Worn Files

JW IN VA · February 20, 2015, 10:06:40 PM

When is a file too worn to file a saw?I hear about tossing files before they're too worn.

beenthere · February 20, 2015, 10:16:21 PM

Best indication is to have a new one close by, and use it once in awhile... the bite the new one has compared to the old worn one will be the biggest clue. Like one stroke instead of three or four.

But the only downside to using a file too long is that it takes more strokes. So if time isn't real important... use the old ;D

Hope that helps...

drobertson · February 21, 2015, 08:01:41 AM

beenthere kinda summed it up, if the shavings are not coming off then it's time to toss. for a couple of bucks a loop can be fuzzed in pretty quickly. beats the heck out of straining to eeck out an ole used file.

JW IN VA · February 21, 2015, 10:29:17 AM

Thanks for the replies.I need to change files.I usually buy in multiple packs but don't want to waste things ,either
I like to touch up the chin at each fill up or anytime the chain looses its pull feeling.

terrifictimbersllc · February 21, 2015, 12:49:11 PM

You sharpening or shaving? :D :D

JW IN VA · February 21, 2015, 02:29:54 PM

:

:D You mean a true woodsman doesn't shave with his saw?

clww · February 21, 2015, 06:42:41 PM

Some of us don't shave at all. ;D

bandmiller2 · February 21, 2015, 08:14:00 PM

JW, a sharp file will bite with little force a dull one will tend to skate over the tooth and requires force to make it cut. A dull file sort of burnishes the tooth and doesn't give you a real sharp edge. I know I have a hard time throwing out a file. Frank C.

terrifictimbersllc · February 21, 2015, 08:22:05 PM

Got to get them out of the shop, gone.

clww · February 21, 2015, 08:55:12 PM

Good explanation, bandmiller. I have no problem throwing out a file, as the new ones are cheap. I got a dozen last week from Forum Sponsor CHAINSAWR.

Butlerslogs · February 22, 2015, 06:02:56 AM

Quote from: clww on February 21, 2015, 06:42:41 PM
Some of us don't shave at all. ;D

Its too cold to shave!!!

Mn woodchuck · February 22, 2015, 09:15:21 AM

I haven't shaved since August 1980. Just trim it with a hedge trimmer once in awhile .

HiTech · March 18, 2015, 05:43:58 PM

Do files wear out or plug up with metal shavings? I carry a file card in my toolbox and clean the file when done using it. The files seem to last forever. It only takes a minute to run the file over the card and it does clean it very well. I am not even sure where I got it...I have had it a long time. You can use it on any kind of file to clean the grooves.

Al_Smith · March 19, 2015, 10:46:04 PM

If say every tooth you tap the file on something to dislodge the chips they last longer .They do wear out though given enough time .

jwilly3879 · March 23, 2015, 04:35:40 PM

Every time I have cut myself sharpening it was because of an old file I found in the tool box.

Escavader · March 24, 2015, 09:52:21 PM

Quote from: HiTech on March 18, 2015, 05:43:58 PM
Do files wear out or plug up with metal shavings? I carry a file card in my toolbox and clean the file when done using it. The files seem to last forever. It only takes a minute to run the file over the card and it does clean it very well. I am not even sure where I got it...I have had it a long time. You can use it on any kind of file to clean the grooves.

May I ask what a file card is??

terrifictimbersllc · March 24, 2015, 10:02:00 PM

It's a double sided brush with short wire bristles on one side and nylon bristles on the other. For cleaning a file as it is used to keep it from clogging up.

http://www.nicholsontool.com/files/nicholson-21467-10-file-card-and-brush.html

CR888 · March 28, 2015, 02:58:41 AM

Old toothbrush or nail brush are handy for cleaning the shavings from a file so it cuts easily not clogging up. I buy files buy the dozen and get more than what l need when there are good deals on them. You can sharpen a lot of chain with a dozen files if you use good filing technique. Pferd, Save Edge, Vallorbe(stihl)are all pretty good. I would love to go back in time and get some of the swiss NLA files, but that is not yet possible.

Straightgrain · April 06, 2015, 11:42:38 AM

Quote from: clww on February 21, 2015, 08:55:12 PM
Good explanation, bandmiller. I have no problem throwing out a file, as the new ones are cheap. I got a dozen last week from Forum Sponsor CHAINSAWR.

Thanks for this post OP, and thanks for the sponsor-lead clww; I just bought some files and a GB guide from them. There prices are indeed reasonable, and their selection is very-good. Their willingness to ship to a PO Box is another plus.

NH-Murph · June 10, 2015, 02:08:18 PM

I'm a bit OCD about files... I use lots of files working on guns, so it's more of a natural feeling that they're no longer up to par. When the files don't take a nice cut any longer, they go in a bucket with the chains that don't take a nice cut any longer. There, they wait together patiently for the next time I pour concrete. They get stacked and wrapped around the rebar for extra re- ;D

luvmexfood · June 10, 2015, 06:52:54 PM

I was bad about putting worn out files in the truck or laying them back on the bench. Seems like they alway got mixed in with the still usable files. Now they are tossed as soon as they are worn out.

There is a company, in Ohio I think, that remanufactures them. Expensive. Anyone tried that route? Just wondering if they were any better.