What do you use? Which brand? Which ones are used "daily"? Do you get old ones sharpened or throw them out and buy new ones? What is your favorite handle?
Thanks guys.
Nolan Lamb
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What do you use? Which brand? Which ones are used "daily"? Do you get old ones sharpened or throw them out and buy new ones? What is your favorite handle?
Thanks guys.
Nolan Lamb
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ice-35498.html
Info in there.
Thanks, I didn't see that in my prior search.
Nolan Lamb
My last purchase was some nice bastard rat tails from the "re-source" store. They were old, and used, but had tons of life left in them.....and cost me less than a dollar for a few of them. They've been awesome.
I try to utilize the "re-source" or "habitat for humanity" type stuff as much as I can. It's amazing what you'll find there.
Lowe's Kobalt files have a lifetime guarantee. I haven't tested the files out yet, but will be testing them and their guarantee.
I have recently been using Simonds files. They work quite well. I can't speak to how long they last quite yet, but as of now they cut like butter.
Sean Hendrix
My experience with Lowes Kobalt files has been awful. THey have SLIGHTLY more cutting power than a bare rod.Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd Mosley
Maybe they are different now. Mine were from several years ago.
BELLOTA, basque/spanish files, superb quality and with the best name ever (as tasty as a pure spanish ham)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/...19dfa50f_c.jpg
In that category of "never woulda thought it," files are one of the things that governments consider in the category of national security assets. Like ball bearing plants and manufacturers of carbide or diamond tooling, they are critical to manufacturing the most basic aspects of national defense. As a result, every country feels the need to have its own nationally subsidized manufacturer -- in this case, of files. Simonds and Bellota are just that. Everyone depended on the Swiss Grobetwerke for many years -- the Swiss made them for, yes, gunsmithing, and also for watchmaking and other important domestic industries. Those are still the best. My experience in metalworking (not frame building) has been that Bellota's dull very fast and have erratic quality, and that Simonds are a bit better but don't have the sharpness of cut. They also come in "nationally designated" sizes but not always in the patterns, sizes, and shapes that frame builders would like to have. A number of countries have similar programs and similar files, none of which are much better.
As a perverse aside, you should be happy knowing that when you buy Bellota files, you are indirectly subsidizing the huge Spanish arms industry which avidly sells to every terrorist organization in the Middle East.
but if files re subsidised, then when buying a file, I am actually taking their money, an preventing it from going into bad guys hands, right? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by 11.4
For an update to this and the other thread, i purchased an almost full set of the Grobet USA files from reid supply about a year ago. In my humble opinion, they ALL sucked. Really sucked. Far too soft and cut like a cotton swab. Just my two cents.
I believe you have to get the Grobet Swiss files. I was told in Switzerland that the GUSA files are simply sourced from Nicholson.Quote:
Originally Posted by cicli polito
There may be another thread here in which I mention it, but I haven't had a decent, long-lasting, sharp file since Nicholson ceased production in USA. For a few years I thought they were just wearing faster, or dulling sooner - then I read the stamp on the handle and realized things changed. Since then, I've tried every brand, and all price points. Nothing has come close. I have conceded to considering files a consumable like small drill bits and flux. The only reason a file works here is because I push it around, lean on it hard, and show it who's boss atmo.
I've always viewed files like socks. Some work better than others. Some last longer than others. Price sometimes correlates with those traits but sometimes not. Ultimately they're made to be used and then thrown away.
..files/socks,
-- love that analogy my brother.. can think of a few other from decades back in my bachelorhood, but i know better..
ronnie with a smile
PS I just ordered about $300 worth of Bahco (brand) files based on a tip from Tony P.
I'll report back later atmo.
Hi,
I've been using Austrian-made Bludan files for the last few months. A small hardware store in my neighbourhood has a rather good selection of them. They do what they're supposed to do quite well, i.e. scrape metal off. But then, I'm a not a pro, and my only other point of reference are recent Nicholson files.
I never throw them away. Tool steel comes in handy for making all kinds of things:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Curt Goodrich
I've got both Bahco and Nicolson, bought in Australia, can't really say which is longer lasting but the Bahco in 2nd cut and finish are very nice. A file card is very handy as well.
BOGGS TOOL & FILE SHARPENING COMPANY - FILE DIVISION
Anyone send files to Boggs to be resharpened? Online reviews have been nothing but exceptional, and the cost seems reasonable. Seems like a good way to hang on to your old quality files.
No, but I have used Save-Edge = and their metal files were AWESOME - I posted here somewhere that they were closing out their metal files…….not sure if anyone bit, but I did, bought 35 files, which can be re-sharpened up to six times - FWIW, the chainsaw files are pretty damn handy for tight spots on fillets.Quote:
Originally Posted by Will Neide
On closeout I think I spent $3-4.00 a file, quite the score.
Save Edge | Home of the sharpest files in the business.
- Garro.
I'm just starting an adventure of building frames. Files are one of those things I know I'm going to need, but have no idea where to start or how picky I should be. I'd love to know what your average expected lifespan of a file is, and at what point is the cutoff where one decides a particular file "blows."
If you're just starting, it'll be years before you need to replace any files. My advice is to lose any worry you may have over this. Good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Stilson
Awesome, Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by e-RICHIE
After years of trying I'm happy to mention that I've found files to rivals my beloved Nicholsons when said brand still supplied Made In USA products. I tried Bahco files (I bought a selection of 14 several weeks ago) and feel like my hands are connecting with metal the way they did in the 1970s through to about 2000. I got them at Production Tool Supply.
I stumbled onto the Boggs website before checking here, gave them a call, had a nice chat with a pleasant fellow and am boxing up half of my files to send them; the other half after the initial shipment returns.Quote:
Originally Posted by Will Neide
When I look at files I'm somewhat blown away that they can even be produced, never mind resharpened. The guy said that the Nicholson's typically have one sharpening available in the steel and that the made in USA items are definitely worth it. He also mentioned a Portuguese file company, starts with a "B", that they sell and which he thinks is a real good/cost effective option when the need for new arises.
I'll report the results back to this thread.
The thought of a file that seriously engages the metal, rather than sort of worries it away through sheer monotony, is thrilling. I feel giddy.
Yeah, like riding hand made sew ups after dragging around on Armadillos for years. Andy
My first batch is boxed up. This guy on blade forum is chuffed: file sharpening service!!! | BladeForums.com
Bahco files are made in Portugal although I think it is originally a Swedish company. I have been using them for years, along with English and Swiss made files. I have no complaints about the Bahco ones and they seem to last well.Quote:
Originally Posted by jclay
Thanks Paul. I think Boggs carries Bellota. I'm going to ask them to send one, maybe a 10" American pattern bastard half round, back with my sharpened Nicholsons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Jacobs
Bellota rules, I do all mitering by hand, including titanium, and Bellota has served me well (and they're local product so perfect match to me). I use medium and fine ones, none bastards, get saw cut for the first closeout and then tune by fileQuote:
Originally Posted by jclay
Bahco are also a quality choice, I use their bimetal sandflex saw blades and they make a difference
BOGGS TOOL & FILE SHARPENING COMPANY - WELCOME
I sent 8 or 9 USA made Nicholson files to Boggs Tool for sharpening. It was a mixture of rat tail, half round and flat bastards and second cut in 6", 8" and 10". They cut better than new. Seriously, a lot better.
Normally I'd hesitate to make that sort of comparison, what with it being 10 years since my files were new but, 1) the difference in test usage was simply night and day and 2) my 12" second cut half round wasn't sent, has been used very, very little over the past ten years (the flat side nearly not at all) and is in excellent condition; the resharpened 10" 2nd cut half round cuts vastly better.
Nine files + return shipping for $18 and change. I could not be happier with the results. I just wish I'd known about this five years ago.
Just brining this thread back up for the next person:
I called Boggs today and spoke to Harry Boggs.
Really nice, patient and helpful.
He's sending me a few new files to try out and I'm sending him a few to get sharpened.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Files rust fairly easily.
It helps to keep them lightly coated with penetrating oil.
It doesn't have to be the expensive, hard to find penetrating oil, like Sili Kroil though.
The cheap, readily available Liquid Wrench works just as well for rust prevention.
It's thin and easy to wipe down.
Unsure If I would advise this as the transfer of oils to the work piece might make further processes a challenge. Where are your files? Location? Storage? I have to say that in the three states I've lived in file rust has not been an issue. Andy (Currently in NYS, 15 years in NE Ohio and 10 more in Raleigh NC)
Usually just carding files properly calls for some type of light oil.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
I had my workshop in Italy from 1987 to 2015 and files would rust.
I do clean the work of oil after machining and filing.
Very light oil isn't hard to work with.
I found that penetrating oil works well.
Thicker oil might promote clogging up the file.
There is one view that files are disposable tools and don't get oiled.
I find they do last longer with some sort of light oil.
The rust isn't always so bad that you can see it, but can make the file dull more quickly.
I need a few new files, 8, 10, 12" half round bastard.
Have Nicholson's files regained their edge/hardness since being offshored?
Any other recommendations for American Pattern half rounds in those sizes?
Simmons? I don't see much Bellota presence in the USA.
Get Bahco from Production Tool Supply.Quote:
Originally Posted by jclay
These ^ for all any types 6” or longer.
And Grobet for anything smaller or slimmer.
John, I haven't tried Nicholson files after being disappointed with their products after they twice moved production to 2 different countries oversees. I've liked the Bahco files I've gotten from PTS just fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by e-RICHIE
I also agree with e-Richie that Grobet Swiss Pattern files work good too. Do you use Swiss Pattern files? I do a lot of filing and can't imagine not having them hanging on my pegboard. The downside is that they are expensive. My most used one is a 6" half round #1 cut.
Another good brand of files is Friedrich Dick made in Germany. I've used them in our frame shop in Ukraine and liked them a lot. A German student left some there for us. The Rio Grande Jewelry online catalog carries them in the US.
I'll also agree with Grobet and Friedrich Dick for both swiss pattern files and needle files which are typical in most jewelry applications (I was a goldsmith/silversmith for a point of reference). Rio Grande is a good resource as is Contenti out of Providence, RI. NOS Nicholson is hard to come by but they are available if you know where to look or come across a hardware store like I did liquidating their old stock.
One thing about needle files is I've always preferred the longer 7 3/4" needle file vs the 6" lengths for finer work. The longer file allows for more control and less cramped hand positions holding onto a smaller 6" needle file.
One file I have not seen mentioned is Pferd, specifically their Corinox file line both pattern files and needle files (yellow tang). I've been using these files for some time now and they are amazingly sharp, last a super long time on both Titanium, and some of the more modern steels which can be a bit harder (Vari-Wall's ThermlX and Reynolds 853 come to mind). Their chainsaw files are super sharp and are quite long lasting. I buy those by the box.