Favourite file

[Drains]

Ok, quick test guys and gals
Your favourite file - round, flat, half round, 2nd cut or *******?

Any others? Any opinions?

Si

 

[Drains]

Malcolm. I wish to protest about your software! It censors non swear words, the bag of 5h1t!

Hold on... it censors "ba5tard", but not the word above, which i have censored myself.

 

[malcolm]

I don't know - there are some pretty sweary files around the place these days. I'll have a check to see if anything file like is being unneccessarily censored. It's not the bastard file is it?

I love all the files, though mine were bought cheaply and have mostly all gone blunt or broken in half during normal use. Need to get some more. The size and shape depends a lot on what size and shape holes I need.

 

[Drains]

How come you can do it, but not me?
I'm getting paranoid here.
Are there other words you can write without getting obliterated Malc?

 

[malcolm]

Took it off the censored list after you pointed out the fair use. Still can't say ****.

So now we can say the word what is this bastard file? Is it the one with big teeth that I call a rasp file and find invaluable for prepping aluminium to get rid of the oxide so the edges will weld together? And what's a 2nd cut file?

 

[Drains]

Well, a bastard file (oh that feels good), is a single cut, fairly coarse number...
But better than reading my tosh, take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_(tool)

Cheers!
Si

 

[Mith]

There isnt such thing as a favorite file, I hate them all Too much like hard work...

 

[malcolm]

I'm going to have to get myself one of those ******** . And some second cuts.

My correctly defined rasp is fantastic for scraping the edges off aluminium but is too coarse for mild steel. Only thing I have for that I'm assuming is a flat smooth. I've only ever bought "files" and had no idea of the differences.

I'm guessing the bastard is good for roughing mild steel, the second cut is for finer finishing, and the smooth is for finishing off?

It's all suddenly new to me. I'd no idea there were so many files to choose from.

 

[Drains]

2nd cut files have a lovely sharp feel when you use them. ******** feel coarse, which they are, but the 2nd cut really feels like it's cutting into the metal, plus leave a pretty smooth finish. Finally, wrap it in some emery for that L'oreal touch.

Malc, I'm happy to have introduced you to another aspect of metalwork. I hated doing "benchwork" in my 1st-year-off-the-job part of my apprenticeship. It was the art of the file, and I was really, truly, no artist.

 

[irondarren]

favourite file has to be a bastard cut square. To be honest for the sort of work i do bastard files are far better, 2nd cut and smooth just aren't worth it. Im only using them to de-splatter and smooth down sharp edges. Square one is better cos it has 4 sides so when one is dead there is another 3 to choose from. once remember drilling a 12mm round hole, then using a square file to file it out to a 12mm square from a bit of 25mm thick to make a bar twisting tool.

 

[scarecrow]

There is quite a good article on files in this months (model engineers workshop) I seldom use a file I'm more of a hammer guy

 

[irondarren]

nothing like a good hammer scarecrow, i love my 3lb ball pein hammer, it fixes everything

 

[rtbcomp]

........... once remember drilling a 12mm round hole, then using a square file to file it out to a 12mm square from a bit of 25mm thick to make a bar twisting tool.

Reminds me of when I was a site engineer on a mainframe computer system. One of the operators was building a telescope and wanted a dozen 3/8 in. nuts with same flats as 5/16 in. He spent ages filing the flats down!

And then went Harpic when I suggested he got 5/16 in nuts and drilled and tapped them to 3/8

 

[lexi]

I love filing. It`s as satisfying as sinking a nail intio a sarking board and just knowing by the sound that you`ve hit the joist. Some brands and types are better than others. Can`t get enough of em. Stood on a good Sandvick rasp type last week . As I held it in my hand and looked at it snapped across the middle I was appalled at the waste of my clumsiness.Grrrr!

Alex

 

[Drains]

I love filing
Alex

That's just wrong pal. You are one sick puppy.

Each to their own, eh?

Si


mind you. I gat the nailing analogy. I used to love building up stud walls, 20oz hammer, 4"nails, a tap to start and one hit to drive home. Lush.

 

[lexi]

I love hacksawing too...I got good at it when cutting all the tube for my Seven.........then filing it sweet....... Great exercise too. Sandvik and Eclipse blades........I run my hands over them...........tiny little teeth....... light and delicate yet capable of such mechanical muscle powered ferocity....eh! Oh sorry .got carried away there guys!!

Alex

 

[Ratty]

My favourite is the re-cycling bin...that's where I file everything I don't want to deal with.

O..umm not those files..ok ..I love my little needle files...but the one I always need is never in the pouch

What a bizarre topic of conversation if I might make so bold. What do I care anyway..I've just been out celebrating 10 years of married bliss..ahem. (nearly...bliss that is). Tin for goodness sake...think I deserve more than that. Got Mr R a vintage tin spinning (& humming) top. Tra la.

 

[rtbcomp]

.........Got Mr R a vintage tin spinning (& humming) top. Tra la.

Is that the one with a rather bulbous shape and a handle you pump up & down to make it spin?

 

[Welderpaul]

Is that the one with a rather bulbous shape and a handle you pump up & down to make it spin?

Fnar Fnar Fnar

Congrats Rats.

 

[Ratty]

Is that the one with a rather bulbous shape and a handle you pump up & down to make it spin?

That's the one! and this is the one I got (Chad Valley...apparently)

ooo look weldeq..made in England! Must be a good'un. He's gonna have so much fun. File under "keep him young". Off to complete the perfect evening. Night boys