File Re-Sharpening ???

[milton]

I recently inherited some old tools which included some older dirty files that were U.S. made.I would like to have these files returned to sharpness as I hate to waste good tools.Anyone here use a file sharpening company and if so how were the resultant files?

[Ben_Rumson]

An old time remedy to squeeze a little more use out of a well worn file was to give them a soak in water diluted muriatic acid... It etches the teeth to a sharper edge... Hope all goes well with whatever way you go..

[Griff]

I've never used a file sharpening company, but I've cleaned many a shoeing rasp and steel rasp with a handy steel brush, running cross-wise to the file.

[Blaine]

An overnight soak in white vinegar, and a good scrub with a brush the next morning. Oil after rinsing...it will strip the metal bare, and re-rust quickly.

[bluesman423]

This probably goes along with two of the posts above ............... soak it in battery acid ..................... length of time varies by how badly it is rusted ................... rinse very thoroughly with water and then lightly oil ............... this has worked for me in the past for general use files ................ files I use for gunsmithing are replaced because I have found this treatment does not allow a fine cut file to cut true anymore, it frequently will leave scratches or cut unevenly

[milton]

Thanks everybody! I have used sulfuric acid to do what you all describe and it does refresh the files but I was hoping someone actually used a file re-furbishing service to return the file to the way it was when new,if that is even possible!

[Chuck 100 yd]

Acid etching will make a file very sharp, BUT they get dull real fast afterword. I have tried it and failed.
Not worth the trouble IMHO.

You do however have a nice stock of material for knife making.

[Catshooter]

There is no way to sharpen a file that I'm aware of that restores it to like new.

It's also a good idea not to follow the old practice of using a steel brush to clean files. Files are quite hard, but so are the wires of the brush. File cards are pretty good at dulling files.


Cat

[harry]

Might give these guys a call
http://boggstool.com/page5.html

[Bronco]

What harry said about bogg tools , a friend of mine swears by them and always looking a yard sales for good one to send to boggs.

[Old Ironsights]

Use 'em as Knife Blade billets....

We process/ship a LOT of Farrier tools (nippers etc.) for re-sharpening/etc. but NO rasps...

One man's dull rasp/file is another man's Custom Knife...

[octagon]

I never use steel file cards. Being a fan of Grobet files, they are available in a very fine cut (up to #6) and only use brass cards to Keep em clean. Even with larger files, only brass ever. Often a fine cut file will load up badly and appear dull, and I'll use a solvent to unload it, like using nitro methane to cut cyanoacrylate glues from a #4 or #6 cut. Proper storage will keep em sharp as well, never ever let em touch each other! I keep mine in several large racks over my workbench where they don't touch and are easily accesable. Many of these are also dedicated, and used for one purpose only, Ever, for example I have several that are used for German silver exclusively, so as not to screw em up for that particular material.

[Daisyman]

l was a machinist and machine designer and builder for many years. Octagon was correct on many counts.....designated files for different metals. For non ferrous metals, never use a file on steel first, it will take that really nice edge off.
When I go to use a file, I ALWAYS rub it with plain old soapstone, the kind you mark steel with. The filings never stick to the file, just the soapstone and then just tap the end on the vise and they will fall out. If do you happen to have something that does stick, I just take the soapstone and push it crosswise with the teeth and slide it out and load it with soapstone again. No steel brush.

If you a going to oil a file to put it away for storage, when you go to use it again, spray it with brake cleaner and get all the oil off, and soapstone it. It will cut great. One other thing, a file is a file, not a saw, push it only and don't drag it back, especially on steel.

My 2cs worth

Irv

[milton]

Thanks for all the help!! I will give Boggs Tools a call and see what they can do!

[mark]

l was a machinist and machine designer and builder for many years. Octagon was correct on many counts.....designated files for different metals. For non ferrous metals, never use a file on steel first, it will take that really nice edge off.
When I go to use a file, I ALWAYS rub it with plain old soapstone, the kind you mark steel with. The filings never stick to the file, just the soapstone and then just tap the end on the vise and they will fall out. If do you happen to have something that does stick, I just take the soapstone and push it crosswise with the teeth and slide it out and load it with soapstone again. No steel brush.

If you a going to oil a file to put it away for storage, when you go to use it again, spray it with brake cleaner and get all the oil off, and soapstone it. It will cut great. One other thing, a file is a file, not a saw, push it only and don't drag it back, especially on steel.

My 2cs worth

Irv

Thank you Sir.

Cheers Mark

[Daisyman]

You're very welcome.

I also learned something from Harry, I did not know there was a file resharpening service. I guess I never needed one bad enough to look, but I can sure see where it would be beneficial.

Irv