It takes a Redheaded kid from Utah 2 minutes to explain to me what I couldn't figure out for myself in 40 years of metalworking. Not being a smart-allic, Thank you! that will truly make a world of difference in how I view using files.
After scraping with soft copper soak it in a 10 to 1 water and sulfuric acid solution "Drain'O works" for about an hour then transfer to a 10 to 1 water and baking soda solution to neutralize the acid and voila you have a brand new file
Awesome. The first time I did mine they not only had aluminum but gunk in all the grooves. I was amazed how well they worked (of course they were well used used when I go them).
Great copper pipe hack. Been contracting 40+ years & this has always driven me crazy… and your video was hard to find. A machinist told me the chalk & to file a copper pipe before, which sort of worked, but seeing it flattened, using it as a handle, and that it is just a file comb makes total sense. FYI got a ‘65 HP 427 (Ford of course) out of box from Ford with 4 hours hydroplane racing on it. Piston connecting rod broke and snapped off the cylinder skirt really close to the ring travel, but not quite… He had 4 ready to go on the docks, just didn’t want to go through the trouble for what looked like certain death. The guy said if it doesn’t blow oil, I owed him $500; otherwise I have to haul it to the dump. It’s now is in a ‘67 Mustang fastback with dual quads. And he’s $500- richer. Thanks for your hack!
Great classic tip - I also soak mine in regular grocery store (5%) white vinegar overnight, it helps clean any surface oxidation and sharpens the bite a little.
Thanks for this video. In my profession, we file sterling silver daily. I have a tool from the early '70s that's a piece of nickel, or german silver that's hammered out, like the copper, to work in the very same way. Keep thinning it down to work on finer file cuts.
Work was throwing away 25-30 files and replacing them with new. I took the old ones home not seeing anything wrong with them. That was 25 years ago and I still use them. Good enough for home use I said. I don't know off hand if they are clogged but if they are I know how to clean them now. Thanks for the tip.
I got to playing around in the garage this weekend and just for kicks and giggles I caked up a file just so I can clean it LOL Works great!!! This is the best way Ive ever used to clean them.
Best way I found is to soak it in lye (caustic soda in UK) This will dissolve aluminium but does not touch steel at all - it will also de-grease the file very efficiently, Using french chalk , or even talcum powder, is much better than 'blackboard chalk' A Proper file card is way better than a standard wire brush, cheap to buy and worth every penny.
Dude! Thank you so much!!!!! Until now I had no idea how to get that stuff out besides using a brass brush and working at each area for hours. Oh my gosh I can’t wait to try and do this! Again, thank you for having the sand to post this. You are awesome and such a help.
This is amazing. We file aluminum all day long at work. We make antenna parts out of copper, brass, aluminum and some steel, steel mainly on the antenna body. Most of the files are clogged. Many of the files make quick work on aluminum. My boss will be very happy to know he does not have to throw out any more files.
Jeebus!! Just so you know, this saved my fine modeller metal file from the heap! It had krazy glue stuck in it and is stubbornly resistant to being cleaned off but I used a soft material like flat piece of styrene and it works!! Great tip.
Thats a smashing way to clean them, thanks mate :-) At school in metalwork class, we were taught to clean them with a fine spike, the teacher called it "Pining". Hell your way is much better :-), multitooth pinning :-) Your a good teacher.
usually whenever i break out the pressure washer i spray them,However in the winter this is perfect. Will not damage your file since copper is softer. Great vid.
Good info never gets old. I have been making animal silhouette metal art using trim coil as a hobby for a few years now and have had problems with my Dremel tool cutting bits getting clogged. I have been using a brass wire brush in an attempt to clean the bits with little success. After watching your video I thought this might work on the bits if it works on files. Tried it and it did. Thanks for posting. This will greatly increase the cutting life of the bits.
I knew I'd find an answer to my question here. I bought a bunch of old files but there all pretty used up. This trick will help a lot. Once again, you saved the day.
Another good video. I was told years ago that if you don't lift on the backstroke they clean themselves. I'm not convinced about that one. I'll definitely be giving this a try.
That's a really food tip, I actually bitched and cursed about getting my files cleaned. I never heard about this method. Fantastic just learned a simple little trick. Thx a bunch!!!
Wish I would've found this last weekend when I spent over 3 hrs with a dental pick on a flea mkt find of 10 Simonds Red Tang files. Thank you. My mind is blown. 😂
Yeah, I've used the picks to clean out stubborn glue, paint or gunk from previous owners too -even after multi day soak in cleaning vinegar to get rid of most of it
New to me. You made my day. The guys in my shop continually fuck up and misuse tools and rely on me to keep things working. My only suggestion is that you apply a wooden handle to the scraper. Take it to Shark Tank and make a mint.
Steel wire brushes will clean files but they also dull the file pretty quickly. Brass wire brushes can be used more safely. This tip about using copper pipe in this manner is a good one! Brass also works.
Good tip. I use a file card, which is a wire brush actually made for file cleaning. I also spray the file with WD40 before filing aluminum, then just start filing again. I'll have to give this a try and compare.
Great tip, but what's funny is how you're struggling to hold on to the file as you clean it on the anvil portion of your vice! Sometimes we overlook the simplest of things.
I assume you mean he should put the file in the vise? I noticed that on the previous video I watched. These guys have full shops & I'm just an amateur 😆
THANK YOU s I have over 200+ files an i never would've thought to use copper as a cleaning tool for them.I can now clean out all my old Nicholson files,that i saved over the years not willing to toss or retire them.My hat is off to you !
not sure if you will read this but another great way to clean your files(as a machinist who works with aluminum) is to leave it in a cup of sulfuric acid, aka drain cleaner over night, rinse and its as good as new, they used to think it sharped files.
I dumped my 12 inch nicholson filer in a bucket filled with diesel fuel for 15 minutes. Brushed it with a steel brush. All the debris came off easily. Filer looks and feels brand new. No harm done.
I tend to use grinders... lots and lots of grinders... but i have filed Aluminum in the past and have never gotten them totally clean... this will help
You are welcome!!! Think my RUclips video days are over...but sure enjoy the heck out of watching yours. You sure have some great videos. I look forward to each one as they are some of the best how to videos out there. I know it takes a lot of time.and effort to do them too, so thank you!!! Take care, dusty
Thanks for the tip. For finishing you may find that wire brushing with ATF followed by a rinse with brake cleaner solvent really takes care of gummy surface grime.
This is a great way to mechanically remove metal buildup. Another YT video shows a fellow who created a similar tool from a large nail. He flattened the end with a sledge to about 1/2" wide. That material might provide somewhat harder teeth. In addition to mechanical cleaning, you can restore the sharpness to many files with an acid dip. Search YT for the couple of vids that demonstrate this method. Essentially, start with a cleaned file, removing all debris that might hang onto acid droplets. Then make a dilute (10%) solution of sulphuric acid and water. Suspend or stand your files in that solution, not touching each other, for an hour. A good way to do this is to cement a cap on one end of a length of 2 1/2" PVC pipe and clamp that upright (in a Workmate or broad wood clamp.) After the soaking period, thoroughly rinse each file with a 100% solution of baking soda and water (mix in baking soda until it stops dissolving in the water) to neutralize all acid. Then dry the files thoroughly. You can also use store bought vinegar for a 12-24 hour soak and etch (acetic acid is weaker than sulphuric so the etch is much slower.) You can also rig up the files so they are vertically suspended in the etch bath. Another etch solution can be made with citric acid, which is apparently sold in a dry powder at hardware? or woodworking stores. Two notes: First, the fumes created, especially by the sulphuric dip, will cause any iron items nearby to start rusting, so do this outside or away from your other tools. Second, work carefully around any acid. Wear old clothes, gloves, and eye protection. Add the acid to the water, not the other way around, and do it slowly to avoid any splashes.
If you put a lubricant on the file, the aluminum won't stick in the first place. You can use paste wax, paraffin, grease, kerosene, paint thinner, wd-40.... The heavier things like waxes will last longer. The the aluminum swarf brushes away easily. Don't use a steel brush; use a brass brush. In addition to copper, you can also use brass or wood for unclogging. Wood actually works pretty well, and it's easy to find.
I dump my files in a bucket of white vinegar overnight to soften up any gunk I've gotten into them before I wire brush them. stinky, but it works 99%. my grandpa also swore a vinegar bath sharpened them, but I haven't confirmed that.
I've never heard the vinegar thing. That sounds neat. I've heard of the acid bath for the Magic Sharpening. I know how to do it so maybe I'll make a video and test it.
That is fantastic. For smaller files such as jewellers needle files, I find that a fine sewing needle does the trick. Sure it's more fiddly and laborious, but it gets the job done. That copper hack though ? *_That's the dog's bollocks "_* *_AMAZING !_* >
Over the years, I've come across a few 1960s-70s electric organs on the trash heap and pulled 'em apart just because..... Well, hot damn! The hundreds of copper key contacts have justified the "blind salvage" yet again!
this also works with brass. guy at my work showed me. rub the file out fallowing the grain with a bit of brass from a sheet metal offcut. always keep some in your tool box.
It takes a Redheaded kid from Utah 2 minutes to explain to me what I couldn't figure out for myself in 40 years of metalworking. Not being a smart-allic, Thank you! that will truly make a world of difference in how I view using files.
You're certainly no *_Smart Alec_*
That's patently obvious.
>
After scraping with soft copper soak it in a 10 to 1 water and sulfuric acid solution "Drain'O works" for about an hour then transfer to a 10 to 1 water and baking soda solution to neutralize the acid and voila you have a brand new file
Really? I just found out how to clean(from the video) the aluminum off; then how to pretty them all up!!! Y’all are sweet Blessings ❤
I give credit to the person I learned it from. Thanks for taking the time to comment and watch.
40 years in the auto repair business and I'm still learning new stuff, thanks for the tip man.
Thanks for the comment. Glad I could show you something new.
Awesome. The first time I did mine they not only had aluminum but gunk in all the grooves. I was amazed how well they worked (of course they were well used used when I go them).
After so many years !!!
You are the man!
Until today I had to keep separate set of files just for aluminium.
This really works!
Great copper pipe hack. Been contracting 40+ years & this has always driven me crazy… and your video was hard to find.
A machinist told me the chalk & to file a copper pipe before, which sort of worked, but seeing it flattened, using it as a handle, and that it is just a file comb makes total sense.
FYI got a ‘65 HP 427 (Ford of course) out of box from Ford with 4 hours hydroplane racing on it. Piston connecting rod broke and snapped off the cylinder skirt really close to the ring travel, but not quite…
He had 4 ready to go on the docks, just didn’t want to go through the trouble for what looked like certain death.
The guy said if it doesn’t blow oil, I owed him $500; otherwise I have to haul it to the dump.
It’s now is in a ‘67 Mustang fastback with dual quads.
And he’s $500- richer.
Thanks for your hack!
To replenish a clogged grinding wheel, use a cut off piece of garden hose while the wheel is running, it will remove any buildup of material.
Thanks for the tip.
Why not use a dressing wheel?
If you ever see that Man again please tell him thank you. That was such an easy way to fix a file, K.I.S.S. at its best. Have a great day Sir.
Great classic tip - I also soak mine in regular grocery store (5%) white vinegar overnight, it helps clean any surface oxidation and sharpens the bite a little.
Thanks for this video. In my profession, we file sterling silver daily. I have a tool from the early '70s that's a piece of nickel, or german silver that's hammered out, like the copper, to work in the very same way. Keep thinning it down to work on finer file cuts.
this 8 year old video is still teaching people useful skills. thanks a heap man!
Work was throwing away 25-30 files and replacing them with new. I took the old ones home not seeing anything wrong with them. That was 25 years ago and I still use them. Good enough for home use I said. I don't know off hand if they are clogged but if they are I know how to clean them now. Thanks for the tip.
I got to playing around in the garage this weekend and just for kicks and giggles I caked up a file just so I can clean it LOL Works great!!! This is the best way Ive ever used to clean them.
Best way I found is to soak it in lye (caustic soda in UK)
This will dissolve aluminium but does not touch steel at all - it will also de-grease the file very efficiently, Using french chalk , or even talcum powder, is much better than 'blackboard chalk'
A Proper file card is way better than a standard wire brush, cheap to buy and worth every penny.
Dude! Thank you so much!!!!! Until now I had no idea how to get that stuff out besides using a brass brush and working at each area for hours. Oh my gosh I can’t wait to try and do this! Again, thank you for having the sand to post this. You are awesome and such a help.
Awesome, I hope you try it.
This is genius! Tried it out and it worked like a charm. I managed to rescue a couple of files that were consigned to the dustbin. Thank you 🙏
Nice work!
This is amazing. We file aluminum all day long at work. We make antenna parts out of copper, brass, aluminum and some steel, steel mainly on the antenna body. Most of the files are clogged. Many of the files make quick work on aluminum. My boss will be very happy to know he does not have to throw out any more files.
Try it out, let me know what you think.
You can also use brass bullet shells
+MISTER AGB Thanks!
Jeebus!! Just so you know, this saved my fine modeller metal file from the heap! It had krazy glue stuck in it and is stubbornly resistant to being cleaned off but I used a soft material like flat piece of styrene and it works!! Great tip.
That's great.
Great tip! Can't wait to clean my favorite file, clogged it today while filing copper pipe. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Awesome. Glad the video helped.
Thats a smashing way to clean them, thanks mate :-)
At school in metalwork class, we were taught to clean them with a fine spike, the teacher called it "Pining".
Hell your way is much better :-), multitooth pinning :-)
Your a good teacher.
You sir are an awesome person! Thanks for the knowledge. This is still helping people in 2019.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
usually whenever i break out the pressure washer i spray them,However in the winter this is perfect. Will not damage your file since copper is softer. Great vid.
Good info never gets old. I have been making animal silhouette metal art using trim coil as a hobby for a few years now and have had problems with my Dremel tool cutting bits getting clogged. I have been using a brass wire brush in an attempt to clean the bits with little success. After watching your video I thought this might work on the bits if it works on files. Tried it and it did. Thanks for posting. This will greatly increase the cutting life of the bits.
That's fantastic.
Thank you. I love videos such as this. These little bits of knowledge are invaluable.
You could also use that copper piece you made as a welding spoon. Great video!!
Love2boat92 You're on it! I actually use it as a welding spoon as well.
sixtyfiveford Hahaha. I wonder if you and me are the only ones who thought of that? Ha!
I knew I'd find an answer to my question here. I bought a bunch of old files but there all pretty used up. This trick will help a lot. Once again, you saved the day.
Thanks.
Interesting!
Once again you have done it again. Highly impressed. keep up the great work.
Thanks.
Another good video. I was told years ago that if you don't lift on the backstroke they clean themselves. I'm not convinced about that one. I'll definitely be giving this a try.
Big Ian Builds Interesting, I'll have to try that as well.
That's a really food tip, I actually bitched and cursed about getting my files cleaned. I never heard about this method. Fantastic just learned a simple little trick. Thx a bunch!!!
Just found your video. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. I now will have a solution to my gummed up files!
Wish I would've found this last weekend when I spent over 3 hrs with a dental pick on a flea mkt find of 10 Simonds Red Tang files. Thank you. My mind is blown. 😂
Yeah, I've used the picks to clean out stubborn glue, paint or gunk from previous owners too -even after multi day soak in cleaning vinegar to get rid of most of it
Yeah, thanks for watching.
New to me. You made my day. The guys in my shop continually fuck up and misuse tools and rely on me to keep things working. My only suggestion is that you apply a wooden handle to the scraper. Take it to Shark Tank and make a mint.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
Thank you! I'd been looking for someone with the knowledge to clean a file.
Great. I have a couple of files that were grandpa’s. Used the wire brush now I can finish it with the copper. Thank you for sharing
Steel wire brushes will clean files but they also dull the file pretty quickly. Brass wire brushes can be used more safely. This tip about using copper pipe in this manner is a good one! Brass also works.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
Awesome trick! I just grabbed my $10 dollar welding spoon from Harbor Freight and found another purpose for it! Great video!
Welding spoon.. That's a great idea.
Thanks for the tip.
Works well even on fine, Swiss-pattern needle files, Cut-4 thru 0 but the brass cleaning tool I made is quite a bit smaller.
So I guess you had a busy Saturday cleaning files. :) . Thanks for watching.
Good tip. I use a file card, which is a wire brush actually made for file cleaning. I also spray the file with WD40 before filing aluminum, then just start filing again. I'll have to give this a try and compare.
Good tip, but I'd stick to the copper thingy only. Wire brushes are no good for files in my opinion. I would try a brass brush though.
Thanks.
File cards are the best.
Nice! I wish I saw your video before I bought a file cleaner from home depot. Thanks for sharing.
Braulio Rivera Thanks. It's a handy trick to know.
Glad you liked it. Thanks for subscribing. -Moe
I thought a file card would do it so I bought one. Didn't work. I've been scraping them out with a needle. This looks much faster. Thanks for the tip.
Great tip, but what's funny is how you're struggling to hold on to the file as you clean it on the anvil portion of your vice! Sometimes we overlook the simplest of things.
I assume you mean he should put the file in the vise? I noticed that on the previous video I watched.
These guys have full shops & I'm just an amateur 😆
I catch myself doing the same thing! After a few choice words to myself, usually about myself, I put the dang thing in the vise!
Tried using this method on my old files , and it worked fantastic. Once again thx for the Moe.
THANK YOU s I have over 200+ files an i never would've thought to use copper as a cleaning tool for them.I can now clean out all my old Nicholson files,that i saved over the years not willing to toss or retire them.My hat is off to you !
Thanks.
not sure if you will read this but another great way to clean your files(as a machinist who works with aluminum) is to leave it in a cup of sulfuric acid, aka drain cleaner over night, rinse and its as good as new, they used to think it sharped files.
Nice trick. I've always used a hardwood stick but copper is nice too.
I'll have to try a hardwood stick.
Try spraying your file with WD40 before you file aluminum. Keep it wet and the shit don't stick. Yours is a good one too
I dumped my 12 inch nicholson filer in a bucket filled with diesel fuel for 15 minutes. Brushed it with a steel brush. All the debris came off easily. Filer looks and feels brand new. No harm done.
I tend to use grinders... lots and lots of grinders... but i have filed Aluminum in the past and have never gotten them totally clean... this will help
You are welcome!!! Think my RUclips video days are over...but sure enjoy the heck out of watching yours. You sure have some great videos. I look forward to each one as they are some of the best how to videos out there. I know it takes a lot of time.and effort to do them too, so thank you!!! Take care, dusty
Thank you. I was just watching you do the brakes on the PT cruiser.
Thanks for the tip. For finishing you may find that wire brushing with ATF followed by a rinse with brake cleaner solvent really takes care of gummy surface grime.
I'll give that a shot. Thanks.
You're too kind. Thanks for watching Zyplex.-Moe
Thanks for watching Matt. -Moe
i have a drawer of files i am going to clean right now . thanks for sharing another great tip.
I'm glad you liked it. Let me know if you do try it. -Moe
Thanks and thanks for commenting.
Thanks for this video!...I bought a bunch of old jewelers files and this will really help me get them nice and clean!
That's great. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for watching. Maybe someday it will be useful.
Thanks for watching Joe.
Thank you for posting this video. I do a lot of filing on my welding projects and this worked great for me. Thank you
Thanks for the comment. I'm sure you have a few files sitting around with all that metal fab you did.
best knowledge I received all year
I haven't had good luck with a chalk but I do it in the video. A file card will only work on lightly clogged files.
This is a great way to mechanically remove metal buildup. Another YT video shows a fellow who created a similar tool from a large nail. He flattened the end with a sledge to about 1/2" wide. That material might provide somewhat harder teeth.
In addition to mechanical cleaning, you can restore the sharpness to many files with an acid dip. Search YT for the couple of vids that demonstrate this method.
Essentially, start with a cleaned file, removing all debris that might hang onto acid droplets. Then make a dilute (10%) solution of sulphuric acid and water. Suspend or stand your files in that solution, not touching each other, for an hour. A good way to do this is to cement a cap on one end of a length of 2 1/2" PVC pipe and clamp that upright (in a Workmate or broad wood clamp.) After the soaking period, thoroughly rinse each file with a 100% solution of baking soda and water (mix in baking soda until it stops dissolving in the water) to neutralize all acid. Then dry the files thoroughly.
You can also use store bought vinegar for a 12-24 hour soak and etch (acetic acid is weaker than sulphuric so the etch is much slower.) You can also rig up the files so they are vertically suspended in the etch bath. Another etch solution can be made with citric acid, which is apparently sold in a dry powder at hardware? or woodworking stores.
Two notes: First, the fumes created, especially by the sulphuric dip, will cause any iron items nearby to start rusting, so do this outside or away from your other tools. Second, work carefully around any acid. Wear old clothes, gloves, and eye protection. Add the acid to the water, not the other way around, and do it slowly to avoid any splashes.
Mike McGraw I've heard of the acid etch method but have never tried it. I'll have to give it a whirl.
I haven’t run into the problem yet but now I’m definitely going to save this video in case I forget.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
This saved me a ton of frustration. Much obliged!
Thank, I'm glad you liked it.
Thanks for commenting
Very impressive i have files that i could never see me throw them away for the aluminum deposits. Keep on youtubing.
Thanks for taking the time to show us. 🙂
Good info., I use a fine wire brush, your idea sounds better
Bill
I always did this with my finger nail 😂 but it only got some of it sometimes, this is genius! Going to try it now
If you put a lubricant on the file, the aluminum won't stick in the first place. You can use paste wax, paraffin, grease, kerosene, paint thinner, wd-40.... The heavier things like waxes will last longer. The the aluminum swarf brushes away easily. Don't use a steel brush; use a brass brush. In addition to copper, you can also use brass or wood for unclogging. Wood actually works pretty well, and it's easy to find.
Thanks for watching. Can we expect any videos this year?
this tip is absolutly brilliant.many thanks.
Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
I know this is super late, but thanks for this. Just got into a little project of restoring an old hand axe and the file was super dirty by the end.
Awesome, glad it was helpful.
Sweet tip mate. thanks much. I just had my wife take out the files i tossed yesterday so timing could not be any more perfect, lol
Papa Gleb Awesome, I'm glad you found the video.
Came to watch the aerosol can hack, ended up here and subbed.
shouldibehere Thanks for watching and Subbing.
I dump my files in a bucket of white vinegar overnight to soften up any gunk I've gotten into them before I wire brush them. stinky, but it works 99%. my grandpa also swore a vinegar bath sharpened them, but I haven't confirmed that.
Thank you for your advice. I will clean my files following your directions.
Awesome. Thanks.
I've never heard the vinegar thing. That sounds neat. I've heard of the acid bath for the Magic Sharpening. I know how to do it so maybe I'll make a video and test it.
Mate thanks heaps for this vid. It's exactly what I was looking for....a VIDEO of this method.
You're welcome. I'm glad it helped.
Thanks! I've been looking for a way to clean fine teethed files. Appreciate the video.
Rexarthur Ramos Yeah, you're very welcome.
Thanks, I just saved two files. File cards or wire brushes just would not work, but 5 minutes with the copper and they were good to go.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
That was a great how-to informational video.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
That is fantastic.
For smaller files such as jewellers needle files, I find that a fine sewing needle does the trick.
Sure it's more fiddly and laborious, but it gets the job done.
That copper hack though ?
*_That's the dog's bollocks "_*
*_AMAZING !_*
>
Over the years, I've come across a few 1960s-70s electric organs on the trash heap and pulled 'em apart just because..... Well, hot damn! The hundreds of copper key contacts have justified the "blind salvage" yet again!
great tip, appreciate your time!! I just bought a new set of flat files, this will help out.
goodluckhappydragon Thanks.
@migman75482 Awesome, glad you like it
Thanks for the reminder ! I learned that back in 78
It's a handy tip.
Christi Ned a
Pretty cool, makes sense, I'm going to try it...thanks.
+wesley hill Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
Great information. Thank you. I’m off to flatten some copper pipe.
Great! I've been asking around for years and here's the solution!
Thanks.. I'm glad you like it, hopefully it comes in handy.
Great Idea. May someday someone will invent a file for aluminum.
never 2 old 2 learn something new. Thanks 4 this tip. Bowzer,
this also works with brass. guy at my work showed me. rub the file out fallowing the grain with a bit of brass from a sheet metal offcut. always keep some in your tool box.
Haven't tried Brass. Thanks for the tip.