Good quality files

[kelpaso1]

I am in need of some good files. All mine are cheap and worn out. I don't necessarily need a full set, just a few flat ones and maybe a round is all need. Who makes good files but not real high priced?

 

[Monte]

Bahco for example
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bahco-Flat-File-6-*******-Cut-33-TPI-1-110-06-1-0-/310409871039

 

[kelpaso1]

Interesting history about this company on their webpage, like the "Fish and Hook" story. Looks like top quality stuff.

 

[Deadsquiggles]

I have a fair amount of Nicholson files that I've had for a couple years now and I like them. No experience with Bahco though.

 

[u118224]

Cripe Dist has USA files for sale individually that are not too expensive.

 

[kelpaso1]

I have a fair amount of Nicholson files that I've had for a couple years now and I like them. No experience with Bahco though.

I was just going to ask about them. In my searches that name came up alot, and they are available in Canada. I don't like to order internationally if I can help it due to the customs/duty bullsht importing stuff here. So much for "free" trade agreement

 

[oldtools]

Grobet

 

[fanders]

I rate Grobert very highly - top Swiss quality

 

[Strouty]

There are some real good bastards out there.

I used to like a lot of brands, but seems that quality is not as important anymore. I will be interested to see what others have to say. All my files are older, I don't think I have purchased a new one in about 15 years.

 

[yaidunno]

Nicholson files with wood handles are what i use. Tons of NOS on ebay. I'll buy multiples of the same size/style because no matter how good the file is, it is still a consumable item.

 

[Strouty]

Another thing, get yourself a file card and keep them clean. That makes a huge difference.

 

[j p smith]

Brian, maybe this has been asked before, is that your traction engine?

 

[MBfreak]

Hi
Sweden used to have a thriving tool industry with lots of first class stuff. Most is now gone, if not all.
However, I recently bought 3 BAHCO ( at least they were branded so) files made in Portugal. They are really good and of the same high quality as NOS OBERG files, which were sold in quantity at swap meets around here in the nineties over several years. Hand finishing went out of fashion even in small shops. All is CNC, laser nowadays.
I stocked up on OBERG files then, and use them and the 3 new Bahco´s often.
Nicholson is another brand that made first class files .

Ola

 

[1950mercury]

Another thing, get yourself a file card and keep them clean. That makes a huge difference.

And some chaulk to keep them from clogging

 

[hoston23]

bahco( snap on rebrands them)


they are good, I bought a set on ebay pretty cheap

 

[ttmiller]

I have a fair amount of Nicholson files that I've had for a couple years now and I like them. No experience with Bahco though.

The old American-made ones were great but the quality has really suffered since they moved production to Mexico. I bought a few and they collect dust compared to the older American files I've bought secondhand.

 

[pendragon1998]

The old American-made ones were great but the quality has really suffered since they moved production to Mexico. I bought a few and they collect dust compared to the older American files I've bought secondhand.

Stay away from the non-USA Nicholsons. Bahco and Grobet Swiss are often recommended. Or NOS USA-made files.

 

[BikerDad]

The old American-made ones were great but the quality has really suffered since they moved production to Mexico. I bought a few and they collect dust compared to the older American files I've bought secondhand.

A ******** "maker" (as in worked for years at Williamsburg as a blacksmith, toolmaker and instrument maker, not one of these newfangled electronics oriented folks) who frequents a woodworking forum I also frequent recently reported that the quality of Nicholson files have picked back up to the point where he'll purchase them again. So, for Nicholson one would want either NOS American made, or the latest with, methinks, green packaging.

 

[kelpaso1]

Stay away from the non-USA Nicholsons. Bahco and Grobet Swiss are often recommended. Or NOS USA-made files.

Whew, good thing I checked here first. I almost ordered a set of Nicholsons but found out they were made in Mexico. I guess I should have known- $40 for a set of 5 Nicholsons compared to 1 Bahco 10 inch ******* for the same price

Thanks all for the replies. I found out Acklands sells or can order Grobet.

 

[MaineGuide]

Does anyone have any experience with Pferd files? MSC sells a few sets that look pretty useful but they're a tad expensive to take a chance on sight unseen.

 

[Dave455]

My personal favourites were always Stubs (British) or Oberg (Swedish). The latter were one of the first companies to supply files with decent fixed handles, and were very popular in the U.K.

Sadly Stubs no longer offer files, but I have a feeling Oberg were bought out by Bahco, so while the files may not be quite as good (they're made in Portugal not Sweden for a start) they are probably the closest! My local DIY shop stocks 'em so not hard to find, and a lot cheaper than the same thing from Snap On!

Alternatively, Vallorbe seem to be good, and offer a huge range from needle files, through warding files and precision files up to the standard sizes! Their bigger files are great, but I find the smaller ones are biased towards presumably watchmaking, so are not in the same league as my old Stubs for general engineering! MSC in the U.K. seem to have Vallorbes on special every other month or so!

I've bought I think Nicolson files from MSC too, but wasn't impressed. They cut O.K. but the edges were all sorts of strange angles and I'm not used to that!

Once you've found a good file, PB Swiss offer CAB file handles in a range of sizes and colours!

 

[metaldad]

+2 on the cripe nicholson stock
just ordered a bunch of USA nos.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Mexico or Brazil made Nicholson files aren't awful, they just aren't what most think are great. They work perfectly for your average job if that's all you need it to do. I'm sure they will "work", they just aren't a heirloom quality item.

 

[Gogo300]

We use simonds files at work. They stay sharp and are pretty aggressive. USA manufacturers also.

http://www.simondsint.com/handfiles/Pages/Default.aspx

 

[kelpaso1]

What is the difference between American pattern and Swiss pattern and which would better?

 

[Gogo300]

American pattern files have one row of teeth.
Swiss pattern files have two rows of teeth that look like a diamond.

Here's a link to file facts.

http://paulbudzik.com/tools-techniques/Files/files.html

 

[bwringer]

Just promise you'll toss 'em when they're worn out.

I always just used my Dad's tools growing up and thought files were nearly useless, frustrating objects. Turns out he (and my grandfather before him) just never could bring himself to throw them out and get new files. Some of those damn things were nearly smooth.

I was a grown man before I discovered how useful and efficient a sharp new file could be.

 

[kelpaso1]

Heh, that's the way my 20 year old files are now. They are going to be used for something else if there is anything you can do with old files. Otherwise to the scrap bucket. And thanks to the link above, I'm now fully educated in file types, uses, and proper care. NOT banging around in my punch drawer

 

[Wamsutta]

I prefer Simonds for files. By the way, I see a lot of good mechanics on YouTube use a file like you would sandpaper. I think it's a shame and a waste of a good tool.

 

[1982fxr]

Just promise you'll toss 'em when they're worn out.

I always just used my Dad's tools growing up and thought files were nearly useless, frustrating objects. Turns out he (and my grandfather before him) just never could bring himself to throw them out and get new files. Some of those damn things were nearly smooth.

I was a grown man before I discovered how useful and efficient a sharp new file could be.

this! lol me too

 

[Deadsquiggles]

The old American-made ones were great but the quality has really suffered since they moved production to Mexico. I bought a few and they collect dust compared to the older American files I've bought secondhand.

Yeah, I forgot to mention this. I got all mine from work, and even though the production has been in Mexico for a while, all the ones I was getting from work were NOS made in USA files that the company had stockpiled. Nobody was going into preexpended to get more. Safe to say, I stopped by every couple of days and made sure that the files went to a good home.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Take those old worn out files and turn them into knives.

 

[four.cycle]

would a knife-maker want them? I ran across a mess of them today that might make good paperweights otherwise.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Another vote for Simonds.

 

[uart]

By the way, I see a lot of good mechanics on YouTube use a file like you would sandpaper. I think it's a shame and a waste of a good tool.

I want to ask a question about the correct use of files. I've always let the file contact, but with only light pressure, on the back stroke. However in the link Gogo300 posted above it says that you should completely lift the file (no contact at all) on the backstroke.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=490375&d=1446000128

Just wondering what others do. Do you just remove the pressure for the backstroke, or do you lift the file off completely?

 

[kelpaso1]

Good question. I usually just let off pressure on the backdraw

 

[1982fxr]

i was always told lift it off, actually first time I've heard the contrary

 

[mooseracing]

Do you just remove the pressure for the backstroke, or do you lift the file off completely?

Depends on what I am working on and the clearances. I may not be able to lift off.

I would say I use a combo of all though throughout daily projects.

 

[kelpaso1]

Nicholson made in Canada?

 

[kelpaso1]

Ever look at the teeth of a file at 100X? Here is a crappy cell phone pic of the same file above.