- Joined
- Nov 27, 2012
- Messages
- 7,859
Yup, saw that, too. My Nicholson lathe files are fine but I'm switching to Pferd. @darkzero is making me spend money.
Hey, well friends don't let friends keep their wallet full or buy cheap tools. Well technically you are up on me! My lil brother finally dropped of that Mitu level the other day. Thanks again!
I've only got 2 Nicholson files, both purchased from Home Depot. One is a 2 way, single cut on one side & double cut on the other. It has been holding up well. My other one is a single cut & it was the last Nicholson file I purchased, the thing felt like it dulled only after a few uses. I used to use it on the lathe for breaking edges.
Simmons & Grobet were my other choices before I went with Pferd. Have to be careful with Grobet cause they have an economy line that are made in China or somewhere else. I didn't look much into Simmons though when I discovered Amazon was selling lots of the Pferd. Unfortunately for some reason Amazon is not selling them anymore, well not restocking the ones that have sold out, only available from 3rd party sellers. Only thing I don't like about Pferd are lots of them just have a shear cut at the front end. Doesn't affect functionality or anything but it just seems unfinished in a sense. I can easily just clean that up on a belt sander but whatever. Belt sander works great for making your own safe edges, I remember doing that to one of my files cause I needed it.
The Flat File Plus is pretty cool. I've only used it once though on aluminum. Pretty cool cause it doesn't clog nearly as easy as your normal files.
And long angle files. I love them. Yup, everyone needs to have at least one of these. I like them so much I bought a whole case of them! Got a good deal on them so figured why not. I thought about selling some but I no longer want to.
My only regret (sort of) is that I didn't get a 12" LAL, mine are 10". I always see guys with huge files. Pferd only makes them in 10" & 12". Nicholson makes them in 14". But then again I don't have a big lathe & I don't work on big stuff.
Which brings me to a question I've always wanted to ask. What size files do you guys prefer to use and why? I Pferd 8" which most of mine are but then again I've never owned a file larger than 12".