Knife file

[the artfull-codger]

I use old files for all sorts of tools,after annealing them, I file/machine/forge to the shape I require then heat up to the ''ubiquitous'' cherry red & plunge vertically into cold water, you can use salt water to make them harder but northumbrian tap water serves my needs,then I temper them to my requirements,the easiest way it to use a tray of sand heated underneath with a propane torch & place the tool on top after polishing of course & watch the colours starting with pale straw [hardest but brittle] then through the spectrum to purple [soft/spring temper but tough] then plunge into water again.I didn't know modern files were case hardened but the oldies are the ones I use,I also sharpen some of them up using the old sulphuric acid method but that's another thread!!!


slan go fol

 

[hareng]

Details please Syborg, is it using coke and air?

The old English files are the best, new stuff dont last. Even with new Vallorbe have noticed degradation the last 5 years mainly using the knife files.

 

[syborg]

details on how you made your forge please syborg.

ive been looking at doing a homemade one but dont know where to start.

hi,

its a brake disc with a brake drum attached underneath to make the firepit deeper, a small peice of cast goes over the large hole to stop coal falling through,

then the whole thing is sat on top of a gas bottle with the top cut off "pretty square" then a tube is welded below the bottom connected to a hoover which has blow function...i used charcoal and got the file cherry red within about 5 mins, then quenched in oil to make it springy instead of brittle, then out cam various grades of sanding discs.

still gotta make the handle but cant drill it without gettin my hands on some carbon cobalt or tungsten carbine bits..

peace

syborg