upgrade your files

[fast67ford]

Lately i have been trying to get my basement shop more organized trying to hang as many tools on peg boards as i can. Many of my files didn't have handles and had been carelessly thrown in my tool box. Then the other day i just happen to be walking around the local dollar store around here and noticed their putty knives just so happen to look like excellent file handles. And i was right!






IMG_20130728_105959 by fast_67ford, on Flickr

IMG_20130728_110044 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_110909 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_111049 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_115256 by fast_67ford, on Flickr

 

[Chucketn]

Great idea! I've been turning wood handles for my files, but your idea is so much easier! Thanks for sharing your inspiration.

Chuck

 

[fast67ford]

Thank ya! I was thinking about turning some out of delrin stock i had laying around. But this took all of 10 minutes.

 

[churchjw]

Wow great idea.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Fitter Bill]

Great job on handles....I bet the Dog is happy too....

 

[raross61]

Lately i have been trying to get my basement shop more organized trying to hang as many tools on peg boards as i can. Many of my files didn't have handles and had been carelessly thrown in my tool box. Then the other day i just happen to be walking around the local dollar store around here and noticed their putty knives just so happen to look like excellent file handles. And i was right!






IMG_20130728_105959 by fast_67ford, on Flickr

IMG_20130728_110044 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_110909 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_111049 by fast_67ford, on Flickr


IMG_20130728_115256 by fast_67ford, on Flickr

Hey great idea! Can I ask one thing I see here buying the putty knives, heating the blade and pulling it out. What are you doing when you put the file into the handle? Heating the file end and driving it in? Or driving it in cold with a dead blow? Or did you center drill it and drive in, Looks great and right up my alley on cost!

Thanks Bob in Oregon!

 

[hman]

First off, THANK YOU for this great idea!:man:

Secondly - I bought a large bunch of them at Dollar Tree today. The store didn't have the size scrapers you got, but they had the 3" size. Fine by me. Now I have a bunch of nice chunks of springy steel in somewhat of a handy size/form factor.

Thirdly - didn't even need to heat them to get the blades out of the handles! I just grabbed each blade in the vise and wiggled/tugged the handle off.

Some o' the most worthwhile bux I've spent in maybe a fortnight!

 

[raross61]

Hey great idea! Can I ask one thing? I see here buying the putty knives, heating the blade and pulling it out. What are you guys doing when you put the file into the handle? Heating the file end and driving it in? Or driving it in cold with a dead blow? Or did you center drill it and drive in, Looks great and right up my alley on cost!

Thanks Bob in Oregon!

 

[hman]

Hey great idea! Can I ask one thing? I see here buying the putty knives, heating the blade and pulling it out. What are you guys doing when you put the file into the handle? Heating the file end and driving it in? Or driving it in cold with a dead blow? Or did you center drill it and drive in

I've only had time to add a handle to one file so far - and it was a Lowes "special" with a 5/16" hexagonal tang. I marked the center of the file handle slot, used a countersink to get a good starting point, then a step drill to 5/16" diameter, then a 5/16" drill bit to depth. Didn't want to try drilling into a slotted object with a 5/16" bit!

Held the file handle upright in the vise jaws, with the butt end resting on the bar below, and used a block of wood to seat the file. Seems to be holding very well.

I'll do some experimenting with "regular" files once I get back to Corvallis (late this month) and let you know the results. Right now, heating kinda appeals to me, and I'll try that first.

 

[raross61]

I've only had time to add a handle to one file so far - and it was a Lowes "special" with a 5/16" hexagonal tang. I marked the center of the file handle slot, used a countersink to get a good starting point, then a step drill to 5/16" diameter, then a 5/16" drill bit to depth. Didn't want to try drilling into a slotted object with a 5/16" bit!

Held the file handle upright in the vise jaws, with the butt end resting on the bar below, and used a block of wood to seat the file. Seems to be holding very well.

I'll do some experimenting with "regular" files once I get back to Corvallis (late this month) and let you know the results. Right now, heating kinda appeals to me, and I'll try that first.

John,

Thanks I will try the drilling, but I was also wondering about the heating! I just moved my Mom and Dad back to Oregon, from Surprise, AZ, so I hope you are not saying you are still in AZ?, and you are hoping to get back to Oregon in 30 days? You must have the town all to yourself, down there this time of year! Thanks and get back her while you are still Medium Rare, and not Well Done!

LOL Bob in Oregon