Old Stock Saw Sharpening Files.

**planemaker** · 16th August 2013, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Hair we go again

.

For me, using the term 3-Square is the same as using common names for timber, that can so often be used incorrectly or misleadingly. You may remember how long it took, and how many different interpretations I read of "3 Sq" a few weeks ago. It's a stupid bloody term anyway given that it only relates to triangular files! The clearest interpretation I found was that "square" meant that the faces were square and therefore not distorted by cutting the edges.

As you well and truly know, it wouldn't be the first time the nomenclature has been a hindrance rather than a help! (re the diagrams showing cut corners when the description says that they aren't).

So, with that in mind I'd then label that catalogue as "politician's version" of the truth - whatever they need it to be at the time.

The only really safe way to buy a specific file is if the descriptions are full and complete (and they almost never are).

Brett. Quoted from previous attachment.

Three Square: The triangular shape is excellent for use in corners and on dies. Three Square Files are double cut on the sides, single cut on the edges and taper toward the point in width and thickness. Despite having angles of 60 degrees rather than 90 degrees, these files are still referred to as Three Square simply as a matter of slang.

Stewie;

Facts on Files| Paul Budzik | Fine Scale Modeling

**planemaker** · 16th August 2013, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Heavansabove

Stewie, All Swiss Patttern (SP) files are double cut - with no corner /edge cut. The differences with American Pattern (AP) are:
1. SP are higher quality, designed for fine work
2. SP come in a wider range of coarseness/fineness
3. SP end in a point, AP have a blunt toe

All needle files are SP

Note: the Nicholson 1942 Catalog has SP 3-Square files that are single cut on the edges, the AP 3-Square files have uncut edges. Just to confuse us.

Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter. Not sure I follow your understanding. For example, 3 square, square, equalling, and warding SP Needle Files all have corner cutting edges.

Stewie;

[QUOTE=Heavansabove;1685192]Stewie, All Swiss Patttern (SP) files are double cut - with no corner /edge cut. All needle files are SP.

**Heavansabove** · 16th August 2013, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by planemaker

Hi Peter. Not sure I follow your understanding. For example, 3 square, square, equalling, and warding SP Needle Files all have corner cutting edges.

Stewie;

Originally Posted by Heavansabove

Stewie, All Swiss Patttern (SP) files are double cut - with no corner /edge cut. All needle files are SP.

Stewie, to clarify matters (hopefully): SP file faces are cut to the edges, but the edge corners themselves are not cut separately. Of course they cut into the corners - sharply, because there is no radius on the corners. Obviously those corners wear pretty quickly.

Now, the Nicholson DC saw files we have are not 3-Square files. When you check you will see that the corners (that are filed to create three corner "faces") are cut (single cut), ie a chisel has been whacked down the corners by the machine - as the first step in file cutting. 3-Square files do not get this treatment, only the faces are cut. 3-Square are different to saw taper files in one other way - they are cut right to the tip on each face.

I cannot think, off hand, of any file, other than a saw taper, that has cut corners. And there are very few single cut files of any type, Mill Files, Round face of Smooth Half Round files, and Farmers Own (one face) are about it.
I trust I have not confused you further

Cheers
Peter

**planemaker** · 16th August 2013, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Heavansabove

Stewie, to clarify matters (hopefully): SP file faces are cut to the edges, but the edge corners themselves are not cut separately. Of course they cut into the corners - sharply, because there is no radius on the corners. Obviously those corners wear pretty quickly.

Now, the Nicholson DC saw files we have are not 3-Square files. When you check you will see that the corners (that are filed to create three corner "faces") are cut (single cut), ie a chisel has been whacked down the corners by the machine - as the first step in file cutting. 3-Square files do not get this treatment, only the faces are cut. 3-Square are different to saw taper files in one other way - they are cut right to the tip on each face.

I cannot think, off hand, of any file, other than a saw taper, that has cut corners. And there are very few single cut files of any type, Mill Files, Round face of Smooth Half Round files, and Farmers Own (one face) are about it.
I trust I have not confused you further

Cheers
Peter

Thanks Peter. You explained it very well.

Stewie;

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