Files- best bang per buck

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Posted by Michael Cox 1 on 09/11/2016 21:58:56:

The problem with files is that even cheap, rubbish files work to an extent. However, it is only after using a really good file that you appreciate the difference between good and bad.

Mike

Aced it as usual Mike, funnily enough i can cut into the shank of my wilkinsons needle files using another one, i'm not sure i should be able to do that.  Yet the same test didn't work on the rolson or faithful ones. 

I'm confident my tome ones will be "a cut above the rest" (canned laughter). 

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 09/11/2016 22:12:33

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by KWIL on 09/11/2016 20:31:37:

How were they packed when delivered?

Hi KWIL,

We get Tome to pack the standard files – each in a cardboard sleeve. When we get them, we pack them – each in a plastic sleeve (lay flat tube), to try and protect them in transit. Bubble wrap or bubble bag may be added for outer packing as necessary. Picture below:

The swiss pattern needle files come to us in packs of 12 per cut. We remove them and re-pack them, each in a plastic sleeve.:

Re-packing into plastic sleeves – sitting there packing each file into the lay flat plastic tube and sealing is like daily mental therapy for me.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I bought a couple of NOS Tome files off Ebay. They are definitely the real thing and not toys.

If Ketan has got in some 10 or 12in 2nd cut parallel files with one safe edge and hopefully a slight bow that flattens under pressure I will be buying a couple of those too.

John

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Edited By Ajohnw on 10/11/2016 16:21:12

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Thank you Micheal W, just what I would expect fron ARC,

Ketan an excellent job as expected, will sort out my Order shortly.

K

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

File handles– Wood every time, warm to the touch, does not get oily and sticky, easily made for nothing using old chair legs.

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Posted by Ajohnw on 10/11/2016 16:20:48:

I bought a couple of NOS Tome files off Ebay. They are definitely the real thing and not toys.

If Ketan has got in some 10 or 12in 2nd cut parallel files with one safe edge and hopefully a slight bow that flattens under pressure I will be buying a couple of those too.

John

John,

When you say NOS, do you mean it as an abbreviation for 'New Old Stock'?

If you have our catalogue number 10, please see page 38 – Hand Files which are parallel with one safe edge in Cut 1, 2, and 3, with lengths 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm. Or, page 40 – Lead Float Hand Files in Cut 0 (Very Coarse) for softer materials in lengths 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm.

Don't know about bow that flattens under pressure – as just under/around 6mm thick, I wonder how much pressure would be required to do this.

Web links to relevant pages here with reference to page 38 and here with reference to page 40. Hope it helps.

Ketan at ARC.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I've no idea how much pressure is needed Ketan but it's what Stubs did with their files of this type. The slight curve allows surfaces to be worked flat under lighter pressure than that used for pure metal removal rates.

My woodwork teacher at school used them to straighten thin panels – set in a routed groove in a hardwood block to remove the curve.

It's only a slight curve but enough for high spots to be removed on flat surfaces. I only have one UK made file left. It's an 8" half round. The curve on that is circa 3/32 but only over the last 2". It's flat apart from that. I do have a rasp as well but different animal. That does have a curve along it's length.

I'm pretty sure that the actual coarseness of Stubs grades varied with size. If Tome are doing the same the difference would be pretty obvious on say a 2nd cut 150mm against a 300mm 2nd cut.

The Tome new old stock I bought were both large 3 square. I often buy 2 as I keep one for use on wood.

John

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