Man, I wish I had you as my shop teacher back when I was in high school... I love this stuff, getting to be somewhat of a lost art but I believe will always have it's place in society.
Just got this vid in my feed. I'm glad I managed to take shop class. Mine was the last to take it. Wasn't all bad since they replaced it with and electronics course. Only thing,that ticked me off was my Chem honors class. The school took it away to make a remedial science course for wash outs.
when i was in machinist school the older retired toolmaker who was out in the shop instructor reminds me of you..he could grind a fishtail lathe tool in minutes.Anyways we were taught to hold the file handle in the left hand, right hand on the other end,standing behind the file towards the tailstock.That way if the file got kicked out of your hand,it would not come in contact with your body.love ur videos,one can never learn all the tricks that the older journeyman machinist know.I'm 60 and love to learn new things anytime
I so enjoyed this. Never could have imagined how interesting and educational that info on such a simple common yet taken for granted tool such as a file could be. Thank you for taking your time to teach us all this wonderful and valuable stuff. ;-)
50+ years ago we were taught to hold the file in the vice with the tang uppermost, heat the tang to near red then push on the wooden handle. They have never dropped of in my workshop. Many thanks for a good video.
Such a treasure. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. While the high tech and high end machine shops are great for mass production, I think every machinist should have their own manual machines at home to hone their skills. There is something special about doing it manually. So much interaction between man and his work. Hidden lessons learned that inspire epiphany. I just love what I am learning. Thank you sir.
I looked for several years for a replacement auger file when mine got lost. Nicholson stopped making them and as an electrician I resharpen my expensive auger bits. It has reappeared from India by another company. Better than not, but not as good as my old Nicholson. Thanks for the incredible video.
Thank you for making these videos. They are very helpful. My grandpa used to run a die shop in Saginaw, Michigan. Years after he passed his tool box(full of various small tools)was given to me. A special treat.
Have you had any experience sharpening files using acids? I did an experiment with two old, rusted, almost useless files. I suspended them in white vinegar where they fizzed away for 48 hours. Afterwards they had turned black but they were much sharper and cleaner. I was quite surprised by how well the process worked.
Grainger still shows the Nicholson "Long Angle Lathe files" on their website. They are listed as being "Clearance - limited quantity available" so if anybody wants one don't wait too long. Thank you Mr. Peterson for all the wonderful shop videos.
Thank you, sir, for taking the time and effort to share your vast wealth of knowledge in these great videos. I certainly appreciate them and can't thank you enough. As far as file handles, I've found that golf balls work great. Depending on the size file, Measure the diameter of the tang of the file about 7/8" from the end and select a drill bit slightly under that diameter. (it doesn't have to be precise as the ball will stretch and conform to the tang. Simply clamp the golf ball in a vice and drill a hole about an inch/ inch-and-a-quarter into the ball, and afterwards, insert tang into the hole and holding the face of the file, ball-side down, lift the file and drop the combo onto a solid surface (while following it down with your hand to catch it on the rebound; preventing it from banging into anything), thus, using the weight of the file to set it into the ball. I typically use some 3M weatherstripping glue and set it as described above. When dry, the new handles also allow the files to hang from the wall without banging into the others. I made some pegboard out of a sheet of Starboard plastic, and use an 8" side-by-side, double peg, (about 3/8", or 1/2" spacing between the two), and am able to hold 5 files per peg. I just keep the most common files on the wall, because, as you mentioned, too many files, not enough wall. :) It works for me and just wanted to pass this along. Best wishes and warmest regards, Egg.
The file you were introducing at part 1 of file philosophy that you mentioned was used for inletting gun stock is called a float rasp/file .Another type of file that resembles the float file is called off set handle file .i can see them potentially used for removing high spots from metal.
i love this man. i wish my grampa was still with us. makes me think of him. he was a very smart guy just like you. I hope one day ill be a tenth as smart as you guys.
My grandpa was the same way he was a machinist from around the 1940s till the rest of his life pretty much.. A lot of wisdom in men like this makes me miss my grandpa as well
Well I didn't mind the length of the video! I was delighted to find your 2 videos on files and filing. I took high school metal shops in the '60s, and wanted this review. Most of my adult filing has been sharpening chain saws and forestry tools. It has been very difficult to get my younger helpers to clean their files!! When shown a file card they sometimes won't even try it. For several years I have been looking for files with the diamond end silhouette, for sharpening wood cutting saws. Especially old style 2 man crosscut and similar saws. So I will have to take the hint and look on EBay. Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your work.
Thank you, for the informative file series. I was not aware coarseness was proportional to file length (basically). I had to go to my shop and verify for myself. Amazing how one forgets the basic. As my shop teacher once said, youth is wasted on the young!
Filing on a lathe is much much saver if you hold the handle of the file with the left hand and the point of the file with the right hand. Then you automaticaly don´t hold your arm over the chuck and reduce the possibility of accidents.
I trained as a mechanical engineer, and was taught that one should file brass with a new file before using it on steel to make the file teeth toughen up. I guess the brass will help to define the file teeth profile before using it on steel, removing any miniature burrs which may result in broken teeth.
Very interesting. You have reminded me of my time as a first year apprentice Electrical Mechanic. For my first week of paid work, all I did was hand filling. Lucky for me, way back then I had a good teacher. Probably just like you. Thanks for posting and Cheers from Australia!
Mr Pete. Those were two interesting and informative videos. Thank you. I store my Union Abbaye Swiss files in the most perfect conditions - away from borrowers!
Mr Pete, I have always found that pulling a file backwards is the quickest way of dulling it. I suppose it's the same as for reamers. Do you know the reason? Thanks
Great video on files! I learned a bunch. More accurately stated, I realized how little I knew about files, filing, and the care and feeding of your files. I have 6 files. prior to watching this video; I referred to the files as two big flat ones, one half moon one, one for lawn mower blades, and 3 tiny "bastard" files; not because the files are rough cutting files, but more because I'm not sure where they came from. maybe because my files are touching, and these tiny files are file offspring? and are pretty much useless. Evidently the rest of the world doesn't share my nomenclature for file designation. Great video - thank you for thinking of the complete neophytes like me.
I have a long angle lathe file it is the exact one pictured made by Nicholson. One of my favorite files. It is well used and had the tip broken off. I got it at a garage sale for around 50 cents. Well worth the money and I always buy files at garage sales due to the various needs of them. Got a tool drawer for em all. I still can't find a decent set in stores I guess I'll have to purchase online lol.
Thanks for your reply. I have always lifted the file off the work at the end of the stroke to avoid damage, knew it happened but not why. I mention it in my video on sharpening tempered circular saws. Thanks for the info.
Sir, Thank you so much for this series on files!! I own a sharpening business and also do repair on old hand tools. It was very enjoyable and interesting to learn about these great old tools. I recently acquired a couple hundred pre 1970 files, mostly in great or unused condition. I feel very fortunate and blessed. I also ordered the book you showed. Thank you so so much for this education!! Now off to the wonderful job of sorting and cleaning my treasure. If you know of somewhere I can acquire a "checkering file" for fixing serrations on knives I would love to get my hands on one. God bless!
Nice video! Thank you. BTW, it appears you filed in both directions during your demonstration of squaring a hole. I thought you said you should only file in one direction.....
We were taught in the seventies that to file a radius you start the cut on the tip of the file and as you push the file forward for the cut you push downwards with the handle at the same time and this allows for a more accurate radius to be followed. First three months on our apprenticeship was filing at a bench then some electrics sheet metal work and machining for the next 15 months.
When filing on the lathe is rotation important? When looking at the chuck and it is rotating clockwise or counterclockwise which is safer? I understand the file cuts in one direction but couldn't you flip the file around if it wouldn't get thrown back at you?
Thanks for the video. I did not know what draw filing was before seeing it. I also found the bit about using brass to remove pins in the last video useful.
Great pair of videos! I watch all these machinist videos but I've only got a small drill press, a hacksaw and a file so this one has been really useful for me. :)
Great videos! Thanks! I am restoring some old files, and I can't seem to get the rust out from between the teeth. It might look like it, but I use a nail kind of like you use the copper block and it reveals there was rust under there. I had already used Naval Jelly, but I guess the rust runs a bit deeper, so its not getting the the bottom. Was thinking of electrolysis next. Guess I could try the vinegar as well.
Ah, the German man I saw filing to round started by touching the work on the far side of the work near the tip of the file and while stroking the file forward, he moved the contact point with the work over the high spot (he was smoothing a casting) toward himself. I’ve always done it your way, but moving the contact point in the opposite direction of the filing stroke made the work obviously rounder with no apparent effort. Semi-miraculous, was my impression at the time. I commented, and found out that is the way they teach it there. He was surprised I did not know the technique.
Thanks again for all the tips, Mr. Pete! Also, thank you for making me aware of the Nicholson publication "File Filosophy." I downloaded a 1954 copy today. Very interesting reading.
If I was going to get a couple sets of needle files what two coarseness would you recommend getting? Thanks for all these videos you make. I never had a shop class at my schools so I learn a lot from these. 👍🏻
Thank you Sir, I really enjoyed your lesson on files and found it very informative. I'm a big fan of filing in my little hobby shop, and I actually find it quite therapeutic! It must run in my family, because my Grandfather once told me for pleasure, he filed an elephant down to a greyhound! And I believe him! :O)
Years ago i worked in an aircraft repair shop, we had one man who's job was to maintain our lead caid batteries. One day I notice a container of files and ask about them. He said he stored the used files in the battery acide to clean them. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Very good video I can tell you are an instructor. Thanks
Yes it seems to be a common idea going around that acid will sharpen files, I guess to the point where it melts off any stray particles it does help. But it obviously can't get you a new edge on the teeth and the videos I've seen do seem to confirm those files didn't get that much better.
In one of your other videos where you talk about files you mentioned that you shouldn't use oil on a file. Could you explain why that is? I find it beneficial to use something like wd-40 if im filing aluminum and it helps keep the aluminum from loading up in the teeth. I've heard of using chalk but I never seem to have any when I need it. Chalk isnt something I keep around in my shop for some reason. Oil should also keep the rust away. Should I stop using oil on my files?
Is there any way to test the sharpness of an old file? I have multiple used files that I need to clean up and see if they are any good. Also, are there ways to sharpen the files or are they disposable once they are dull?
Did you file on the forward and reverse stroke? If so, does the rule of filing on the forward stroke only not apply in this particular situation/type of file?
Where did I hear that one should file brass with a new file before using it on steel to make it last longer? For smaller files I've been using golf balls for handles- seems much kinder on my arthritic hands- put some pictures up of saw sharpening and a bunch of my buddies jumped on the band wagon... I'm looking for used pool balls to,try it with larger files... Driving range solid core balls work best.
When I deburr I find that filing outwards raises a burr on the edge. I like to remove the burr and then chamfer the edges to avoid this. If the burr is small enough I can get away with just a chamfer
I'm not sure if it is good advice or not but i was always taught to load my file with soap stone before filing aluminum or soft material. I ran a welding business since 1971 and when cleaning up my torch tips, ALWAYS load my file with soap stone and it never plugs up. one more tip from another old guy! :)
I always wondered what that purpose of that file was, the long angle file. I actually have one in fairly good condition. I believe it's a "Sandvik" and it's made in Portugal. Has a neat little logo of a crescent moon 🌜 🙂. Thanks for sharing, this two part series was very informative!
i used to remember counting how many strokes I used and calculating how much I took off the work piece. Do not remember now how many strokes to the thou? or what type of file although it would be flat, smooth, course, 6 inch or single cut, can you figure it out?
My grandpa was a machinist also born in 1927 he was old school too and I'm sure he felt the same way about files I learned a lot of machinist skills from him
At the end of Part I, You mention NEVER to oil your files. Why is that? I have used light instrument oil to keep my better files rust free in my shop. I always enjoy and learn from your material. Thank you for sharing, E J
Can you recommend some tip to block needle chips from rotari files fliing all aroud ? It's much faster then hand filing but this chips always crawl under the skin
Mr TC (Tubalcain), Can you do a video on how you make a video? Tools used, editing software used, mic used, etc. Short n' sweet! Just a thought. I have watched most all of your Machine Shop videos in the last month and would be great to know a bit on how you produce them. Not twisting your arm or anything though. Kind Regards, Steve Kind Regards, Steve
You should always spray your files with WD40 to prevent rusting, this just evaporates over time and the next time you use your file it will be dry. Clean your files after work, so you always have fresh ready to use files.
Bends over the very fine tooth of the file. Lots of strength pushing thanks to the way they're cut, but it's a slightly hooked tooth, and there is very little strength on a backstroke.
Do you know the name of the company? Files are cheap to start with and to sharpen one, you would be cutting hardened steel. I would be interested in checking out a website if you knew the name.
I always sharpen my lawnmower blade with a file. I clamp it to my work bench with a c-clamp and go to work on it. It only takes a few minutes, even to remove dings. Then you are only removing the bare minimum material that you need to
Tubalcain does it correctly here. Reaching over the chuck puts your body in a better position to control the file so that it will not slide off the workpiece and hit the chuck. It also puts your body in a better position to avoid injury should the tip of the file contact a chuck jaw. Of course in my 22 years of job shop experience I have seen it done both ways without incident. Just my 2 cents.
After the 15 months at the training centre you were shipped out to one of British Steels factories. You were then assed for the next 2-3 months then given the decision what your apprenticeship was to be. I was originally down to be a maintenance engineer but moaned like a stuck pig and my apprenticeship was changed to Pipefitting.
I saw lathe files from Nicholson this morning. BTW, Here is a link for Nicholson’s how-to book: www.nicholsontool.com/MagentoShare/media/documents/nicholson-guide-to-filing-2014.pdf Not as good as your video however, they need to show lots of technique and work completion, IMHO. It is not intuitively obvious just how much you can accomplish with a file. I once read about how the Rolls Royce apprentices had to file a square steel bar of significant length ( a foot or yard?) into a round bar that was straight and round within a thousandth. I think the diameter was specified too, so a stroke in the wrong place ruined the piece. This must have been back in the 1960s. Filing to round has a wonderful technique I first saw last month or so.
Another great book on files is "A Treatise on Files" by Nicholson File Co. 1878. The Early American Industries Association offered reprints of this book in the early to mid 1980's and it is a gem... It is also available on Google Books at www.woodworkslibrary.com/repository/a_treatise_on_files_and_rasps_nicholson1878.pdf The technique for draw filing is particularly interesting and if followed produces finer results than is typically obtained with "modern" draw filing techniques. Rather than hold the file perpendicular to the work you hold it at a slight angle to the work so that the cutting edge of the teeth engage the work better. There is a sweet spot for this angle that gives amazing results...
Man, I wish I had you as my shop teacher back when I was in high school... I love this stuff, getting to be somewhat of a lost art but I believe will always have it's place in society.
+Atimatik Army Thank you
Just got this vid in my feed. I'm glad I managed to take shop class. Mine was the last to take it. Wasn't all bad since they replaced it with and electronics course. Only thing,that ticked me off was my Chem honors class. The school took it away to make a remedial science course for wash outs.
when i was in machinist school the older retired toolmaker who was out in the shop instructor reminds me of you..he could grind a fishtail lathe tool in minutes.Anyways we
were taught to hold the file handle in the left hand, right hand on the other end,standing behind the file towards the tailstock.That way if the file got kicked out of your hand,it would not come in contact with your body.love ur videos,one can never learn all the tricks that the older journeyman machinist know.I'm 60 and love to learn new things anytime
I have seen almost all your videos on machining. I learned a lot from them. Thank you very much from Argentina.
I so enjoyed this. Never could have imagined how interesting and educational that info on such a simple common yet taken for granted tool such as a file could be. Thank you for taking your time to teach us all this wonderful and valuable stuff. ;-)
+Cornbob Rimlove Thank you very much
I will never take my files for granted again. Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video & sharing this knowledge.
50+ years ago we were taught to hold the file in the vice with the tang uppermost, heat the tang to near red then push on the wooden handle. They have never dropped of in my workshop. Many thanks for a good video.
Good tip, thanks. 👍
Such a treasure. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
While the high tech and high end machine shops are great for mass production,
I think every machinist should have their own manual machines at home to hone
their skills. There is something special about doing it manually. So much interaction
between man and his work. Hidden lessons learned that inspire epiphany.
I just love what I am learning. Thank you sir.
+Twinhit Thanks for watching
I looked for several years for a replacement auger file when mine got lost. Nicholson stopped making them and as an electrician I resharpen my expensive auger bits. It has reappeared from India by another company. Better than not, but not as good as my old Nicholson. Thanks for the incredible video.
Thank you for making these videos. They are very helpful. My grandpa used to run a die shop in Saginaw, Michigan. Years after he passed his tool box(full of various small tools)was given to me. A special treat.
+melcher Thank you-you are lucky to get that box
Have you had any experience sharpening files using acids?
I did an experiment with two old, rusted, almost useless files. I suspended them in white vinegar where they fizzed away for 48 hours. Afterwards they had turned black but they were much sharper and cleaner. I was quite surprised by how well the process worked.
This is a very good tutorial. Filing is a practice that needs to be kept alive. Thank you Mr. Pete!
Never get tired of watching yours or Keith's videos!
Grainger still shows the Nicholson "Long Angle Lathe files" on their website.
They are listed as being "Clearance - limited quantity available" so if anybody wants one don't wait too long.
Thank you Mr. Peterson for all the wonderful shop videos.
Thank you, sir, for taking the time and effort to share your vast wealth of knowledge in these great videos. I certainly appreciate them and can't thank you enough.
As far as file handles, I've found that golf balls work great.
Depending on the size file, Measure the diameter of the tang of the file about 7/8" from the end and select a drill bit slightly under that diameter. (it doesn't have to be precise as the ball will stretch and conform to the tang.
Simply clamp the golf ball in a vice and drill a hole about an inch/ inch-and-a-quarter into the ball, and afterwards, insert tang into the hole and holding the face of the file, ball-side down, lift the file and drop the combo onto a solid surface (while following it down with your hand to catch it on the rebound; preventing it from banging into anything), thus, using the weight of the file to set it into the ball.
I typically use some 3M weatherstripping glue and set it as described above. When dry, the new handles also allow the files to hang from the wall without banging into the others. I made some pegboard out of a sheet of Starboard plastic, and use an 8" side-by-side, double peg, (about 3/8", or 1/2" spacing between the two), and am able to hold 5 files per peg. I just keep the most common files on the wall, because, as you mentioned, too many files, not enough wall. :)
It works for me and just wanted to pass this along.
Best wishes and warmest regards,
Egg.
+The Eggman Thanks for watching
The file you were introducing at part 1 of file philosophy that you mentioned was used for inletting gun stock is called a float rasp/file .Another type of file that resembles the float file is called off set handle file .i can see them potentially used for removing high spots from metal.
Thanks
i love this man. i wish my grampa was still with us. makes me think of him. he was a very smart guy just like you. I hope one day ill be a tenth as smart as you guys.
My grandpa was the same way he was a machinist from around the 1940s till the rest of his life pretty much.. A lot of wisdom in men like this makes me miss my grandpa as well
Well I didn't mind the length of the video! I was delighted to find your 2 videos on files and filing. I took high school metal shops in the '60s, and wanted this review.
Most of my adult filing has been sharpening chain saws and forestry tools. It has been very difficult to get my younger helpers to clean their files!! When shown a file card they sometimes won't even try it.
For several years I have been looking for files with the diamond end silhouette, for sharpening wood cutting saws. Especially old style 2 man crosscut and similar saws. So I will have to take the hint and look on EBay.
Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your work.
Thank you, for the informative file series. I was not aware coarseness was proportional to file length (basically). I had to go to my shop and verify for myself. Amazing how one forgets the basic. As my shop teacher once said, youth is wasted on the young!
+gdglock thank for watching--thats a good saying
Awesome video. I've seen other file videos but none that I felt that I learned as much as this one. Great teacher. Good luck
Thank you very much
You have shown many Files I have never seen and many ways of using them Thank You for the lesson on files Another Great video
"except when you pay for it"
That's a good one Mr Pete.
Thanks for another great video series.
Mr Pete:
Your videos are NEVER "too long"!!
Keep talking and teach us!!!!!
THANKS A TON ! I’ve collected numerous files over the years and you just cleared up a ton of things!
👍👍
Filing on a lathe is much much saver if you hold the handle of the file with the left hand
and the point of the file with the right hand.
Then you automaticaly don´t hold your arm over the chuck and reduce the possibility of accidents.
I trained as a mechanical engineer, and was taught that one should file brass with a new file before using it on steel to make the file teeth toughen up.
I guess the brass will help to define the file teeth profile before using it on steel, removing any miniature burrs which may result in broken teeth.
Great video, filing is an every day workshop task, but its good to hear and see the finer points explained by a craftsman thanks very much.
Very interesting. You have reminded me of my time as a first year apprentice Electrical Mechanic. For my first week of paid work, all I did was hand filling. Lucky for me, way back then I had a good teacher. Probably just like you. Thanks for posting and Cheers from Australia!
Mr Pete. Those were two interesting and informative videos. Thank you. I store my Union Abbaye Swiss files in the most perfect conditions - away from borrowers!
Thanks for watching
I am Aircraft Technician student learning sheet metal work. This video is outstanding to learn about files and how to use them. Thank you
+William Hernandez Thanks for watching
Mr Pete, I have always found that pulling a file backwards is the quickest way of dulling it. I suppose it's the same as for reamers. Do you know the reason? Thanks
Great video on files! I learned a bunch. More accurately stated, I realized how little I knew about files, filing, and the care and feeding of your files. I have 6 files. prior to watching this video; I referred to the files as two big flat ones, one half moon one, one for lawn mower blades, and 3 tiny "bastard" files; not because the files are rough cutting files, but more because I'm not sure where they came from. maybe because my files are touching, and these tiny files are file offspring? and are pretty much useless. Evidently the rest of the world doesn't share my nomenclature for file designation.
Great video - thank you for thinking of the complete neophytes like me.
👍👍
I have a long angle lathe file it is the exact one pictured made by Nicholson. One of my favorite files. It is well used and had the tip broken off. I got it at a garage sale for around 50 cents. Well worth the money and I always buy files at garage sales due to the various needs of them. Got a tool drawer for em all. I still can't find a decent set in stores I guess I'll have to purchase online lol.
Outstanding . Thanks for the great information on files.
Thanks for your reply. I have always lifted the file off the work at the end of the stroke to avoid damage, knew it happened but not why. I mention it in my video on sharpening tempered circular saws. Thanks for the info.
Sir,
Thank you so much for this series on files!! I own a sharpening business and also do repair on old hand tools. It was very enjoyable and interesting to learn about these great old tools. I recently acquired a couple hundred pre 1970 files, mostly in great or unused condition. I feel very fortunate and blessed. I also ordered the book you showed. Thank you so so much for this education!! Now off to the wonderful job of sorting and cleaning my treasure. If you know of somewhere I can acquire a "checkering file" for fixing serrations on knives I would love to get my hands on one. God bless!
+Eric Day Thanks for watching
Nice video! Thank you. BTW, it appears you filed in both directions during your demonstration of squaring a hole. I thought you said you should only file in one direction.....
This is a really comprehensive upload. Thanks a lot for this invaluable information.
+Jonto Dickens Thanks for watching
We were taught in the seventies that to file a radius you start the cut on the tip of the file and as you push the file forward for the cut you push downwards with the handle at the same time and this allows for a more accurate radius to be followed. First three months on our apprenticeship was filing at a bench then some electrics sheet metal work and machining for the next 15
months.
When filing on the lathe is rotation important? When looking at the chuck and it is rotating clockwise or counterclockwise which is safer? I understand the file cuts in one direction but couldn't you flip the file around if it wouldn't get thrown back at you?
Thanks for the video. I did not know what draw filing was before seeing it. I also found the bit about using brass to remove pins in the last video useful.
Great pair of videos! I watch all these machinist videos but I've only got a small drill press, a hacksaw and a file so this one has been really useful for me. :)
Great videos! Thanks! I am restoring some old files, and I can't seem to get the rust out from between the teeth. It might look like it, but I use a nail kind of like you use the copper block and it reveals there was rust under there. I had already used Naval Jelly, but I guess the rust runs a bit deeper, so its not getting the the bottom. Was thinking of electrolysis next. Guess I could try the vinegar as well.
"And you will bleed profusely" In the driest drawl ever. Thanks for lessons :)
lol
Ah, the German man I saw filing to round started by touching the work on the far side of the work near the tip of the file and while stroking the file forward, he moved the contact point with the work over the high spot (he was smoothing a casting) toward himself. I’ve always done it your way, but moving the contact point in the opposite direction of the filing stroke made the work obviously rounder with no apparent effort. Semi-miraculous, was my impression at the time. I commented, and found out that is the way they teach it there. He was surprised I did not know the technique.
Thanks again for all the tips, Mr. Pete! Also, thank you for making me aware of the Nicholson publication "File Filosophy." I downloaded a 1954 copy today. Very interesting reading.
What an amazing video, thank you very much. I'm so happy you thought me the name of the ignition file!
👍
If I was going to get a couple sets of needle files what two coarseness would you recommend getting?
Thanks for all these videos you make. I never had a shop class at my schools so I learn a lot from these. 👍🏻
Thanks
Medium
Thank you Sir, I really enjoyed your lesson on files and found it very informative. I'm a big fan of filing in my little hobby shop, and I actually find it quite therapeutic! It must run in my family, because my Grandfather once told me for pleasure, he filed an elephant down to a greyhound! And I believe him! :O)
Tarmac Cowboy: Well, it depends on the model of Greyhound. Some of them have at least 8 wheels, ya know.
Best machine shop videos on earth! Thanks so much!
Kind Regards,
Steve
Years ago i worked in an aircraft repair shop, we had one man who's job was to maintain our lead caid batteries. One day I notice a container of files and ask about them. He said he stored the used files in the battery acide to clean them. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Very good video I can tell you are an instructor. Thanks
No--but I might try it. Someone said soaking them in vinegar will sharpen them?????????????
Yes it seems to be a common idea going around that acid will sharpen files, I guess to the point where it melts off any stray particles it does help.
But it obviously can't get you a new edge on the teeth and the videos I've seen do seem to confirm those files didn't get that much better.
I should do a MYTH BREAKERS vid on that
In one of your other videos where you talk about files you mentioned that you shouldn't use oil on a file. Could you explain why that is? I find it beneficial to use something like wd-40 if im filing aluminum and it helps keep the aluminum from loading up in the teeth. I've heard of using chalk but I never seem to have any when I need it. Chalk isnt something I keep around in my shop for some reason. Oil should also keep the rust away. Should I stop using oil on my files?
That is something I need to experiment with
Excelent tutorial. Thank You from London.
Is there any way to test the sharpness of an old file? I have multiple used files that I need to clean up and see if they are any good. Also, are there ways to sharpen the files or are they disposable once they are dull?
Did you file on the forward and reverse stroke? If so, does the rule of filing on the forward stroke only not apply in this particular situation/type of file?
Metal file cuts on forward stroke you either lift on the reverse or glide it and not pessing down when on return stroke
So keep separate files for brass. Would you say the same thing for aluminum as well? Thank you!
Very helpful, with a lot of useful information. Thank you!
As 805roadking says: "The file is your friend".
Where did I hear that one should file brass with a new file before using it on steel to make it last longer? For smaller files I've been using golf balls for handles- seems much kinder on my arthritic hands- put some pictures up of saw sharpening and a bunch of my buddies jumped on the band wagon... I'm looking for used pool balls to,try it with larger files... Driving range solid core balls work best.
When I deburr I find that filing outwards raises a burr on the edge. I like to remove the burr and then chamfer the edges to avoid this. If the burr is small enough I can get away with just a chamfer
"....They don't really hurt all that much anymore.... except when you pay for it." HaHaHaHa! Excellent!
I'm not sure if it is good advice or not but i was always taught to load my file with soap stone before filing aluminum or soft material. I ran a welding business since 1971 and when cleaning up my torch tips, ALWAYS load my file with soap stone and it never plugs up. one more tip from another old guy! :)
We always use regular blackboard chalk
@@mrpete222 GREAT idea - we dont have much of that. running a welding business, have plenty of soapstone though! :) another old welder from ill.!
I Have a question Mr Pete. Why should I use a seperate file for brass? is it because its soft?
Filing steel immediately takes the keen edge off
Very interesting I just learned a lot!
Thank you for your videos.
Thanks for watching
When you use a card file to clean the file, do you brush in one direction only and if so which direction
Thanks
I always wondered what that purpose of that file was, the long angle file. I actually have one in fairly good condition. I believe it's a "Sandvik" and it's made in Portugal. Has a neat little logo of a crescent moon 🌜 🙂. Thanks for sharing, this two part series was very informative!
Thanks for watching
FORGOT ONE -- A "BURNISHING " FILE (( NO THEETH )) , HARDENED & LOOKS THE SAME . IN A PINCH THE HEEL OF A REGULAR FILE WORKS .
GREAT VIDEO !!
OLD WIPPER-SNAPPER Yes.. I do have a burnisher, used for wood scrapers.
i used to remember counting how many strokes I used and calculating how much I took off the work piece. Do not remember now how many strokes to the thou? or what type of file although it would be flat, smooth, course, 6 inch or single cut, can you figure it out?
My father was an old school machinist, I'm talking 30s through late 60s. He always said the file was the poor man's milling machine.
My grandpa was a machinist also born in 1927 he was old school too and I'm sure he felt the same way about files I learned a lot of machinist skills from him
What kind of work did they do with the file fitting or making parts i tried searching for metal parts made with file but found none of it online.
Awesome video. Thank you!
Does anyone know which are the best files to get? Hazet, Vallorbe, Pferd, Grobert, Sandvik, Bahco, Draper or Nicholson?
At the end of Part I, You mention NEVER to oil your files. Why is that? I have used light instrument oil to keep my better files rust free in my shop.
I always enjoy and learn from your material. Thank you for sharing, E J
Enjoyed video on file file filosophy. Zoro may sell long handle lathe files. Also may be found on Amazon
+retlaw dier tH Thanks for watching
Can you recommend some tip to block needle chips from rotari files fliing all aroud ? It's much faster then hand filing but this chips always crawl under the skin
Mr TC (Tubalcain),
Can you do a video on how you make a video? Tools used, editing software used, mic used, etc. Short n' sweet! Just a thought. I have watched most all of your Machine Shop videos in the last month and would be great to know a bit on how you produce them. Not twisting your arm or anything though.
Kind Regards,
Steve
Kind Regards,
Steve
Very impressive, sir, and very useful.
Don't ever throw an old file away, knife makers love them!
The part on lathe filing made me glad to be left handed, less danger of getting my elbow whacked.
I would love to go play in your shop. That would be better than going to Disney.
So with the square and triangle files can cut in both directions
I might have missed it if you explained already but what was or is the purpose to use chalk on a file?
Helps prevent pinning or buildup of material in the file.
Thanks! I didn't know that little trick
Yes,I always try to teach younger ones the file can be your best friend...
I have seen a number of videos addressing the sharpening of files by using sulfuric acid. Is this legitimate or is it a waste of time ?
Never tried it. Dull files should be thrown away
You should always spray your files with WD40 to prevent rusting, this just evaporates over time and the next time you use your file it will be dry. Clean your files after work, so you always have fresh ready to use files.
+juliusvalentinas good idea
Bends over the very fine tooth of the file. Lots of strength pushing thanks to the way they're cut, but it's a slightly hooked tooth, and there is very little strength on a backstroke.
Not to many people know how to file properly.. thanks.. great video. :-)
Do you know the name of the company? Files are cheap to start with and to sharpen one, you would be cutting hardened steel. I would be interested in checking out a website if you knew the name.
The Machinist's Manicure! I've used regular files for cleaning up my nails for years...
Old paint brush handles, great for small 6'' or smaller size file handles.
Good idea
I always sharpen my lawnmower blade with a file. I clamp it to my work bench with a c-clamp and go to work on it. It only takes a few minutes, even to remove dings. Then you are only removing the bare minimum material that you need to
I actually enjoy using the die filer.. neat little invention.
Tubalcain does it correctly here. Reaching over the chuck puts your body in a better position to control the file so that it will not slide off the workpiece and hit the chuck. It also puts your body in a better position to avoid injury should the tip of the file contact a chuck jaw. Of course in my 22 years of job shop experience I have seen it done both ways without incident. Just my 2 cents.
Company that sharpens files is Boggs Tool & File Sharpening company.
Amazing videos! Thank you very much!!
+Tim thanks, glad you liked it
After the 15 months at the training centre you were shipped out to one of British Steels factories. You were then assed for the next 2-3 months then given the decision what your apprenticeship was to be. I was originally down to be a maintenance engineer but moaned like a stuck pig and my apprenticeship was changed to Pipefitting.
I saw lathe files from Nicholson this morning. BTW, Here is a link for Nicholson’s how-to book:
www.nicholsontool.com/MagentoShare/media/documents/nicholson-guide-to-filing-2014.pdf
Not as good as your video however, they need to show lots of technique and work completion, IMHO. It is not intuitively obvious just how much you can accomplish with a file. I once read about how the Rolls Royce apprentices had to file a square steel bar of significant length ( a foot or yard?) into a round bar that was straight and round within a thousandth. I think the diameter was specified too, so a stroke in the wrong place ruined the piece. This must have been back in the 1960s. Filing to round has a wonderful technique I first saw last month or so.
Another great book on files is "A Treatise on Files" by Nicholson File Co. 1878. The Early American Industries Association offered reprints of this book in the early to mid 1980's and it is a gem... It is also available on Google Books at www.woodworkslibrary.com/repository/a_treatise_on_files_and_rasps_nicholson1878.pdf
The technique for draw filing is particularly interesting and if followed produces finer results than is typically obtained with "modern" draw filing techniques. Rather than hold the file perpendicular to the work you hold it at a slight angle to the work so that the cutting edge of the teeth engage the work better. There is a sweet spot for this angle that gives amazing results...
Thanks--I'll check it out.
Amazon shows a dozen or so different deals on lathe files
I have a machine file, mine takes a standard round file upside down and the top has a holder that guides the tang of the file.
Thank you for the quality video!
I live 20 minutes from Providence, Rhode Island... how cool.
👌
love your videos