Replies

1. 
   EdHarrison | Jul 09, 2008 05:00pm | #1

   http://www.vintagesaws.com/cgi-bin/frameset.cgi?left=sawcare&right=/file/file.html

   http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=files

   I buy some of my larger files from Lowes and flea markets. The smaller they are, the more toward high quality. You can obtain triangular shaped oil stones, including translucent Arkansas, too. Norton markets those.

2. 
   dkellernc | Jul 09, 2008 05:15pm | #2

   The most important part is properly matching the file size to your tooth count (i.e., teeth per inch).  There's suggestions on L-N's website for which file to use with which tooth count, but if you've a few triangular files already, you can judge whether it's a good fit by laying the corner in one of the gullets of the teeth.

   To work properly, the tooth point on either side of the gullet should cover almost, but not quite, half of the side of the file.  The reason for this is a practical one.  While almost any triangular profile will get the tooth sharp, if the teeth cover more than half of the side of the file, you'll have a partially dull spot in the middle of the side of the file when you rotate the file 120 for a fresh edge.  If the file is so big that the tooth covers only a 1/4 or less of the side of the file, you're essentially wasting the portion of the middle of the sides that aren't covered (and bigger files cost more money).

   Honestly, I really can't tell all that much different between teeth sharpened with cheap files found in the hardware store and Sandvik's products.  I might feel differently if I was using them to shape a piece of metal where the surface finish mattered.  Regardless of the file's quality, I suspect the way the user uses the file (the fleam angle, the consistency of the filing stroke, etc...) makes a lot more difference.

1. 
   Pedder | Jul 10, 2008 11:27am | #6

   I read this many times, but I'm not sure yet. Saw files wear from the edge. When you can't file because the edge has become dull, the middle of the file is pretty sharp. So my suggestion buy smaller file for better viewing!Cheers Pedder

1. 
   dkellernc | Jul 10, 2008 10:01pm | #7

   If you're doing it correctly, the saw file wears both at the point and partway up both faces.  While it's true that one face will wear more quickly than the other, as you're putting more pressure on face of the teeth, both faces will still dull.

   So when you've "used up" one corner of a triangular file, you flip it 120 degrees to get a fresh point and two fresh faces.  If the file is too small, then the teeth will occupy more than halfway up the two faces, so flipping it 120 degrees will not get you a completely fresh edge.

   That's the theory, at least.

3. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Jul 10, 2008 12:12am | #3

   K, believe it or not Home Despot has both the Nicholson X slim taper and the XX slim taper and Lowes has neither. Paddy

4. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jul 10, 2008 12:24am | #4

   Sears carries files.  At one time they were made for them by Simonds, a venerable name for sure.  Not sure if Simonds still makes the private label Craftsman files for Sears though.

   http://www.simonds.cc/mnu/pmenu.php?menu=mnuPFiles

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/9/2008 5:26 pm ET by TaunTonMacoute

5. 
   alanplanesaw | Jul 10, 2008 03:01am | #5

   Following is info I got from Tom Law several years ago.  If you haven't seen his video, it is easily worth getting.  Filing saws was his profession.  Fantastic gentleman.

    

   PPI            File

   5-7             7” Xslim

   8-9             7” XXslim

   10-11         6” XXslim

   12-15         5” XX extra slim

   16+            needle file

     

   Following is another list I found:

   5 & 5 1/2   7” taper regular

   6                7 or 8” slim

   7                6 or 7” slim

   8                6” slim; 7” Xslim; 8” XX slim;

   9                6” x slim; 7” XX slim

   10              5 or 6” X slim

   11              4” slim; 5” Xslim; 6” XX slim

   12              5” X slim

   13,14         4” X slim or 5” XXslim

   15,16         4” XX slim

    

   Alan - planesaw

6. 
   dane_j | Jul 11, 2008 05:04am | #8

   If you cant find the files locally... try MSC at mscdirect.com ... they even have 'knife' edge files in almost every 'cut' including some with diamond grit.

7. 
   lwilliams | Jul 11, 2008 06:23am | #9

   I was hoping someone else would mention this. Nicholson recently moved their production to Mexico. In the process they also lowered their quality standards. My complaint is with Nicholson, not Mexico.

   The quality of a file depends on the quality of the preparation of the blank. Nicholson's new files are made from blanks much more coarsely ground as a finish grind. These coarse grinding signatures telegraph through the teeth which makes it impossible to get a fine finish cut from the files. Attached is a photo that compares their old XX slim file compared to a new one. You can easily see the difference.

   
1. 
   joinerswork | Jul 11, 2008 03:46pm | #10

   Larry,

   You are mistaken.  Those aren't coarse grinding scratches.  They're the new, improved, patent-pending, "Nicholson micro-teeth"   ;-)

   Heh,heh,

   Ray

2. 
   dkellernc | Jul 11, 2008 05:32pm | #11

   Yikes - I'm changing my tune on the "most any file will do" comment.  Sandvik, here I come...