I have a couple dozen old files from my grandfather's shop. They are old and rusty. Some are inexpensive and were not very good files when they were new, but others have very nice wood and metal handles. I'd like to refurbish them but have no idea how to do it. I tried a good quality rust remover without success. Any ideas?
Jake,
There is a highly regarded file sharpening service out there for files that is highly regarded and relatively inexpensive. They have gotten good press on all the hand tool forums.
Buy some new files. The difference is amazing. They're a medium-cost item, because you need a handful, but they're not a major cost and they are very useful. Get _good_ ones - there's a difference.
You can't de-rust files by normal cleaning. You'll get the rust off, but the teeth lose their edge. Try using a new file once - you'll appreciate the difference for "sharp".
There is an acid-etch process for restoring old files. This is a commercial send-it-away process, but the results are supposed to be excellent.
New handles are cheap - I wouldn't bother re-using old ones. "Python" handles have a metal spring inside the socket and are a bit easier to fit. Plain wooden handles are usually fitted by clamping the file (wrapped in cloth or leather) in a vice, heating the tang with a blowlamp and then burning an accurately-fitting hole into the handle (takes a few repeats). Then finally use a mallet (not a hammer - you'll split the wood) to push them firmly on. A coat of Danish Oil is a good finish to stop them getting too dirty too soon. Plastic handles are garbage - you can never get a good tight fit. Always use _something_ as a handle; file tangs into the wrist are a classic workshop horror story.
Try Googling as well - a few threads on files in the recent past.
There is a highly regarded file sharpening service out there that is relatively inexpensive. They have gotten good press on all the hand tool forums.
I throw my old files in a fire pit and let them cool overnight. I then grind and shape them to make knives, scrapers, lathe tools etc and then heat treat them to harden the edge. I have an unlimited source of tool steel for next to nothing. max
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