Replies

1. 
   murphreejz | May 16, 2006 10:03pm | #1

   Alot of cats make them into screwdrivers or "turnscrews" as some call them. You can custom grind them to fit the array of screw types on your old handplanes or any other tool that may require a special size slotted driver. Leave some of the width near the tang so you can fit a wrench on it for extra 'torquiness'; much like the cabinet drivers you see for $300 a set.

   Turn some handles or buy some from a woodworking supply house and have yourself a one-of-a-kind set of tools.

   
   

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   Edited 5/16/2006 3:04 pm ET by mtnfreak14

2. 
   JohnWW | May 16, 2006 10:38pm | #2

   Files are often turned into tools such as gouges and the like, but you need to be aware of one possible problem.  The file, even when softened by tempering, can have micro cracks from the forming of the file's teeth.  The cracks will persist even if the teeth are ground away. 

   The cracks can lead to the sudden and surprising snapping of the tool and possibly an accident if you are caught unaware.  This doesn't happen often considering how many files have been made into other tools, but it pays to be aware of the possibility.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine 

3. 
   Napie | May 16, 2006 10:43pm | #3

   They will be too brittle for most uses, but it is very easy to anneal, (soften), them.  Next time you grill out with charcoal, just bury them in the hot coals and allow the whole thing to cool overnight. Then they can be shaped as desired.  Re-hardening and tempering is not that difficult at all, lots of info on the web, check out anvilfire.com.  I would be careful using them for screwdrivers, they could chip or break and damage the screw or surrounding wood.  Drivers must be tough as well as hard.

1. 
   highfigh | May 16, 2006 11:47pm | #4

   If you decide to use any for screwdrivers and need to harden them, get it to the point where the tip is 'wheat' colored and then quench it in water. We made screwdrivers in High School metal shop and that's the color we needed to look for. I used to drop mine on concrete all the time and needed to refile it onlt after it started to wear down, years later. Then, some dirtbag stole my toolbox with that in it. Probably still using it. That thing rocked!
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

4. 
   TomHigby | May 17, 2006 02:24am | #5

    

   There are services that resharpen files.  It sounds impossible, but works very well, and the cost is only moderate.  The teeth of the file are under-cut by a fluid under pressure, containing abrasive.

   Tom

    

    

    

    

    

    

5. 
   jazzdogg | May 17, 2006 05:18am | #6

   If they're not too far gone, they can be sharpened in an acid bath. I seem to recall a thread on that very subject sometime in the last year or so.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2006 05:52pm | #7

   I don't know where the thread is, but I saved the web site of the company discussed.  It was Boggs Tool and File Sharpening Company (click here).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   jazzdogg | May 17, 2006 07:51pm | #9

   Bless you, Forest Girl!-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   forestgirl | May 17, 2006 08:24pm | #10

   "Bless you, Forest Girl!"   AhhhhCHOO!!  ;-)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Biscardi | May 18, 2006 12:08am | #11

   In WWII my Dad says the GIs would grind down files to make combat knives. A friend of mine and I make knives and dink around in his blacksmith shop. Apparently, the sulfur  content of the steel is rather high and it his difficult to forge.

   I suppose you could make some tools out of it. I think something like old planer blades would work  better. Actually you can buy O1 steel fairly cheaply if you have a mind of making tools. Using a known steel composition is better, because there are specific hardening stratagies for each steel type.

    

   Frank

6. 
   plainjames | May 17, 2006 07:15pm | #8

   The annealing process is a little tricky in the workbench vise but doable...The other post refered to the "wheat" color but he didnt address the process. Wire brush the file or use abraisive paper to achieve the "bright" condition to really see the metal change color. Do not apply heat directly to the file as it will heat the surface and discolor and heat will not be consistant thru-out the file. place file on a wider piece of cold roll steel(ex. 1/4" x 4 x whatever) and placing the file on top, heat the bottom of plate with acetylene torch moving in an attempt to evenly heat the plate. this heat will soak thru the plate and transfer or be absorbed by the file. This will allow the file to change (relieving) brittleness thru a telltale color change. At first it will appear a very pale straw color and will gradually darken to amber and then blueish amber and finally blue(completely soft). Chisels that are brittle can be drawn back to dark straw and be serviceable. After you reach the color of choice I would suggest that you drop length wise in oil as opposed to water. This is a somewhat crude methoud , but I believe it will work for you. Good Luck !!!