Beginner needs "draw filing" advice

[kokyuho]

Can someone give me a concise description of correct "draw filing" technique?

Thanks,

Ben
Boy Wonder

 

[Raymond Richard]

Ben, If I were you I'd head over to CKD and go down to the Outpost and do a search on draw filing. I know Tai is one of the best at draw filing and that has been brought up numbers of times.....

 

[kokyuho]

Will do.

 

[mete]

I was involved in another thread somewhere on draw filing and was amazed that no one mentioned that the file must be a single cut file . The file is held perpendicular to the direction of filing. If the file loads up with particles of steel they will gouge the surface. Clean the file very often with a file card ( wire brush can be used ). Some put chalk on the file to reduce loading up.This is a finish filing procedure done after rough filing. Properly done it will produce a smooth flat surface.

 

[J. MacDonald]

It is critical that you keep the file clean as noted above. I recently learned something interesting. The above noted File Card which is used to clean a file, is also good at dulling your files. A better solution is to use a block of wood pushed across the file teeth to dislodge chips.

I can attest to the damage done by trying to draw file with a clogged file. It can be heartbreaking to be amost done, and then put a big gouge in your work because you tried to make one more pass before cleaning the file.

jmx

 

[Pete Allan]

I do a lot of draw filing on rifles I build and I have gotten away from chalk -- I now keep the files wet with WD 40 -- works great.
I also have a friend that makes a living making octagon rifle barrels and he draw files every one and uses WD 40 also and as you can guess he can't afford to make a scratch. Give it a try I think you will like it.