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Lee Valley Nicolson files

Susquatch said:
I too would love to know how to rejuvenate an old file.
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On the owwm.org forum, a lot of people rave about a company in California that resharpens files:


Shipping to/from Canada makes it a non-starter unless you have easy access to the border and can send/receive from the US side. For me the border is just over an hour away and there are bridge tolls and fees at the mailing service (in Lewiston, NY). It adds up to nearly-kinda-not-quite a decent deal so I've never done it. I've had better luck picking up auction box lots and pulling out 2/3 good files from the dross. I have a box of really beat-up old files that I now consider a source of high-carbon steel for some currently-unknown future project. ;)

My buddy has a coal-fired forge that he lights up every so often. Next time he does that, I'm going to try to remember to anneal some of the old files. And maybe bash them on the anvil. Just...because!

Craig
 
My files were supposed to be delivered today. Got this email update this morning.......:(

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A non-UPS labour dispute has delayed delivery. We're working to deliver your package as quickly as possible.​
 
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I picked mine up today, I called for curb side pickup, they asked what parking spot number I’m in. I says 4, 5 and 6 :D

Anyway why do files have the filey part on the skinny side? I never understood that, you can’t use the side of the file as a guide because you’re filing as you’re guiding. If that makes any sense
 
Chicken lights said:
I picked mine up today, I called for curb side pickup, they asked what parking spot number I’m in. I says 4, 5 and 6 :D

Anyway why do files have the filey part on the skinny side? I never understood that, you can’t use the side of the file as a guide because you’re filing as you’re guiding. If that makes any sense
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If I understand you, that skinny side has file capabilities for skinny areas, I use that feature quite often. If you don't want that then you need to get what is called a lathe file and those are smooth on the edges.
 
DPittman said:
If I understand you, that skinny side has file capabilities for skinny areas, I use that feature quite often. If you don't want that then you need to get what is called a lathe file and those are smooth on the edges.
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Hmm, learn something new every day around here. Thanks!

Can you get rectangular lathe files, with no taper?
 
Chicken lights said:
I picked mine up today, I called for curb side pickup, they asked what parking spot number I’m in. I says 4, 5 and 6 :D

Anyway why do files have the filey part on the skinny side? I never understood that, you can’t use the side of the file as a guide because you’re filing as you’re guiding. If that makes any sense
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4 5 & 6 eh! Too funny!

Some files (eg lathe files) don't have the side edges so you can file up to a shoulder without worrying about damaging the shoulder or the chuck nose or your guide thumb!

Others do have side filing so you can file the shoulder too or file a narrower surface. In fact, you can change the force on the two surfaces to bias the filing results. Most files use all 4 surfaces.
 
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Scooped up a set myself on the weekend, thanks for the heads up. It was a good time to top up the file collection.
Now I have to check out the situation at Princess or CTC for handles.

D:cool:
 
$8.50 is getting up there. I wonder what is special about them. I've purchased the (Skroo-Zon) woodies from Gesswein & they are decent. And a cheaper version from KBC but I'm still mad at them for $25 min shipping

The Blue plastic ones (Grobet I believe) are really nice & still half the price. Make sure to figure out the right size before ordering in either event. I was a drill + epoxy guy until I figured the folly of my ways LOL

www.gessweincanada.com

Skroo-Zon File Handle

Canada's best source for Quality Tools, Equipment and Supplies for Jewellers and the Jewellery Industry. Over 17,000 products available from our 16,000 SF warehouse in Toronto. In-stock orders placed before 3:30pm shipped the same day. Can't find what you are looking for? Call our highly...
www.gessweincanada.com
 
Hmmm, could most guys not make some handles, wood on a metal lathe is not ideal just requires a bit more clean up, plastic or some other material turns great in a lathe. I made a few handles for some tools that needed a nice grip.
 
I've made some from alum, brass and steel, same with wood, golfball. I prefer wood. The last batch of handles were quick and dirty simply split from pallet wood and sanded into an octogon shape on the disc sander. Of all the handles I've ever made, I prefere these the best. Go figure lol
 
All of the files I use near the lathe have a golf ball handle on the rat tail/tang...read about a guy that snagged a file with a chuck jaw and drove the tang through his hand into his wrist, just missing the vein...sounded like 2 minutes to drill and hammer on a $2 golf ball would be prudent!!

Sasq. and anybody that does a bit of gun work...if you ever have a need to create a sight dovetail in a barrel, one of those 3 sided files with one side smoothed off in a grinder can cut the side undercuts about as fast as you can do a set up in a mill with a dovetail cutter. First cut the base opening with the small side of a flat file (Chicken, a good example of the use of the small side teeth) and then finish with the 3 cornered, takes 10 minutes from start to finish.
 
PeterT said:
$8.50 is getting up there. I wonder what is special about them.
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I've got a small pile of handles in a Lee Valley bag, but I don't especially remember where I got them as it's been a few years. I just assumed I got them at LV. But you're right, $8.50/per is getting up there. I know I've bought files from Grainger in the past, so maybe I got them from there, at a more reasonable $4/per.... (They also have the plastic ones for roughly the same price)
 
You know after not being able to find anything with the search engines on CTC & Princess I was thinking about ordering some of these AliExpress Handles but maybe these Grainger Handles aren't that expensive after all & they're made from real wood and metal too!

Just looked, those on Skroo-Zon look pretty good too.

D:cool:
 
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