Product Brochure
Cross
Section:
Name: Shape: Character of Teeth: Taper: General
Uses:
Hand Rectangular
Double-cut on two flat faces
and one edge. Other edge
safe or uncut
Taper in width Flat surfaces
Pillar Width narrower than hand file
Double-cut on two flat
faces. Both edges safe
Uniform in width Flat surfaces
Warding Thin rectangular
Double-cut on two flat faces.
Single-cut on two edges
Tapered in width
uniform in thick-
ness
Slots, locks
and keys
Square Square Double-cut Tapered Corners, holes
Three Square Triangular (Equilateral)
Double-cut on three faces.
Single-cut on edges
Tapered Corners, holes
Round Circular Double-cut
Either tapered
“Rat Tail” or blunt
Corners, holes
Half Round Third-Circular Double-cut Tapered Corners, holes
Knife Knife-Shaped
Double-cut on flat faces.
Single-cut on edges
Tapered Slots
25
File Terminology
This section of the booklet will help you understand the file and
the terms used. Each part of the file has a name and there are
many different shapes and sizes of files. Furthermore, there are
varying types of file cuts.
Type: The cross-sectional shape or style
of the file (i. e. quadrangular, circular,
triangular, or irregular.) These sections
are further classified according to their
contours (i.e. blunt, taper, etc.)
Blunt: A file whose edges are parallel
from end to end and of constant width.
Taper: The reduction in cross section of
the file from its heel to the point. A file
may taper with width, in thickness, or in both.
Coarseness: The number of teeth per
inch length of the file.
Cut: The character of the file teeth with respect to the coarseness
(bastard, second-cut, and smooth)
A Single-Cut: A single set of parallel,
diagonal rows of teeth. Single-cut files
are often used with light pressure to
produce a smooth surface finish or to
put a keen edge on knives, shears, or saws.
A Double-Cut: Two sets of diagonal
rows of teeth. The second set of teeth
is cut in the opposite diagonal direction,
and on top of the first set. The first set
of teeth is known as the overcut while the second is called the
upcut. The upcut is finer than the overcut. The double-cut file
is used with heavier pressure than the single-cut and removes
material faster from the workpiece.
Length
Point Belly Heel Tang
4