Crescent Nicholson Guide to Files and Filing

History The file has been with man now for many years and one of the first recordings is in the Bible during the reign of King Saul.This would be approximately 1090 BC and at that time files would have been used for sharpening various types of primitive tools. From the first files, the development and evolution can be traced from stone implements to files with teeth running at right angles across the file blank to present day quality machine-produced files. The first attempt to cut files by machine was approximately 1490 AD and resulted from an invention by Leonardo Da Vinci. However, the first machine which actually cut files successfully was made by the Frenchman, Chopitel, in 1750.

At this time, files were made from mild material and did not require annealing. To produce a hardened surface, various preparations were used to carburize the file teeth. But it was the inventions of such men as Bernot, Nicholson, Whipple, and Weed that provided machines capable of producing better files than those produced by hand.

How a File is Made Today, various kinds of materials, product finishes, and working conditions make file development an industrial science. File manufacture involves the study of file steels, file design, and file performance for all file applications.

File Steel: Raw stock is cut to proper length from various widths, thicknesses, and cross sections, such as rectangular, square, triangular, round, and half round.

Rough Shaping: The blank is punched to shape or is heated and forged with drop hammers and rollers to shape the tang and point.

Annealing: The forged blank is heated to an elevated temperature and then cooled slowly under controlled conditions to soften the steel for tooth cutting and to make internal steel structure uniform.

Final Shaping: The annealed blanks are ground or milled to produce a surface necessary for the uniform formation of the teeth. This is followed by drawfiling that produces the perfectly true flat or curved surface necessary for the uniform formation of the teeth.

Forming Teeth: The teeth are formed by a rapidly reciprocating chisel that strikes successive blows on the blank. The hardened chisel cuts into the soft blank, displacing and raising the steel into the desired tooth structure.

Hardening: The file is then hardened by heating it in a molten bath to a predetermined temperature. This is followed by immersing the file in a quenching solution. This combination of heating and cooling under carefully controlled conditions brings the file to the maximum hardness to the very top of the cutting edges.

Finishing: The file is cleaned and sharpened by bead blasting. The tang is reheated to give strength without brittleness. It is then given a series of tests by trained inspectors, and is oiled to prevent rust.

File Terminology This section of the booklet will help you understand the file and the terms used. Each part of the file has a name and there are many different shapes and sizes of files. Furthermore, there are varying types of file cuts.

Type: The cross-sectional shape or style of the file (i. e. quadrangular, circular, triangular, or irregular.) These sections are further classified according to their contours (i.e. blunt, taper, etc.)

Blunt: A file whose edges are parallel from end to end and of constant width.

Taper: The reduction in cross section of the file from its heel to the point. A file may taper with width, in thickness, or in both. Coarseness: The number of teeth per inch length of the file.

Cut: The character of the file teeth with respect to the coarseness (bastard, second-cut, and smooth)

A Single-Cut: A single set of parallel, diagonal rows of teeth. Single-cut files are often used with light pressure to produce a smooth surface finish or to put a keen edge on knives, shears, or saws.

A Double-Cut: Two sets of diagonal rows of teeth. The second set of teeth is cut in the opposite diagonal direction, and on top of the first set. The first set of teeth is known as the overcut while the second is called the upcut. The upcut is finer than the overcut. The double-cut file is used with heavier pressure than the single-cut and removes material faster from the workpiece. Length Point Belly Heel Tang 4 5

Rasp-Cut: A series of individual teeth that are formed by a single-pointed tool. This produces a rough-cut and is used primarily on wood, hooves, aluminum, and lead. A Curved-Cut/Mill Tooth: Teeth are arranged in curved contours across the file face. Normally used i

n automotive body shops for smoothing body panels.

Plater’s Rasp: A Rasp File combination that is used primarily by farriers in the trimming of horses’ hooves. Woodchuck: A multi-purpose wood chisel/rasp combination tool used by cabinetmakers, homebuilders, and construction workers.

Bastard: File coarseness between “coarse and second cut.”

Back: The convex side of a half-round or other similarly shaped file. Edge: The intersection of two adjacent faces of the file.

Safe Edge: A smooth or uncut edge of the file.

Pinning: Filings wedged between the file teeth.

Shelling: The breaking of file teeth, usually caused by using too much pressure reverse filing, filing sharp corners, or edges.

Handle: A holder into which the tang of the file fits. If the file has an integral holder this is known as a solid handle file.

Choosing the Right File To achieve the desired results it is essential that the right file be used for the job. In selecting the right file the user should consider the shape, size and coarseness of the file.

The size and the coarseness of the file are directly related, so the larger the file the more stock it will remove and the smaller the file the finer the finish it will achieve.

The coarser the cut of the file, the rougher the finish of the work. Therefore, the size of the file and the grade of its cut must be taken into account against the amount of stock to be removed and the fineness of finish that is required.

Generally speaking, bastard and second-cut grades of doublecut files would be chosen for the fast removal of stock while single-cut files and smooth double-cut files would be chosen for finishing. It is however almost impossible to lay down exact guidelines for the right file for the job, but using the basic facts given here the user should have a reasonably clear picture in mind, the nature, size of the work, the kind of finish required, the working tolerance allowed, and the risks (if any) of spoiling the work.

In addition to the amount of stock to be removed, the contour of its removal is equally important and is determined by the shape of the file. For example, a triangular file should be used on acute internal angles, to clear out square corners and in sharpening saw teeth.

A Flat File should be used for general-purpose work, a Square File for enlarging rectangular holes and a Round File for enlarging round holes. A Half-Round File can be used for dual purposes, the flat face for filing flat surfaces and the curved face for grooves.

Filing is an industrial art. Grip, stroke and pressure may vary to fit the job. There are three elemental ways a file can be put to work. They are:

Straight Filing: This consists of pushing the file lengthwisestraight ahead or slightly diagonally-across the workpiece.

Draw Filing: This consists of grasping the file at each end, pushing and drawing it across the workpiece.

Lathe Filing: This consists of stroking the file against work revolving in a lathe. When holding a workpiece in a vise for normal filing, the vise should be about elbow height.

When there is a great deal of heavy filing it is better to have the work slightly lower. If the work is of fine and delicate nature, the work can be raised to eye level.

For work that could become damaged in the vise through pressure, a pair of protectors made of zinc, copper or aluminum sheet should be used between the workpiece and vise jaws.

The Grip

For files needing two-handed operation, the handle should be grasped in one hand and the point of the file in the other hand.

The file handle should be rested in the palm with the thumb pointing along the top of the handle and the fingers gripping the underside.

The point of the file should be grasped between the thumb and the first two fingers with the thumb being on the top of the file.

When heavy filing strokes are required, the thumb on the point is normally in line with the file, the tip of the thumb pointed forward. For lighter strokes however, the thumb can be turned to as much as right angles to the direction of the stroke.

If the file is being used one-handed for filing pins, dies, or edged tools not being held in a vise, the forefinger and not the thumb is placed on top of the handle in line with the file.

Carrying the File

For normal flat filing, the operator should aim to carry the file forward on an almost straight line in the same plane, changing its course enough to prevent grooving. Too much pressure often results in a rocking motion causing a rounded surface.

Keep the File Cutting

Different materials of course require different touches; however, in general, just enough pressure should be applied to keep the file cutting. If allowed to slide over the harder metals the teeth of the file rapidly become dull, and if they are overloaded by too much pressure, they are likely to chip or clog.

On the reverse stroke, it is best to lift the file clear of the workpiece, except on very soft metals. Even then pressure should be very light, never more than the weight of the file itself.

Draw Filing

Draw Filing consists of grasping the file firmly at each end and alternatively pushing and pulling the file sideways across the work. Since files are made primarily to cut on a longitudinal forward stroke, a file with a short-angle cut should never be used, as it will score and scratch instead of shaving and shearing. When accomplished properly, draw filing produces a finer finish than straight filing.

Normally, a standard Mill Bastard File is used for draw filing, but where a considerable amount of stock has to be removed, a flat or hand file (double cut) will work faster. However, this roughing down leaves small ridges that will have to be smoothed by finishing with a single cut Mill File.

Lathe Filing

When filing work revolving in a lathe, the file should not be held rigid or stationary, but stroked constantly. A slight gliding or lateral motion assists the file to clear itself and eliminate ridges and grooves.

While a Mill File is capable of good lathe filing, there is a special long angle lathe file with teeth cut at a much larger angle. This provides a cleaner shearing, self-clearing file, eliminates drag or tear, overcomes chatter and reduces clogging. Uncut edges on this file protect any shoulders on the work, which are not filed, and the dog, which holds the workpiece.

Lathe filing is usually employed for fitting shafts. Where stock is to be removed, a 12"/300mm or 14"/350mm long angle Lathe File is preferable. This file will provide the finish suitable for a drive fit. For a running fit a Mill File will provide a smooth finish. Where a fine finish is required a Swiss Pattern and or Pillar file in No. 4 should be used.

Recommended Surface Feet Per Minute For Lathe Filing

Many Lathe Filers make a practice of not using a new file for work requiring an extremely fine finish. In using the long angle Lathe File, care should be taken at shaft ends as this fast cutting file may cut too deeply. Don’t run a hand over lathe work, as oil and moisture can coat the surface and make it difficult for the file to take hold. For lathe work that has oval, eliptical or irregularly round form, the finer swiss pattern files are most satisfactory.

Filing Different Metals

Different metals vary greatly in character and properties. Some are softer than others, some are more ductile, and so on. The nature of the metal has to be taken carefully into account when choosing the right file and applying it to the job. For instance, a soft ductile metal requires a keen file and only light pressure must be applied during filing if the work is not to be deformed. Conversely, a hard and less ductile metal may require a file with duller teeth to avoid them biting too deep and breaking off when pressure is applied.

When filing a material the user can normally feel whether or not he or she is using the right file, and filing in the correct manner. All things being correct, a smooth cutting action and a good clean finish on the work is achieved. If there is stubborn resistance, chances are the wrong file is being used, the file is damaged, or the wrong method is being used.

Filing Rough Castings

Snagging castings and removing fins, spurs, and other projections is hard on normal files. Their teeth are for fast cutting and do not possess the ruggedness for driving against hard projections and edges. This filing engages only a few teeth, thus putting a strain on each. For such work, it is better to use a Flat Aluminum Type A File or a Half Round Bastard File with sturdier teeth and heavy set edges to resist shelling or breaking out.

Filing Die Castings

Like foundry castings, die castings usually have sharp corners, webs, fins, or flashings which may damage a normal file. In addition, die castings consist of magnesium, zinc, aluminum, alloy, or similar combinations of metal which have the tendency to clog regular files.

Depending on the shape, there is a variety of Crescent Nicholson® files. Suggested files are found in the “job by job” file selector of this book, or you may contact your Crescent Nicholson® customer service representative.

Filing Stainless Steel

The use of stainless steel and alloy steels has created other filing techniques. These steels with hard chromium and nickel content are tough and dense. This causes them to be abrasive, which shortens the life of the normal file.

To overcome these problems, files have been developed with good wearing qualities. These files, when used with a light pressure and a slow, steady stroke, will remove metal and provide a good finish.

Filing Aluminum

Aluminum is soft and is difficult to file; file teeth clog even under moderate pressure. Filing aluminum is divided into:

Filing roughness from aluminum castings

Filing sheet and bar aluminum

Filing aluminum alloys

To produce a good finish, the aluminum type A file has been developed. The file upcut is deep with an open throat, the overcut fine which produces small scallops on the upcut. This breaks up the filings and allows the file to clear. This also overcomes chatter and prevents too large a bite. By using a shearing stroke toward the left, a good finish can be obtained.

Filing Brass

Brass is difficult to file because it is softer than steel, but tough. This demands teeth that are sharp and sturdy, cut to prevent grooving and running the file off the work.

The Magicut® file has a short upcut angle and a fine long angle overcut which produces small scallops to break up filings and enable the file to clear. With pressure, the sharp high-cut teeth bite deep. With less pressure, the short upcut angle smoothest.

Filing Bronze (Copper, Tin, or Other Alloying Elements)

Bronze is similar in nature to brass in some aspects, but varies according to the percentages of alloying elements.

Average sharpness of the file is satisfactory for some bronzes, while for others, a file that can maintain its sharpness for longer periods is required. Thus, for the harder bronzes, a file with a more acute angle at the top of the tooth is desirable. This is known as a thin topped tooth.

The direction of stroke of the file should be crossed frequently to avoid grooving with bronze and brass.

Filing Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is relatively simple to file. It is soft but only moderately ductile so it is not necessary for a file to be very sharp to obtain good results.

Filing Plastics

Hard plastics are dense and brittle, and material is removed as light powder. The abrasiveness of hard plastics requires files with high sharp teeth. Soft plastics are filed in shreds so shear tooth files should be used for this application.

For almost every density material, there is a Crescent Nicholson® file that will meet the required application. Suggested files are found in the “job by job” file selector of this book, or you may contact your Crescent Nicholson® Tools customer service representative.

Filing Soft Materials

For soft materials such as aluminum, brass, copper, plastics, hard rubber, and wood, a Shear Tooth file provides fast material removal with good smoothing qualities. The combination of the single cut and the long angle helps the shear tooth file to clear. Because of the long angle the file has a tendency to run to the left on narrow surfaces. This can be overcome by filing with a diagonal stroke to the right.

Precision Filing

For filing such as that employed by the instrument industry, there is a range of Swiss Pattern files. The delicate precision work calls for these files to be made to exacting measurements and finer cuts.

The flat precision file should be used with a slow smooth stroke, moving the file laterally along the work on the forward stroke. In using round or half round types, the filing should be clockwise to ensure a deeper cut and a smoother finish.

Saw Filing

Efficient saw filing demands, first of all, a steady hand and a good file. Also, the file must be correct in design, cut, and size for the type of saw and the type of teeth to be filed.

The stroke must be absolutely level, as the slightest rocking will affect the cutting edge of the sawtooth. The file must be lifted off the work when drawing back for the next stroke.

The teeth have to be set at the correct angle in relation to each other. This is best done with a “Saw Set” usually before filing. However, some filers prefer to do this after the saw has been filed. To file saw teeth, provisions must be made to hold the saw. A saw vise should be used, to be sure there is no chatter or vibration in the saw. This will shorten the life of the file.

Sharpening Hand Saws

Handsaws of two types, the crosscut and the rip, must be reset, normally every fourth or fifth filing. Check that teeth are of equal height. This can be accomplished by passing the file lightly lengthwise along the tops of the teeth. Some may be flattened, others are hardly touched. The flattened teeth will require more filing to put them in shape.

Filing Chain Saw Teeth

Rounded hooded chain saws: These type of chain saws require round chain saw files specifically designed for the task. These files are available in various diameters to fit a sizes of round hooded chain saws. Place the file against the beveled cutting surface of the teeth that face both sides and provide their own clearance at an angle of 20° to 45° with the saw blade, depending on manufacturer’s specifications. The direction of the filing stroke is off the cutting edge. It is essential that the file be held level and it should be pressed back and slightly up during the filing stroke. Every other tooth is filed, and then the chain saw is reversed. The depth gauges of this type of saw control the depth of the cut that the saw will take. As the cutting teeth are sharpened, they become lower, and it is necessary to lower the depth gauges an equal extent. The difference in height between cutting teeth and depth gauge should be between 0.020"/0.51mm and 0.030"/0.76mm. 14 15 File the depth gauge only as required to maintain dimensions between cutter and gauge as cutter is filed back. Do not file off too much. This overloads motor and chain and the chain will clog. Use a Depth Gauge, Chainsaw File, or a Mill File.

Sharpening Circular Saws

Before removing the saw blades from saw, lower the blade until only 1/64" (0.40mm) protrudes above the table. Place a file over the opening in the table and by hand, revolve the saw backward against the file. Be sure that the file touches each tooth top. Remove the saw blade and sharpen.

Some large size circular saws may be sharpened without removing them from the saw as long as there is no chatter. Large circular saws with insert type teeth are sharpened with a Mill File. The larger the saw, the larger the file.

Filing The Hand Crosscut Saw

The teeth of the crosscut saws cut with their edges and points: edges must be beveled and sharp. Start at the point of the saw and work towards the handle. Place the file in the gullet to the left of the first tooth set away from you. Hold the file level with the angle of the saw blade. At this angle, it should touch on the bevels of both teeth. When filing the flattened teeth, only half should be filed away at a time. Miss the next gullet and file the one following until every other gullet has been filed.

Reverse the saw and begin process from second gullet away from saw point.

Filing Hand Ripsaws

For pointing and filing, follow the same procedure as the crosscut saw. It must be remembered that the rip saw is filed so that the tooth points do the cutting, not the edges. Teeth should be filed at right angles to the blade. Every other tooth is brought to a square edge, the saw is reversed and the remaining teeth filed.

Sharpening Crosscut Saws

The crosscut saw has two types of teeth, cutters and rakers. The cutters do the cutting, the rakers clear the cut. This is filed at an angle of 45° from the filer. This permits access to cutters and enables the teeth to be filed at the correct angle.

Teeth should be checked for levelness, the raker teeth being between 1/100"/0.25mm and 1/64"/0.40mm below level of cutting teeth. The filer should file all cutter teeth to a point. The saw is placed vertically and the file used across the rakers. Should the gullets of the teeth require deepening, a Round file or a Mill File with round edge can be used.

Sharpening Tools and Implements

There are many tools and implements in industry, agriculture, and gardening that require regular sharpening. Such tools may be filed towards or away from the edge, the former for the early part of the task and the latter for the light finishing touches. For coarse steel cutting edges for hoes, ploughs etc., home and garden files, as well as axe and handy files, are available. For harder carbon steels in cutter knives, shears etc., the second cut or Smooth Mill provides a sure, but smoother bite. It is essential that the work glaze be removed in the first few strokes, so apply extra pressure in very slow, deliberate strokes at the beginning.

Rasps

Also available are rasp combinations known as four-in-hand and shoe rasp.

The Wood Rasp is a coarser cut than the cabinet rasp and is made primarily for the rapid removal of stock. For finer woodwork, the Cabinet Rasp provides a means of bringing mortise-and-tenon joints to a proper fit. The Horse Rasp is used for shoeing horses. The Plater’s Rasp is available for light hooves such as racehorses.

Woodchuck

Woodchuck Rasp is a Chisel/ Rasp combination tool used for a variety of wood working tasks. Each tool features a flat Wood Rasp on one side and a Half-Round Wood Rasp on the other. There are edge teeth for those hard to get spots. The chisel point features an extremely sharp, polished and ground blade.

Care of the File

The teeth of the file should be protected when the file is not in use by hanging it in a rack or keeping it in a drawer with wooden divisions. Files should always be kept clear of water or grease, since this impairs the filing action. It is advisable to wrap the file in a cloth for protection when it is carried in a toolbox.

The file teeth should be kept clean at all times by using a file card, or a wire file brush, to clear the grooves between the teeth.

Safety

For safety reasons, a file should never be used without a tight fitting handle. Serious accidents can result if the handle becomes detached exposing the sharp point of the tang.

Crescent Nicholson® offers a variety of different size file handles produced in traditional wood, or from modern plastics. If you need help in selecting which handle is right for your file, contact your Crescent Nicholson® customer service representative today.