jay wrote in news:01010bd1-1baf-4ce9-b2d3-
:

If you only need a few, check out Grainger's or other online
distributors. I have a local Grainger's store, and they special
ordered
what I needed from their warehouse.

OK that's what I am anticipating doing. but which ones to buy?
I want to to be able to produce a variety of finishes on hard steel,
to
aluminum, & other soft materials, w/ a minimum of work & a reasonably
minimum amount of files (read $).
What would some of the regular contributors here, people who
work regularly in shops, buy to meet my needs?
Please share any specific advice, JD

Rule #1: Get good ones. Nicholson & Simonds are pretty good, Grobet is
better. Grobet also makes really nice handles that screw on & don't come
off (or loose).

I use 3 files more than any others by an order of magnitude:

#1 A fine 4" pointed half round file for knocking burrs off of stuff.
The sharp point is good for getting into small spots & holes:

Precision Half-Round Hand File 4" Long, 15/32" W X 9/64" Thickness, Swiss
pattern, Cut No. 2 (McMaster Carr #4248A23)

#2 Simonds 8" half round Multi-Kut. This is my favorite general purpose
file. It cuts reasonably fast, leaves a good finish, & doesn't clog too
quickly.

#3 Nicholson "Superior Standard" 10" half round soft metal file
(sometimes called a "lead float" or Babbitt file). This has widely
spaced arched teeth that leave a fairly smooth finish on soft materials
without clogging. Good for removing large amounts of material in brass,
aluminum & plastic. The trick is that Nicholson doesn't seem to sell the
large half-round ones any more (they have an 8"), and everyone has a
different name for them. They are used a lot for body work, planing down
body putty & filler. Note: some "babbitt" files have a more conventional
cut to the teeth. Simonds sells the right shape teeth on theirs, but
they only have flat.

It's also good to have a set of Swiss needle files in a fine & medium
cut. Good sets are spendy, but will long out last the cheap ones. The
price difference can be close to an order of magnitude. McMaster carries
$140 sets & $20 sets. I'd look for something in between, or try to catch
a good sale. Also a medium cut 1/4" round "rat tail" file, and a similar
sized triangular file.

Doug White