Author Topic: Hand Cutting a File  (Read 3008 times)

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Hand Cutting a File
« on: August 20, 2018, 06:48:42 AM »
I've long had a yearning for a die filer, but the lack of availability of the files has put me off.  Well, turns out making your own files is not such a big deal.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkuIElUlQM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkuIElUlQM</a>

This video is part 2 and really contains the meat of how it's done.  Part 1 is a bit interesting, but not all that useful.  I think I'm going to give this a try.  If it works, I may move on to constructing a motorized die filer.

Chuck
So many projects, so little time...

Offline paul gough

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 457
  • Tropical Queensland, Australia
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2018, 07:11:54 AM »
You may like to have a look at Chris', (another North Queenslander) methods of manufacturing files for his ancient mechanism.
<http://www.clickspringprojects.com> Regards Paul Gough.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2018, 07:19:31 AM by paul gough »

Offline Mcgyver

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 394
  • Toronto
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2018, 04:19:54 PM »
I've had a die filer for years, not used it for lack of files.  Recently I bought large selection at auction - not cheap though, I mustn't have been the only one with this problem.  They are available new, a place in Mississauga has them.  However at $300 for a set of 10 it was always more than I wanted to spend.   

I remember seeing a drawing of antique file making machine, the cutter was hinged, raise to a set height and dropped (mechanically irrc) and the file was infed, so you'd get exactly the same height and pitch to the teeth.

I once would have made them and can see making them to satisfy a curiosity, but really, buying a few for a 30 each would be the way to go.  Current thinking is life is too short to make readily available and not too expensive commercial items

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2018, 05:05:19 PM »
I've had a die filer for years, not used it for lack of files.  Recently I bought large selection at auction - not cheap though, I mustn't have been the only one with this problem.  They are available new, a place in Mississauga has them.  However at $300 for a set of 10 it was always more than I wanted to spend.   

I remember seeing a drawing of antique file making machine, the cutter was hinged, raise to a set height and dropped (mechanically irrc) and the file was infed, so you'd get exactly the same height and pitch to the teeth.

I once would have made them and can see making them to satisfy a curiosity, but really, buying a few for a 30 each would be the way to go.  Current thinking is life is too short to make readily available and not too expensive commercial items

Yeah, in many, maybe most cases it's more practical to just buy stuff like this and hopefully the quality is better.  In my particular case, it's more a matter of curiosity, how good a file can be made in the home shop...?
So many projects, so little time...

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2018, 06:59:03 PM »
Talk about recreating ancient technology.

Da Vinci designed a machine to cut files back in the days when Mona Lisa was a toddler.  Check out the wooden "gears" and the clockwork drive...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnfoNThFUs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnfoNThFUs</a>
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2018, 03:33:10 AM »
Yeah, doing a bit of research, there's not much interest in making your own files.  That's probably due, at least in part, to not much interest using files either...

Chuck
So many projects, so little time...

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18559
  • Rochester NY
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2018, 03:53:22 AM »
I use files quite a bit, in machining and in carving. No where near as much as SteamGuyWilly though...

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2018, 02:38:21 PM »
Files for die filers approach unobtanium so there's one area where making your own really makes sense.
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18559
  • Rochester NY
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2018, 04:02:37 PM »
Files for die filers approach unobtanium so there's one area where making your own really makes sense.
How are those files different?

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2018, 04:53:08 PM »
Files for die filers approach unobtanium so there's one area where making your own really makes sense.
How are those files different?

They cut on the pull/down stroke to force the part against the die filer table.  Also, they typically have a cylindrical tang to be gripped in the die filer's chuck.

Those details aside, the main reason they're so rare is that die filers are apparently not used much in industry so the file makers have no reason to make files for those machines.
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2018, 05:59:04 PM »
Die files also have parallel sides whereas a lot of traditional files are tapered.
So many projects, so little time...

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18559
  • Rochester NY
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2018, 06:32:30 PM »
Thanks Chuck/Marv, those differences make sense for the filing machines.

Do they usually have teeth just on one side, so the file can rest against a backer, or are they just held vertical by the chuck jaws?

I do a lot of the same job with the belt sander, but that is not great for inside corners like a file can do.

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #12 on: August 28, 2018, 08:09:14 PM »
If you do mostly small scale stuff, as you and I seem to do, constructing a mini die filer powered by an electric drill isn't too difficult...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-die-filer-27294#post36802
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18559
  • Rochester NY
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #13 on: August 28, 2018, 08:42:57 PM »
If you do mostly small scale stuff, as you and I seem to do, constructing a mini die filer powered by an electric drill isn't too difficult...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-die-filer-27294#post36802
Nice!

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #14 on: August 28, 2018, 08:46:50 PM »
If you do mostly small scale stuff, as you and I seem to do, constructing a mini die filer powered by an electric drill isn't too difficult...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-die-filer-27294#post36802
Nice!
Thanks Chuck/Marv, those differences make sense for the filing machines.

Do they usually have teeth just on one side, so the file can rest against a backer, or are they just held vertical by the chuck jaws?

I do a lot of the same job with the belt sander, but that is not great for inside corners like a file can do.

Don't know about teeth on  both sides, but I have never seen any kind of backing device in use.  Filers generally are more controllable in material removal and, in my opinion, more precise with the flatness and angle results.  Also, a filer can be used for inside work, like filing a round hole into a square hole.

Chuck
So many projects, so little time...

Offline cfellows

  • Rest In Peace
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1700
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #15 on: August 28, 2018, 08:48:20 PM »
If you do mostly small scale stuff, as you and I seem to do, constructing a mini die filer powered by an electric drill isn't too difficult...

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/miniature-die-filer-27294#post36802

Marv, I've run across pictures of your die filer a few times when searching for same.  Really like the simplicity and elegance of your design.

Chuck
So many projects, so little time...

Offline steam guy willy

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3239
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #16 on: August 29, 2018, 01:35:58 PM »
I think this is a die filer file ?It is about 6 inches long so the machine might have quite a large "throw"  also some Peter Stubbs files  £20 at a carbon sale !!  also i have been thinking about making a die filer and have a couple of sewing machine engines and also a food processor headstock that has an inbuilt 'crank' arrangement ...sorry just checking the size of photos i can put up ?!!!
« Last Edit: August 29, 2018, 01:49:04 PM by steam guy willy »

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18559
  • Rochester NY
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #17 on: August 29, 2018, 01:46:27 PM »
I think this is a die filer file ?It is about 6 inches long so the machine might have quite a large "throw"  also some Peter Stubbs files  £20 at a carbon sale !!  also i have been thinking about making a die filer and have a couple of sewing machine engines and also a food processor headstock that has an inbuilt 'crank' arrangement
Willy, do you have larger photos? Those are only a few pixels wide, cant see anything - looks like it put in the icons rather that the pics?

Offline steam guy willy

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3239
Re: Hand Cutting a File
« Reply #18 on: August 29, 2018, 01:52:36 PM »
Hi Chr, I think that is better it would not let me put them up full size so i tried small medium and large !!!

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal