Probably an odd question but when filing stainless and aluminium do i need any special type of files or are regular files fine to use, reason i ask was to do with steel particles from the files getting into the aluminium or stainless and giving rust spots, i will be buying a new set of files to use on aluminium and stainless as my current ones are used on mild steel
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Engineer1964
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No special files but you will need ideally a new file which hasn't been used on Steel. Reason being that anybits left on the file after filing steel will embed itself on either the aliuminium or stainless and cause this contamination to rust. Normally filing aluminium will clog up the fill pretty badly so inless you want to just keep buying files, use sanding pads and smear some tallow on the pads to prevent the pads from clogging up.
You shouldn't have any issues with the stainless, but use new files and pads to prevent contamination and rust
You shouldn't have any issues with the stainless, but use new files and pads to prevent contamination and rust
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I use a dreadnought on ally, as HR says, doesn't clog so much.
Thanks for the replies, i know hotrodder has suggested two files already but ignoring the aluminium for a moment as i think i will go with stainless for this job what file sets that come with fixed handles would you recommend for stainless, would rather buy a set with handles than individual files without handles, my existing files are teng which came from the tool van and tbh they have been fine on mild steel and i would be tempted to get another set for stainless unless theres a much better set on the market
Heard decent reports on Bahco with moulded handles. Cant say whether they last as only tried for a short period for comparison to good files such as Vallorbe or any old English file.
What you got to file?
Understand its now all stainless so wouldnt bother changing.
As regards the stainless embedding in to aluminiums and softer stuff, it dont matter what you do fresh file or not, it will happen.
Rasp/very course type files work nice on 6082, most others dependant upon the actual make/cut. In other words take three second cut files from three good producers some may work, some may not and work like a worn out. Depends how you use them as well whether clog up more than usual or not at all.
What you got to file?
Understand its now all stainless so wouldnt bother changing.
As regards the stainless embedding in to aluminiums and softer stuff, it dont matter what you do fresh file or not, it will happen.
Rasp/very course type files work nice on 6082, most others dependant upon the actual make/cut. In other words take three second cut files from three good producers some may work, some may not and work like a worn out. Depends how you use them as well whether clog up more than usual or not at all.
I usually buy Bahco and while it's good practice to seperate things i only really bother with abrasive discs/belts (new stuff reserved for 'clean metals', once it's part used/i can't remember it's for mild/general use). I can't remember ever having problems with contamination (on stuff that i've made rather than just welded) but then cut/sanded/filed edges get scraped to deburr and in other areas any filing is typically an intermediate step. Ive also got a bit of an OCD habit regarding file cards
FWIW Bahco are owned by Snap-On and are made by SNA Europe IIRC
FWIW Bahco are owned by Snap-On and are made by SNA Europe IIRC
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I have a set of Bahco files, with the moulded handles, don't get masses of use, but are very good; no complaints here.
ronan
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you're corrct sub-arc , i have a few stubbs files and find them excellent, i also have a few made in india (maybe made on shipped out british machinery ?) and they are also very good.
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Ive got the bahco one too, getting a bit blunt now, must be about 5 yrs old.
Not masses of use, but not like new either, they do tend to get used on plasma cut edges, which doesn't help matters.
Consumables really though, not a tool i expect to only buy once in my life.
Not masses of use, but not like new either, they do tend to get used on plasma cut edges, which doesn't help matters.
Consumables really though, not a tool i expect to only buy once in my life.
+1 on the Bahco files, I've got a few, they seem to hold an edge pretty well. Also a big +1 on dreadnought style files for soft metals, they are way more effective, especially if you have any serious amount to remove. They also tend (IME) to give a better finish, as they don't hold swarf, which then cuts its own marks. The ones I have are about 8tpi, some have curved teeth, others straight.
