Up to now despite working mostly with metal I have relied on a combination of either cheap sets of standard Mini 4" files from Boyes (approx £5 for half a dozen) or a similar but diamond coated set. No surprise that I have gone through several of the cheap sets of standard type files and for some things while they do have their uses the diamond coated files are just not accurate enough so having built up a small fund for Telford I have proceeded to spend some of it on some decent files. After looking around a bit I found a good selection of Vallorbe files at Axminster tools and bought 6 x 6" files plus wooden handles to suit 2 x flat files, one smooth cut, one second cut 2 x Round files, one smooth cut, one second cut 2 x Square files, one smooth cut, one second cut I also got one 4" triangular second cut and a handle for it All for the princely sum of £38.70 delivered which I thought was pretty good. - I have seen the individual files at £15 or more while I was looking. They do a set of six mini files all second cut for just over £40 which I may invest in as well at some point - I am trying to resist the lure of more kits...
Saw this thread and immediately thought it was about computer files! Any good quality file, is just a file that isn't bad surely? Oh! you mean Engineering files! I don't know if you have come across this supplier Maxitrak and Maidstone Engineering before? But their file prices knock spots off yours! (I can't vouch for the quality)
Thanks Timbersurf, I was hoping that by posting this it would stimulate some discussion and possible alternatives. I was able to find cheaper files but I specifically wanted Vallorbe files because I know them to be good quality. Sadly you have no idea what you are getting with many of the non branded files (or indeed other tools) and I am trying to build up a collection of known good quality tools that should last my modelling days out.
I bought these from Barnett's in York about four years ago now, no idea who made them but they still cut nicely and serve my current modelling needs. I can't remember what they cost but it wasn't a lot of money.
During my apprenticeship we had files imported from France, a flat file with a slight belly. These were the only file we were allowed to use to file a block of metal 42mm +/- 0.05 flat square and parallel. We had to file the blocks with a 45 degree cross trace (hence the belly), giving a diamond pattern across the surface, the instructor easily able to see if you were working with even strokes. Don't forget a decent file card - essential for keeping the files in good condition, and if were going to get picky, there should be a set of files for ferrous, and another set for non-ferrous metals, painting the handles different colours can help work as a reminder. Jeezy Peeps, fancy remembering that after 40 years, pity the rest didn't stick - Sorry Mr C. Paul
York Paul, you need to watch this! And scrape french chalk on a file before you use it on soft metals (helps release the swarf, stops "grabbing" and gives a smoother finish). I can SEE the aluminium in your picture!
More likely to be solder - mind you not much as on my files - hence the second set of files and a file card. Paul
Hi Timbersurf Thanks for that advice, I'll get a canister of french chalk and clean these files up Ah I think the mag lamp shining down has made the transparent plastic case containing the files look like aluminium. I'll check the link you sent thanks again. cheers and thanks York Paul
Paul I, I remember one of the lads in my year filing a block down to make what was supposed to end up a C clamp 4 x 3 x 3/4" only his was about 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1/2" by the time he got it flat and square! He said he couldn't understand why it had to be so flat if he was going to cut the middle out and throw it away anyway. As a fitter he eventually made a fair production supervisor.
I didn't get much modelling done this weekend but I took the power tools for a test having not used many of them for a while - Drill press, router table and linisher all brought into play to make this I thoroughly enjoyed making something from wood for a change and now that I have my router table set up again I have a nice piece of hardwood that I need to turn into a mounting plinth for a cast wagon plate that I bought a few years ago.
On the block we had to work with it was a nominal 43 mm sq black bar, but had a damaged edge, so 40mm was the largest size we could make, so the instructor told us to do it 40mm. After a week a new batch of black bar arrived, so the instructor, picks up the vernier, measures the piece, looks at the drawing and says that's undersize and lobs it in the bin, 6 rather miffed apprentices - or words to that effect. Rob - nice tool rack Paul