I’m shopping for files and rasps that I’ll us for my first foray into musical instrument making. I’m staggered by the range of files/rasps available. I’ve been doing woodworking for a long time and I didn’t know you could spend over $100 on a file. How does one sort out the quality/value equasion when selecting “good” file?
Anybody ever tried these?
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page….&cat=1,42524
Replies
quick,
those rasps with the variously curved ends and thin middles are very useful to me. many days ago i had a very high quality set of those. they're great for shaping inside curves and hard to reach places. that set went the way of many things and i no longer have it. so i went looking for new ones of late. rockler's were what i bought and they are no where near the quality of those i used to have. each and every time i use a good, high end file or rasp i am reminded to not buy cheap ones.
what sorts of instruments are you going to make?
eef
Didn't Peter, Paul & Mary do
Didn't Peter, Paul & Mary do a song about this? "For every purpose there is a [file or rasp]" or something like that? ;-)
Most of my general-purpose files and rasps are Nicholson brand. I also have a couple of sets of their bent rifflers, which are handy when carving, and a several sets of their jeweler's files for really fine work.
The specialty files, such as plane-makers floats, and the premium, hand-made files probably fall into the same category as other premium tools - they are probably worth the money if you need them (or, just want them).
Page links into the LV site generally don't work, so I'm not sure which specific file you were referring to - the Italian Shaping Rasps? I don't know enough about instrument making to offer any advice. (e.g. would the instrument take on an Italian accent? ;-) )
Ralph,
"Didn't Peter, Paul
Ralph,
"Didn't Peter, Paul & Mary do a song about this? "For every purpose there is a [file or rasp]" or something like that? ;-)"
Ralph, Ralph, Ralph. Yes, that is a woodworking song, but it's for those on the dark side. "Turn, Turn, Turn."
Devil music!
--jonnieboy
"Devil music"
That's why my
"Devil music"
That's why my jokes are always sicks, sicks, sicks. ;-)
Maybe a Hammer?
QS,
This tool seller in Blighty has Vallorbe (French) files on a 70%-off deal at the moment. I just bought 9 (all 8-inchers; flat, half-round, 3-square; in smooth, second and bastard cut) which came to about £50 ($80).
http://www.tilgear.info/sections/575/engineers_half_round_files/
Tilgear is a reliable company from whom I've bought many tools with a bit of engineering DNA in them. However, I've no idea what they would charge for carriage to post an order to the USA.
I do have number of files collected over the years. I find the second and smooth cut the most useful with woodworking. They are for finishing just before sanding rather than taking off lots of wood, for which you need rasps. However, I couldn't ignore this offer, especially since Vallorbe files are said to be high quality (materials and teeth) whilst the files I have are mostly cheap ones from the local DIY store and already rather worn, not to mention bluntish to start with.
Files are most useful for smallish curved work, such as pulls or other handles, corners where curved-edged parts meet and similar. My old ones are 10-inchers, which is just a bit long for many tasks so I bought the 8-inchers from Tilgear.
Lataxe
Nicholson is a great brand - worth the money -
Lie Nielsen is also making files - real good quality -
SA
This is no longer true. Nicholson has moved much of their production to places like Brazil and Mexico. Cooper Tools/Nicholson has seen the last of my money. I bought 20 of their 6" double extra slim taper files a year or so ago and they were worthless. Many of them went straight to the trash can.
Tools for Working Wood just announced they're discontinuing carrying them because of quality problems:
http://tinyurl.com/yj98wks
Nicholson is now just another victim of Wall Street/Corporate incompetence and short-sighted quest for a fast buck.
That's sad news. I'm glad I have more old Nicholson files than I'll ever wear out.
Quickstep
Have a look at this site, he seems to have some good stuff, he's a musical instrument maker http://www.stewmac.com
wot
Rasps... foray into musical instrument making....
I for one, would think a very different subject from a furniture object. Any instrument luther has other objetives. I for one would look for ideas at instrument luther..
Sorry just my thoughts..
I always thought a bastard file was a tool you could blame if YOU made a mistake using it?
WillG,
No a bastard file is one with a rasp for a father and a float for a mother. As you will realise, they would never be allowed to marry since the rules concerning the hierarchical necessities and castes of floats and rasps are very strict, especially in France.
Still, mongrels are resilient beasts compared to thoroughbreads and inbred aristocrats, who are often little bleeders, loons or just plain daft in the heed. As often as not, they are good for nowt despite their high cost and dandy dressings.
Lataxe, a mongrel of very mixed parts hisself.
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