My message to the world about hand files

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Merkava_4

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I don't need to make a video demonstrating the correct way to use a file. I don't need a picture to show you how either. All I have to do is tell you in plain black lettering to NEVER EVER PULL ON A FILE. The whole world needs to know this.

I've seen some very good mechanics on YouTube that have been professional mechanics for 30 or 40 years and even THEY don't know how to use a file. It's pure torture for a person like me to have to watch. A file is designed to cut metal on the FORWARD STROKE ONLY. As soon as you have made your cut, LIFT THE FILE OFF the work and prepare to make your next cut. A file is NOT SANDPAPER. Think of a file as more like a cheese grater.

You people out there have two choices:
1. Use the file incorrectly and have your file get dull quick, or. . . .

2. Use the file correctly the way as it was designed to and remove MORE
material at a FASTER rate than you'd do if you were using it incorrectly.

I had to get that off my chest.
grin.gif
 
Im a pipefitter. I knew this, I use them pretty much everyday. So take that Merk!
 
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Originally Posted By: Merkava_4


I've seen some very good mechanics on YouTube that have been professional mechanics for 30 or 40 years and even THEY don't know how to use a file. It's pure torture for a person like me to have to watch. A file is designed to cut metal on the FORWARD STROKE ONLY. As soon as you have made your cut, LIFT THE FILE OFF the work and prepare to make your next cut. A file is NOT SANDPAPER. Think of a file as more like a cheese grater.


Define "a person like me"
 
Originally Posted By: AZjeff
Define "a person like me"


A person that's mentally ill and has to do everything correctly.
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
Sorry your wrong with this. Most mechanics use a double cut file which is made to cut in both directions. Using this sort of file in both directions is correct.
You would be correct if using a single cut or rasp.
Quote:
Drawfiling:
This consists of grasping the file at each end, pushing and drawing it across the work piece


http://www.nicholsontool.com/MagentoShare/media/documents/nicholson-guide-to-filing-2014.pdf


How did you conclude what type of file most people use? He is absolutely correct, with the exception of that one type of file that you have decided that most everyone use. If you read your own link you would see that the each cut of the double cut is not made the same, nor does it have the same intended purpose.
 
What are you trolling or what? You just said the same thing i did in another way.

A double cut file can be found in almost every mechanics tool box, its not the only file that is used in automotive work but it is the most common when working with flat files.
Read what i posted i said most mechanics not people. Other types of files would be more common in different occupations.

I read the link many times and others like it, he went on a rant about how mechanics are using the file incorrectly and that a file can only be use in one direction. That is not correct as you admit. Whats your problem?
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
Most mechanics use a double cut file which is made to cut in both directions.


All files intended to cut metal are used to cut on the forward stroke only.

Here is Simonds' definition of a double cut file:

Quote:
Double Cut files have two sets of diagonal rows. The first set is called the overcut. The second set is cut at a different angle with the file axis, and is known as the upcut (it is finer than the overcut).

Single Cut files have a single set of diagonal rows of teeth, parallel to one another and extending across the working face of the file.


Simonds PDF

hfile2.gif


Technology Student

Quote:
The file only cuts on the forward stroke (assuming the handle is toward you) and you should lift it off of the work piece on the return stroke.


Save Our Skills
 
Yes i see the teeth only cut in one direction but for large stock removal on a flat surface you can use the draw or push filing method. You will also find that in the Simmonds pdf.
A double cut file does that job much faster, you can also use a single cut to draw file for a finer surface but in this trade that's not usually necessary.
You would not use the method you show to file the ends of plates being used to fabricate a motor mount for example, you use the draw file method for that.

Did you look up draw filing or push filing? You have picked up on one technique and are saying its the only correct technique.
 
Years ago we'd dress our circular saw blades with a file.

One guy filed back and forth furiously (like sandpaper) and I said, "Hmmm, maybe that's one of those funny files which only cuts on the forward stroke."
He looked up all embarrassed and corrected his method.

For the rest of the day I could hear him muttering to himself, "...cut-forward-lift". I assume he was repeating his temporarily forgotten filing lesson.
 
The only thing worse than watching someone pull on their files is watching someone pull on MY files.
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
What are you trolling or what? You just said the same thing i did in another way.

A double cut file can be found in almost every mechanics tool box, its not the only file that is used in automotive work but it is the most common when working with flat files.
Read what i posted i said most mechanics not people. Other types of files would be more common in different occupations.

I read the link many times and others like it, he went on a rant about how mechanics are using the file incorrectly and that a file can only be use in one direction. That is not correct as you admit. Whats your problem?


In no way did I say what you said. I was not trolling, just disagreeing with you. That ok?
 
Originally Posted By: bvance554
He is absolutely correct, with the exception.

WTH is that? Your either absolutely correct or your not. I said he is correct with an exception, how is that different?
You just didn't like the way I said it so you got a hair across your a$$.
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: bvance554
He is absolutely correct, with the exception.

WTH is that? Your either absolutely correct or your not.


Lmao Ok... after I read that a couple times the comedy of it smacked me in the forehead.
 
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