Vintage file to nice to use

[NJ Marty]

Got 14 vintage NOS files at an estate sale about a month ago, paid a total of $5 for them. Was a little bummed this box had only one left but for 35 cents each I knew it was such a great deal. Look at the price for each on the box that might date these to the 1950s or so. I don't think I could ever use this one, its too pretty.

 

[91bronc300]

Wow, now that's a score. Congrats.

 

[SASORacing]

I wouldnt think twice about using it, its never going to be valuable. in fact I have one that looks exactly like that, its old too, perhaps identical. Works good, you should try it.

 

[Steevo]

I love good quality older files, and buy or bid on them wherever I come across them.
They are pure joy to use and make short work of metal shaping/finishing.

Great score!

 

[1950mercury]

Use it there are placeces that can sharpen them for less than 2 bucks

 

[kazlx]

IMO files are disposable tools. But there are places that can sharpen them.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

use it and brush it after you're finished using it, have it sharpened if need be down the road

 

[McFarmer]

Never seen a woman to pretty to.... well, you get it.

Good deal.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

They're only NOS once. Id put them away

 

[steveo3002]

if you keep em someone will throw em away when youre dead , might as well use em

 

[SASORacing]

They're only NOS once. Id put them away

We need a tool to stare at like a moose needs a hat rack.

I think using it would be better than preserving it. But if you feel bad I understand.

 

[Farmall450]

Is use it...just get a file card ( or wedge of wood)

 

[ganymede]

I vote just keep it.
If you're hitting estate sales and flea markets then you'll come across lots of other files to use.

 

[RatchetMan]

Another vote for using it. Just because something is old doesn't mean it's special or valuable.

 

[woody 73]

Very nice as a collector I would never use it , but that is just my two cents..

 

[lakota]

You can rub blackboard chalk on files to remove oil. Taught this in my HS machine school course. Just a helpful hint to those you don't know.

 

[gte718p]

We need a tool to stare at like a moose needs a hat rack.

I think using it would be better than preserving it. But if you feel bad I understand.

I'll second that. I did retire a set of wrenchs b/c they had sentimental value, but for a tool I had no history with use and enjoy. That is the best way to honor it. You kids will end up selling it for nothing.

 

[madison069]

I came across some nos files that was still in the box. They are little triangle files that was wrapped in paper in a cardboard box. THe box originally had 12 and there is only 6 left in the box.

I'm in the same boat and I haven't had a need to use them just yet as I got several triangle shaped files like them but I am keeping them in the same box just for the cool factor. As other mentioned unless it's collectable I would just use them.

 

[Dave455]

I count files as consumables, so I'd put a handle on it and use it!

Having said that! I have decent files and rougher files! I keep the former for when I'm shaping something important, and the latter for taking off a burr, or making some pattern part fit! I'd keep this one with the former!

It's sad, in this era when stuff generally is so much cheaper, that it's actually got harder to get some tools, decent files being one of them! I can get Swiss made files that are not bad, but I generally have to order them, and they're no better than the older British or U.S. made tools that were available in any local tool shop!