When does a file wear out?

[marslawn]

I know you all want to answer, "when it doesn't work anymore" but....
Here is my dilemma. over the last year I have bought the tools contents of about three estates. I am now trying to go through and clean up a bit. I have a tons of files and I don't know what to do.

How many should I keep?

How do I evaluate?

 

[HandyManny]

True, a file is worn out when it no longer is cutting the metal or wood that you are trying to shape. But, that's not Gospel. Many times files teeth clog and simply no longer cut effectively. How fast they clog is a matter of what you are cutting and how frequently the file is being used. When this happens simply clean the teeth with what's called a File Card, but I find that a good blast of compressed air from a high pressure line up close does the trick much faster and easier, just wear eye protection when doing so.

Minor surface rust really isn't anything to worry about unless it's all on the teeth of the file, then you lose much cutting ability as that oxidation wears off with use. I wouldn't worry about a patina either, it's that dark blackish-greyish-brownish appearance, more often a greyish/bluish matte appearance that carbon steel eventually developes simpley with time and handling and just from exposure to air over time.

 

[woody 73]

For me if they are not broken or bent then I keep them; Now if you run your hand slowly across the file and you can feel the small ridges then that file still has some life , as opposed to one that feels like glass.

Back in the day the old timers would take a worn file and use the steel to make other tools; you would not believe all the old time chisels that I run into at the flea type places.

 

[HandyManny]

For me if they are not broken or bent then I keep them; Now if you run your hand slowly across the file and you can feel the small ridges then that file still has some life , as opposed to one that feels like glass.

Back in the day the old timers would take a worn file and use the steel to make other tools; you would not believe all the old time chisels that I run into at the flea type places.

You're right. If you makes knives as a side job or hobby, there is no better inexpensive raw material to use than old worn out files blades or old discarded chisle blades. Most are already made from good quality steel and can be turned into really nice knife blades once worked and heat-treated again. Even better are thicker kerf circular saw blades

 

[marslawn]

How many do you guys have on hand that you use?

 

[Outlawmws]

I probably have 40-50 not counting jewelers files.

One drawer of a Kennedy top mechanic's box is completely full with "regular"sized files, and a rack of at least a dozen oversize files. all but a couple have handles (either they don't ue a handle (4 in 1) or in at least one case, the tang was deliberately bent over by the PO.), and I keep spare handles I've picked up here and there.

If you don't have one, buy a file card, and use that to clean them out. It should come with a pick for really coarse files that can get loaded, particularly if used on gummy aluminum.

Also buy a box of chalk. Preloading a file with chalk can help keep it from loading up on things like aluminum.

 

[HandyManny]

How many do you guys have on hand that you use?

Right now I keep just what I need for my own personal use, when I wrenches for a living it was a different story.

I have a 12 inch ******* cut file that I use to sharpen lawn mower blades and garden tools with.

I have a 10 inch ******* cut files that I use to further hone and smooth mower blades and garden tools with, as well as use to sharpen my axes and hatchets with.

I have a 6 inch flat cut for chainsaw bars as well as an 8 inch round file for that too.

I have a cross-cut 10 inch file for quickly restoring extreamly dull blades like when my neighbor brings his neglected mower blade over for me to sharpen once in a blue moon.

Plus I tend to keep a few brand new USA made Nicholson files on hand still in the package. The 12 and 10 inch ******* cut files, because I use those most. I buy them when I can and like to keep a few on hand because right now Nicholson is still pretty good for the money, but I never know when that will change. Seen a lot of once good tool brands that are now reduced to a joke by their brand owners as they cheapen stuff.

 

[marslawn]

Thanks outlaw

PS I knew when i wrote this thread you would chime in

 

[Jagmandave]

Yes, but I'll bet you only use a few of those 40-50 on a regular basis.....I know I do.

I have a good fine cut broad file that I use to sharpen mower blades and for fine work.

I have a coarse version that doesn't get used a lot but is more for rough in - and I have a triangular, square and round versions of that.

I also have a round and a half round fine-toothed files

Lastly, I have two smaller fine toothed round files that I use to sharpen chain saw blades.

I also have a bunch of files, but those are the ones I use, and I could easily get away with just them.

 

[Outlawmws]

On a regular basis? I rarely use them at all, but when I do need one its usually something odd ball, not a std. flat mill or *******.

Small round, large round, triangular, Knife blade, one for re-cutting gnarled threads when real thread cutting tools wont work, Small and large square, a huge old rasp for hogging wood and aluminum....

Having the right tool for a job matters to me, and Ive used all of them one time or another. I make a lot of stuff custom, and will attempt to repair almost anything. I'm not generally a throw away guy unless the thing is either beyond repair, or the repair exceeds the cost to replace.

Marslawn, threads like this one are good, because so much of what used to be common knowledge is slipping though the fingers of society... People are often surprised when they see my 23 YO son able to repair something they would have thrown out, or would have paid a "specialist" to do the work. I've always had him working with me on stuff to pass on the knowledge. forums/threads like these do the same. I learned a lot from people that passed it on to me, I'm trying to do the same.

 

[purevl]

A good quality file is never garbage. Sharp files get used for metal, dull files for wood, and duller files become scrapers, gravers, knives, whatever. It's worth mentioning that it's possible to "sharpen" files with acid. I have dozens of files in different shapes, sizes and cut patterns and I use them all and need others.

 

[lauver]

I have about 6-8 wood files and rasps in various sizes and shapes. But, I'm guessing you're asking about metal files.

For metal work (shaping and sharpening) I have a set of about 30 files in various lengths, shapes, and cuts. Here are the shapes (profile) that I find useful: mill (rectangular), square, round, half round, and triangular.

I also have 10 needle files in various profiles for precision work and another 4 chain saw files in different diameters.

This seems to cover it for me. I do a lot of equipment and tool sharpening as well as metal fabrication.

But, your file needs may be very different than mine. What sorts of file work do you have in mind? This will dictate the types, cuts, profiles, and number of files you need.

Here's a few file pic's that might give you some ideas:

File drawer...

Needle files...

The red thing is a handle that fits the needle file shanks or small reamers.

Chainsaw files...

 

[geologist]

If you really want to clean up the crusty rusty ones, hit them with a wire brush, then soak them in white vinegar for a week or two.

 

[Packard V8]

As did marslawn, most of mine come from yard/garage/estate sales. I've easily got more that a hundred; flat, round, square, triangular, in many lengths, widths, patterns and cuts.

Like any tool, there is one best file for any given piece of work.

jack vines

 

[marslawn]

The funny thing is you of the 80 or files I have I have only used a small points file and a rats tail.

Outlaw, I am 28 years old and I have been working with my dad since I can remember. Having access to garage journal is cool, because it is like you have access to hundreds of dads, uncles, and grandpas.

 

[GRX]

threads like this one are good, because so much of what used to be common knowledge is slipping though the fingers of society.

Here is a bit of what used to be common knowledge which is rarely mentioned -- Proper storage.

Don't let your files rub against each other. Dulls the hell out of them. Have seen so many people just throw them in drawer together. Then they wonder why the things get dull. Have all my files sitting on towels separate from one another.

 

[Toolhorder]

How am I suppose to store them? Now they're all in the same drawer kinda. I heard that's bad.

 

[Outlawmws]

Same drawer is OK as log as they are not banging against each other an "peening" the edges. Most of mine are standing on edge, with the handle protecting the files from each other. a good way to insure this is to take a piece of 1X2 and cut it with a thin dado so you have "slots" to hold them one of the projects I still need to get to...

If you only have a few, make a rack from a piece of aluminum edging, (angle). The one I used had one side slightly curved for carpet or something, and this keeps them from falling off.

 

[OUTRIGGER]

As such they should never stop cutting , we used to surface grind old ones , then linish the teeth off the edge. Some we spent a bit more time removing stock off the edge to make lighter then silver solder a Stellite or Wolfram strip (often a worn out tooling insert off a electric scraper) - then re-sharpen for the best scraper for machine tool slide-ways etc. Better than any engineers flat hand scraper you can buy

 

[american lockpicker]

How am I suppose to store them? Now they're all in the same drawer kinda. I heard that's bad.

Don't let them touch each other.

 

[woody 73]

How am I suppose to store them? Now they're all in the same drawer kinda. I heard that's bad.

I have over 100 files and I have found the best way to store them is by buying a 24'' magnetic bar that you can hang from a 2 x 4 then place the tang (not covered by teeth) on the magnet.

 

[lauver]

The funny thing is you of the 80 or files I have I have only used a small points file and a rats tail.

Outlaw, I am 28 years old and I have been working with my dad since I can remember. Having access to garage journal is cool, because it is like you have access to hundreds of dads, uncles, and grandpas.

marslawn,

Sound like you only need two files then, a point file and a rat tail file; sell the rest.

Case closed.

 

[larry_g]

I may have missed it above but one sure way to wear out a file is to drag it backwards while in use. The cutting edge of the file, as well as a hacksaw, is supported by the metal behind it. If drug backwards there is no metal to support the cutting edge and it will either break or roll over ruining the edge. So make sure to lift the cutting edge on both the file and the hacksaw.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Gregg33]

I use files alot, because they are much more forgiving than power tools. It's surprising how much material you can actually remove with a file in 5 or 10 minutes! Not to state the obvious, but it's a no brainer when a file is no longer good. Once it takes forever to remove the material you want to remove it's time to pitch it. However, just by looking at them and/ or running your finger across them you can tell alot too.