Any recommendations for quality hand files?

[wise]

My files are of poor quality, was just wondering what I should replace them with.

 

[carterbeauford]

Bahco

 

[fordzilla90]

I like Nicholson files. They can be had just about anywhere for a reasonable price and perform great.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[0.511MeV]

Best = Grobet

Good = Nicholson

The quality and durability of Grobet files is really worth it, IMO, but I do use them to hand finish parts I've machined. It is far cheaper to get a giant Nicholson flat or mill ******* file if the goal is to remove a lot of material quickly.

 

[zkling]

Try USA made Nicholson, Simmons, Falls. Look for them at garage sales.
Also purchase a file card, used to clean files.

Just remember, you can never have too many files.

 

[redwrench60]

I've heard here that Nicholson file manufacturing has gone to Mexico but I can still find quality USA made Nicholson files and sets most places. I try to look out for these.

 

[kxhonda]

Nicholson or Bahco.

 

[0.511MeV]

I've heard here that Nicholson file manufacturing has gone to Mexico but I can still find quality USA made Nicholson files and sets most places. I try to look out for these.

I have some Nicholson files labeled Brazil. I've not noticed Mexico, but that doesn't mean much.

 

[woody 73]

Grobet is top notch But you better have deep pockets!

Nicholson is Very good and easy on your wallet but they are no longer made in the USA. Now if you heard my Paul revere wake up call (old post I did about buying up old stock Nicholson files); you might have been lucky and found a few USA ones; Today they are getting scarce.

Not sure about Bahco but they sound like a nice file.

 

[nine4gmc]

Try USA made Nicholson, Simmons, Falls. Look for them at garage sales.
Also purchase a file card, used to clean files.

Just remember, you can never have too many files.

I pick them up all the time, in piles at garage sales for pennies on the dollar. 99% all Nicolson USA for pocket change.

 

[Stooge]

Ive been a big fan of nicholson files for awhile now, but do have a few grobert sets for smaller precision stuff, little more spendy but the quality is there so its an easy justification. Depending on what your doing, nicholson should have you covered at a good price, although ive had a few of the rat tail and keyhole files break at the tip, never really looked into a warranty for them as they are pretty cheap. Ive bought most of mine threw msc, and all the nicholsons are US made, although i have seen some mexican ones, just not in my box

.....i have a pretty big weakness for file sets

 

[wise]

Wow the Grobet sets are pretty expensive! Those are the ones I obviously want though... '0' is a good general purpose coarseness?

 

[JML2]

The Bahco handles are great (the newest versions) and the files are better than current Nicholson products.

 

[0.511MeV]

Wow the Grobet sets are pretty expensive! Those are the ones I obviously want though... '0' is a good general purpose coarseness?

On the Swiss pattern files, 00 or 0 are the coarse files. I find them to be close to a smooth cut American pattern file. Swiss 4 to 6 are very fine finishing cut files. I tend not to use anything in the middle. One extreme or the other.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have some Nicholson files labeled Brazil. I've not noticed Mexico, but that doesn't mean much.

I have Brazilian made ones as well and they work fine.

OP - Harry Epstein still has some USA made files for really good prices. They likely do not have handles on them so make sure you add them to your order.

 

[Maexle]

Pferd

 

[jeffmoss26]

I too try and find old US made Nicholson files.
One day I'm gonna buy a Grobet pippin file for impressioning keys. They are NOT cheap!

 

[CWP1616L]

Simonds






-

 

[justanengineer]

I pick them up all the time, in piles at garage sales for pennies on the dollar. 99% all Nicolson USA for pocket change.

^^^This. Toss the ones too rusty/abused to save and use the rest.

 

[Gert]

You say quality so I presume you want the best: Vallorbe, Swiss made.

http://www.vallorbe.com/Standard.php?p=100&m=1&l=3

 

[alex71]

If anyone is looking for NOS American-made Nicholson I still have a few left.

http://www.asmc.net/brands/Nicholson.html

 

[Paladin]

I was a small arms repairman for most of my 20yr military career, so I spent a good bit of time behind a file. Pretty much all my experience is with Nicholson. They are good files and can be found for dirt cheap all over America!

 

[Davefr]

I pick them up all the time, in piles at garage sales for pennies on the dollar. 99% all Nicolson USA for pocket change.

I might have to do the same thing. I see tons of them but tend to ignore them. Maybe it's time to pick them up and sort out the good ones.

 

[Paladin]

I might have to do the same thing. I see tons of them but tend to ignore them. Maybe it's time to pick them up and sort out the good ones.

I find most of my Nicholson files at pawn shops. It's one of the few quality tools that they haven't "caught on" to. I got 3 Nicholson files at a pawn shop for $2 a couple months ago...

 

[Jbizzle]

Who makes the Snap On files? I see they are made in Portugal. Are they any good?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=683201&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681705&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Hootbro]

Who makes the Snap On files? I see they are made in Portugal. Are they any good?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=683201&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681705&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I think they are Bahco files since Snappy owns them also.

 

[Monte]

 

[RCStocker]

My files are of poor quality, was just wondering what I should replace them with.

Why are we still on this.
Nickelson, Swiss or Swedish files.