BadDog
Stainless
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2006
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
I orignally posted this on a HSM forum, but then thought that this is a more typical type of problem/solution for commercial business, particularly with die shops and what not that do lots of filing. So, here is my post/question...
I just bought a metric crap load of files from a gun smith's estate. Lots of small files in all sorts of shapes, paterns, and grit(?) including needle files and paper (lapping?) files. Lots more medium/typical size files of all sorts, and a fair few large files. Most are metal cutting but includes a decent selection of rasps. Many are made in the US by top names, some are Swiss, others are German, all are in avg/good or better condition and there were 15 odd small and medium that were brand new never used. All total over 100 files. There are also some 14 handles and some strange swiss files in a little wood box that are all sorta like a stubby that fit in a long handle. Very nice, no idea what they are called. About 75% of them fit in a drilled 2x4, the rest were wrapped up or tossed in a bucket (made me cringe!)
Now, I've always tried to protect my files (mostly Nicolson) by keeping them in their sleeves or one way or another separated. The 2x4 is so full that they are all bumping into each other, which is better than in a drawer, but not much to my liking. And I can barely see, much less get to the central files, particularly in the smaller sizes. And the loose files also need a home.
What are the best ways to store files you guys have come up with? The 2x4 is a classic, but there are SO MANY files that I now need to organize more intelligently. My shop is only about 19x20 and it is FULL, so multiple 2x4s scattered about on shelves or something are not ideal, though that may be my solution. More likely take the less used/useful/sharp of the lot and stow them somewhere so that I can use the less populated 2x4 for the “front line”.
Thanks for any thoughts you may have to offer...
I just bought a metric crap load of files from a gun smith's estate. Lots of small files in all sorts of shapes, paterns, and grit(?) including needle files and paper (lapping?) files. Lots more medium/typical size files of all sorts, and a fair few large files. Most are metal cutting but includes a decent selection of rasps. Many are made in the US by top names, some are Swiss, others are German, all are in avg/good or better condition and there were 15 odd small and medium that were brand new never used. All total over 100 files. There are also some 14 handles and some strange swiss files in a little wood box that are all sorta like a stubby that fit in a long handle. Very nice, no idea what they are called. About 75% of them fit in a drilled 2x4, the rest were wrapped up or tossed in a bucket (made me cringe!)
Now, I've always tried to protect my files (mostly Nicolson) by keeping them in their sleeves or one way or another separated. The 2x4 is so full that they are all bumping into each other, which is better than in a drawer, but not much to my liking. And I can barely see, much less get to the central files, particularly in the smaller sizes. And the loose files also need a home.
What are the best ways to store files you guys have come up with? The 2x4 is a classic, but there are SO MANY files that I now need to organize more intelligently. My shop is only about 19x20 and it is FULL, so multiple 2x4s scattered about on shelves or something are not ideal, though that may be my solution. More likely take the less used/useful/sharp of the lot and stow them somewhere so that I can use the less populated 2x4 for the “front line”.
Thanks for any thoughts you may have to offer...