What brand and type of needle file for detail work - plastic filing for tritium vials especially

[ElementalBreakdown]

Does the brand make a difference? There's a lot of different patterns on the teeth, and right now I am thinking I want to get mini needle files to install a bunch of tritium vials on Winterblade Factors, so I didn't get a set just a round diamond file which came in coarse and fine with a tool to cut flashing (I do some glow resin stuff too?).

What brands of quality files do you recommend, and would anyone say that the companies that make regular files for metal work also make good mini needle files and vice versa?

I sharpen with good stones up to 50k,but I imagine that I might have a use for a good standard size file to repair a few blades given to me by people who broke tips thinking their knives were actually screwdrivers in disguise.

Or is it not worth buying good files? I prefer to buy quality once then replace inferior tools.

 

[RustyIron]

Does the brand make a difference?

Or is it not worth buying good files? I prefer to buy quality once then replace inferior tools.

It absolutely 100% unequivocally makes a difference. Most important is that files are cutting tools just like knives. Avoid the ones that come from countries that are known to churn out shoddy products. Nicholson is an old-school file maker that is currently owned by Crescent. I have plenty of their files and wouldn't hesitate to buy more. Do yourself a favor and get a set, or at least a variety of files. It sounds like you're a craftsman sort of guy, and your better off having a variety to choose from, rather than having to fret about ordering a single tool very time you're faced with a new job. I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, but it sounds like you might be looking for a set of miniature files... needle files... jewelers files... or just something small. There's a bazillion different types of cutting teeth, profiles, sizes, and shapes. If you get some general purpose files, then generally, you'll have what you need when a new project arises.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Exactly right - the reason I bought just the one is it had Swiss and high profile teeth to shed plastic bits.
I definitely need a set of mini needle files, but not sure what to order that will cover most metal and plastic... Diamond?

Thanks for the suggestion, I go a set (wow, $37 for 5 files) of Crescent Nicholson Swiss double cut.
But it looks like they are all made in China now.
There are complaints about the teeth coming improperly formed and heat treat nonexistent (bending instead of breaking like a hard file should).

Maybe there are different lines? What tool shop are you using?
Do you know if there's different lines and if so the difference in materials? Like diamond on the teeth and a reference to the quenching or file materials itself?

Amazon may just be selling some low line they make...

 

[RustyIron]

Maybe there are different lines? What tool shop are you using?

I don't know about different lines, or even the best place to shop for files nowadays. I have many, and don't expect to ever need to buy more. Out of curiosity, I just went down to my garage to take a look at some of the files. I found Nicholson, E.B. Tools, Pease, Heller, Stubs, and Simonds are a few. Those are made in U.S., England, and Austria. It turns out my favorite lathe file is branded Mercer and was made in India! Nevertheless, I still like it.

I still stick by my advice to buy files that are made in a country that makes good stuff. I've purchased tools from MSC in the past, and McMaster-Carr when I want something good, but don't want to fiddle around shopping for the best price. Be aware that they sometimes sell stuff made in China.

The most important thing about files is to not be a hamfisted goof. They're just like knives. Take care of them and use them wisely. Be deliberate in your technique. And even the best file will dull quickly if you insist on trying to file hard materials.

 

[J. Doyle]

If you really want quality precision files, Nicholson isn't the brand. Not any more.

If you're wanting needle files for fine detail work, shop at the jewelry supply places.

If you buy cheap (yes even Nicholson) files you will be contending with warped/bent files, crooked edges, poorly cut teeth that don't go all the way to the edges and likely soft files of questionable materials.

I can personally recommend Friedrich Dick (F. Dick) files. They are hands down the best precision files I've ever used. They offer a mini and micro needle file set.

A set will cost you $100 or more but they'll still be going strong 10 or 15 years down the road.

I bought 3 different sets and every file in every set is pure quality and precision on every face and edge.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Well how do you resharpening tiny needle files?!!
I don't think that a lot of those brands are now made in China. Maybe we should start thinking differently about Chinese steel from WE, Civivi, Rike, and Reate is pretty impressive.

I am not sure about what diamonds have to do with file teeth either.

I just paid 5× as much for the Nicholson made in literally the same Chinese city as the cheap alternatives, but I trust my friends here on the BF.

 

[RustyIron]

Some folks will

Well how do you resharpening tiny needle files?!!

You can't really.

I don't think that a lot of those brands are now made in China. Maybe we should start thinking differently about Chinese steel

You're right, to a degree. The Chinese build just as sophisticated stuff as other first world countries. But when consumers want inexpensive stuff without regard for quality, the Chinese are willing to fill that void. As consumers, it's up to us to figure it out.

One more filing tip:
You need to keep the file clean. Depending on the material you're filing, the teeth can clog up. You need to keep them clean to maintain cutting efficiency and the quality of the finish. If you brush the file liberally with high-sulfur cutting oil, the teeth stay much cleaner and the swarf just gets out of the way.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Appreciate the thoughtful reply.

Right now, I'm cutting the ABS on Winterblade Factors to install tritium vials, I am extremely picky about things looking perfect so want a file that's not going to leave chatter marks.

Thanks!




... and eventually a patent pending extremely specific ultra high grade glow material paired with a very, very specific led with inboard microbattery to basically replace the need for tritium.

 

[jfk1110]

Appreciate the thoughtful reply.

Right now, I'm cutting the ABS on Winterblade Factors to install tritium vials, I am extremely picky about things looking perfect so want a file that's not going to leave chatter marks.

Thanks!




... and eventually a patent pending extremely specific ultra high grade glow material paired with a very, very specific led with inboard microbattery to basically replace the need for tritium.

Well that sounds. Interesting.....................
Best of luck with your endeavors......

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

It looks AWESOME!!! If you haven't done this to your Winterblade Factor yet, do eeeeeet!

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

If you really want quality precision files, Nicholson isn't the brand. Not any more.

If you're wanting needle files for fine detail work, shop at the jewelry supply places.

If you buy cheap (yes even Nicholson) files you will be contending with warped/bent files, crooked edges, poorly cut teeth that don't go all the way to the edges and likely soft files of questionable materials.

I can personally recommend Friedrich Dick (F. Dick) files. They are hands down the best precision files I've ever used. They offer a mini and micro needle file set.

A set will cost you $100 or more but they'll still be going strong 10 or 15 years down the road.

I bought 3 different sets and every file in every set is pure quality and precision on every face and edge.

Yep. Nicholson is definitely not what it used to be. Many such cases.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Absolutely returning this $40 set of Nicholson tools and no better than the cheapest generic and some are worse.

Inconsistent everything. Is this even Swiss cut?

Ends look like they didn't even use a sharp tool to cut each one off the sprue or whatever they use, and the teeth are not uniformly deep... I assume this is not how it's supposed to be?

Pics attached. It's late, forgive lack of cropping or editing if there's toes in any of the pics, but I wanted to pack up for return before retiring for the evening.

 

[BJE]

Looks about the same as my $5 set from harbor freight.

 

[ElementalBreakdown]

Yeah they suck tried to return and instead of refund sent me another set so now I get to make another trip to return
.. I hate Amazon