Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so looking at purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this. I'm thinking first cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too coarse since the parts are 85x16mm but could be a starter file. Ideas?
  #2   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,984
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Friday, July 5, 2019 at 5:54:31 AM UTC-4, les24preludes wrote:
I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so looking at purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this. I'm thinking first cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too coarse since the parts are 85x16mm but could be a starter file. Ideas?


There are at least two files made for filing aluminum. One is a Type A file. I do not know what the other type is called. The type A is better for filing small things as the other type has a very course pattern. I would look in McMaster Carr or MSC catalogs. Can not help you on places as I got most of my files at Boeing Surplus years ago.

Dan
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 450
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging


"les24preludes" wrote in message
...
I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so looking at
purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this. I'm thinking first
cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too coarse since the parts are
85x16mm but could be a starter file. Ideas?.

They make special files for soft metals.
Also, get some chalk and rub it into the teeth.
It keeps the aluminum from sticking.

Paul K. Dickman


  #4   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 12,529
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Fri, 5 Jul 2019 08:50:36 -0500, "Paul K. Dickman"
wrote:


"les24preludes" wrote in message
...
I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so looking at
purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this. I'm thinking first
cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too coarse since the parts are
85x16mm but could be a starter file. Ideas?.

They make special files for soft metals.
Also, get some chalk and rub it into the teeth.
It keeps the aluminum from sticking.

Paul K. Dickman


Paul, I don't know what current thinking is, but when I was writing
about it, 40 years ago, a file expert from one of the big file
companies told me "chalk for steel and bronze, chalk or oil for soft
brass, and oil for aluminum."

The reason NOT to use oil on hard metals it that it can cause the file
to skate, which will quickly ruin it.

I use oil for aluminum. Otherwise, chalk.

--
Ed Huntress
  #5   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,888
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

"les24preludes" wrote in message
...
I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so looking at
purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this. I'm thinking
first cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too coarse since the
parts are 85x16mm but could be a starter file. Ideas?

https://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-Fil.../dp/B001KVM2H2





  #6   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

Thanks for the tips. I've ordered a file card for starters, and four different files - first cut, dreadnaught, *******, millenicut. Getting myself ready!
  #7   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 311
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoidclogging

On 05/07/2019 18:38, les24preludes wrote:
Thanks for the tips. I've ordered a file card for starters, and four different files - first cut, dreadnaught, *******, millenicut. Getting myself ready!


The best method of cleaning a file I was taught was to use a small piece
of brass sheet maybe 1/2" to 3/4" wide and around 18swg - 16swg and long
enough to grip, 2" or so, and push it into the teeth at about 45 degrees
and push it parallel to the teeth and it will clean the file far better
than a file card in my experience. By pushing the brass down on to the
teeth it is soft enough to form little teeth which shifts any debris
stuck between the teeth.

My favourite file for finishing work is a mill saw file as they seem to
give a better finish as they don't have the little nicks along the teeth.

  #8   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,163
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Fri, 5 Jul 2019 10:38:25 -0700 (PDT), les24preludes
wrote:

Thanks for the tips. I've ordered a file card for starters, and four different files - first cut, dreadnaught, *******, millenicut. Getting myself ready!

File cards are usually bad for files. This is because the wires are
usually hard and will tend to dull the file teeth. A better solution
is to keep the file clean in the first place. Using a light oil on the
file is good for filing aluminum. And after a few strokes, especially
when the file is new and sharp, wipe the file clean on a piece of lint
free cloth. Denim works well. Wipe the file in the direction parallel
to the teeth. This means that if you were to be standing up and wanted
to wipe the file against your jeans and on your thigh the file would
be pointed down almost vertically. The file would then be wiped almost
horizontally. This wiping action pushes the chips along the length of
the grooves and out. When you do get stubborn chips loading up the
file use a piece of 1/2 hard brass to push them out of the grooves.
This can be done by setting the file on edge on a bench and then a
brass rod is pushed along the file grooves toward the bench. The brass
will be soft enough to be cut easily by the teeth so that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard enough that it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just file the end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric
  #9   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

The brass will be soft enough to be cut easily by the teeth so that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard enough that it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just file the end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric


Does this cleaning process work with copper as well as brass?
  #10   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,115
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoidclogging

On 7/5/2019 3:39 PM, les24preludes wrote:
The brass will be soft enough to be cut easily by the teeth so that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard enough that it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just file the end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric

Does this cleaning process work with copper as well as brass?


Â* Yes , and it also works with a piece of aluminum . Any metal soft
enough to be cut so it fits the tooth profile - All my files are
discards from the countertop shop . It takes a very sharp file to cut
plastic laminates (formica) cleanly . They still do a good job on
aluminum and adequate on steel . Oh , and as someone else said , don't
use a file card , it'll dull your file faster than anything .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !



  #11   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,163
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Fri, 5 Jul 2019 13:39:50 -0700 (PDT), les24preludes
wrote:

The brass will be soft enough to be cut easily by the teeth so that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard enough that it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just file the end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric


Does this cleaning process work with copper as well as brass?

Copper will work but it won't work as well for as long. 1/2 hard
brass, the most common hardness when in rod form, is just the right
hardness. Practically any bronze will work as well. Avoid aluminum
bronzes. But silicon bronze will be fine.

Eric
  #12   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 539
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging


wrote in message
...
On Fri, 5 Jul 2019 13:39:50 -0700 (PDT), les24preludes
wrote:

The brass will be soft enough to be cut easily by the
teeth so that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard
enough that it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just
file the end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric


Does this cleaning process work with copper as well as
brass?

Copper will work but it won't work as well for as long.
1/2 hard
brass, the most common hardness when in rod form, is just
the right
hardness. Practically any bronze will work as well. Avoid
aluminum
bronzes. But silicon bronze will be fine.

Eric


I've actually gone so far as to scrape each groove with
a carbide scriber! ;) This will form a new sharp cutting
edge.

  #13   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,888
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

"Terry Coombs" wrote in message
...
On 7/5/2019 3:39 PM, les24preludes wrote:
The brass will be soft enough to be cut easily by the teeth so
that it can reach
the bottom of the groove while at the same time hard enough that
it
will hold its shape a while. When it stops working just file the
end
of the brass rod flat and start over.
Eric

Does this cleaning process work with copper as well as brass?


Yes , and it also works with a piece of aluminum . Any metal soft
enough to be cut so it fits the tooth profile - All my files are
discards from the countertop shop . It takes a very sharp file to
cut plastic laminates (formica) cleanly . They still do a good job
on aluminum and adequate on steel . Oh , and as someone else said ,
don't use a file card , it'll dull your file faster than anything .

--
Snag
Yes , I'm old
and crochety - and armed .
Get outta my woods !


I use the wire side of the file card on safe edged, single cut "hand"
files, drawing it parallel to the teeth. Of course on double cut files
the wires would drag over the oppositely angled cutting edges.


  #14   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 382
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

les24preludes wrote:

I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so
looking at purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this.
I'm thinking first cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too
coarse since the parts are 85x16mm but could be a starter file.
Ideas?


Just in case it hasn't been mentioned and the poster does not already
know...

If you use real aluminum like from McMaster Carr, instead of using soft
aluminum like from Lowe's, it won't stick to your cutting tools.
  #15   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

If you use real aluminum like from McMaster Carr, instead of using soft
aluminum like from Lowe's, it won't stick to your cutting tools.


Good point - I'm in the UK but I've worked with soft aluminium and medium hard aluminium and there's quite a difference, even in colour. The stuff I'm working on for this is indeed soft aluminium.



  #16   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Saturday, 6 July 2019 10:01:16 UTC+1, les24preludes wrote:
If you use real aluminum like from McMaster Carr, instead of using soft
aluminum like from Lowe's, it won't stick to your cutting tools.


Good point - I'm in the UK but I've worked with soft aluminium and medium hard aluminium and there's quite a difference, even in colour. The piece I'm working on for this is indeed soft aluminium - white colour rather than a silver-grey like the harder stuff.


  #17   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,399
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On Sat, 6 Jul 2019 01:32:21 -0000 (UTC), John Doe
wrote:

les24preludes wrote:

I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so
looking at purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this.
I'm thinking first cut, but open to ideas. Dreadnaught may be too
coarse since the parts are 85x16mm but could be a starter file.
Ideas?


Just in case it hasn't been mentioned and the poster does not already
know...

If you use real aluminum like from McMaster Carr, instead of using soft
aluminum like from Lowe's, it won't stick to your cutting tools.


What kind of aluminum would that be?

__

"Poor widdle Wudy...mentally ill, lies constantly, doesnt know who he is, or even what gender "he" is.

No more pathetic creature has ever walked the earth. But...he is locked into a mental hospital for the safety of the public.

Which is a very good thing."

Asun rauhassa, valmistaudun sotaan.


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

  #18   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,584
Default Best files for aluminium, best ways to clean them and avoid clogging

On 2019-07-07, Gunner Asch wrote:
On Sat, 6 Jul 2019 01:32:21 -0000 (UTC), John Doe
wrote:

les24preludes wrote:

I'll be working on some aluminium rod for razor handles, so
looking at purchasing some files that I can keep clean for this.


[ ... ]

Just in case it hasn't been mentioned and the poster does not already
know...

If you use real aluminum like from McMaster Carr, instead of using soft
aluminum like from Lowe's, it won't stick to your cutting tools.


What kind of aluminum would that be?


Well ... *I* like 6061-T6 aluminum for most purposes. (I'm not
sure what the nearest equivalent would be in Europe or the UK). This
aluminum is soft enough to accept roll threading nicely, and roll
threading does not generate chips the way normal thread cutting taps do,
so for threading the end to screw onto the razor (assuming that I'm
picturing the right sort of razor), it would be easier to use. (I lube
the roll threading tap with Molybdenum DiSulfide, and for through holes
in aluminum I usually use spiral point thread cutting taps and WD-40 for
cutting lube.)

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | (KV4PH) Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---
Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fused 4 ways good, unfused 4 ways bad? Chris Holmes UK diy 18 March 1st 13 05:33 PM
Stair accidents and how to avoid them and lessen their impact Robert Green Home Repair 28 September 18th 11 10:18 PM
Best ways to clean bathroom tile grout Steven L.[_2_] Home Repair 30 November 9th 10 12:35 PM
What are some fundamental ways for a buyer to avoid get "ripped off" at closing? [email protected] Home Ownership 3 May 11th 05 05:24 PM
Square ways vs. Dovetailed ways? DeepDiver Metalworking 2 April 5th 05 01:16 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:04 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"