File steel

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Monty

Monty

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Any one know what type of steel a file is made of? Would they be suitable for use in making a skew, scraper etc. out of one?
 
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Mannie,

Biggest probblem I see is cleaning the "teeth" out of those. Otherwise you will be filing your toolrest everytime you use it.

Personally I won't do it. There are cheap ones out there and they are HSS
 
There are several schools of thought on that question.
I know folks who make all thier tools from files --lawn mower blades--alan wrenchs---or anything else they can find. They work.
My thought---there aint no way-----Those tools break very VERY easy. When they break they want to shatter like glass. They will not hold a edge like HHS---so you get to sharpen them a bunch. I think they are dangerous and a lot of work to use.
You can buy good tool steel at a very fair price.
 
Gary, That's what I thought. I'd heard they were brittle and would not hold an hedge, but didn't know if it was true or not. Guess I'll throw that idea out.
 
My first turning tool was made from a file. Just angled the end like a one sided skew and turned away. Worked great. If a file will hold an edge filing metal, it would hold up for wood. Mine did. It was actually better than a couple of the cheap tools I got at first afterwards.
 
When you can pick up a set of carbon steel tools from HF for $10 and re-grind those, why would you want to mess around with a file if you have questions about its structural integrety (whether or not it's warranted) or its suitability for your purposes?
 
Files can be heated with a torch and the extrem hardness drawn from them. Many people make knives from old files. Once drawn the steel can be ground and shaped with little difficulty. And, if you want, the edges can be rehardened with normal techniques.
 
Files should not be used for turning tools. They are much to brittle and have a tendency to break. Even if heat treated to soften they still remain brittle. I know many have used them for carving knives but turning tools and knives are not the same. Knives don't have wood coming at them at several miles per hour.

Files are just down right dangerous as turning tools
 
Files are usually made from a water hardening tool steel, which is also used for for cold chisels, punches and wood working chisels.

Files are too hard and brittle to be used as lathe tools, but if you soften them up via annealing, they can be used for many applications, including those where impact resistance is a requirement. It's largely a matter of proper heat treating.
 
If you want a set of tools to start modifying, either get the $45 set from Harbor Frieght, they are a good bit thicker than the $39.95 set. Or buy a set of Ben's Best from PSI, or even better buy a set of Ben's Best from PSI via Amazon.com for free shipping and only $40.

I reground 4 Harbor Freight tools last night while my students were working on their turning.

Drew
 
Mannie: If they were thrown away because they were dull get them back if you can. There was a post a while ago.....maybe not here...... about a method for sharpening files using some chemical method that can be done at home. I don't recall the detail; but will try to rediscover the details if you are interested. It sounded sort of funky to me; but was posted by a reliable individual so it might be worth a try.
 
Originally posted by Randy_
<br />There was a post a while ago.....maybe not here...... about a method for sharpening files using some chemical method that can be done at home.
Click to expand...

As I recall, you can dip them in muriatic acid for a while, and this will sharpen them. Leave it in too long, and it will dissolve completely! The acid can be found at HD etc, used for etching concrete. Follow the safety precautions, it has irritating fumes, and will sting if it gets on your skin.
Doc ron
 
You can sharpen files, and it is an acid dip if I recall. I did it once and it came out ok, it was not as good as a new file though.

I would stay away from muratic acid totally. I used it to blacken zinc for antiquing way back when. The fumes will rust your tools.
 
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