Best small files? Rat tail style & others - Scratchbuilding (2024)

John Gorski

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Duffy

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Here's the Gesswein company, my favorite place for everything abrasive: http://www.gesswein....CFTOKEN=6092924

This is also a great source for rotary burs and Moto-Tool type stuff. Browse and you'l get ideas.

Anybody wants some file-using & -maintaining talk, ask me.

Duffy

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Tigwldr

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I have used thousands of files at work to file different materials. The best files we have found are anything made by NICHOLSON. They are expensive as hell. Upwards of 8 bucks each for a small flat needle size file. The last forever though. Thats the only kind of file I use for anything.

If you don't want to go that expensive. "GENERAL" make a small set for about 20 bucks. They don't last as long but they are much better than most of the cheap junk out there. Files are like anything else made. You get what you pay for. If you buy a four dollar set from the flea market, thats what your gonna get.

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Tigwldr

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Duffy

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Agree with all said. The Nicholson die sinker files are larger than what John was asking for, but in our sizes they'll be afar better application than those others.

For anybody who hasn't gone to the File Care Weekend Seminar, a few things to be mindful of:

Brass eats files, nothing to be done about it, the stuff moves aside & past the cutting edge before cutting and the edge micro-chips itself into oblivion. Usually, I'll keep files for finish work where I want a nice surface, a flat, or a sharp corner; I'll ruff down with Moto-Tool burs and do the final swipes with the file. They're essential where they're essential, but I hate that investment getting dull.

Cut on the push stroke, never drag the file back on the work; that rubs the cutting edges in the wrong way and you start to lose them. Get used to the motion of easing the pressure off as you return-stroke, and lifting off completely is best. Also, you file more effectively if your workpiece is secured in a vise and you have both hands free to work the file--this may seem like overkill in such small areas as we work, but it's all about managing tool geometry & you'll get nicer results and a longer-lasting tool.

You want a "file card"--a wire brush that cleans files--to keep the gop from gumming your files up, & keep it out to use.

Can't think of anything else. You?

Duffy

Michael J. Heinrich
1950-2016
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John Gorski

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havlicek

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Good stuff!

Can't think of anything else. You?

...file chalk. Gunsmith suppliers often have this stuff, not sure if it's composition is any different from regular old calcium carbonate (limestone, marble...the White Cliffs of Dover!).

-john

John Havlicek

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www.pslotcar.com//~stores/111670_preview.jpg

These look better than any I have found for under $10.

PHIL