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Files and Filing

Files are tools used for shaping metals through gradual material removal. They have parallel rows of sharp teeth. Common file types include flat, square, triangular, half-round and needle files. Files are classified by cut (coarseness of teeth), shape, and size. Finer cuts are used for smoothing while coarser cuts remove more material. Swiss pattern files are precision tools for jewelers and watchmakers. Proper filing techniques help produce smooth surfaces.

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Premal Zinzuwadia
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927 views

Files and Filing

Files are tools used for shaping metals through gradual material removal. They have parallel rows of sharp teeth. Common file types include flat, square, triangular, half-round and needle files. Files are classified by cut (coarseness of teeth), shape, and size. Finer cuts are used for smoothing while coarser cuts remove more material. Swiss pattern files are precision tools for jewelers and watchmakers. Proper filing techniques help produce smooth surfaces.

Uploaded by

Premal Zinzuwadia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Files and Filing.

File
 A File is a hardened steel tool whose surface or surfaces are
covered with parallel rows or furrows of sharp teeth or cutting
ridges.
 File is one of the most important shaping and finshing tools.
 Files are used for cutting abrading , shaping and smoothing metals
by gradual removal of material when the teeth under pressure pass
over engage and cut into it, removing small amount.
History of file

 The earliest account of the hand manufacture of


files occurs in the 12th century treatise of
theophilus on Diverse Arts and the process
remained essentially unchanged until the middle
of the 18th century.
 The first attempt to cut files by machine was
approximately 1490 AD and resulted from an
invention by Leonardo da Vinci.
 Mechanical manufacture of files began in france in
1750 and several machines were developed mostly
by french men Chopitel between 1756 & 1862.
File Terminology

Profile
Type: The cross-sectional shape or style of the file i. e. quadrangular,
circular, triangular or irregular.

These sections are further classified according to their contours i. e. blunt,


taper etc.
Blunt: A file whose edges are parallel from end to end and of constant
width.

Taper: The reduction in cross section of the file from its heel to the point.
A file may taper with width, in thickness or in both.
Cut
 A single-cut file has a single set of parallel, diagonal rows of teeth.
Single-cut files are often used with light pressure to produce a smooth
surface finish or to put a keen edge on knives , shears or saws.

 A double-cut file has two sets of diagonal rows of teeth. The second set
of teeth is cut in the opposite diagonal direc - tion, and on top of the first
set. The first set of teeth is known as the o vercut while the sec - ond is
called the upcut. The upcut is finer than the o vercut. The double-cut file
is used with heavier pressure than the single-cut and removes material
faster from the workpiece.

 A rasp-cut has a series of individual teeth that are formed by a single-


pointed tool. This produces a roughcut and is used primarily on wood,
hooves, aluminum and lead.
Fineness(Grading)
 The teeth coarseness or cut can be coarse or rough, bastard, second, smooth, or
dead smooth.
 The coarse cut the of all and is used for heavy work and rough metal material.
 Bastard cut ia a file coarseness between coarse and second cut and is used for
relatively rough metal material.
 Second cut is a file used for finishing
 Smooth cut is a file cut of less coarseness than second cut and produces
asmooth, almost undermarked surface especially after draw-filling.
 Dead smooth is the finest of the standard cuts, used for finishing.
 File cuts Teeth per inch
Coarse 14-22 per inch
Bastard 22-32 per inch
Second 30-42 per inch
Smooth 50-65 per inch
Deep smooth 70-120 per inch
Swiss pattern File
 This group comprises a large series of fine-cut files whose shape and
manufcturing originated in switzerland. They are made up of chrome steel
alloy for hardness and durability, in various shapes and a range of special
cuts.
 They are designed for precision in jewellery making, silversmithing,
diemaking, way making.
 Flat file should be used with smooth lateral forward stroke. To assure a
deeper cut and smoother finish when working with half round , round,
and oval files, rotate hem clockwise on the forward stroke.
 They are available in cuts from coarse to fine (00-6), 6-8, in (15.2-20.3cm)
long, tang length2 in (5.1cm) , weight between one and two ounces.
 Swiss Pattern , Escapement, and needle file sectional shapes
 The files most widely and usually used by jjewellers , diesinkers
andwatchmakers are types known as hand files ( in [15.2cm] long), swiss
pattern files (6-8 in [15.2-20.3cm] long).
 These files are manufactured in over a hundred shapes, furtger multiplied
by a range of sizes, cuts, and tapered and blunt forms.
 Certains shapes such as flat square, triangular, barrette, half-round and
round
are most comonly used.
 File Styles

Full Size Files: 4” to 8” cut length (not including tangs). Should be secured in
a handle for comfort. Used for removing material from large areas.
Habilis Files: 8” to 9” overall length. Handles are thick and shaped for
comfort. For in-between jobs, too big for needle files and too small for full
size files.
Needle Files:- 4” to 6” overall length. Handles are knurled or covered with
vinyl grips. Used for small surfaces and getting into tight areas.
Escapement Files: 5” to 6” overall length. Length of cut is shorter than a
typical needle file (11 /2” to 21 /2”). Also known as square handle needle
files.
Rifflers:- 6” to 7” overall length. Uniquely shaped, curved profiles with
double ends. For getting into tight areas, especially for filing curves.
Silversmith’s Rifflers:- 7” overall length. Slightly larger than standard
rifflers. Double ended. Available in a smaller range of shapes and cuts.
Valtitan Files:- Available in Full and Needle File sizes. Specially hardened for
working with platinum and stainless steel. Yellow tangs for easy
identification.

 File Cuts
Files Shapes
 Flat : Rectangular section, slightly tapered in width and thickness,
blunt, double-cut on edges and sides, sometimes with one small
edge.

 Square :- square in section with four equal filing


sides , double cut on all sides, tapered or blunt. Used for
general surface filing, for slots, and in the heavier weights
sometimes preferred over flat or narrow pillar because of its heavier
cross section.

 Triangular:-- An equilateral triangle in section


tapered or blunt if used for sawtooth filing; double cut
with edges left sharp; and single cut. Used for filing internal angles.
 Knife File :- Triangular in section with very acute vertex angle of about 10
degree, doble cut on sides single-cut on the edges wider safe edge, tapers to
a point in both widthand thickness. Used for working with aucte angles.

Barrette File :Tapered in both width and thickness with only one cutting

 edge and safe sides that angle sharply back. The triangular profile allows
this file to get into tight spaces to file one surface without effecting adjacent surfaces.

 Equalling File : parallel Rectangular profile


with parallel sides and thickness. All four sides have teeth: double cut on
top and bottom, single cut on both sides. This file is used primarily for filing slots and
corners. It also makes a good general purpose file due to it’s wide, flat cutting surface.

Pillar File: THICKNESS: tapered WIDTH: parallel Parallel in width and


tapered in thickness, like a hand file. The pillar file is double cut on the
top and bottom and has two safe edges. It is typically more slender than a hand file
and available in several widths. The safe edges allow precise filing without effecting
adjacent surfaces.
 Marking File : Similar in profile to a half round file, but cut

only on the curved surface, leaving the flat side


safe. The sides and thickness are tapered, coming to a fine point at the end.
The uncut flat surface makes this a safer file when filing inside curves.

 Crossing File :- This file is similar in profile to a half-round


file and is used primarily for filing interior
curved surfaces and compound curves. The crossing file has two curved
surfaces, one having a larger radius than the other. Both are double cut.

Warding File:- Similar in profile to the equalling file, but

with tapered sides that come to a point.


Useful for removal of burs and for filing narrow slots. Double cut top and
bottom with single cut edges.

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