FILING METAL WORKS

What is filing metal works

• Filing is probably the most important and the most frequent operation in
metalwork. It should be the first process learned by the metalworker, and
it happens to be a rather difficult process to master. While the subject of
files was discussed briefly in Section One, in connection with woodworking,
it might be well, to enlarge a little on this subject as it is applied to
metalwork. The file consists of a blade with a tang for attachment to a
wood handle. The handles can be purchased for a few cents or made in the
home workshop. In any case, each file should be fitted with a handle
because it is very easy to injure the hand on the sharp file tang. Teeth of a
suitable kind are cut on the blade which is then hardened and tempered .
 Example of filing works
Basic tools for metalwork. The sharp pointed tang should be fitted
with a handle to prevent workers from seriously injuring their hands.
The teeth of a file may be single cut or double cut. Single cut files are
used chiefly on hard metals and are often referred to as ‘floats’.
• Shows standard files. Along with their
sections. A set of these files will do for
most of the ordinary metalwork although
special files can be had that are designed
for specific purposes.
• Needle files shown above are used for delicate work and are required
by anyone doing art metalwork. They are made in sizes from 4 to 8
inches.
• After a file has been used, especially on non-ferrous metals, the teeth
will become clogged and the file will not cut properly. A file card, as
shown above, should be used to keep the file teeth clean.
• Much of the difficulty with filing is due to improper stance and the
position of the hands on the file. Keep the feet placed well apart with
the right hand gripping the file handle and the left hand guiding the
tip, as shown above.
• Proper control over the file is most important when doing very
accurate or delicate work. The tip of the file should be held by the
thumb and the index finger.
• When filing out unevenness in the work, hold the file as shown so
that the weight is distributed over the whole length of the file. In this
way, any high spots in the work can be easily detected.
• Difficulty is often encountered in filing a narrow edge flat. This can be
done by holding the file diagonally to the work and moving the file
from end to end as it is moved along the length of the work.
• When draw filing, use a smooth file and hold it in the manner shown
above so that it can be drawn and pushed along the work with an
even pressure.