I need advice on a file.

TheDandyLion

TheDandyLion

Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
764
I need a file to take off a lot of metal fast, I would prefer double cut but would put up with single. This is to get a very even and flat grind on a knife so it needs to be big (10+).

Thanks for the help,

Jake
 
Those multi cuts by Simonds and the Magicut by Nicholson are good files for fast stock removal....but they don't come CLOSE to the Pferd Chipbreaker. Not even close. If you want RAPID metal removal.....get this......http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZELWAS/ref=biss_dp_t_asn I've used just about every file out there (Haven't tried Japanese Iwasaki yet.....or babbit style files like they use on car bodies).
 
samuraistuart said:
I've used just about every file out there (Haven't tried Japanese Iwasaki yet.....or babbit style files like they use on car bodies).
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The Iwasaki plane floats are used primarily for wood. They are fantastic performers, balancing fast stock removal with a fine finish. The manufacturer does not recommend their use on metal or hard composites.

TedP
 
phillipsted said:
The Iwasaki plane floats are used primarily for wood. They are fantastic performers, balancing fast stock removal with a fine finish. The manufacturer does not recommend their use on metal or hard composites.

TedP
Click to expand...

Ted, I was talking about babbit files, also called curved tooth files. Pferd makes them, so does Iwasaki. From Pferd website...."Milled-tooth Babbitt files are suitable for use on soft metals such as tin or lead-based babbitts. The highly abrasive geometry and special chip-breakers prevent loading problems." Iwasaki's babbitt files (curved tooth files) from the Iwasaki website...."This file is provided with a handling grip for easy handling, and is applicable for any handcraft made of aluminum, steel iron, and light iron as zinc.." I'm not sure what a plane float is. I looked at some place that sold Iwasaki, and their "plane floats" are different than babbitt files, similiar tooth design, but much much smaller. Honestly, I question how well a curved tooth file is going to work on rapid steel removal. I understand they work very well on aluminum car bodies, tho. Iwasaki's website says their curved tooth files can be used on steel. And I wouldn't even bother trying.....after using the Pferd chipbreaker.
 
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Interesting, Stuart - thanks for the heads-up. I've never seen their Babbitt files - I thought that the plane floats were all they made. I went and googled them and they are pretty nice looking - Iwasaki makes high-quality stuff and I bet the Babbitts are a pleasure to work with. I'll stop in to Highland Hardware when I'm in Atlanta for BLADE and see if they have any in stock.

TedP
 
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