Thread: Large file

Talk to Brett "fencefurniture" about Liogier (French made). The biggest i have is 12" i think but they do bigger. Best "new" files i have used, but of course they are not cheap.

have your old files sharpend

Hi Marc, I'm led to believe that immersing files into a bath of Molsasses is supposed to rejuvenate them. Whether it works or not I don't know, nothing to loose but a bit of Molsasses, or you get your files back, cheaper than buying new ones.
Kryn

Just checked their website however they seem to make only rasp for wood or specialised files for SS or surgical, nothing for ordinary metal work.

Yep the ones i have just appeared out of thin air

They make mill files too.

Marc, just take your bluntest file from your selection, and if it has the teeth full of greasy muck, you could give it a going over with a pressure cleaner, but if it is otherwise cleanish, place it in a container tall enough to hold the full length of the file, and fill the container with the cheapest supermarket vinegar, and leave for a day or two. If you have a Karcher or similar, give it a clean when you remove it from the vinegar, followed by a wash in hot, even boiling water, followed by a quick drying. The hot water is just to remove any traces of vinegar, and to heat the file so that any remaining water evaporates before the file begins to rust again. You will be amazed at how much extra bight that file has after you have treated it, and what is more it will look just like a brand new one too, with any rust completely removed, and the file colour restored to a grey with just a hint of brown tone, very similar to a brand new one.
The acetic acid in the vinegar must remove small amounts of material, and the rounded teeth of the file get a sharper edge as a result, well that's my theory anyway, but it works for me.
The container I use is a 500 ml. nylon laboritory measuring cylinder, but you could make something similar with PVC pipe and an end cap, it just wants to be non metallic I would imagine to prevent any chance of electrolytic reactions interfering with the process. Lets know how it goes,
Rob

If you can't find old Wiltshire or Nicholson, you are stuck with scouring ebay for vallorbe, grobet.. I hear good things about Lioger, from Brett... (aka FenceFurniture) that might be your best bet. Send him a PM.

I use vallorbe for saw sharpening... hard to beat.

Ray

Molasse ? that is to clean the rust. I heard of sulfuric acid at 10% ... What else is there? Sharpening service? 100 years ago the gipsies used to sharpen old files by making them cherry red and hitting each row of teeth with a chisel to raise them up again ... wouldn't even consider it today.

There must be a manufacturer to buy a bunch of files surely.

Enco in the US have 14 and 16" files,

Originally Posted by Marc

Molasse ? that is to clean the rust. I heard of sulfuric acid at 10% ... What else is there? Sharpening service? 100 years ago the gipsies used to sharpen old files by making them cherry red and hitting each row of teeth with a chisel to raise them up again ... wouldn't even consider it today.

There must be a manufacturer to buy a bunch of files surely.

The Molasses and sulphuric acid most likely operate on the same principal or mechanism as Vinegar, and from my experience with vinegar, it will also derust the file, but it also sharpens it too. It is far less hazardous than Sulphuric acid and probably quicker than molasses, although I'm guessing on that point. Vinegar is easier for most people to get in the sort of quantities that you will need, and when you are finished with it, you can just tip it down the sink, or place it around acid loving plants like azailias or Rhododendrons and water it in with plenty of water. When you take cost into account, it's a couple of dollars compared to several hundred if you want 4 or 5 large files. Give it a try, I think that you will be surprised at just how effective it will be.

Originally Posted by BobL

Enco in the US have 14 and 16" files,

Nicholson... they went downhill big time since they moved production to Brazil.... I'd give them a miss, unless you are desperate.

Here's another alternative. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6-pcs-Alp...-/261433374330

Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Nicholson... they went downhill big time since they moved production to Brazil.... I'd give them a miss, unless you are desperate.

Marc didn't mention quality plus he did say "Any reply is appreciated."

Here's some locally available 16". They also look cheap and cheerful.
http://www.tridon.com.au/products/To...30453/16HR02CD

Originally Posted by Marc

Just checked their website however they seem to make only rasp for wood or specialised files for SS or surgical, nothing for ordinary metal work.

The files aren't on the website (dunno why). Round, Flat, Square, Half round, 3 Square all go up to 400mm.

Originally Posted by Marc

Do you know where to buy larger sized hand files?

Any reply is appreciated.

Ask your local saw works where they get theirs to sharpen circulars etc.

They use lots of files and should be able to point you to a decent supplier.