Cleaning Files and Rasps

[rebelram]

I'm curious, what methods do you guys use to clean files and rasps? I have been sharpening lawnmower blades and I usually have pretty good results with a simple ******* file and then polish the edge a bit more with a medium grit dremel sanding drum. I have used a bench grinder in the past to sharpen blades but it's a bit more challenging to do that with mulching blades, so I stick with the better control and finesse I have with a file.

What I noticed though is while using the file it got caked up with metal shavings. It would cut good for awhile then I would have to rake the shavings out of the file with a nylon brush. Is there a better way to keep the file teeth clean?

 

[pedro1990]

Hmmm. The only thing i can think is to switch to a coarser file for the heavy work. is the one you are using single cut, double cut, or mill? as for cleaning them out, i like to use a file card and go at an angle across the file. that seems to work very good for metal shavings.

 

[nate379]

Wire brush/file card. Or just use an angle grinder to sharpen the blade. I'd be working at it all day if I sharpened my blades with a file!

 

[Mickey O]

File cleaning brush, indicated by arrow, sorry best pic I have of it (it's at the other garage).

 

[nutjob]

Take a 30-06 shell case and flatten the end. Ths soft brass works great to clean files.
375 H&H or a .458 Winchester works even better, larger handle to hold

Kevin

 

[Honda 1]

+1 on the card file. It does a good job of cleaning the files.

 

[stricht8]

Rub some chaulk on the cleaned file to prevent it from getting caked up with metal filings.

 

[alex71]

file card FTW. that's what they're made for.

 

[arkangel06]

File card or wire wheel.

 

[DHCrocks]

I just blow it out with a compressor and use a wire brush, seems to work pretty good at getting the file clean. Make sure you got on goggles with side protection don't want any particles in your eye.

as far as sharpening lawn mower blades I use a 80 grit roloc disk on a grinder, makes quick work of it.

 

[Bo Heck]

Rub some chaulk on the cleaned file to prevent it from getting caked up with metal filings.

bingo. chalk to keep from caking.

 

[mkdive]

File card em, lube them up to keep them from rusting..use chalk when your filing.

When I cleaned up mine....it took forever (I have 350+ files, it was a great CL score for $15)!

Ones I keep on the shelves..

 

[mkdive]

File cleaning brush, indicated by arrow, sorry best pic I have of it (it's at the other garage).

I spy a Yamaha tuning fork!

 

[bmxr4life87]

i didnt have much luck with my filecard so i just use a stiff wire brush then spray with brake clean, put some cutting oil on it and put it away till its next use

 

[stricht8]

Holy cr*p you have a lot of files! What do you lube them with?

 

[fatfillup]

NEVER WIRE WHEEL a file, it will ruin them. There is a thread and info on the net about acid sharpening files. Here's one I found quickly here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38676&highlight=sharpening+files+acid and I know google will come up with more.

I remember one fellow who said he was able to keep sharpening his files over and over to the point where they were so thin you could wrap them around your finger.

I haven't tried it yet but I have easily 100 + files from auctions and will try it out. Good files (Nicholson or Simonds US made) sell for $15 or so each new so its worth a try.

Like the idea of chaulk, will try that also! Thanks

 

[Bolster]

NEVER WIRE WHEEL a file, it will ruin them.

That's what I was wondering!!

 

[imperialman]

I file for a living so to speak....I work in a machine shop for a to be unnamed aerospace company. Lots and lots of filing and dressing on a variety of materials over the years.
Nickelson files , a good file card, and chalk are my best advice.
Also realize that your time IS worth something , and replacement files are not that expensive.

 

[jeepnut24]

My file card (Nicholson) doesn't seem to get my files (Nicholson) very clean??? Any suggestions?

 

[malibu101]

as far as sharpening lawn mower blades I use a 80 grit roloc disk on a grinder, makes quick work of it.

The OP was about cleaning files. I've used file cards with decent sucess.

He did say he was sharpening mower blades. I do the same as the above quote. It's pretty quick and gives great control to manuever around the curves of a mulching blade and make a good, even edge,

Off topic, but relating to the the OP- Do you guys balance the blades?
I do what my dad and grandfather did. If it balances on a horizontal nail-It's good to use.

 

[rebelram]

Lots of great suggestions! The file I was using was a brand new Nicholson single cut file. It cut really good, but would slow down when the shavings caked up. I'll try the chalk.

And for the blades, yes I do balance mine. I have used a horizontal nails and round screw drivers and I have also used the little cone shaped balancing tools. As long as my blades are close to balance, I'm fine with it. But if they are bad out of balance, I don't like that. I do it mainly to keep the blades from tearing my mower deck and spindles apart.

Yes sharpening blades with a file is slow, but I can ensure a quality edge. My brother has started using a small side grinder on his blades and claims he is having pretty good luck with that. My dad doesn't use mulching blades so he just uses a bench grinder to sharpen. I'm only 33, but I prefer to do some things the old manual ways. Most people you talk to that are my age, they know nothing about sharpening blades, usually if anything they just buy new blades every season. I'm just trying to preserve some of the old skills my grandpa and dad taught me.

 

[jeepnut24]

My dad sharpened several mower blades a week, always use a bench grinder. He had the technique now. Taught me how to do it and it worked well. He still does it that way after 30 years running commercial mowers.

 

[mkdive]

Interesting idea....and tips on this site I ran across. Thought I would share.
http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/ShopTips/008.html

 

[rylon]

Be careful while cleaning your files, and wear you're PPE!!

http://toolguyd.com/2010/04/this-is-why-you-need-a-face-shield/

 

[79rallysport]

File card em, lube them up to keep them from rusting..use chalk when your filing.

When I cleaned up mine....it took forever (I have 350+ files, it was a great CL score for $15)!

Ones I keep on the shelves..

Dude, your files will stay sharp 10x longer if you don't let them touch each other. If they're allowed to mingle like that eventually they will burnish themselves smooth.

 

[mkdive]

They can do that sitting on a shelf?
If so, might you be able to suggest how I could keep them from touching? Im always interested in better ways to store, organize tools.....I thought of some kind of paper sleeve. But again...its 300 files! That would take forever! If I am going to do it....I also need (what ever method) to not take up a tremendous amount of space.

 

[spyghost]

i just use steel brush and clean the files by hand. i feel that wire wheel is to aggressive.

and yes, don't stack files... they'll chew each other in the long run.

just wondering, how do you keep stored files from rusting? i believe oil will prevent rust, but it would be PITA the first time you use an oiled file... any ideas?

 

[DanCo]

File cleaning brush, indicated by arrow, sorry best pic I have of it (it's at the other garage).

I was looking at one of those today @ Lowes.do they really work?