gwilson
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2006
- Location
- williamsburg va
I got a box of 12 triangular Mexican made Nicholson files as a gift. They looked beautifully made,with accurate,sharp feeling teeth,and properly made,tapered tangs.
BUT,I had heard they were soft. I took a USA Nicholson made smooth mill file,and filed the front edges of the Mexican files. I was able to easily file a bevel almost 1/32" wide before I reached the fully hard core. This is well below even the GULLETS of the file teeth.
I haven't tested any other Mexican made Nicholsons,just these saw files.
The only way I can make them useful is to pack them in a pipe full of charcoal,and case harden them.
I think these files have not had their surfaces protected during the hardening process,and have decarbed. It would be absolutely hell to try to communicate these concerns to the Cooper Tool Group. They don't even reply to others I know who have tried.
If these files were tested in a hardness tester,the diamond would sink through the soft skin,and read the hardness of the core. A less than experienced toolmaker would think all was well.Possibly whoever makes them never has the need to try to use one.
Grobet files are still good,at least. Some years ago I took a chance on some "Import" files from MSC. They turned out to be English,and were fine.
This is a big disappointment,as a person used to be able to go to the local hardware store and buy a decent file. I don't think I could get through sharpening a saw blade with these soft files. Fortunately,I do have hundreds of NOS files to see me through. At times,I'm glad I'm old,the way quality has gone.
BUT,I had heard they were soft. I took a USA Nicholson made smooth mill file,and filed the front edges of the Mexican files. I was able to easily file a bevel almost 1/32" wide before I reached the fully hard core. This is well below even the GULLETS of the file teeth.
I haven't tested any other Mexican made Nicholsons,just these saw files.
The only way I can make them useful is to pack them in a pipe full of charcoal,and case harden them.
I think these files have not had their surfaces protected during the hardening process,and have decarbed. It would be absolutely hell to try to communicate these concerns to the Cooper Tool Group. They don't even reply to others I know who have tried.
If these files were tested in a hardness tester,the diamond would sink through the soft skin,and read the hardness of the core. A less than experienced toolmaker would think all was well.Possibly whoever makes them never has the need to try to use one.
Grobet files are still good,at least. Some years ago I took a chance on some "Import" files from MSC. They turned out to be English,and were fine.
This is a big disappointment,as a person used to be able to go to the local hardware store and buy a decent file. I don't think I could get through sharpening a saw blade with these soft files. Fortunately,I do have hundreds of NOS files to see me through. At times,I'm glad I'm old,the way quality has gone.