Tech. - How to use a file

[Jive Ass'd Turkey]

Grinder this. Grinder that. Phooey.

Buy a good set of Nicholson files and put the grinder down if you'd like to put a really nice finish on something.

Understand that a file only cuts one way and that's usually forward. All that seesawing back and forth people do is bad and dulls your file. Clamp whatever you're working on down to something so you can apply firm pressure to it while filing. Hold the file with two hands; one on the handle and one at the other end. When filing tubing or round things slide the file across as well as forward to keep your round thing round. Files talk. If you're using one correctly it will say zzzzz, zzzzz, zzzzz like Fiscars scissors do. It will also FILE rather than gouge.

Think files are archaic? Go ask the best machinist you can find if he thinks so. He'll convince you otherwise.

[Big Nick]

very good point! I just started using files more and it makes a difference.

[noodelz]

I live by my files. Draw filing with a mill smooth file is the best way to keep something's shape and give a bitchin finish, I can actually feel the surface through my file and tell how good it is. The only thing better that that is surface grinding, but not everyone has access to a machine.

It's funny I see all these young apprentices going full bore with a grinder and fucking shit up. They all give me funny looks when I break out my files and blow them away.

[NewYorkAndy]

100% back this.
I took down the rib weld on my fender w/ a file and it came out dialed.
The control you get with a file is unreal.
I like to be able to control the amount of material removed w/ out looking down and going... oh, shit.

Big up to a good set of files and taking the time to use them.

[Dr. Benway]

Yes to all this...I love my vixen file, I'm amazed at the nice gradual shaping you can do with it.

[Richie]

I love to file....
It drives me NUTS when the people I work with "see-saw" as you call it...
But they know everything so I just let them go...

[sickboi55]

some files do work back and forth.

[JasonMcElroy]

I decked my '66 BSA cases last week with some Dykem and a nice chalked coarse file. . . perfectly fucking flat, and better yet, SQUARE with the crank axis.

Took WAY less time than making a fixture for the Bport.

jason

[scraper]

i only have a couple shitty old files i got at a yard sale for a buck. can someone post a link to a "set" that would be ideal for a backyard metal masher like me?

[Big Nick]

Originally Posted by scraper

i only have a couple shitty old files i got at a yard sale for a buck. can someone post a link to a "set" that would be ideal for a backyard metal masher like me?

Just as Jive Ass'd Turkey said
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...icholson_files

[Dr. Benway]

Originally Posted by JasonMcElroy

I decked my '66 BSA cases last week with some Dykem and a nice chalked coarse file
jason

What does the chalk do, keep it from loading up?

[RAZ]

Don't forget a filecard to keep your files cleen.

[scraper]

nice - thanks nick - im'ma forward that link right over to santa.

[sickboi55]

i think i may be wrong about some cutting both ways. tried to find some and no go

[Big Nick]

Originally Posted by Dr. Benway

What does the chalk do, keep it from loading up?

yup

[Dan]

having a proper handle on the file is huge help also, not trying to hang on to the tang...
can anyone list the uses for the different files, i.e. mill, bastard, vixen, etc...

[hatchethairy]

this is all news to me. thanks for the heads up. i find it funny though, cause i was just scoping out a set of files for christmas gift ideas....

hopefully the wife isn't a stupid whore and gets me what i suggested.

[HD48FL]

Definately essential tools!

[Big Nick]

Originally Posted by Dan

can anyone list the uses for the different files, i.e. mill, bastard, vixen, etc...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[reid]

File in one direction when working with steel and back and forth when working with aluminum. It will clean out the aluminum on the back stroke. Especially when using a fine file.