8 Old School Tips For Better Hand Filing

8 Old School Tips For Better Hand Filing, by Clickspring

This video was done as a one-off viewer request but I like the format so I'm going to keep it going as a request driven series - Let me know what you want to see covered in the comments below - Cheers :)

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Abbreviated Transcript:

00:42 I use Swiss made Grobet files for the vast majority of my filing and I find them to be excellent. So If you're looking to track some down, be sure to confirm that they are actually made in Switzerland before you buy, and keep an eye out for the bunny on the tang.
01:22 A safe edge like this effectively isolates the cutting to a single surface, and it forms a key part of my filing technique. Because when I'm filing something that needs to be precise, like for example a rectangle thats required to be dead on center. I like to have the basic target profile formed, very early in the filing process, before I use up too much of the available metal.
02:49 Next I identify the critical corners of the workpiece. These are the locations that must be well positioned for the part to be acceptable. And then I start the cut working directly towards those corners, with the objective of establishing the overall shape whilst using up as little of the metal margin as possible.
03:32 And its not unusual for this last part of the process to take up most of the time. Because there's often only a handful of file strokes between a tight and a perfect fit. The very last thing I want to do is take it too far, and remove too much metal. Now this idea can be applied to just about any profile, whether it be internal or external.
04:07 If I get the corners correctly established early, then the orientation can be locked in. And the whole shape can be slowly worked toward the final profile. Now of course that's the ideal, but it rarely goes according to the plan, which leads to tip Number 4. 05:36 Now there is an even more immediate technique that can be used to pick up errors, as they occur. Just prior to each cut, a light cross grain pattern can be made on the surface of the work, and then a light can be positioned to make that pattern more visible.
06:14 Because it means that rather than reacting after completing a surface, I can take a much more proactive approach while the cut is in progress. And it makes creating a taper or dealing with a localised error easier too. Just mark the region where more metal needs to be removed, and then concentrate the work there.
06:59 And although the effect is quite subtle, the shop itself has a few reference edges too, that can also help the process. Aligning the work with the vise, and then the vise with the bench means that all of these edges that are sitting in my peripheral vision as I work, and can now also give me cues for better alignment of the file.
07:38 And the fact that its held with both hands means that there's a good controlled grip to keep it that way. So the technique is perfect for delivering a very precise surface. Its also an excellent technique help generate on 2 or more parts at the same time.
08:47 And the same idea can be expanded to generate more complex shapes using guides, like for example the crossings on this wheel. The shape near the center of the wheel needs to be exactly the same for each opening, and a filing guide makes this much easier to achieve.

References:

8 Old School Tips For Better Hand Filing, by Clickspring

[ThisOldTony]

great vid and glad to hear of the new series! went too quick, though: time files when you're having fun.

[Mudsuitable]

when I was growing up my father always said "You're eating like a new file" when I was eating too fast and it always made me smile and still does

[AlecSteele]

Truly phenomenal tutorial! Thank you so much for creating this!!!

[paulfeist]

In the same vein as your tip #5 - when you're not yet super-steady at making flat surfaces out of random or rounded ones, a quick swipe with a red sharpie pen can give you a layout surface where you can see where your file is cutting and where it's not.
My only tip is keep your files in a wooden block, NOT dumped in a drawer banging against each other! Your good quality files are a PRECISION TOOL! I wince every time I see a hardware store where they've dumped all the files into a box so they can chip and dull each other!
Folks; I'm good with a file - Clickspring is EXTRAORDINARY! These are all GREAT tips! Listen to them and RESPECT THE METAL FILE AS A PRECISION TOOL!

[dumbdance]

Not sure if anyone has already mentioned; filing, like any other hand fitting activity, is a whole body exercise. Foot placement and balance is central to producing consistent work. Like any other physical activity it can be fatiguing and when you start to fade, walk away and take a break.

[martinsalko]

My advice for hand filing abs plastics:
#1 get to know the material, by trying to file some 90° cuts
#2 get to work on your piece
#3 start over because the plastic changed it's shape
#4 start yet again because the plastic cracked
#5 get a 3d printer
#6 get frustrated with setting the first layer
#7 get frustrated with filament inconsistency
#8 think of how much money you've spent on materials and tools
#9 give up, and watch as your life runs away every day
#10 quit your job so you have more time for your hobbies, and your friends
#11 start working on your project again
#12 start thinking about your future, and start making plans for future projects
#13 finish the part you started the work on, making sure you don't put much pressure on the plastic, and removing as little plastic as you need
#14 use silicone oil to keep the plastic from developing white marks while finishing
#15 dry using a paper towel
#16 leave the piece for few hours so that you can see if it doesn't warp, then test fit it
#17 you're done, if you want to grease the part use grease that doesn't contain carbon as that will grind your plastic.
Now, I'm not claiming this is the best method, it takes about 2 years, but by the end you'll have your part and your life will better.

[ssmithstonetank]

For checking small work, a first-surface mirror is useful. Lay the work on the mirror; any deviation from true is doubled where the object and the reflection meet. Any line that should be normal to the base, but isn't, will kink where it meets the reflection. An old hard drive platter works well as a mirror, as does a piece of plate glass with the bottom painted black.

[Ketaset]

My secret to cleaning files: I have a bit of copper pipe I smashed down into a chisel edge. Basically just kink and bend off a sturdy bit of copper pipe. I hold the file in the vise and rub parallel to the cutting teeth. The teeth cut their profile into the edge of the copper and it makes for a perfectly fitted scraper that indexes in the teeth. It cleans out the gullets wonderfully. I've only ever used the cheapest files, but your work is convincing me I could do better.

[hotdrippyglass]

These are the kind of tips that used to be passed on to the apprentice during the first weeks of training. So much second nature to the seasoned craftsman that they're not even thought of when demonstrating to the layman but absolutely invaluable to anyone hoping to learn how the 'magic' happens in the shop. Thanks Again.

[llamamanism]

I have never seen just spectacular precision achieved with hand tools in my life.
Thank you for showing me

[MakersMuse]

This was the most educational April 1st upload I've ever watched! Great video dude, love my small thumb files.

[aubreyaub]

Good onya Chris. One thing that is important also, is to remember that a file is a cutting tool, and can be bluntened, by letting them "bash around" together in a box.
A file roll, piece of heavy cloth or such, laid out, files laid parallel with a gap between each, and then rolled up. Keeps them safely, separated and stored.
That last few thou' is a joy to remove, when fitting. A very satisfactory feeling when done correctly.

[bub_lite_]

ATTN CLICKSPEING: I cannot put into words how I feel when watching your videos. The skills you display when crafting your projects are nothing less than astounding. What I wouldn't give to know 10% of what you know. Of course now I'm legally blind, and that knowledge would be wasted on me. But no matter. I am compelled to tell you how much I admire you and the things you've built. This latest project, the Antikythera mechanism, seems like a monumental task due to your decision to make all parts entirely by hand. I'm eager to see it when completed. Finally, I want to thank you for allowing us to look over the shoulder of a master craftsman. 👍

[DanGoodShotHD]

Excellent tips. One tip I'd like to add I've seen often overlooked is to keep your work peice and file clean. Clean off metal shavings often. Many a good surfaces have been marred by a single metal shaving.

[TheTomBevis]

The tip of "use good files" is probably he best one. I never thought of having a "safe side", though. that sounds like a great idea.

[colincreedtattoomachines]

Chris, great advice & video, Well done!!
As an old Jeweller my advice is buy those various standard needle file profiles in #2 cut for roughing to shape, #4 cut for tidy up & finishing, then #6 cut for fine tuning to a precision fit. For extra delicate work buy the Escapement files in #8 cut.
HTH, Colin

[aka_pcfx]

My tip for beginners is when possible change the orientation you work form a few times so that errors in your posture don't translate to the part.
Basicly: if you tend to file away the bottom left corner of your workpiece, spin it so that the previously highest corner is now in the bottom left.
This tip is only realy applicable if you want to get within a couple of hundreth of a milimeter. for everithing more precice than that, there is only good old fashioned training.

[snowflakemelter]

I used to file actions and parts for some of the finest guns, we used soft lead covers for our vice jaws which re regularly re cast as they got chewed up, you can squash small steel parts in the lead without damaging them while you file them up.

[leonardpearlman]

This is so advanced! I have spent a large part of my life yelling at students: "Don't file backward!"! Simple things like that, getting the work close to the vise jaws, picking the right file, not abusing the file, stop when you hear that loud screeching noise.... I might lose sight of the fact that you can do a GOOD JOB! It's very inspiring to see. Watching this gives me HOPE.

[Miata]

As I worked on a simple blower mount this week I thought back to these videos as I hand filed the part to its final dimensions. While the things I make don't require clockwork precision, watching your technique over the years has vastly improved my own work and the satisfaction I gain from it. I felt the need to stop by your channel and offer my gratitude for the practice and patience you taught me. Thank you.