Where can I buy a file with one safe side?

LARRYZ10

LARRYZ10

Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
1,427
Does anyone have a link to where I can buy a file with one side flat? I want to use it to square the slots in my guards without hitting the sides of the slot. I have seen a handmade version by Nick Wheeler who used a surface grinder to remove the teeth off one side of his file. I do not have a surface grinder and am looking for an alternative. Any suggestions? Thanks , Larry Lehman
 
That's a good question. I just grind safe sides on the flat platen.
 
I hadn't thought of using the flat platen to remove the teeth... I flatten my profiled blades that way. Thank you for giving me a clue. I could probably even do it on the 4x36 horizontal sander. Thanks, Larry
 
Many file suppliers sell them with one or two safe sides. Try a jewelers supplier. Most folks just take the file to the belt grinder and knock off the teeth that are unwanted.
 
Larry-


If you want to buy them, I'd recommend playing around on ebay. You can find NOS (new old stock) in brands like Nicholson for cheap, and they will come from an era when that name actually meant something. Many lathe files have safe edges, but are often very large files.

The files I showed in the video you mentioned actually came with a safe edge on one edge, so I just had to grind the teeth off of one side (main flats). But it's not a big deal to start with a standard file.

IMHO, you want to keep the file as wide and as thick as you can. If you have to grind them down to needle file size, then they WILL flex when using them... and that makes it hard to execute a precise cut.


If you want to make them, (especially for guard work) then I'd recommend you get some decent 6" files and just use your KMG to grind the teeth off two sides (one flat and one edge). Use a sharp belt... you don't want to burn up the high hardness of your files.


Clean the teeth out with your file card OFTEN!!! Like every few passes... the side teeth are especially susceptible to loading with swarf--- and either gouging your work or shearing teeth off the file.
 
Bahco has files with one safe side. Check the website and down load the metalworking catalog and you will see these files with all dimensions.
 
Most of the Iwasaki files have safe sides - but they are intended for use on wood and softer materials, not steel. Great files though.

TedP
 
My machinist friend will mill a slots in my guards but the bottom of the slot is round and I like to file them square before fitting to my blades. The sides of the slot are perfect so will try the suggestions about making my own file for this job. I have purchased a couple of 6 inch mill files in fine single cut and will try to flatten two sides with my platen and a new 120 grit ceramic belt. Orchard Supply used to sell files made in the USA but today I only found files made in Mexico. They look OK but we will see. Thanks for all the suggestions. I did find some Swiss files with safe sides but will try making them first. I have purchased Swiss pattern files for big bucks and not been overly impressed compared to Nicholson but now I wished that I had purchased more Nicholson made in USA files. It is always nice to have BladeForums guys give a little advice and I am grateful for it. Thanks, Larry
 
Last edited:
I picked up two Pferd Corinox files off the "south american river" website that had safe edges, they were a little over $20 each.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top