Cleaning fine files

[Tony Wells]

Very true ,George. That's why I said if he was desperate. It works on coarse files fairly well, but then, they aren't expected to do fine work. I wouldn't do this on X-fine files unless I couldn't clean them any other way. If the clog material is aluminum or similar, only a short soak would be necessary and little damage wold be done. But if it were steel or brass, then your concern is certainly valid, and the acid soak would be a last resort. I've done well with bamboo, various hardwoods, and aluminum bronze instead of brass.....it's a little harder.

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks Bob,

I'm not certain, but I think I may have what you're describing. It's a small, pencil like item made by either 3M or Norton and called a Sanding Stick, or something similar. It's used in automotive body work for sanding very small areas and consists of a plastic body with very fine, twist up shards of fiberglass. What I'm thinking about might actually abrade the fine file teeth, and that would ruin the file.

Harry

HI well this is my tip bamboo is good but get your self a fiber pencel bob

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks again, Mike. I could make something similar from brass and at least have the advantage of a handle.

Best,
Harry

The wide section is just the soft steel from the spike.

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks Tony. I have considered that, but so far have not been that desperate. I was thinking of a mild solution of muriatic acid. As I mentioned before, what I am doing works. It's just plenty of trouble.

Best,
Harry

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.

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks again George. These little files are expensive, $50+ each. That's why I'm reluctant to use acid as anything other than a last resort.

The filings filling the teeth are nickel silver used in making the ferrules and reel seats on high end custom bamboo rods. The fit of the ferrules must be smooth as silk and the little files do a great job. But after only a very few minutes of use, they are clogged and must be cleaned. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time cleaning the files than using them.

Best,
Harry

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?

 

[canerodscom]

If you would like to try some small pieces of bamboo at some time Geoffrey, just let me know and I'll send you all you could possibly use. I have hundreds of feet of bamboo in the shop and use most of the cut-offs as fire starter this time of year.

I'd be happy to send you a little. Just forward a mailing address via PM or email to maker@canerods.com

Best,

Harry

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. Geoffrey Owen.

 

[canerodscom]

Is this it Bob?

http://www.amazon.com/K-Tool-Sanding-Pen/dp/B005EB9NOE

Thanks,
Harry

 

[rmsflorida]

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.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance,

Harry

===================================
Harry ..
Your doing it right...
No blasting...
Common sense here....

I used those fine files forever..
The flatten carriage brass cramped my hand too...too small and short

I cut a piece of 5/8 dia.360 brass about 4 inches long .
Took it over to the belt sander and dressed the one end to a chisel point shape..about 30 degrees .
The other end..I pushed a 5/8 rubber chair tip.
This file cleaner tool with the chair tip fits against my palm.
No more hand cramps !
I keep the brass dressed as a sharp chisel point

Robbie

==========================
Funny story here about Hoppe's#9

Many years I had a routine that Saturday afternoon I went shooting at Maryland Small Arms Range .
After the shoot I would clean My gun and do repairs on the range rental guns.
After that, I would Pick up my dinner date for that evening...
My girlfriend asked me "What's the fragrance ?"..(Girls say "fragrance" ..Boys say "smell")
I reply "Hoppies #9"

Holiday time comes around..
With a frustrated look she said:
" I looked everywhere,Hecth Company ,Target,Wal-mart ,Woolco ,Sears, Macys ,everywhere !!"
"I know you always wear that fragrance"
"Where do you buy Hoppes #9."
I said " At the sporting goods store"
She said "A sporting goods store sells after shave?"
"After shave"? .."No... that a bore cleaner I use to clean my guns!!"
We both had a good laugh..!!
"(She like that smell)

Hoppe's #9 ...I buy it by the quarts.
Robbie

 

[canerodscom]

Thanks Bob and Robbie. Guess I'll just keep fine tuning my present system, with the possible addition of one of the little brass brushes.

Happy New Year!

Harry

 

[george wilson]

canerodscom: Do you have Tonkin cane cut offs? I have an experiment in mind that has nothing to do with rods. Anything over 8" long would be good. Do you temper your cane in an oven? What is your procedure?