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
Profile Selector for Machinist’s Files
Profile Selector for Special Purpose Files
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Filing is an industrial art. Grip, stroke and pressure may vary to
fit the job. There are three elemental ways a file can be put to
work. They are:
Straight Filing: This consists of pushing the file lengthwise-
straight ahead or slightly diagonally-across the workpiece.
Draw Filing: This consists of grasping the file at each end,
pushing and drawing it across the workpiece.
Lathe Filing: This consists of stroking the file against work
revolving in a lathe.
When holding a workpiece in a vise for normal filing, the vise
should be about elbow height. When there is a great deal of
heavy filing it is better to have the work slightly lower. If the work
is of fine and delicate nature, the work can be raised to eye level.
For work that could become damaged in the vise through
pressure, a pair of protectors made of zinc, copper or aluminum
sheet should be used between the workpiece and vise jaws.
The Grip
For files needing two-handed operation, the handle should be
grasped in one hand and the point of the file in the other hand.
The file handle should be rested in the palm with the thumb
pointing along the top of the handle and the fingers gripping the
underside.
The point of the file should be
grasped between the thumb
and the first two fingers with
the thumb being on the top of
the file.
When heavy filing strokes are
required, the thumb on the point
is normally in line with the file, the tip of the thumb pointed
forward. For lighter strokes however, the thumb can be turned to
as much as right angles to the direction of the stroke
If the file is being used one-handed for filing pins, dies, or edged
tools not being held in a vise, the forefinger and not the thumb is
placed on top of the handle in line with the file.
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