not for model engineering). The ones I use most are getting clogged with aluminium and I feel I need to clean them with a 'filing card' as per an earlier post.

However, google is NOT my friend with this search. Unless I want to put my file in a cabinet, that is.

Can anyone point me to a source of engineering filing cards – or if it's the sort of thing the decent chap just makes, a link to a tutorial.

I'm also interested in how smooth a smooth file is. My files came from B&Q or Radio Spares or similar and some are smoother than others. Are they smooth (by chance) or should I look for a smoother one?

I appreciate that they aren't much to buy (and so find out), but I've already overspent my engineering budget in the last 3 months by a good deal more than I want my good Lady to find out about…

Iain

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

Iain – try googling with "file card" which is what they are, plenty of info about them then.

Keith

[Anonymous]

Posted by Iain Downs on 08/01/2016 19:46:02:

I'm also interested in how smooth a smooth file is. My files came from B&Q or Radio Spares or similar and some are smoother than others. Are they smooth (by chance) or should I look for a smoother one?

It's not fixed but depends on the length of the file. A short smooth file will be smoother than a long smooth file.

Andrew

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

I would not go anywhere near my files with a "file card", why would I want to ruin the cutting edges by attacking them with hard steel bristles.

As already stated, use a piece of flat brass strip and push it sideways across the file along the cutting edges of the teeth, this will shift all the crud without damaging the file in any way.

My late father taught me that trick about 40 years ago, and I still use his files that I inherited 13 years ago.

I occasionally load the teeth with chalk to prevent pinning, but I find a light coating of neat soluable cutting oil is good when draw-filing steel, I am not sure if you can still buy the "smelly stuff" these days, but I have a gallon or so stashed away that will last me out. I always dip taps in it before taking a cut, and a small jar of it with an applicator brush lives on the lathe swarf tray, for use when screwcutting etc.

Phil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For info. … Vallorbe documentation is available here.

MichaelG.

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

There is a nice guide from Nicholson at this location

**LINK**

Steve

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Can't add much to what has already been said, except…

I get my needle and escapement files from ….

http://www.koodak.com.au

The ones I prefer are F.W.Dick, they are, I believe equivalent to Vallorbe, which Koodak also sell. The "Dick" ones are very good to use. Because they are expensive, they only get used for best, if you know what I mean, and I do look after them.

For less strategic/important use, I have a set of needle files from CTC. They are fine for general use, and VERY much cheaper.

http://www.ctctools.biz/

I still have some Millenicut files, from my apprenticeship in the 60s. They are excellent for mass metal removal.

I have no connection with either of the two companies, other than as a satisfied customer.

cheers

Bill

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

In Australia (and maybe NZ) the local Wiltshire brand of files are a cut above the cheap imports. (Pun intended)

I still find them at markets and they are very good – these chaps seem to like them **LINK**

* Danny M *

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

Isn't it strange that a device for cleaning files is called a file card. Where does the card bit fit in. It's all down to etemology. Originally it was called a carding file and was used to card wool prior to spinning.

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Posted by Iain Downs on 08/01/2016 19:46:02:

I have a (small) collection of files acquired randomly over the years (and not for model engineering). The ones I use most are getting clogged with aluminium and I feel I need to clean them with a 'filing card' as per an earlier post.

A useful tip to prevent, or at least reduce clogging with aluminium is to coat the file with french chalk (aka. talcum powder) before use.

Russell.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

I was given a box of new files and hacksaw blades a few years ago, very good but no names, these were ex oilfield stuff so would be good. I now need to re-stock, My file cards are made from used carding files, nail a bit onto a bit of wood. The bit of flattened copper pipe is in everyday use.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

I have a mix of Wiltshire, and Nicholson for the larger sizes, and Stubs for needle files. My local second hand shop has a range of tools, and sometimes has old new files at a cheap price. you want round files, look for chain saw files, these go from 3 mm up to 6mm, and possibly bigger.

Ian S C

[Peter KroghParticipant @peterkrogh76576]

I use the file card regularly on my files…..the side with the fiber bristles, not the wire bristles. I use the wire side only on 'junk' files I use in the weld shop! Tough pins, I use wood or a bit of brass to shovel 'em out. Good files are just about impossible to find here…..

Pete

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If you want to dispose of a file card after above comments give it to a ballroom dancer. They like it for roughing up the soles of their dancing shoes.

At the Bristol show there was a chap with a massive collection of files. He said he had about 50k of them equivalent to 'war surplus' and was planning to do loads of car shows and the like to get rid of them. Be nice if he is at Ally pally. Did anyone get any from him to give a quality report?

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

If your files are clogged with aluminium, leave them overnight in a pot of washing soda solution. It will dissolve the alloy and not touch the steel.

And it's sodium carbonate, in grown-up chemical terms, and has no doubt a range of grandfather-names too.

Cheers, Tim

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

From the US

I understand that Nicholson files are no longer made un the USA. Their quality is no where near the older Nicholson files. Simonds would probably be my choice today. Grobet my second choice.

[Peter KroghParticipant @peterkrogh76576]

Simonds is offshore now I've heard. Haven't purchased any recently so don't know. My NOS of good files is diminishing and I need to find new sources. Should have purchased quantity. No crystal ball.

Pete

[capnahabParticipant @capnahab]

If you search the bay for 'sheffield files' you usually get references to Ralston / Simonds and I Have found them to be great quality.

Some history

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, looks like I might have to buy some files from various sources and see which one(s) actually last.

Andrew

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