I've decided I need to up my file game. We use them primarily for chamfering and deburring; occasionally for making a square hole in sheet metal or slotting something with a round file. We are working with a mix of structural steel, machined mild steel, and aluminum (mostly 6061).
I have read through lots of past threads about files, but I still have a few questions. I want to buy the right thing once, rather than buying crap multiple times.
1) I have four sizes of files on hand now, but they are all old and were not treated kindly in their past life. I was planning on sending some out to get sharpened by Boggs Tool. I have 6" mill bastard, 10" mill bastard, 12" flat smooth, and 12" double cut hand bastard. For the mill bastards, I have lots of each size, so I'll send a few of each to get sharpened. All else being equal, should I have sharpened a) Nicholson (old enough to be made in the USA) or b) Simmons Nucut (also USA made)? I know they were both good files in the day, but not sure which is better.
2) What coarseness is best for general-purpose work? I've always used bastard files, but that's only because it's what was available, rather than what's necessarily correct.
3) American vs. swiss pattern. They look very similar, and I'm not sure why I'd pick one over the other.
4) I'm looking to buy a good brand. So far my research here has led me to Bahco, Gedore (not USA), Pferd, Vallorbe, and Friedrich Dick. Within this class of 'good' files, is there going to be much difference, or can I pretty much choose based on price and availability?
5) Otto Frei sells a Vallorbe Eco Range of files, which is very reasonably priced, but I can't find anything about it on the internet or Vallorbe's website. Any thoughts on the eco range.
6) As far as files to add to my collection, I'm thinking an 8" half round for chamfering/deburring big holes and slots. A 6" round for working in smaller holes (~1/2"), and an 8" square for getting into square corners (e.g. sheet metal). All single cut. Does this sound like a good plan? Would people recommend different sizes or coarseness?
7) In my research, I saw that Pferd has files designed for aluminum. They're supposed to not clog up. Has anyone used them?
Thanks,
Daniel
I have read through lots of past threads about files, but I still have a few questions. I want to buy the right thing once, rather than buying crap multiple times.
1) I have four sizes of files on hand now, but they are all old and were not treated kindly in their past life. I was planning on sending some out to get sharpened by Boggs Tool. I have 6" mill bastard, 10" mill bastard, 12" flat smooth, and 12" double cut hand bastard. For the mill bastards, I have lots of each size, so I'll send a few of each to get sharpened. All else being equal, should I have sharpened a) Nicholson (old enough to be made in the USA) or b) Simmons Nucut (also USA made)? I know they were both good files in the day, but not sure which is better.
2) What coarseness is best for general-purpose work? I've always used bastard files, but that's only because it's what was available, rather than what's necessarily correct.
3) American vs. swiss pattern. They look very similar, and I'm not sure why I'd pick one over the other.
4) I'm looking to buy a good brand. So far my research here has led me to Bahco, Gedore (not USA), Pferd, Vallorbe, and Friedrich Dick. Within this class of 'good' files, is there going to be much difference, or can I pretty much choose based on price and availability?
5) Otto Frei sells a Vallorbe Eco Range of files, which is very reasonably priced, but I can't find anything about it on the internet or Vallorbe's website. Any thoughts on the eco range.
6) As far as files to add to my collection, I'm thinking an 8" half round for chamfering/deburring big holes and slots. A 6" round for working in smaller holes (~1/2"), and an 8" square for getting into square corners (e.g. sheet metal). All single cut. Does this sound like a good plan? Would people recommend different sizes or coarseness?
7) In my research, I saw that Pferd has files designed for aluminum. They're supposed to not clog up. Has anyone used them?
Thanks,
Daniel