File Handles

[Kennyd]

Why can't anyone make a file handle that stays on! I have a set of small Nicholson (sp?) files with wood handles that are always coming off. What a PITA.

Just venting

 

[rleete]

Drip some linseed oil into the recess, right around the top. This will swell the wood fibers, and grip the tang of the file better.

 

[12bolts]

Do you burn your handles on? Seriously.
This was a trick an old machinist showed me way back when.
Heat the tip of the tang, quickly, to a nice bright red. Just the first inch on a small file. Quickly jam the handle on about 3/4 to 4/5 of the way, just short of hitting the hole in the ferrule, and then pull it off again. You should feel the wood burning away as the tang penetrates. Kinda feels a little mushy as you do it. Dont screw it around, you want the nice neat shaped pocket that you have burned into the wood to stay that way. Cool your file and after the handle has also cooled, tap it back on firmly. It should seat nicely and the tang should have cut a shape into the ferrule also.

Cheers Phil

 

[Kennyd]

All great suggestions guys-keep 'em coming. When I bought this set the handles where already installed...for a while anyway. Just seems like there should be a better way, like why don't they put a hole in the file and pin them on?

 

[Frank Ford]

I'm thinking that files are not subject to pulling forces when they are used, so it's better to have the file easily removable. When I find a handle a bit too lose, and I can't simply tap it to seat the file successfully, I just dribble a bit of thin cyanoacrylate down the tang into the wood, and it holds quite well until the next change.

 

[bshughe]

I know this thread is a little old but I thought you all would like to know a trick that my uncle uses for his files.

Golf balls, yes I'm serious he checks garage sales for golf balls or if you have a golfer for a friend ask them they always have old ones that they will give you.

He drills a hole slightly smaller than the tang and then puts it on and gives it a little whack with a rubber mallet to seat it. They hold onto the tangs really well and they feel pretty good if you do a lot of file work.

just a crazy tip that actually works.

 

[brucer]

next time you purchase a file, request a safety file.... once you use a safety file you'll never use the spear point files again i cant believe osha hasnt done something about file handles over the years

heres a couple of examples that i'm talking about..
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SIMONDS-All-Purpose-File-5ZGA2?Pid=search
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/WESTWARD-Handy-File-1NFV3?Pid=search

 

[Hawkeye]

I have several files that I added golf balls to. Some are older than others. Like the one I got back in the sixty's with a liquid center. When I drilled into it, there was a sudden fountain of unknown, clear liquid all over everything.

That was a few years ago and I haven't grown a third eye or anything.

 

[Kennyd]

Great tips guys

I really like those "safety files"

 

[Hawkeye]

Hey, Turbo. Do files have to be made of aluminum to be air cooled?