Wanting to put together a decent set of files, your thoughts?

deadguy · Jan 27, 2009

Most of my files are handme-downs or some Chiwaneese thing I got as a gift. my older files are of a nicer quality, but have a far amount of wear. I'm looking to get a decent set of files for my box. Just the basics and maybe a few specialty files (thread pitch file etc..)

Whats a good selection to have and manufactures? I have noticed some of the former USA made files are now made in Mexico

your $.02

krusty the clown · Jan 27, 2009

nicholson.......

senlow · Jan 27, 2009

I will second the Nicholson.

MarkH · Jan 27, 2009

Some Nicholson is made in South America. It is always look at the package.

Fleabay unfortunately.

Brands used are Bahco, Nicholson, Simonds, Grobet for newer files. In all cases you have to look at where they are made.

LoneGunman · Jan 27, 2009

Shop around for files on Ebay, I purchased 8 BOXES with 6 files in each box of new US made Nicholson files for what averaged out to $10 a box shipped, this was probably about 3 years ago. I don't think I have used more than 6 of them, I take care of my files so I should be pretty much set for the rest of my life.

senlow · Jan 27, 2009

MarkH said:
Some Nicholson is made in South America. It is always look at the package.

Fleabay unfortunately.

Brands used are Bahco, Nicholson, Simonds, Grobet for newer files. In all cases you have to look at where they are made.

So Nicholson has sold out. All my Nicholson files are older, and made in USA.

Bolster · Jan 27, 2009

LoneGunman said:
Shop around for files on Ebay, I purchased 8 BOXES with 6 files in each box of new US made Nicholson files for what averaged out to $10 a box shipped, this was probably about 3 years ago. I don't think I have used more than 6 of them, I take care of my files so I should be pretty much set for the rest of my life.

Dang, what a score! What profile were they, or were they mixed?

Paladin · Jan 27, 2009

Nicholson are the only files I use.

Jared · Jan 27, 2009

lots of nicholson files are/were made in canada and in my opinion as good as us made ones.

Monte · Jan 28, 2009

I have some nicholson files they say "Nicholson Brasil".
You might also check out Bahco, the ones which are sold here are made in Portugal and since Bahco bought 2 files manufacturers (Öberg/Sweden, Viiala/Finland) maybe some of their "know-how" is still left

dxdexter · Jan 28, 2009

All my files are Nicholson USA. What ever you get make sure to get a good quality file card (brush). They make all the difference in the world. I used a wire brush for many years and it doesn't perform as well as the proper tool. Mine is also Nicholson.

Titus · Jan 28, 2009

Anyone know how the Lifetime Warranty Craftsman files are?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931321000P?keyword=00931321000&sLevel=0

Major Ramifications · Jan 28, 2009

Nicholson is part of the Cooper Tools group, and Cooper likes to move production to chaeper countries.
I always thought Nicholson made the Craftsman files.

Stuey · Jan 28, 2009

I have a Craftsman file, made in Honduras, but it's of pretty decent quality.

Lyaec350 · Jan 28, 2009

I believe my Craftsman file set is USA made... They do have the lifetime warranty as well. Molded on black handles are nicer than buying a file holder for each...

64merc · Jan 28, 2009

I bought an older Craftsman file at an estate sale recently and I was surprised to learn that it was not made in the USA (can't remember where offhand)

Crawlin · Jan 28, 2009

I have the soft grip nicholson set that lowes has. One of them is USA, and the other two are from brazil. I thought that was wierd, never gotten a tool set with various origins of country in the set. But they have been great, you cannot go wrong for the price.

Paladin · Jan 28, 2009

dxdexter said:
All my files are Nicholson USA. What ever you get make sure to get a good quality file card (brush). They make all the difference in the world. I used a wire brush for many years and it doesn't perform as well as the proper tool. Mine is also Nicholson.

Yes, a file card is a necessity, and another old gunsmiths trick is to load your file with chalk prior to use. This helps to reduce material from loading your file.

beelsr · Jan 29, 2009

yes, chalk. steal your kids sidewalk grafitti kit. i stole my nephews & nice's the last time they came yto visit. they still haven't missed it....
:thumbup:

CAT_serviceman927 · Jan 29, 2009

I was at Lowes tonight and happened to be looking at the Nicholson files. Looks like most of the normal mill files are still USA, but the round and taper ones were foreign made, as well as the ones with grips on them.

Vinko · Jan 29, 2009

Monte said:
I have some nicholson files they say "Nicholson Brasil".
You might also check out Bahco, the ones which are sold here are made in Portugal and since Bahco bought 2 files manufacturers (Öberg/Sweden, Viiala/Finland) maybe some of their "know-how" is still left

In addition to the Swedes (haven't seen anything from the Finns), I've seen some nice Danish files as well. My father has a large collection of files. He trained as a machinist when young and gets really pissed when anyone uses a file incorrectly in the shop and "supervises" all file use. Yelling and screaming about how know one knows **** about files. It's funny and then it's not.

dede2897234 · Jan 30, 2009

deadguy said:
Most of my files are handme-downs or some Chiwaneese thing I got as a gift. my older files are of a nicer quality, but have a far amount of wear. I'm looking to get a decent set of files for my box. Just the basics and maybe a few specialty files (thread pitch file etc..)

Whats a good selection to have and manufactures? I have noticed some of the former USA made files are now made in Mexico

your $.02

Deadguy,

If your looking for high quality files at excellent prices, check out this web page from Harry Epstein's: http://www.harryepstein.com/snaponbahcowilliams.htm . Like you, my collection consisted of rusty, second hand files (I restored them using Evapo-Rust and a file card; most of the old files are now almost good as new). I purchased from Epstein's several months ago the 12" #1 cut, 14" flat *******, 10" smooth cut, and the 14" second cut files. They're of excellent quality. The ones I purchased were made in either Portugal or England. I always get polite, accurate, fast service from Harry Epstein. Even though the store has a web presence, you can only order from them via phone or fax. I also agree with a number of previous posts that it is important to purchase and use a file card after every use for best file performance. My file card is USA made by Nicholson and available at Home Depot for under $5.

Titus · Jan 30, 2009

Vinko said:
My father has a large collection of files. He trained as a machinist when young and gets really pissed when anyone uses a file incorrectly in the shop and "supervises" all file use. Yelling and screaming about how know one knows **** about files. It's funny and then it's not.

Help him make some "How to use a file" videos and load them to youtube. Then he can have the satisfaction of knowing that he has helped to make the world a little more file friendly. :lol_hitti

Lyaec350 · Jan 30, 2009

How is a file used correctly? I have no idea...

Paladin · Jan 30, 2009

A file cuts on a forward stroke. You cut forward, then lift the file off the material being cut, bring the file back, then back on the material and forward again. A LOT of people drag the file across the material being cut on the backstroke. That will ruin a good file fast.

Wanting to put together a decent set of files, your thoughts?

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