Ideas for storing metal files

[slowtwitch73]

If I can’t tell without looking under a microscope, then it’s not enough of a difference to matter.

"All those silver lines you can see with your eye are rounded/broken teeth."

 

[RTM]

They work fine for the purposes of deburring and filing corrosion away but there are a lot of modern abrasives that would work equally as well.

I tried sharpening my hand saws with a belt sander, didn't work so well. I have several sizes of taper triangles (3 square¿) just for that, plus cant files for the big tree sized suckers, a couple of feather for Japanese....

And then there are knife edge files, warding files....

Guess as an old tool guy, my needs are different.

 

[RTM]

Haha. Nicholson hasn't made a decent file in years.

Use them every day. They work fine. Sure, they ain’t what they used to be, but it’s what’s available on the shelf without special order.

Simonds, Grobet and Pferd are nicer, but not like it’s night and day.

Guy that taught me how to sharpen hand saws says the modern Nicholson file does one saw per edge, whereas the old ones would do 3-4 each. He recommended buying old files, and sending them to Boggs.

Another boutique plane maker used to buy modern Nicholson files, and send them to Boggs before use. He was shaping 1/4" thick blades with them.

I won't buy modern new Nicholson anymore.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I tried sharpening my hand saws with a belt sander, didn't work so well.

Well to be fair in that argument, old toothed tools require old sharpening devices. Modern saw blades would not be done by hand so the file is irrelevant unless you specifically enjoy hand sawing. Nothing wrong with that.

If there was a huge demand for long lasting high quality files there would be manufacturers making them. People aren't using them as much anymore so the demand is lower and therefore no need to make high quality tools to stay in business when the cheap disposable ones work for the vast majority of end users. The axe suffered the same fate.

 

[Beerhippie]

I've copied this entire discussion to the file files in my computer files, but I'm also printing it to file in my file files in my file file cabinet, where I also store my finest file finds.

 

[dr_clyde]

Guy that thought me how to sharpen hand saws says the modern Nicholson file does one saw per edge, whereas the old ones would do 3-4 each. He recommended buying old files, and sending them to Boggs.

Another boutique plane maker used to buy modern Nicholson files, and send them to Boggs before use. He was shaping 1/4" thick blades with them.

I won't buy modern new Nicholson anymore.

Cool? Can't say as I've ever had to sharpen a hand saw, so IDGAF about that. I also can't remember the last time as a machinist and welder I've had to even USE a hand saw.

I buy what the local industrial supply carries and supplies. How do you recommend I place the order for old files? Hey sales guy, can you go to a bunch of garage sales and estate sales and find some gently used files and put them on my account? No? Weird.

You guys act like files are some special hand tool designed to be handed down to from grandfather to father and then to son after lovingly been cared for for decades. In reality, files are more like carbide inserts. They have a useable life and are designed to be replaced when they're used up. If you're in the business of making parts for money, you get the tools that are available and do the job.

If I was filing something all day every day, I might seek out the highest quality files in the world and it may be worth re-sharpening them after use, but I can't say as I've ever felt the need to take the time to package up a file, pay shipping, wait however long to get it back and then rotate in the next file and repeat. All for a file that costs me $10 to replace IMMEDIATLEY and get back to work.

 

[Beerhippie]

Idea:

If I find a fitting phial, I'll file my finest files in my finest file filing phial!

 

[RangeBryan]

Something important to remember is that just because you use a tool for a certain task, it doesn't mean that is the only use for the tool. Depending on the intended use, some metal files are very special tools that can/ will be passed down from generation to generation (think metal sculpting, jewelry making, etc.). Take a look at the website for the Italian precision file manufacturer CORRADI SpA- https://www.corradi.com/en/- to get an idea for the many, many uses of metal files. And take a look at https://www.corradishop.com/ for the price of some of these files. Just trying to provide a different perspective about this.

The best items I have found to store metal files in are first, tool rolls, specifically the Proto J25TR21C. It has equal height pockets and plastic covers over each half of the roll (I add velcro to the plastic covers to ensure they remain close). Ebay Proto J25TR21C gives you a pretty good idea of what they look like, but do a Google search as numerous places cary them.

The other good storage item I have found, primarily for the files you use the most, is the Filer-6 by Nashef Designs. Some may bulk at the price ($27), but removing an item from the need-to-make list is a win in my book. I just recently purchased one, so I can't speak to long term durability. Attached is an image of it that I grabbed one from Otto Frei's website (apologies if the image isn't sized correctly).

 

[dr_clyde]

Something important to remember is that just because you use a tool for a certain task, it doesn't mean that is the only use for the tool. Depending on the intended use, some metal files are very special tools that can/ will be passed down from generation to generation (think metal sculpting, jewelry making, etc.). Take a look at the website for the Italian precision file manufacturer CORRADI SpA- https://www.corradi.com/en/- to get an idea for the many, many uses of metal files. And take a look at https://www.corradishop.com/ for the price of some of these files. Just trying to provide a different perspective about this.

The best items I have found to store metal files in are first, tool rolls, specifically the Proto J25TR21C. It has equal height pockets and plastic covers over each half of the roll (I add velcro to the plastic covers to ensure they remain close). Ebay Proto J25TR21C gives you a pretty good idea of what they look like, but do a Google search as numerous places cary them.

The other good storage item I have found, primarily for the files you use the most, is the Filer-6 by Nashef Designs. Some may bulk at the price ($27), but removing an item from the need-to-make list is a win in my book. I just recently purchased one, so I can't speak to long term durability. Attached is an image of it that I grabbed one from Otto Frei's website (apologies if the image isn't sized correctly).

I’m not talking about specialty tools or expensive tools that are trade specific.

I’m talking about general use run of the mill files from the hardware store, industrial supply or other common sources.

If you have your great grandfather’s files and they’re special to you, by all means put them in a case or whatever.

I’m just saying it’s silly to pay to reshape/refurbish disposable cheap tooling when time and profit is the driving factor.

 

[RTM]

I'm just saying it’s silly to pay to reshape/refurbish disposable cheap tooling when time and profit is the driving factor

You pros vs us hobbyists. Not disagreeing at all.

Same reason I rarely use a TS, router, or other time saving devices. But that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I see some of you also need to attend a class for your file addiction!

I might have 3 or 4 files!

Come to the dark side, we can shape things to look like cookies

 

[Ohio Andy]

Something important to remember is that just because you use a tool for a certain task, it doesn't mean that is the only use for the tool. Depending on the intended use, some metal files are very special tools that can/ will be passed down from generation to generation (think metal sculpting, jewelry making, etc.). Take a look at the website for the Italian precision file manufacturer CORRADI SpA- https://www.corradi.com/en/- to get an idea for the many, many uses of metal files. And take a look at https://www.corradishop.com/ for the price of some of these files. Just trying to provide a different perspective about this.

The best items I have found to store metal files in are first, tool rolls, specifically the Proto J25TR21C. It has equal height pockets and plastic covers over each half of the roll (I add velcro to the plastic covers to ensure they remain close). Ebay Proto J25TR21C gives you a pretty good idea of what they look like, but do a Google search as numerous places cary them.

The other good storage item I have found, primarily for the files you use the most, is the Filer-6 by Nashef Designs. Some may bulk at the price ($27), but removing an item from the need-to-make list is a win in my book. I just recently purchased one, so I can't speak to long term durability. Attached is an image of it that I grabbed one from Otto Frei's website (apologies if the image isn't sized correctly).

Wow! That's really nice, especially if you're sitting there using certain files.

When I'm dealing with my hand saws, I like the file roll by Lee valley.

Saw File Roll - Lee Valley Tools

www.leevalley.com

For that application I usually only use two different files for a saw. For a more typical use case, Heather holder you reference books. Really nice. I just have the most common ones I use in a very specific location that are very easily accessible but not as accessible as just sitting right there.

 

[corradishop]

Common sense always applies... you can even make them yourself, but these days it's easier and less laborious for me to buy a couple of industrial dividers to organize my drawers. And I have more than enough stuff.

Always keeping in mind to avoid water, stuck-on file residue, dirt, etc., from experience it's best to keep the good stuff in one drawer, and all the battle gear in another.

 

[tarbellb]

Common sense always applies... you can even make them yourself, but these days it's easier and less laborious for me to buy a couple of industrial dividers to organize my drawers. And I have more than enough stuff.

Always keeping in mind to avoid water, stuck-on file residue, dirt, etc., from experience it's best to keep the good stuff in one drawer, and all the battle gear in another.

Nice

More pics of the tool box and what you work on would be cool to see @corradishop

 

[corradishop]

Pliers

 

[corradishop]

Square

 

[finn]

I keep a lot of things in metal file cabinets.

Why not metal files, too?

 

[corradishop]

These are also metal furniture. Expensive metal furniture for industrial use, but still metal drawers.
Put a sheet of cork underneath, which I always find very convenient, and you're good to go.
The rule of thumb, if possible, is to store your tools clean, brushing off any metal residue and dust, and storing them in a clean, dry drawer.
Do you know how many times I see expensive precision metal files covered in oil and dust, sitting in a drawer full of rust spots? It's just common sense... do your job, then clean and put away. It won't kill anyone if you put them away with all the others, but make sure they're clean and in a dry drawer.

 

[aboyer202]

Don't throw them out, donate them to your local aspiring knife maker / smith

 

[Beerhippie]

Don't throw them out, donate them to your local aspiring knife maker / smith

I do this with old files--good ol' USA files--and HSS drill bits beyond saving. The smith is my landlord, so makin' points, too.

He uses the HSS drill bits for Forge-welded steel (Damascus) for knives.