i have files (big and small) from my father who was a machinist. Do they wear out and need to be replaced at some point? How would you tell?
Yes.
The teeth will start to look shiny. This is because the sharp cutting edge is getting rounded over. And polished.
It’s convenient to use a magnifier while looking. But, after enough wear, it’ll be visible just by looking.
Ed
Also, files stay sharp longer by storing them separately or in a sleeve.
regards, Peter
Compare the teeth on the end, which do not get used as much, to the teeth in the center. Also, use your thumb and you will feel the difference.
Worn files can be used on softer materials such as brass or plastic. Use a file brush or wire wheel and clean debris out of the teeth. This will help when using files on plastic or wood.
Files wear faster when dragged backwards. Get in the habit of lifting on the reverse stroke. Never file card lengthways on the file but across side to side. Match the file to the job. Larger jobs require a larger file. Never let files touch each other in storage. My dad was also a master machinest and had felt bags for each of his files. The felt prevented rust without the dirt collecting oils some put on their files. Keep the dry and clean. If the file is getting clogged with material then use a different cut of file. Start with a bastard cut or even a rasp then finnish with a mill file.
Just some tips to help you keep your tools cutting longer.
Pete
Pete mentioned the “file card.” If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a wire-bristled device used to clean the file teeth by removing material clinging to it.
Most of our uses in the hobby do not involve ferrous metal, which is what really wears down a file. Rather, we tend to load up the teeth with the detritus of softer stuff. This may give the impression a file is worn, when it only needs cleaning with the file card.
The OP’s question brought back immediate and clear memories of Junior High School shop class and the miserable collection of ancient files that we had to work with – worn nearly smooth and stored very incorrectly at that.
We won’t even talk about the saws and drill bits.
Dave Nelson
Thanks for all the info. I think it’s time to replace dad’s files
MR’s Jim Hediger (and I believe Jim was a high school shop instructor at one point) advises not mixing up your files for wood with your files for metal with your files for plastic. I think he marks his files or uses colored handles accordingly.
Not a bad idea to start our right if you’re buying all new files.
Dave Nelson
are you suggesting that files are designed for metal, wood or plastics and that you shouldn’t use one designed for metal on plastic?
i don’t see why the material should make a difference
greg,
It’s in reference to the material that will build up on the file surface. For instance, not good to have brass chips helping to grind away at your plastic.
I actually tried this for some time, got away from it and haven’t noticed any difference. I could see it being a problem with really fine or delicate work. In practice, it sound like one of these good ideas that doesn’t really make a noticeable amount of difference. YMMV
Use a file on metal, and if there are any metal shavings still in it when you try to file plastic, you’re going to make a mess of the plastic. Likewise, filing plastic will clog up the file and requires more frequent cleaning. It’s not that the files are necessarily made any differently for different materials. For small jobs, I have 2 packs of small needle files. One pack I use for metal, like touching up cut rail ends. The other pack is for filing plastic pieces
–Randy
I use files for metal and abrasive fingernail files for plastics. For quick material removal a rasp works good with a finish up with the abrasive files on plastic and soft metals. I treat my files like my dad did his. They are stored in a felt lined drawer in the workbench. Some of my files are over forty years old and still sharp enough to cut hardened steel. For the softer metals that tend to clog a file I will start with a double cut or a bastard file and finish with a single cut mill file. Treat your tools right and they will out last you. The worst thing you can do is to let your files rub against each other and drag it backwards against the material your filing.
Pete