Power files

[bourbon]

Mine is a silverline, It works OK. As has been said, great for getting into hard to reach areas. I use screwfix for belts, as they are convenient

 

[Wallace]

Mine is a silverline, It works OK. As has been said, great for getting into hard to reach areas. I use screwfix for belts, as they are convenient

I have a slimline Silverline and a larger B&D, the Silverline has a lot lower surface speed and power than the B&D that makes it kinder to the belts on steel.

 

[Morris]

I bought the Evolution. Seems reasonably well made. The front roller is a bearing, no rubber, so should be an easy fix when the time (inevitably) comes. 400 watts and variable speed, has enough power for my needs.
Still like a kid with a new toy!

 

[Ashley Burton]

@Morris one of those tools you asked why you didn't have one sooner!

 

[armalites]

I get belts for my air powered ones from https://bndabrasives.co.uk/

Top tip if buying in bulk is to make sure they are kept away from damp. I only keep a few in the workshop, rest are in the house. They do fail much quicker if they aren't stored well.

Another common mistake is trying to get every last bit of use out of a belt, sometimes you waste more time/money/effort than if you'd just changed the belt.

 

[Shedendman]

I just buy a few pack of these,for eg
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sanding-...hash=item3d54296a8c:m:mc8epwsfBoGKBUOneM2YjPQ
Cut them to the size i want(width) i get at least 5 finger size belts from one large one

 

[Shedendman]

^^^^^^^^ those for wood or paint etc for metal i get these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/75-X-533...hash=item234a3fd250:m:mpqBBWJywBB_9k-cBjno5zQ

 

[123hotchef]

I bought the Evolution. Seems reasonably well made. The front roller is a bearing, no rubber, so should be an easy fix when the time (inevitably) comes. 400 watts and variable speed, has enough power for my needs.
Still like a kid with a new toy!

I better get mine out today then.

 

[willie.macleod]

I bought the Evolution. Seems reasonably well made. The front roller is a bearing, no rubber, so should be an easy fix when the time (inevitably) comes. 400 watts and variable speed, has enough power for my needs.
Still like a kid with a new toy!

I'd 2nd the Evolution, mine has also proved invaluable. Couple of mates have Black and Decker powerfiles which have also given good service. Interested to see earlier posts about better belts, I do tend to get through them so will be investigating options other than the Silverline ones I have been using to date.

 

[fizzy]

I have a B+D one - thought it was a toy until I used it. Very useful and removes metal pretty quickly.

 

[Ashley Burton]

I'd 2nd the Evolution, mine has also proved invaluable. Couple of mates have Black and Decker powerfiles which have also given good service. Interested to see earlier posts about better belts, I do tend to get through them so will be investigating options other than the Silverline ones I have been using to date.

Theres your problem

 

[marlinspike]

Another tip, if you are using them to grind down welds or smooth metal edges, is to take down any really sharp or pointy bits with a file or sanding block first - if the belt catches it can easily rip immediately. Doesn't apply to those of you who can weld neatly, obviously ...

It's the one tool I wish I had bought from day one on my car restoration. A Dremmel is pretty useful too. With decent cutting discs on (not cheapo Aldi ones; they fracture immediately) they are very useful in a tight or narrow spot.

 

[fizzy]

Another tip, if you are using them to grind down welds or smooth metal edges, is to take down any really sharp or pointy bits with a file or sanding block first - if the belt catches it can easily rip immediately. Doesn't apply to those of you who can weld neatly, obviously ...

It's the one tool I wish I had bought from day one on my car restoration. A Dremmel is pretty useful too. With decent cutting discs on (not cheapo Aldi ones; they fracture immediately) they are very useful in a tight or narrow spot.

I agree - I thought a Dremmel was another toy - until I bought my brother a proper one. Cutting discs very useful for that hard to get at bolt etc.

 

[Dr.Al]

I'd never even considered a power file as a tool: they always looked like a gimmick to me. Then I inherited a B&D one off my father-in-law and thought "what the hell, I'll give it a try". Gets used all the time now: fabulous little thing (although the mains lead that's fitted to it is ridiculously short - must do something about that when I find a source of round tuits).

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

must do something about that when I find a source of round tuits).

No excuse now, here you go.

 

[123hotchef]

https://www.abrasivesformetal.co.uk/ trying to order from these but keep failing