Quick draw filing question

[Maqua]

I think I've been using my bastard and mill files incorrectly. Does it matter how the bastard file is held, i.e., handle in the left hand as you draw and in the right hand as you push? I understand this is the case for the mill file. Is it just better to "draw" the file along in smooth strokes? My first blade in 154CM is almost done, but I want to do a better job on the S30V blank I have.

I've been using the files like a flat saw and just going to town on the blanks. A good workout, but I'm destroying the files, methinks.

Muchas Garcias.

 

[mete]

Draw filing is a finish filing operation done with a single cut file .The file is held perpendicular to movement.The teeth are directional, move them in the direction they cut !! Clean the file often !!

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

I think I've been using my bastard and mill files incorrectly. Does it matter how the bastard file is held, i.e., handle in the left hand as you draw and in the right hand as you push? I understand this is the case for the mill file.

If you do it the other way, (Ie: draw with file handle in the right hand) You won't cut anything.

Is it just better to "draw" the file along in smooth strokes?

Yes, To avoid deep galling keep file clean and run your finger over the surface you are filing after each draw to remove filings.

My first blade in 154CM is almost done, but I want to do a better job on the S30V blank I have.

I've been using the files like a flat saw and just going to town on the blanks. A good workout, but I'm destroying the files, methinks.

Draw filing motion is like rowing a boat. Straight back The same teeth should be cutting all through the stroke.

Don't drag the file backwards or scrub back and forth, it will just dull the teeth of the file.

 

[Guy Thomas]

I wouldn't characterize draw filing as a finishing operation only though with finer cut files you can get an amazing level of finish with them. With coarse files you can very rapidly remove a LOT of steel with the draw filing technique. I use both the "draw" method and the "push" method. "Draw", handle is in left hand and you pull the file towards you, "push" handle is in right hand and the cutting stroke is away from you. I have more control with the draw method personally.

As already pointed out, keeping the file clean is very important, especially when approaching your final dimensions, so use your file card (an indispensible item if you are doing much filing) frequently and also you can tap the file on a wooden surface like your work bench every stroke or two which will clear a lot of the metal building up in the teeth.

Long smooth strokes, you don't need to bear down hard on the cutting stroke and don't bear down on the back stroke at all, that will just needlessly dull your file. You want the file to just lightly glide along the surface of the steel on the back stroke. It's very rythmic and when you feel the file cutting with minimal pressure you will rapidly build up a pile of fine metal shavings.