Product Brochure

Cross Section: Name: Shape: Character of Teeth: Taper: General Uses:
Flat Rectangular
Usually Bastard. Also
second-cut and smooth
Taper in width
A general
purpose file
Hand Rectangular
One-edge safe. Bastard
second-cut and smooth
Uniform in width
Finishing flat
surfaces
Warding Thin
Usually Bastard. Also
second-cut and smooth
Width sharply
tapered thick-
ness uniform
Filing and notches in
keys. Narrow work
Square Square
Bastard, second-cut
and smooth
Tapered
Enlarging holes or
recesses mortises,
keyways and splines
Three Square Triangular
Sharp edges. Bastard
second-cut and smooth
Tapered
Filing acute angles,
corners, grooves and
notches
Round Circular
Usually Bastard. Also
second-cut and smooth
Either tapered
“Rat Tail” or
blunt
Enlarging holes;
shaping curved
surfaces
Half Round Third-Circular
Usually Bastard. Also
second-cut and smooth
Uniform in width
Concave corners
crevices, round holes
Knife Knife-Shaped
Usually Bastard. Also
second-cut and smooth
Tapered curving
to a narrow point
Cleaning out acute
angles, corners, slots
Cross Section: Name: Shape: Character of Teeth: Taper: General Uses:
Aluminum Flat Rectangular
Made in one cut only.
Fast-cutting teeth
Tapered
Filing aluminum
alloys and other soft
metals
Long Angle Flat Rectangular
Made in one cut only.
Both edges safe
Slightly tapered
Lathe work where
smooth finish is
desired. Also soft
metals
23
6
Choosing the Right File
To achieve the desired results it is essential that the right file
be used for the job. In selecting the right file the user should
consider the shape, size and coarseness of the file.
The size and the coarseness of
the file are directly related, so the
larger the file the more stock it will
remove and the smaller the file the
finer the finish it will achieve.
The coarser the cut of the file, the rougher the finish of the work.
Therefore, the size of the file and the grade of its cut must be
taken into account against the amount of stock to be removed
and the fineness of finish that is required.
Generally speaking, bastard and second-cut grades of double-
cut files would be chosen for the fast removal of stock while
single-cut files and smooth double-cut files would be chosen
for finishing. It is however almost impossible to lay down exact
guidelines for the right file for the job, but using the basic facts
given here the user should have a reasonably clear picture in
mind, the nature, size of the work, the kind of finish required, the
working tolerance allowed, and the risks (if any) of spoiling the work.
In addition to the amount of stock to be removed, the contour of its
removal is equally important and is determined by the shape of the
file. For example, a triangular file should be used on acute internal
angles, to clear out square corners and in sharpening saw teeth.
A Flat File should be used
for general-purpose work,
a Square File for enlarging
rectangular holes and a Round
File for enlarging round holes.
A Half-Round File can be used
for dual purposes, the flat face
for filing flat surfaces and the
curved face for grooves.
Did
You
?
Know
American pattern
files have 3 grades of
courseness: Bastard,
Second, and Smooth cut
Round
Rectangular
Triangle
Rectangular with
Rounded Edges