Needle files

[MattF]

Just wondered if anyone had recommendations for a decent set of needle files which aren't silly money, and which includes a knife file.

 

[ronan]

Vallorbe which i think are American/German. But i have read on some of the online engineering and gunsmithing forums that they are not as good as they used to be.
Dick files (i am not joking) of Germany are supposed to be very good. I was going to buy some, but wanted to inspect them before i buy them, but no one in ireland stocks them.

https://www.dick.de/en/files-and-rasps/products/precision-files-1

 

[Maker]

I don't think you can get new ones but P. Stubs files are the danglies.

I believe Bacho's needle files are actually made by Lindström (Known for their really nice precision pliers) so I'd go for them if I was after a set.

EDIT: Actually I wouldn't, I've just seen the price of them.

 

[frank horton]

sorry, unless u take pot luck with the cheapie's..........u need to spend, spend , spend........that's unless someone has personal experience with a cheapie make........
I bought mine, Swiss made 40 years ago and are still working.......not sure what ur doing but have u considered a Diamond file ?
have a few of those but I'll only use em for special job's tho......and the ****** one's are not to bad........
afraid with files especially, u get what u pay for........found that for jobbing files "Magnusson" from B+Q are quite good and in-expensive....thought I try em, pleasantly surprised, even come with a handle........
as a good general small fine file about 6" long I'll def recommend a Bahco or Oregon, yes the chain saw people......
I have found that there chain files work a treat, have one flatten on the lathe for polishing and de-burring and another with the small tools...
mine get used on everything from cheap mild steel to all st/steel and stuff I don't know what it is........mine are at least 10 years old and perfect........cost for a 6-8' flat file was about £8.......they also have a range of round and 1/2 round ..the round file's are 10-12' long and diameters are 6mm and 8mm, the 1/2 round is about 6-8"long........excellent quality but very fine.......
remember that chainsaw cutting chains are high quality steel, so if it's good enough for that all our jobbing peices will be a breeze....
good luck........Frank

 

[daleyd]

I've a set of RS "own brand" needle files hat came in a plastic wallet I've had for probably 14 years - not used very often but never had any complaints when I've needed to use them.

I didn't buy them myself but I don't think they were expensive, plus I've had a few RS branded tools over the years which have all proved to be very good.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I bought a set of these for the van.
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p54657?table=no
They've been surprisingly good and got moved to the garage instead of being relegated to the van. Used the needle files to restore a damaged thread on a 8.8 bolt but haven't tested on anything harder. They don't seem to clog much either

Different colour but I bought mine a few years back.

After this years car boot season I have a big box full of old files I need to sort through. :/

 

[graffian]

I use Vallorbe needle files and they are much better than the cheap ones I have had.

I bought a set of 'needle files' with plastic handles like the ones linked to above.
They don't seem that bad but they are bigger than a needle file.

 

[MattF]

Cheers chaps. For the moment, I've taken Maker's advice and ordered a single Stub(b)?s knife file off Ebay. I'll blame him if it's crap.

I'll have a look at those Dick & Vallorbe ones with regards to getting a set.

Daleyd, those RS ones are/were good files. I have the remnants of a set I got about 28 years ago, and the remaining ones are still going strong.

 

[GW8IZR]

I have a set of CK files from Farnell, German files but the little plastic handles aren't.

 

[MattF]

What are the CK ones like, quality wise? That brand used to be debateable quality, but I haven't tried owt of theirs for years.

 

[GW8IZR]

They are OK I've had them for a good few years and they still cut, like their small hand tools they aren't Lindstrom but they aren't machine mart either.

 

[Rocketman]

I've a set of RS "own brand" needle files hat came in a plastic wallet I've had for probably 14 years - not used very often but never had any complaints when I've needed to use them.

I didn't buy them myself but I don't think they were expensive, plus I've had a few RS branded tools over the years which have all proved to be very good.

The only trouble with RS brand is they literally could change the supplier tomorrow and you don't get the quality you got last time.

 

[Turbo]

I also have a set of RS branded needle files & over their 15 or so years they have got me out of several hanks.

I bought a set of the diamond files from Lidl & I am very impressed with them so the RS ones never get used now! Recently Lidl had some in their bargain bin at £3.99 each so I bought 2 more sets, one for the lathe & one for spares.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I don't think you can get new ones but P. Stubs files are the danglies.

I believe Bacho's needle files are actually made by Lindström (Known for their really nice precision pliers) so I'd go for them if I was after a set.

EDIT: Actually I wouldn't, I've just seen the price of them.

I got a really nice knife from Bahco, only to find it's actually made by Mora (far higher quality and price, used by Swedish Army). They seem to be outshopping and just using their brand...

 

[Ton-up]

For cheaper ones, Kennedys from Cromwells are ok.

 

[InTheHighlands]

I bought a couple of Mora filetting knives at the very no-nonsense chandlers in a fishing port. Not cheap, but not ridiculously expensive (? £15 each) and they are absolutely superb....... Slightly off topic - sorry