Files

[Lons]

Searching for a suitable thin flat file I turfed most of them out, doesn't matter how many you have they're never the right ones and these aren't all of them, I might need to get a few more. :eusa-doh: :lol:

 

[Cabinetman]

That’s a bit of a Bas....d.

 

[AndyT]

Yes, but there are so few makers of proper files any more. So it does make sense to gather up good old ones when you get the chance.

 

[AndyP]

Pedant mode.
Some of those are rasps.

 

[Alf]

I've been ticked off online before now for posting a picture of files knocking up against each other like that - so I'll herewith pass on the joy of that experience.

But on a less annoying note*, given how useful files and rasps are, and how good ones can be quite spendy, has anyone ever seen someone showing off a "set" with matching handles, as one might with, say, chisels? One can only assume it is written (somewhere):

"Thy file handles must be as diverse as the beasts in the fields and the birds in the air. Yea verily, or thouest forfeit thy sharpness and droppest the biggest one on thy toe. For why wouldst thou forsake the customs of thy father, and thy father's father, and thy father's father father, and all the tribes of Sheffield, and bring nought but the wrath of the tool gods uponst thy head? Verily, I say unto you..."

Well, it just goes on a bit and then moves on to not letting files knock against each other, so we'll leave it there. I do like your assortment though, especially the one that looks like it came off a 60s egg spatula.

*That's open to debate, mind.

 

[Lons]

Pedant mode.
Some of those are rasps.

Yes I should have said that Andy :eusa-doh: but at least they're in a separate photo.

 Alf 
I've been ticked off online before now for posting a picture of files knocking up against each other like that -

Quite right too and I was expecting a smack with a ruler so I feel suitably chastised,
No excuse but they were all bought over the years in bundled lots or the odd one out of a box of many others from boot sales and I never got around to cleaning the up properly, I don't have space to hang them up or separately in drawers so the only other option I can think of is wrap them or cardboard tubes The needle files in that ancient tin came from an engineer so I must tell him he's an abuser. A Yorkshireman and I think his reply will be short and to the point. :lol:

 

[novocaine]

I've got a few brand new eclipse (I think) file blades (is it a blade?) straight from the manufacturer (don't ask how) that came wrapped together in brown paper. if the people who make them can treat them like that then you better believe I will too.
having said that my diamond and needle files do live in a slip case, but they are dinky and I feel sorry for them in the box with the big scary files and rasps.

as to handles, given that most decent ones come without and you add your own I don't think a matching set would really say much other than you have the same supplier.

a nice selection of files, why has one got a lathe tool handle on it?

 

[AndyT]

This is my solution. Not perfect, though I have had to rebuild it to cope with some expansion.
The big ones hang from slots, with up to 3 sharing a slot, with the most-used at the front.



Below them is a freestanding rack for needle files. It's weighted at the bottom with some scrap steel, for stability. It gets lifted off to the bench if I need more than one.

The biggest ones are horizontal in offcuts of plastic waste pipe, down at floor level under the saw till.



In between sizes are in a divided drawer.

 

[Lons]

A good solution Andy, I have plenty of scrap plastic pipe so will definitely do something in due course.

why has one got a lathe tool handle on it?

I have no idea Dave, I have a lathe but there are enough loose handles so I haven't bothered making any, I can't remember where I got that one but likely from a boot sale.

 

[Alf]

as to handles, given that most decent ones come without and you add your own I don't think a matching set would really say much other than you have the same supplier.

I was thinking of the maniacs who take disparate brands of chisel and make matching handles for them to create a "set". No-one ever seems to do this for files. And yet said maniacs own files and rasps too. I should know, I'm one of them.

And Andy, your storage is beautifully organised. Sigh. I resorted to cloth rolls, iirc.

 

[RogerS]

Bob...I know the NHS is short of dentists...any thoughts of a new career ? :lol:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I was thinking of the maniacs who take disparate brands of chisel and make matching handles for them to create a "set". .

I have been know to take the same brand of chisels and make different handles for them.

 

[Lons]

Bob...I know the NHS is short of dentists...any thoughts of a new career ? :lol:

:lol: :lol: I have a quantity of old dental drills and a selection of ancient hand picks and thingies and as you know a Foredom rotary drill so all I need is a suitable chair and light, oh and a patient to practice on if you're up for that