Files
Most files are made of high-grade tool steels that are hardened and tempered. Files are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are known either by the cross-section, the general shape, or by their particular use.
The cuts of files must be considered when selecting them for various types of work and materials. Files are used to square ends, file rounded corners, remove burrs and slivers from metal, straighten uneven edges, file holes and slots, and smooth rough edges.
Files have three distinguishing features: (1) their length, measured exclusive of the tang ; their kind or name, which has reference to the relative coarseness of the teeth; and (3) their cut.
Files are usually made in two types of cuts: single cut and double cut. The single cut file has a single row of teeth extending across the face at an angle of 65° to 85° with the length of the file. The size of the cuts depends on the coarseness of the file. The double cut file has two rows of teeth that cross each other. For general work, the angle of the first row is 40° to 45°. The first row is generally referred to as “overcut,” and the second row as “upcut;” the upcut is somewhat finer and not as deep as the overcut.
Files and rasps are cataloged in three ways:
Most files are made of high-grade tool steels that are hardened and tempered. Files are manufactured in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are known either by the cross-section, the general shape, or by their particular use.
Files have three distinguishing features: (1) their length, measured exclusive of the tang ; their kind or name, which has reference to the relative coarseness of the teeth; and (3) their cut.
Files are usually made in two types of cuts: single cut and double cut. The single cut file has a single row of teeth extending across the face at an angle of 65° to 85° with the length of the file. The size of the cuts depends on the coarseness of the file. The double cut file has two rows of teeth that cross each other. For general work, the angle of the first row is 40° to 45°. The first row is generally referred to as “overcut,” and the second row as “upcut;” the upcut is somewhat finer and not as deep as the overcut.
Files and rasps are cataloged in three ways:
- Length. Measuring from the tip to the heel of the file. The tang is never included in the length.
- Shape. Refers to the physical configuration of the file (circular, rectangular, or triangular or a variation thereof).
- Cut. Refers to both the character of the teeth or the coarseness— rough, coarse, and bastard for use on heavier classes of work and second cut, smooth and dead smooth for finishing work.
Hand files— These are parallel in width and tapered in thickness. They have one safe edge (smooth edge) which permits filing in corners, and on other work where a safe edge is required. Hand files are double cut and used principally for finishing flat surfaces and similar work.
Flat files — These files are slightly tapered toward the point in both width and thickness. They cut on both edges as well as on the sides. They are the most common files in use. Flat files are double cut on both sides and single cut on both edges.
Mill files— These are usually tapered slightly in thickness and in width for about one-third of their length. The teeth are ordinarily single cut. These files are used for drawfiling and to some extent for filing soft metals.
Square files— These files may be tapered or blunt and are double cut. They are used principally for filing slots and key seats, and for surface filing.
Round or rattail files— These are circular in cross section and may be either tapered or blunt and single or double cut. They are used principally for filing circular openings or concave surfaces.
Triangular and three square files— These files are triangular in cross-section. Triangular files are single cut and are used for filing the gullet between saw teeth. Three square files, which are double cut, may be used for filing internal angles, clearing out corners, and filing taps and cutters.
Half-round files— These files cut on both the flat and round sides. They may be single or double cut. Their shape permits them to be used where other files would be unsatisfactory.
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