2 quick qustions: 1) Files 2) grit equivalents

Wade Jones

Wade Jones

Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
183
Looking to do my first stock removal blade here soon. Couple quick questions.

1) Recommendations for files and where to get them? I see lots of talk about bastards, medium and finishing files, I just don't know if there's a lot of variation in them, or which brands are good.

2) What is the grit equivalent of Scotch Brite type pads and also various steel wools? I've heard talk of 00 steel wool, but have never seen it. The Lowe's by me only has a 3 type package of steel wool consisting of coarse, medium and fine. Never could find any numerical equivalent.

Sorry if these are dumb questions. I've read through tons of stuff and couldn't find these specific answers.
Many thanks!
 
I just bought a set from mscdirect.com. I can't say I have a basis for comparison but I've been happily filing away with them.
 
Thank you!

For anyone that is maybe in charge of the n00bs thread stickied at the top, there's a lot of stuff missing that would've probably answered mine, and others questions.
Quick examples while I was looking for info.

Tutorials, Forums, groups, and chat rooms
it loads slow if you have dial up, worth the wait
http://free.hostdepartment.com/g/gb6491/
{linky no worky}
starting out

WHAT DO I DO FIRST? by Bob Engnath
http://www.engnath.com/public/manframe.htm
{busted link}

how to Draw File
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...81&postcount=5
{was probably good at one time. All pictures are red x now}

Just so you guys know, some of us do try and read up before asking the same dumb questions! Just seems like every other topic I want to look it is gone or busted. :(
 
Last edited:
Im not sure the n00bs thread is actively updated... it would probably be a largish job to do so.

Sure there is some info missing, but you can fill in the blanks most of the time.

Here is the correct link from the Engnath site - http://www.engnath.com/manframe.htm

You can buy files at hardware stores and garage sales. Files are classified by cut, bastard being coarse and finishing being fine. To draw file, place the object in a vise, put the file handle in your off hand, and pull the file towards you. There might be more to it than that, but using a file is pretty intuitive.

Scotchbrite pad grit can be found by googling it. I was going to guess at the grits, but it looks like I was way off :) I assume the grit equiv increases as you use the pads....
 
I got these figures for Scotch Brite Hand pads from 3M's website a while ago.

Code: 
Item Color  Abrasive Grade  Grit      Steel wool equiv
7445 White  Flint    s fine 1200-1500 
7448 L Gray SiC      u fine 800-1000  #0000
6448 D Gray SiC      u fine  
7447 Maroon AlOx     v fine 360-400   #00-#000
6444 Brown  AlOx     fine  
7446 Gray   SiC      medium 120-150   #1-#2
7440 Tan    AlOx     medium 
5440 Brown  AlOx     coarse
 
Start with a coars bastard file. Clean you work up by drawfiling with a single cut (fine) file

If you've done that correctly you could start sanding with gritt 180 paper
(and if you need a bit more work, start with gritt 120)
 
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