Which File?

[Welderpaul]

Time to invest in some new files. Filing plasma-cut surfaces does them no good.

A lot of my files (seldom used thankfully) have no name on them. Been looking at Bahco files

Any good? Recommend a decent make.

CAn anyone remember which type is which, i remember a B&stard file (Everyone remembers that one!) and a second cut file, but thats it. It's a while since i did CDT!

If i'm resorting to filing, i want it to be over quickly! Needs to stay sharp!

 

[Hitch]

Mine are Bahco, with few other odd ones aswell. They do weare out, especislly on plasma'd edges

 

[Welderpaul]

Which is the most course type of file?

 

[busa]

I generally use Sandvik or Bahco files Paul, both good quality but not that cheap. A good die grinder is also usefull for cleaning up after plasma cutting.

 

[busa]

Which is the most course type of file?

I believe the most coarse is the Bastard, then Second Cut and then Smooth.

 

[Blackjack]

Dreadnought.

If you can find one...

 

[graffian]

I use Dreadnoughts on ali, it's hard work pushing it thru ali but they can remove it at a rate that would make owners of small mills pretty jealous[when it was still sharp].
And I have an even coarser one but it's not used very often.

 

[dopplershift]

I third that for ali, wood and bodyfiller. Dreadnoughts are great! (Didnt know thats what they were called until I googled it just now: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dreadnought_file.JPG )

For steel, yeah Bahco and Nicholson (cooper tools) are good.

I would think that plasma-cut edges would be pretty hard on any file though. Heating + cooling producing abrasive slag + cementite + (a little) martensite. Not nice. I think I'd try and go for an abrasive clean up process (grinding disc/flap disc).

 

[Shox Dr]

Paul I see you are in Yorkshire. Ever get to Rufforth Auto Jumble, if so there's a guy there selling Bacho Files for 4quid each, brand new.


You can also breath a bit of new life in to old files by dipping them in Acid (not sure which one - Sulphuric ISTR

 

[chunkolini]

Also have a look around car boot sales, I find the old ones are best.
I have embarassed wifey by testing them out on a chunk of steel from my pockets.
Re finishing plasma cut edges I go round first with a hammer and crack of most of the oxide deposits with light taps, then run a grinder over to get rid of the last bits before smoothing them with a file.
Chunko'.

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I did hear, some years ago, that a file will 're-sharpen' itself if you leave it outdoors overnight, probably several nights.

As I recall you need it to /just start/ to go rusty.

It's probably not a long-term cure though. If it's been well used then it's time for a new one.

Regards
Peter

 

[Hitch]

Dreadnought or curved tooth files are great for ally etc, but a standard bastard cut is okay. Knock the slag off with scraper first, then theres very little cleanup to do.

 

[pedrobedro]

Cromwell tools have some decent file sets if you want a variety of profiles and they are usually on offer.

 

[KTMMICK]

I would not buy from a Boot sale! You have not got a comeback, Buy the best you can afford.........Bahco are good. There are 3 cuts that I can remember 1st Cut, 2nd cut and Bastard.........someone will tell me if I am wrong lol!

 

[Benny]

most of the time you dont have any comeback but its only a fille and if its a good deal go for it

 

[eil]

Bastard,second cut, smooth and dead smooth, then there were Swiss files for accurate work.

 

[gordon stephenson]

One of my sons is a design and tech teacher, one school in Rickmansworth used to send the files for re-cutting, Don't know how good or at what cost etc. Google will probably know,!!

 

[hareng]

Files can be re sharpened but dont last 1/8 as long as new, so false economy.

The problem nowadays is all files arent as good as they were years ago. Whether that be the English or Swiss (Valorbe) made jobbies.
We buy by the box, 2nd and smooth cut no contest Valorbe, expensive but they last around twice as long as other current quality files. In comparison say a three square Valorbe 2nd cut will last close on four times a Bahco.

10" bastard three square we go through one a week each the last 4 years, best currently available Bison. Before used to get around three weeks out of them, same with pillar and knife files, pretty much every thing is junk nowadays. same with hack saw blades.

 

[weldingscotty803]

why not use a grinder paul? with a flap wheel on it or something similar. bahco are good files, use them at work. the cromwell sets are ok too but not for heavy use.

 

[Welderpaul]

I only use files for cleaning up small holes/openings - usually plasma cut through something, or squaring-up a drilled hole when a square hole can't be punched. A rotary burr wants to make a square hole round, even with very careful use, and obviously a grinder won'tfit.
Believe me, if a grinder can be used instead of a file, it will be!
Went with a Bahco set of 5 in the end. Used one the other day for the first time, seem ok.