Storing files & rasps

[Jon_E]

I have a collection of about 75-100 various files and rasps that are packed into a Plano plastic organizer box. All are sleeved in kraft paper and labeled, and if I want to use one, I have to sort through them until I find the right one, pull the sleeve off without damaging it, and use the file - then reverse to put it away. I need a better storage system that doesn't involve a bunch of sharp files rattling around loose in a toolbox drawer. I have everything from 12" mill ******* files and some really nice vintage Vixens, down to little needle files, so some kind of coherent organization is necessary.

Any ideas?

 

[PelicanPines]

Pvc pipe organizer ... use different size pipe. Cut to a standard length that would deal with your longest... bunch them together. Insert plugs in the longer pipes to deal with shorter files. 100 pipes mounted either vert or horizontal...

Mini pipe organ.

 

[four.cycle]

^ this is what old blue jeans are for.

 

[larry_g]

If you can get your hands on some heat sink material, http://www.communication-concepts.com/model-99hs/ then you just set your file in the slot. On the linked example you could cut it into 1" lengths and use two lengths to hold the file . May have to get a few different heatsinks as they are available in all sorts of fin heights and widths.

Me I have only a few files out and use most often, the rest are stored away as you already are.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[BD1]

I have golf balls on my file tang end instead of a handle , works well.
This way , you can take a sink dish rack or a rack of your choice, hang on wall, and set them in it . The file fits in the opening and the golf ball keeps it from falling through .

 

[BikerDad]

I have a collection of about 75-100 various files and rasps that are packed into a Plano plastic organizer box. All are sleeved in kraft paper and labeled, and if I want to use one, I have to sort through them until I find the right one, pull the sleeve off without damaging it, and use the file - then reverse to put it away. I need a better storage system that doesn't involve a bunch of sharp files rattling around loose in a toolbox drawer. I have everything from 12" mill ******* files and some really nice vintage Vixens, down to little needle files, so some kind of coherent organization is necessary.

Any ideas?

Think "knife block". Especially one of the bamboo stick ones, which allow you to plunge any knife anywhere in the block.

 

[Cyberbear]

75 to 100 files and rasps are a lot, and can take up a bunch of space when properly stored. Professional metal workers are very fussy about their good quality, and expensive, metal working files, and take the proper precautions when storing them. Too many times I've seen others who simply throw these special tools into a box and the files are allowed to bang against each other between usages, making them dull faster or perform improperly.
My suggestion is to sort them in categories, select the ones to use, and store the remainder properly until needed. When I worked in a gunsmithing shop, we had drawers with wooden dividers to keep the individual files in good shape, but nowhere near the amount you have.

 

[66HertzClone]

This is not my idea, someone here posted a picture of these in use holding files. I ordered a set to try but have not had the time to put them in place.

 

[gorilla]

I think that a blueprint cabinet would work well for file storage, wide shallow drawers. Should be some around used kind of made obsolete by computer data storage.

 

[justanengineer]

This is one of the few good uses for the old-fashioned tool-rolls that wrenches used to come in.

 

[nine4gmc]

^ this is what old blue jeans are for.

Those are nice but I would have to go buy old jeans, I wear mine until they literally fall apart!

I have a 5 drawer Craftsman box for my files, easy to sort with flat in one drawer, half round, triangle, round, square in other drawers and mini files in the flip top compartment.

 

[Mr. T]

I use angle aluminum that I mill for my files. That might be a largish project for that many files but it serves me well.

 

[ssdave]

Here's my thoughts:

 

[csp]

Storing them loose like that is how files lose their cutting edges.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Storing them loose like that is how files lose their cutting edges.

Exactly. Take a LARGE block of wood, like 2x14. Go to the table saw and cut wide grooves 3/4 inches deep, either with a dado blade or multiple passes. You can tailor the width for whatever file you are storing.

That way, files stay on edge, and the cutting surface is protected.

 

[Ainsley]

Similar to the other ideas already posted but I used aluminum flat bar (could substitute thin wood like a paint mixer) held together with threaded rod.

 

[clifftt]

Storing them loose like that is how files lose their cutting edges.

I'm not disagreeing, just asking: If they're just sitting in a drawer not moving, how do they loose their cutting edges?

 

[csp]

Every time you open and close the drawer they move a little bit and there goes some edge.

When you shuffle them around looking for that file that's on the bottom of the drawer they rub against each other and there goes some edge.

When you grab one and lift it out and it slides against others there goes some edge.

 

[pancho400cid]

Some great ideas all!

I have golf balls on my file tang end instead of a handle , works well

To quote my Uncle... a master millwright:

"best use there is for them things"

LOL!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

They look like they are just sitting there, but actually they are trying to murder each other.

 

[lonestarky]

I use tool box foam with slits cut in it. Kaizen foam from fast cap works great.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[ssdave]

Every time you open and close the drawer they move a little bit and there goes some edge.

When you shuffle them around looking for that file that's on the bottom of the drawer they rub against each other and there goes some edge.

When you grab one and lift it out and it slides against others there goes some edge.

That's the theory, in reality, they've been stored this way for 15 years or so, and used constantly. They wear out occasionally, but usually that's from hardened steel or cast with sand in it, or steel with concrete on it. I've never noticed any in the drawer wear. But then again, I use them, don't inspect them, so could be some wear. I try not to stack them, just side by side.