Are there any good files left?

T

Travis Fry

Joined
Jun 11, 2010
Messages
489
I've been out of the loop for a few years, and need to upgrade my stock of files. Is anyone making good ones? For a while it was all about finding new old stock USA made stuff, but I'm guessing that market is tapped out. I'm happy to pay for good stuff if it's worth it, but if good stuff only lasts 2x longer than cheap stuff and costs 3x more, that's not a good value. What's working for y'all these days?

Travis
 
I'm interested too, but are you asking about finer finish/smooth cut files or a more aggressive cut for material removal? Or does this even make a difference?

The reason for my question is that in my experience, these days it's a crap shoot, like anything else. While I tend to default to the Nicholson/Grobert brands, I've got a number of cheaper harbor freight files I've been using for 4-5+ years that still remove metal very well and at least as quickly and as long as the higher priced brands, but don't leave a smooth finish. I've noticed that the cheaper files get broken teeth more often that better named ones, but that doesn't matter to me for rough filing.
I've also got a number of 'old school' Nicholsons from the 50s and 60s from my grandfather that still feel sharp too, but I tend to use these for secondary filing/smoothing.
Not sure if that helped answer your question.
 
I've almost given up on finding good files for a decent price. I too started using harbor freight files, and figure a ton of cheap ones is still better than one good one.

I know Bahco is decently priced and made in Portugal.
 
Mobius1 said:
I've almost given up on finding good files for a decent price. I too started using harbor freight files, and figure a ton of cheap ones is still better than one good one.

I know Bahco is decently priced and made in Portugal.
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I tried a couple Bahco, they are ok, but didn't last a long time in my experience
They are reasonably priced
 
I bought 2 lots of estate sale files on eBay. In total I got around 110 files for like $90. I used sulphuric acid drain cleaner to clean them all and oiled them. I then picked through and kept all the good ones. In the end I kept about 40 files, everything from large bastard cuts to #2 cut files in every shape. I resold the rest on eBay and made back like $70. If you are willing to watch listings, clean them all up and pick through them, then relist and sell them its a good way to get a lot of files for cheap. I've got more than I could ever need now and it is wonderful.
 
weo said:
I'm interested too, but are you asking about finer finish/smooth cut files or a more aggressive cut for material removal? Or does this even make a difference?

The reason for my question is that in my experience, these days it's a crap shoot, like anything else. While I tend to default to the Nicholson/Grobert brands, I've got a number of cheaper harbor freight files I've been using for 4-5+ years that still remove metal very well and at least as quickly and as long as the higher priced brands, but don't leave a smooth finish. I've noticed that the cheaper files get broken teeth more often that better named ones, but that doesn't matter to me for rough filing.
I've also got a number of 'old school' Nicholsons from the 50s and 60s from my grandfather that still feel sharp too, but I tend to use these for secondary filing/smoothing.
Not sure if that helped answer your question.
Click to expand...
Generally speaking, I use files for rough work that's more precise than what I can get with a belt. Like for handle shaping, cutting flutes in handles, etc., where I'm intending to go over with many different grits of sandpaper prior to calling it done. I also use them for guard fitting and such. I've never really used them for smoothing much, but I definitely see how that could save some time in specific applications.
 
I have a couple of Pferd ones I'm pretty happy with so far. Probably a better than my Bahco ones, but i haven't used them that much yet
 
I hate crappy files. The best ones I've been using lately are Corradi files, made in Italy.
 
I like fine simmonds and nicholsons. Files get dull like other things and need replaced eventually.
 
i bought a bunch years ago when a local "Cutting tool supplier " was closing , bought them by the full box .. never regretted it as i still have plenty today mostly old Nicholson
all the files i have bought over the past 20 years have been mostly Grobet Swiss files . i would recommend anything Swiss as i have never had a bad cutting one new.. might cost ya a few bucks
but you will likely enjoy using the crap out of them..
 
I used to use files a LOT before I bought the grinder. Pferd and Simonds are great files. Iwasaki and Grobet I have not tried, but hear they are very good. For the money, Simonds is hard to beat.
 
I have heard that you can sharpen a file but don't know if it's worth it. If anyone knows, it might be a option to get the old ones you have back in the fight.
 
I forget the name of the company, but they will resharpen your files for like a few bucks a pop. I am pretty sure they etch the file with some sort of acid, but I can't imagine that being anything like a new file.
 
samuraistuart said:
I forget the name of the company, but they will resharpen your files for like a few bucks a pop. I am pretty sure they etch the file with some sort of acid, but I can't imagine that being anything like a new file.
Click to expand...
BOGS

It's flat rate. Flat rate shipping, flat rate processing.
They do them all and charge you on the ones they think "worked" but you get them all back.
If you're in the USA, it's really worth a try.
 
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