File sharpening..

[Phil Kangas]

Sure is quiet in here right now. Ever bitch about your favorite file getting hopelessly plugged up with something? This happened to my favorite six inch fine tooth file. Usually I have good luck using my cleaner, a wood handle with a dowel pin in it and a short chunk of copper tube with a flat end to scrape out the crap. No go this time. So, I used a carbide scriber to scrape out every tooth and WOW did it work! File cuts better than new! Perhaps this is of use to you?

[Lew Hodgett]

--------------------------------------------------- These guys are in my neighborhood, will ship and they do a great job at a fair price.

Lew

[John Grossbohlin]

I use an old school approach to file clogging.... I rub chalk onto the file to coat the gullets to cut down on the clogging. I use a brass bristle brush to clean the files rather than a file card with steel bristles. This was something Lynton McKenzie mentioned to a group of us gathered for an informal discussion of engraving. I figured that if it was good enough for someone trusted to engrave English Best shotguns (H&H, Purdey, etc.) it was good enough for me!

I also always clean the files when I'm done with them and give them a spritz of WD-40 before placing them in their protective newspaper sleeves. I firmly believe more damage is done to files stored carelessly than ever occurs to them in use...

John

[woodchucker]

I agree about them rubbing each other causes more damage. I took manila file folders and cut them to make folders for each when I had them in my drawers. I just got a wood lathe last June or July, I made a bunch of handles for all the files 2 weeks or so ago. Just heated the tangs with a torch and force them into the maple handle which had a small hole drilled.

Now hanging them by their handles in a rac.

[Doug Winterburn]

I use old golf balls for handles.