Dumb question(s): Anyone use chalk on their files?

Okay, so I heard (maybe even here) that you can use chalk to keep your files clean. What kinda chalk do you use? How do you apply it? Is there anything special to this? Does it actually work?

Yeah, I use it for aluminum but Elroy mentioned he uses it for everything. That was the thread where I heard about chalking files for steel for the first time, and where you probably read it. I use sidewalk chalk (but you can jack some of that fancy dustless stuff from school hahaha) Ive never needed it with steel but it def keeps them unclogged longer with aluminum.

Jim

That's correct ! Chalk helps and they main reason for me was, if you have a nice surface and you keep filing without cleaning the file, the chips can make scatches in that surface. Cleaning the file and put on chalk helps

Cheers

I've been filing alum & steel for 20 years and I never knew! This place is awesome.

I stole chalk for 12 years and never knew what to do with it!!!...Use it on the files I stole from the wood-metal shop.

Alright, Lemme throw this out thier...


Draw filing... Anybody still do this? Take your time and you can get one hell of a finish.

Jim

kartracer55 said:

Draw filing... Anybody still do this? Take your time and you can get one hell of a finish.

Click to expand...

Draw filing? Never heard of it. What exactly is it?

eschoendorff said:

Draw filing? Never heard of it. What exactly is it?

Click to expand...

Pulling the file perpendicular to the stock. It leaves a very smooth surface and is quite effective as well.

Ancient chinese secret.....


Hahah


If you do it right you can get an awesome finish. To do it, you need an very fine single cut file, a double cut wont work. So you draw the file basically perpindicular to the traditional filing direction, and it helps to draw it towards you (gotta give the workpiece a 90*) so that the teeth of the file are Almost parallel with the direction that your filing, but so that each tooth overlaps the few teeth next to it. You need to brace the hand to keep the "wobble" to a minimum. You need to keep the file clean so that the filings dont scratch up the workpiece. Even with chalk you need to clean the thing often.


Edit... There you go, my typical over complicated reply
Jim

kartracer55 said:

Yeah, I use it for aluminum but Elroy mentioned he uses it for everything. That was the thread where I heard about chalking files for steel for the first time, and where you probably read it. I use sidewalk chalk (but you can jack some of that fancy dustless stuff from school hahaha) Ive never needed it with steel but it def keeps them unclogged longer with aluminum.

Jim

Click to expand...

Elroy thanks you for the credit. You'll find that aluminum, brass and other soft metal will load the file up until a "pin" forms in the face of the file. This pin will gouge the surface your working. Even carbon steel will pin, so yep Elroy uses it as a standard procedure. Any type of chalk works, just file the stick of chalk and load the face up then go at it.

Draw filing typically produces a finer finish especially with a single cut mill *******.

This would also be a good time to mention file maintanance and storage. There is almost nothing worse than using a dull or rusted file. A stainless steel scratch brush or a file card should also be used often. This keeps the file face clean and sharp. Use the brush as your working and especially when your done working. Elroy also makes it a regular habbit to clean the file with some spray carb cleaner then a shot of WD-40 or 3in1 oil. Especially 3in1 because that stuff dries out and leaves a gummy coating on the file. When you come back in a week, just shoot the file with a little carb cleaner to cut the gum off, a little air then chalk it up.

As far a storage goes: Elroy made up some cloth sleeves for my bigger files. Ya they get a little dirty and oil coverd but you know what: My files stay sharp and clean. Elroy has a few files that I know are 40+ years old and they are still sharp because they have been taken care of. I use them too. I also store my files in a wood box, that box must weight a good 30 pounds. Got a real nice selection, 99% nicholson with a few swiss and some diamond as well.

Don't forget ceramic knife hones as well. If you ask real nice Elroy will tell you how to turn a black stick (from use) to white with a fresh tooth.