Metalwork - Bench Tools - Files

The File

Most files are made from high carbon steel where the Length has been hardened and tempered, but the Tang has been left soft. Files are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are known either by their cross-section, the general shape, or by their particular use. Which file you use is dependent on the type of work you are doing and the material you are using. Files are used to square ends, file rounded corners, remove burrs from metal, straighten uneven edges, file holes and slots, smooth rough edges, etc. Files have three distinguishing features, and are classified by these features:

• Length, (measured without the Tang)
• Cross-section or Shape
• Grade of Cut

You can discover more about these features below.

• The Point is sometimes called the Top, (for obvious reasons).
• The Shoulder can also be called the Heel.
• Files have cutting teeth on both Faces. In the case of the Hand File, (which you can read more about later), only one of the Edges has teeth on it and the other is smooth, and called the Safe Edge. The Safe Edge allows you to rub the File up against a surface without wearing any material away.
• Always make sure that the Handle is securly attached to the Tang, otherwise you could give yourself a nasty injury.
• The Length of the File, (measured in millimeters), is measured from the Shoulder to the Point.

Grade of Cut

Files are usually made in two types of cuts, Single Cut and Double Cut. The Single Cut File has a single row of teeth extending across the face at an angle of 65° to 85° for the length of the file. The Double Cut File has two rows of teeth which cross each other. For general work, the angle of the first row is 40° to 45°, and the angle of the second row can be anywhere between 30° and 87°.

Files are also classified by the coarseness of the teeth. The bigger the teeth the rougher the feel of the File, and the quicker the File will remove material when you are using it. There are four main levels of coarseness that you may come across in the metalwork room and they are :

• Rough
• Bastard
• Smooth
• Very Smooth

You should be familiar with the Rough and Smooth Files. If you cannot tell by looking at the File which it is, then just rub your finger gently along it and you should figure it out.

Types of Files

There are many different types of Files, some of which you will be famliar with. Below you can see a table containing the more common Files, their shape and their main uses.

File Name	Shape	Cross-Section	Description
Hand File			The Hand File is parallel in width for its length. It is Double Cut on both faces, Single Cut on one edge, but the other edge is blank and called the Safe Edge. Used for general purposes.
Flat File			The Flat File is Double Cut on both faces and Single Cut on the edges. It tapers slightly towards the point. Used for general purposes.
Half-Round File			The Half-Round File is Double Cut on the flat side and Single Cut on the curved side. It tapers slightly towards the point in bothe width and thickness. Used for filing concave surfaces and internal corners.
Round File			The Round File is Double cut. It tapers slightly towards the point. Used for enlarging holes and internal corners.
Square File			The Square File is Double Cut on all sides. It tapers slightly towards the point. Used for rectangular slots, square holes and internal corners.
Three Square File			The Three Square File is Double Cut on all sides. It tapers slightly towards the point. It is triangular in section. Used for filing into internal angles.

Needle Files

Needle Files are slender files which are about 18cm in length. They come in a wide variety of shapes, (whihc you can see below). They do not have a Tang but their handle is knurled for grip. Needle Files are used on very small work, very accurate angle finishing and in model work.

File Name	Shape	Cross-Section
Hand
Warding
Half-Round
Three Square
Square
Round
Knife
Crossing
Barrette
Slitting
Round Edge Hand
Round Edge Warding

Pinning

Particles of metal collect between the teeth of a file and besides the possibility that they may make deep scratches in the material being filed, they also reduce the efficiency of the file. When these particles of metal are lodged too firmly between the teeth and cannot be removed by tapping the edge of the file, remove them with a File Card or Wire Brush. Draw the brush across the file so that the bristles pass between the teeth. If you don't have a File Card or a Wire Brush handy, you could also get a scrap piece of sheet copper or brass and rub it across the file as you would a File Card.

Cross Filing

Before attempting to use a file, make sure their is an undamaged handle on the tang of the file. This is essential for proper guiding and safe use. In order to Crossfile, (the usual method of filing), grasp the handle so that its end fits into and against the fleshy part of your palm with the thumb lying along the top of the handle in a lengthwise direction. Grasp the end of the file between the thumb and first two fingers. To prevent undue wear to the file, remove the pressure during the return stroke.

Draw Filing

A file is sometimes used by grasping it at each end, crosswise to the work, (as you can see below), then moving it lengthwise with the work. When done properly, work can be finished much smoother cross-filing with the same file. You can use this method of filing to remove slight scratch marks left by cross-filing. To get a very smooth finish, apply some water or oil, depending on the material you are filing, to the work and continue to drawfile.

Filing Curves

There are two types of curves that you may have to file smooth. With an internal curve, (which you can see below on the left), you should move the fie across the work while at the same time moving along the curve. As you are moveing the file along the curve change the angle of the file as you see in the diagram. For an external curve, (as in the diagram on the right), run the file along the curve while at the same time "rocking" the file so that the point of the file rises as you move forward.