Cleaning fine files

[canerodscom]

Hi folks,

Almost daily I use some very fine Grobet Pillar files in smooth cuts, #4, #6, and #8. I think the #8 file has around 250 teeth per inch. In use small bits of swarf build up quickly in the teeth and have to be physically pushed out. Chalking the teeth doesn't help much, if at all.

My current maintenance program involves using a small (1/4"x1/4") piece of hard bamboo, or a flat piece of cartridge brass to push the swarf out of the teeth. When the file is relatively clean it is stored in an upright jar of Hoppe's #9 Gun Cleaning solvent.

It works, but there simply has to be a better way. Someone suggested blasting with glass beads, but there's no room in my 16x20 shop for another big piece of equipment.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance,

Harry

 

[george wilson]

You would ruin such fine files trying to blast them with any medium. Some guys oil their files. Some choke their files with chalk to prevent sticky metals from gumming the files up. Otherwise,what you ARE doing is a standard way of cleaning the teeth.

 

[Nammar]

Dear Harry,

I have found that I have been able to resurect many a rusty or clogged file using a linoleum knife blade. I wire buff the files on a wire wheel fitted to a bench grinder to do the initial clean-up and then scratch the linoleum blade along the files teeth, in such a way that it scratches out the rust, dirt or clogged metal filings trapped in the deepest part of the grooves, between the teeth. It takes quite a long time to do this, but works for me. I have done precision filing using old files cleaned my way. Where others have thrown files away, I take them and clean them up. I don't like throwing tools away. Of course, I'm talking quality files, not cheap no name brand supermarket files that can be snapped in two by hand!!!!

The standard file card bought at tool shops really only works for cleaning course ******* toothed files. The finer the files teeth become, the less cleaning effect a standard file card has on the teeth. I've tried fine strand metal and brass wire brushes to clean files, but they really don't work for me either. I have never tried the Bamboo method of cleaning files, that I've read about on the internet, as I live in a desert where no bamboo grows. Maybe Cactii thorns will work??

I don't think that glass blasting the very fine files that you have will work at all, as the diameter of the glass bead is bigger than the space between the teeth, so won't have any other effect other than making the file look nice. For the very fine files that you have, do an experiment using my method of cleaning between the teeth and see how it works for you. Nothing tried, nothing gained.

Geoffrey Owen.

 

[Hawkeye]

Harry, I made this little file cleaner about 20 years ago by hammering the head of a spike flat, grinding it straight across and setting it in a handle. Same principle as the bamboo and brass, but a bit stiffer. I don't know if it will work any better than the softer ones, but a handle can at least make the job a bit easier.

 

[canerodscom]

That looks like a good idea Mike. Trying to hold a flattened cartridge brass does cause some hand cramping. Is the business end of the tool pictured made of brass or steel?

Thanks,
Harry

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks Geoffrey, like you I've resurrected good files that way when they became clogged with swarf, glue, varnish, etc. But the process takes time.

A linoleum knife won't begin to fit between the teeth on these tiny little files. Perhaps a very sharp edge might, but not a dull edge. With 250+ teeth per inch, each tooth and gap is less than .004" A single edged razor blade is usually .009", so you see the dilemma.

Each time I use these files they become aggravatingly clogged. I'm looking for a routine method of un-clogging which might be easier than what I am doing.

Best,
Harry

I have found that I have been able to resurect many a rusty or clogged file using a linoleum knife blade.

 

[canerodscom]

That's an idea worth considering Jerry. Thank you! I have a handy little HF ultra sonic cleaning tank that might actually work. I'll try it next time the files need cleaning and give a report.

Best,
Harry

...but have you considered sonic vibration in your solvent storage container

PS -- yes, I am trying to get the post count up to 20 so I can see some of the less accessible portions of this site!

 

[Hawkeye]

Harry,

The wide section is just the soft steel from the spike. As you push it along the file teeth, grooves get cut into it, just like with the other materials. Still a lot softer than the file, so no wear to the teeth. Just might be stiff enough to push the swarf out.

 

[Tony Wells]

If you get desperate you can soak the file in acid. It will eventually ruin it, but not for a long time if you are careful. It will remove clog, and sharpen the file a bit to boot. Dilute Sulfuric acid is what I use.

 

[george wilson]

Soaking a clogged file in acid: Would it not cause the teeth to be etched out very unevenly,due to the acid not eating so fast where the teeth are clogged? I'd just try OILING the files as I suggested. The oil will make the file a lot harder to clog,and possibly add life to the teeth.