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The Right Tools – Metalworking Files

Often misused and not very well understood – so goes the life of many metalworking files.  Yet, they still do things other tools can’t.  That makes them a tool worth knowing!

Here are a few quick references to great information about metalworking files.  Rather than re-creating an educational piece on the subject, for this Mechanic’s Tip it seems a better approach is to simply point to some awesome resources already available.

Round Shape Metal FileMetalworking files – also called Hand Files, or Abrasion Sticks, (or a bunch of other names) – are really very simple tools.  They date back a very long time in various forms, and have seen fantastic refinement along the way.  All the refinement and all the specialized variations make these tools extremely useful – but knowing which to use for what is the key.

There is a ton of great technology and thought in every metalworking file from years of product development by many smart people.  For history and a generic overview, check out Wikipedia.

Use & Abuse of Metalworking Files

These simple tools (or should I say sets of these simple tools) are capable of so much in the do-it-yourselfer shop.  Yet, they are often abused, and damaged files will not work right, so they go unused.  How many metalworking files do you own?  How many different kinds?  And, how often do you use them?

I have to admit, I have a lot of files.  Big ones, small ones, metalworking files, woodworking files, even some power files.  And, I will also admit, I am not that nice to my files all the time.  You could use the word abuse.  I think that is what you call it when you use something in a way different than the intent.

While abusing tools is a poor admission, that is not the focus of this article.  And, though it is not the best thing, plenty of great folks are always happy to sell me a replacement.  🙂

A Good Video

Here is a short video that gives an introduction to various types of metalworking files and cuts.  The video then shows some cool tricks for using them.  Even if you use files a lot, you might find a new trick here.  And if you don’t use metalworking files much, the general information is still great.  Thanks, Gough Custom, for the video.

Metalworking Files Informational Video

I work with and teach kids stuff in the shop fairly frequently.  Proper filing is just one of the topics recently, so these are some tips to share.  Learning to use the metalworking file right is the key to success with it.  Of course, that is true of most tools, but it seems the simplest tools get the most abuse.  For example, think of the many ways a typical flat blade screwdriver functions that does not include screws.  Oh, but I digress.  Files are the same way.

Here is another resource that shows variations in file types along with how and why you might use them.  I like the animations, illustrations and explanations.

Finally, there are a bunch of weird file types for specialty applications.  We will not go into them – except one that is very useful, but not so common in the DIY-ers shop — the thread file.  Check out this video as an introduction.  (The author, davemotohead1, does not use a very careful technique, but look past the goofy stuff and he has the right idea.)  Very useful.

Practice Makes Perfect

Metalworking files are not the easiest tools to become super proficient with.  They take some time for skills development to teach your muscles to always hold them straight through the stroke.  Practice a little with these tools, and realize that though they are ancient, they are also extremely well refined by great minds that have honed the technology over centuries.

Take some time to teach yourself to use a file well, and you will find they are great for all sorts of things well beyond simple deburring (which is what most people use them for).  The right tools, and in this case, the right skills with the right tools for the job make everything easier.  And, help you with a better end result.

Here is a piece of odd knowledge:  Did you know that files are some of the flattest tools in your shop?

If you need, you can check flatness of something by laying a file on it, then by look through at light on the other side.  A file will show you the flatness (or not) of the object in comparison.  Also, because they are really flat, they are a great way to finish up a part that needs to be pretty flat.  Specifically I am thinking about wood parts more than metal ones.  It would be really hard to finish a metal part to flat with a file.

Need More From Your Metalworking Files?

Power Rotary Burr For MetalworkingGoing beyond the typical metalworking files takes us to the power tools incarnation of the “files” technology.  If you want Danger with a capital “D”, these power versions will give it.  These, like in the photo, are “Rotary Burrs”.  Dangerous, because this is one wicked tool!  Does it look nice enough?  Not only will it will eat anything it touches, but it can whip a tool right from your hands, or worse, shatter in splinters all over.  You must keep these things in control.

This one is carbide, and it eats steel.  It devours aluminum, but it burns on wood.  Super cool tool, but nasty just the same.

While I love this tool because of what it does, I have a huge respect for it.  Control is the key to avoid bloody knuckles, or much worse.

Not for use by people with shaky hands.  The one shown in the image is carbide, made for metalworking, and it eats steel, wood, (or fingers) for lunch.  Please do Be careful.

Get out in the shop and Enjoy A ReIntroduction to the awesomeness of Metalworking Files.

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