Butterfly Filer Vs Die Filer

As for myself, despite my youthful girly looks ;-) , I have advanced rheumatoid arthritis where most of the bones in both wrists have fused (of course, I would want to persue metalworking, lol). So, anything that can help me not have to use my hands as much is appealing. Plus, die filiers are cool !
 
Hey Sue, how about the kit to build your own , there not to costly and not hard to build . I had have planned to do since used ones sell for twice there value it seems. Of course a jig or sawzall mounted under a plate would work too.
 
Susan_in_SF said:
Plus, die filiers are cool !
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Yep that's one of the reasons I bought one. while It does come in handy on occasion, I wouldn't say it's a must have machine, at least for my perspective.
Also, proper die-filer files are very hard to find and very expensive when you do. The other option is to grind a smooth shank on the ends of regular files to fit the clamp.
 
Eddyde said:
Yep that's one of the reasons I bought one. while It does come in handy on occasion, I wouldn't say it's a must have machine, at least for my perspective.
Also, proper die-filer files are very hard to find and very expensive when you do. The other option is to grind a smooth shank on the ends of regular files to fit the clamp.
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Ye, it is cool and it's good to know what I'm looking at when garagesaling, but for the kinds of prices they demand I guess I'm lucky my hands still work ok. After rigging my die grinder as a stationary unit I'm good for the kinds of stuff I do. But it's good to know if I'm missing something, so that's why I asked.
 
Good luck on your pursuit of a die filer. I picked up an Oliver S-1 a couple of years ago off CL for $100. Spent over double that in die files since and have found it to be a very useful tool for my type of projects. I've used it as a "true" die filer a couple of times working a crazy-shaped punch to fit a die. Most of my projects involve working sheet metal, so instead of me working a needle file back and forth I let the tool do the work.

As mentioned by Eddy above, you can grind a regular file to file the filer. I've also read here where guys/gals have silver soldered a rod to the end of a file. Cut a slot in the rod to fit over the end of the file and silver solder or TIG in place.

Sorry about the arthritis, the golden years aren't always that golden . . . Plus side of retirement is more time to shop for stuff like die filers and spend more time in the shop! There are a few die filers on CL in your general area down below.

Bruce

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer-machine/6724482617.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bfs/d/oliver-die-filer-filing-for/6735976134.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer/6740642000.html

20161224_134429.jpg
 
BGHansen said:
Good luck on your pursuit of a die filer. I picked up an Oliver S-1 a couple of years ago off CL for $100. Spent over double that in die files since and have found it to be a very useful tool for my type of projects. I've used it as a "true" die filer a couple of times working a crazy-shaped punch to fit a die. Most of my projects involve working sheet metal, so instead of me working a needle file back and forth I let the tool do the work.

As mentioned by Eddy above, you can grind a regular file to file the filer. I've also read here where guys/gals have silver soldered a rod to the end of a file. Cut a slot in the rod to fit over the end of the file and silver solder or TIG in place.

Sorry about the arthritis, the golden years aren't always that golden . . . Plus side of retirement is more time to shop for stuff like die filers and spend more time in the shop! There are a few die filers on CL in your general area down below.

Bruce

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer-machine/6724482617.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bfs/d/oliver-die-filer-filing-for/6735976134.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer/6740642000.html
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Where have you been able to find files for your machine? I've used a couple vendors over the years, but recently the prices seem to have sky rocketed. I went to buy some last week and everyone wanted between $12.00 and $15.00 per copy. This may be the going prices now, but it's quite a shock from paying less then $2.00 a copy in the past.
 
Hi projectnut,

I've bought them from Falcon tool in Traverse City, MI. Also, Artco in CA. Bought some off eBay. Also had a retired machinist friend give me over 25 of them (I owe him big time). They are getting hard to find.

Bruce
 
BGHansen said:
Good luck on your pursuit of a die filer. I picked up an Oliver S-1 a couple of years ago off CL for $100. Spent over double that in die files since and have found it to be a very useful tool for my type of projects. I've used it as a "true" die filer a couple of times working a crazy-shaped punch to fit a die. Most of my projects involve working sheet metal, so instead of me working a needle file back and forth I let the tool do the work.

As mentioned by Eddy above, you can grind a regular file to file the filer. I've also read here where guys/gals have silver soldered a rod to the end of a file. Cut a slot in the rod to fit over the end of the file and silver solder or TIG in place.

Sorry about the arthritis, the golden years aren't always that golden . . . Plus side of retirement is more time to shop for stuff like die filers and spend more time in the shop! There are a few die filers on CL in your general area down below.

Bruce

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer-machine/6724482617.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bfs/d/oliver-die-filer-filing-for/6735976134.html
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/tls/d/milwaukee-die-filer/6740642000.html
Click to expand...

Bruce, do you have pic's of your punches? This kind of punch and die stuff I had guessed is why it's called a die filer. I also assume it has to do with making parts for your Erector sets?
 
Hi C-Bag,

Here's one post showing the die filer in use for an oddball punch. You are correct, was used on an Erector set reproduction of a parachute jump guy. I used to print the images on our color laser and glue them to chipboard, then cut them into strips with a paper cutter and hand cut them with scissors. Callused up my hands cutting them out, plus the curves on the perimeter weren't as nice as I'd like. The punch/die make short work of them now. I could have attempted the detailed inside corner work on the punch with needle files, but it'd be really hard to hold the files perfectly parallel or even undercut a little bit for some relief angle. My Oliver's table has angular adjustments like tilt and nod on a mill, so it's pretty easy to undercut a surface if needed and it goes back/forth right on line.

Bruce

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...-number-nu-parachute-men-punch-and-die.59615/
 
Thanks Bruce. I'm floored, that is beyond impressive. Your attention to detail and documenting it all is deeply appreciated. It also demonstrates directly the behind the scenes to produce just one assembly that would most never even think about. Thanks again for sharing,this clearly demonstrated what a die filer was meant for.
 
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