I do not know of any and have never come across any.

In one of his books, Guy Lautard suggests keeping files permanently in cutting/tapping oil and re- dipping regularly. That way pins will never stick to the teeth. Others suggest chalking the file. I think both work, but I dislike the chalking idea, rubbing a file on rock strikes me as a good way to blunt it. And dipping the file in oil is messy.

Regards,

Richard

I have had excellent results using very coarse files which are used to trim down lead loaded repairs on car bodies (old fashioned I know fillers are now used for this purpose!)

The files shown in the Arc catalogue are quite fine compared with the files I have used for lead. I am afraid I don't know the name of the very coarse files that I use for lead loading. I am sure the ARC files will perform well on aluminium. For a final finish, then use an ordinary fine file and if this isn't a good enough finish, then wrap some very fine wet and dry around the file and finish that way.

Andrew.

Many years ago I was installing some equipment at a company that made some sort of military items. (they couldn't tell me what it was for, offiial secrets etc.)

They had aluminium castings of various sizes and the had to fit in to other bits very precisely. They used hand files unlike anything I had ever seen or seen since. They didn't have conventional file sort of teeth, more like a diamond file but sort of squeezed out of the file body. They had a range of them from about 18 inches long down to about 2 inches. They removed metal superbly and never clogged up like a conventional file. They said they had different grades for different grades of aluminium and the correct type had to be used.

I asked if they had any to spare as I thought they were brilliant but they said that I would need a far higher level of security clearance before I could even apply for one!!

There did not appear to have a makers name on them and I have never seem anything even remotely similar in 50 years of engineering.

Anybody used or seen anything similar?

These are the bodywork files and the various others from bastard engineering files to the specialist soft metal files, they also do a specific aluminium one but ARC don't keep that

And single cut files work better for aluminium than double cut ones.

Neil

One of the alternatives to Dreadnought files are called 'Millenicut'. I have not bought any for some time, so they may have disappeared like fax machines and customer service.

Cheers, Tim

When I was an aircraft apprentice at Vickers Weybridge, we made extensive use of files like these. If using them, do use a file handle, and wrap masking tape around the opposite end because if you slip, you will leave multiple cuts on your fingers / thumb.
**LINK**
BobH

If you are removing a fair bit of aluminium at least 1/2" wide or more the dreadnoughts your best bet.

If only a couple of mm to remove a second cut and bastard will do the job.

Millenicut will clog just as much as anything and not cut as good.

Nothing will stop aluminums clogging get used to it. Remedy is learning and feeling for whats happening with each swing to dislodge.

Richard i would avoid anything a person says who says keep files in cutting fluid!
It wont cut.

I have a millenicut and the teeth are curved.

The Tome Fiera 'lathe files' are single cut with straight teeth.

The advantage with single cut files is they are MUCH easier to clean if aluminium builds up on them

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 05/08/2018 21:22:09

Note:- Bastard files are between coarse files and second cut files. Bastard files are fairly rare these days. Coarse files are an endangered species.

The curved teeth don't seem to clog as much, and the filed surface is somewhat smoother.

Bob