User Tag List

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 40

Thread: Hand Files

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    424
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Hand Files

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    North Vancouver, BC
    Posts
    462
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Brian Earle
    North Vancouver, BC
    Built a few frames in my garage.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    424
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Thanks, I didn't see that in my prior search.

    Nolan Lamb

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Hershey, Pa
    Posts
    2,286
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    Will Neide (pronounced Nighty, like the thing worn to bed)

    Webpage : : Flickr : : Tumblr : : Facebook
    Instagram: wilco_cycleworks

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Asheville, NC
    Posts
    275
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Lowe's Kobalt files have a lifetime guarantee. I haven't tested the files out yet, but will be testing them and their guarantee.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    AZ
    Posts
    167
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Carrollton TX
    Posts
    766
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Mosley View Post
    Lowe's Kobalt files have a lifetime guarantee. I haven't tested the files out yet, but will be testing them and their guarantee.
    My experience with Lowes Kobalt files has been awful. THey have SLIGHTLY more cutting power than a bare rod.
    Maybe they are different now. Mine were from several years ago.
    Mark Walberg
    Building bike frames for fun since 1973.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Bilbao
    Posts
    2,689
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    BELLOTA, basque/spanish files, superb quality and with the best name ever (as tasty as a pure spanish ham)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    992
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    Lane DeCamp

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Zagreb, Croatia
    Posts
    73
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Quote Originally Posted by 11.4 View Post
    .

    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? ;)
    Davorin Ruševljan
    rookie that does not know what things he does not know about frame building.
    nevertheless, hopeful to change that in distant future
    http://www.cloud208.com/

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    188
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    dan polito

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    992
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Quote Originally Posted by cicli polito View Post
    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.
    Lane DeCamp

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Better to be ruined than to be silent atmo.
    Posts
    22,128
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    24 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    1,855
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    White Ga 30184
    Posts
    3,630
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    ..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

  16. #16
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Better to be ruined than to be silent atmo.
    Posts
    22,128
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    24 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    PS I just ordered about $300 worth of Bahco (brand) files based on a tip from Tony P.
    I'll report back later atmo.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Montreal
    Posts
    26
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    __________
    Jim Angelillo

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
    Posts
    2,983
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    Quote Originally Posted by Curt Goodrich View Post
    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.
    I never throw them away. Tool steel comes in handy for making all kinds of things:)
    Eric Doswell, aka Edoz
    Summoner of Crickets
    http://edozbicycles.wordpress.com/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/edozbicycles/
    In Before the Lock

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Brisbane, Qld. Australia
    Posts
    2,268
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    __________________________________________

    "Even my farts smell like steel!" - Diel

    "Make something with your hands. Not with your money." - Dario

    Sean Doyle

    www.devlincc.com

    https://www.instagram.com/devlincustomcycles/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/139142779@N05/

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Hershey, Pa
    Posts
    2,286
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    Default Re: Hand Files

    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.
    Will Neide (pronounced Nighty, like the thing worn to bed)

    Webpage : : Flickr : : Tumblr : : Facebook
    Instagram: wilco_cycleworks

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Black Oxide Hand Files - McMaster-Carr
    By ScottB in forum The Frame Forum@VSalon
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 04-05-2018, 12:27 PM
  2. Current files of choice
    By steve garro in forum The Frame Forum@VSalon
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 12-16-2013, 03:14 PM
  3. What are those little files called??????
    By Mtblucas in forum The Frame Forum@VSalon
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 06-20-2013, 03:06 PM
  4. Files for a newb
    By wheelhouse in forum The Frame Forum@VSalon
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-01-2011, 10:42 PM

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •