Butterfly Filer Vs Die Filer

[BGHansen]

Hi C-Bag,

Not a problem. I've tried to do a better job writing up work instructions for my shop, but have gone to reviewing the posts here instead. I can type a lot faster than write plus can add photos here instead of the hand sketches in my shop instructions.

Bruce

P.s. Sitting with my 82-year old dad (stroke victim 5 years ago) at present so mom can go to a 10 year knee replacement surgery follow up appointment. My dad was the epitome of being anal about projects. He didn't get them done the quickest, but always did the extra step if he thought it'd be a problem. Takes longer but you don't have to repeat it if it's done right the first time. I have a lot of work to do to get to his level.

 

[C-Bag]

My dad was the exact opposite. If it held together at all it was good enough. So what if it was ugly, it was done. I learned to get it right from the guy who taught me to rebuild engines. Most were just interested to get it done as fast as possible and good enough to get it beyond the 3,000mi warranty. My old boss was all about it should last as long if not longer than the factory original. And for that it's those last details that take time to get right if it's not. This just got demonstrated over and over through my career by those around me when they would get comebacks. I HATE to do anything twice so that made me not be the fastest on the line, but I had 0 comebacks. The old saying "the devil is in the details" is so true and is what separates the workman from the craftsman IMHO.

 

[Susan_in_SF]

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

Thanks Bruce. I love how you included San Diego and Los Angeles as my, "general area," lol.
Actually, I did drive down to southern CA (350-400 miles away) to buy this big boy for $175 off craigslist. I normally wouldn't travel that far for tools, but I really wanted a big bullet, and normally would not be able to afford such a 5" vise.

 

[C-Bag]

Thanks Bruce. I love how you included San Diego and Los Angeles as my, "general area," lol.
Actually, I did drive down to southern CA (350-400 miles away) to buy this big boy for $175 off craigslist. I normally wouldn't travel that far for tools, but I really wanted a big bullet, and normally would not be able to afford such a 5" vise.
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Wow, you are dedicated. You living in the Bay Area you are immune to the traffic. Even though I see good deals in SF&LA (but nothing like you find regularly!)they might as well be on the moon. Traffic now is like a scene from Road Warrior in those cities to a country mouse like myself. It's not the distance it's 80mph bumper to bumper or a parking lot as far as the eye can see that gets me.

 

[Susan_in_SF]

Wow, you are dedicated. You living in the Bay Area you are immune to the traffic. Even though I see good deals in SF&LA (but nothing like you find regularly!)they might as well be on the moon. Traffic now is like a scene from Road Warrior in those cities to a country mouse like myself. It's not the distance it's 80mph bumper to bumper or a parking lot as far as the eye can see that gets me.

You ain't lying about the traffic here. I moved to San Francisco in 1995, and I have witnessed it get worse with each year. I bought a library card catalog thingy with drawers today where I needed to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Took me half an hour in city traffic before I finally got onto the bridge!