Hand Files

[miwuksurfer]

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

[shirk]

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ice-35498.html

Info in there.

[miwuksurfer]

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

Nolan Lamb

[Will Neide]

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.

[Todd Mosley]

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

[seankanary]

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

[Mark Walberg]

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.

[Jason Stilson]

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."

[e-RICHIE]

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.

[Jason Stilson]

My advice is to lose any worry you may have over this. Good luck.

Awesome, Thanks!

[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.