File re-sharpening

[2152hq]

I clean files as I'm using them with a flattened brass rifle cartridge case.
Flatten the neck area and use the body to hang on to. The brass quickly forms to the teeth spacing of the file you are cleaning as you push it accross the face of the file.
Quick and efficient and it doesn't dull the file. Pushes every bit of stuck debris out of the rows, even gold and silver when stuck in the file.
No file cards on this bench. Chalk never seemed to work that well for me.

 

[M1Garandy]

A tip for the most commonly used files, find an old knife block. doesn't take up much room, and the ones you use most are right there. Mark

That's a pretty slick idea.

 

[BigBill]

Only use a file in one direction. Don't drag it in reverse to make another pass or cut. Pick it up off the material being filed. Dragging the file in reverse dulls the cutting edge of the file.
Using a file card will keep the waste out of between the teeth on a file. Clean the file often with the file card.
Get the file sharpened when it finally goes dull.

Don't throw that old dull file away. The quality steel is a platform for a great knife. Awesome winter project.

 

[M1Garandy]

I shipped 62 files off to Boggs earlier today. They were not sure how well some of the very fine Swiss files would resharpen but I was told that they'd for sure be better than when I sent them in.

I received a call from Boggs last night. Only 32 of the 62 files I sent were able to be sharpened to their standards.

They are all on the way back so I'll see what they look like when they get here.

 

[chief38]

WOW! Either their standards are very high (A GOOD THING) or half your files are really shot to hell!. Let us know when you receive them please!

 

[M1Garandy]

WOW! Either their standards are very high (A GOOD THING) or half your files are really shot to hell!. Let us know when you receive them please!

I'm hoping it is a little of both. Some of the files had slight physical damage or had been shortened or narrowed so the news was not really surprising. Much of what I sent had duplicates within the batch as well.

 

[22shtur]

When I sent files to them around 1999, I thought they used acid etching at the time. Maybe the high pressure method came after that time frame.

 

[M1Garandy]

Files arrived today. The total including shipping both ways was less than $85 all in.

I have not unwrapped them all yet but the files that I looked at that passed look nearly new and the files that had the handles dipped red while not perfect look much improved over what was sent.

Thanks to the OP for letting me/us know about Boggs.

 

[chief38]

Files arrived today. The total including shipping both ways was less than $85 all in.

I have not unwrapped them all yet but the files that I looked at that passed look nearly new and the files that had the handles dipped red while not perfect look much improved over what was sent.

Thanks to the OP for letting me/us know about Boggs.

I have been following this thread and did not realize that the ones they dipped red (rejected) would be sharpened anyway. $85 bucks for 60 some odd files including shipping is unbelievable! Please let us know how they perform.

 

[Derosa]

Interesting information. If i read it correctly, they also sharpen milling cutters, too. I would read into that it is meant to be end mill cutting tools. I am curious if they square and relieve the bottom (flat) of the cutter and then the sides; and how much is removed and how. Helically or spun? Both work, by the way. If they could do large diameter drill bits - above .500 diameter - , well, sign me up. And then there are reamers...be still by beating Gerstner.

 

[M1Garandy]

I am curious if they square and relieve the bottom (flat) of the cutter and then the sides; and how much is removed and how. Helically or spun? Both work, by the way. If they could do large diameter drill bits - above .500 diameter - , well, sign me up. And then there are reamers...be still by beating Gerstner.

Give them a call, they answered right away when I called and had answers to all the questions I asked.