Draw files?

J

jackrabbitslim

Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
206
So, does anybody make a purpose built draw file? I envision something like a drawknife with handles on both ends and the teeth oriented at right angles to the long axis. I know one of the advantages of draw filing is the smoother finish you can obtain but I also think that (for me, anyway) the increased control and power you get with a two-hand grip might outweigh that. It's not like anybody uses a drawfiled surface as their final finish, right? I imagine this tool would give you the (relatively) aggressive cut of straight filing with the ability to maintain the desired angle and use more power like draw filing. I guess it wouldn't be much use for anything other than knifemaking but we all know what a burgeoning market that is (see greatlakeswaterjet for an example). :D
 
I've been wondering along similar lines and giving thought as to what I might be able to put together. Looking forward to what folks have to say.
 
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Good idea! :thumbup: but If what your refering to is something like this I dont believe it exists...

f_01Filem_a9942d0.png
:grumpy: :thumbdn:

what you might do is buy a 12"' Nicholson file and gently grind the end down to put another handle on it dont let it change colors though :eek: you'll ruin it. also you may look into a flat sharpening steel like this but that pretty cost prohibitive I'd think...:(
 
Yeah, the sen, although not a file, is a little closer to what I had in mind, style-wise. I thought one could possibly cut a regular file into segments and then rotate the segments 90 degrees and attach them to some sort of substrate, i.e. JB Weld them to a flat bar or something and then put handles on the ends. Maybe I'm thinking too hard here but once I get started on something like this I have to follow through on it. :rolleyes: I think I'll just build one and see if it works. :D

Also, that Brownell's draw file looks like it would be just the ticket for precision draw filing.
 
The Brownell's draw file has shallower angle teeth than a mill file but not by much. A person can get a Nicholson 12" or 14" smooth-cut mill file for a lot less than the Brownell's draw file and have twice the cutting surface... could make safe edges pretty easily or make a simple stop jig (two pieces flat stock drilled and tapped to clamp on riccasso).

Nicholson 14" mill file comes in smooth-cut at 1 5/16" wide... nearly the 1 3/8" width of Brownell's lathe file... from ENCO for $18.91. A person could cut it in half to make it handier.

It may be many folks draw file octagonal barrel flats but strike filing is better. Nicholson (at ENCO) has long angle lathe files (very shallow angle teeth) for filing off tooling marks on an object spinning in a lathe (file held parallel to rotation). Strike filing with a long angle lathe file is a treat... a person does need to cut the end of the file back so it is all teeth and use a stop... blade needs support, too.

Mike
 
Sorry...

The file is aligned with both direction of travel and length of blade (or barrel). It uses the length of the file to make the flat instead of the width. It's a lot more common filing barrels, whether octagonal or round. Doing it on blades gets them really flat.

As I mentioned, the file tip needs to be cut back to 100% teeth, it helps to have a simple stop clamped to the ricasso, and the blade needs to be supported. A person can clamp the file and run the blade on it instead of the other way around.

Mike
 
The subject of files just came up again in another thread, so thought I'd bump this thread back to the top for those who are interested. -Phil
 
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