Skip to content
Types of Metal Files and Their Uses

Types of Metal Files and Their Uses

Types of Metal Files and Their Uses

A metal file is a convenient tool useful for many DIY projects and other jobs, not to mention that they extend other tools' lifetime. No matter your project or profession, there's a metal file that will fit your needs.

It is often challenging to select the proper one when taking a position during a new one. There are numerous options available for each sort of file.

Types of Files in Workshop

types of metal files

Following are the different types of metal files and their applications:

1. Flat File

Flat File is essential for beginners. This file has a flat surface and is employed to file larger, flat areas of metal, draw up edges, and figure on the surface curve of a hoop. Together with your file, you should always use progress for filing and check out to for sure that the piece you're performing on is held level for a clean, straight edge.

But what about the handle?

You'll notice that tons of hand files don't accompany a handle. In order to determine which grip is most effective for you, these are frequently purchased and installed individually.

How does one fit the handle? 

The most straightforward way of doing that is carefully heating the top of your file with a hand torch and then employing a mallet to repair the handle firmly in situ on your hand file. Look out when doing this for the first time, as you'll want to make sure that your grip is straight and parallel together with your hand file.

2. Half file

A half file features one flat side and one rounded side. The rounded side is beneficial when it involves shaping and filing the within of a hoop shank. When performing on a hoop, the half-round side of your file should be utilized in a clean, sweeping motion to shape, remove fire scale, and end.

Confine your mind that your half file isn't solely to be used with rings. You'll create all kinds of curved shapes and cut-outs once you use your half file at different angles. Once you change your half file's angle, this may change the curve's radius that you perform on.

3. Crossing file

A crossing file looks almost like a half file. However, it features a curved radius on each side. It's a relatively higher dome on the one side, helping you to make a varied range of curved shapes and cut-outs. All sides of the crossing file are tapered so that you'll enter tighter spaces as well as larger concave surfaces.

4. Barrette file

This sort of metalworking file only has cutting teeth on one flat side. It is an excellent tool to figure out any metal. Because one side is tapered and smooth, it means you don't run the danger of undoing your filing work by breaking the metal.

It works perfectly for precision work on small and enormous areas; devour a file once you need accuracy and avoid damaging your design and creating more filing and finishing work for yourself.

5. Needle files

When it involves the various sorts of metal files available, there are a few 6-inch hand files that you'll undoubtedly want to take a position in as a beginner. But as your metalwork and filing skills quickly progress, you'll want to intensify your work's finishing element. A method of ensuring more precision is by going to work with a group of needle files.

What are the Uses of Metal Files?

1. Flat or Pillar Metal File

An oblong-shaped needle file with teeth on all four of its flat sides. A general-purpose needle file to be used with flat surfaces, filing the ends of the wire straight, or eliminating small bits of solder from joins.

2. Square Metal File

With a square cross-section and a tapered edge, this needle file is excellent for filing into corners at a 90-degree angle.

3. Triangular Metal File

Also tapered to some extent, this needle file is adept at filing into grooves or creating grooves, for instance, marking out a bend in the sheet ready for cutting.

4. Round Metal File

With teeth, place all around the needle file and right to the very tip making this the perfect file to use in tiny spots like jump rings and clasps soldered and need some tidying up.

How To Select The Right Metal File?

Choosing the appropriate metal file for the project is entirely dependent on a number of parameters, including the type of work, the material, the amount of material removed, and the finish required. Selecting the right file will help you work more productively in addition to getting the finish you want. Let's quickly review these factors.

  • File Length and Thickness: The outcome will also be impacted by the length and thickness of the file. Compared to lesser files, longer files have a greater impact and are better suited for demanding tasks. Conversely, shorter files function well in small spaces and are ideal for complex tasks. While thin files are more flexible but less resilient than thicker files, thicker files are more resilient and can endure rougher tasks. For complex tasks, thin files are best.

  • Surface shape: When choosing the right file type for a given surface, the cutting surface's shape is crucial. For instance, we shall utilize flat files for a flat surface. Curved surfaces, such as the interior of pipes, are shaped with a half-round file. To create square corners and edges, employ square files.

  • Coarseness and Teeth Size: These factors will also influence the metal file selection. However, files with smaller teeth remove less material than larger ones. Additionally, a coarser file removes material more quickly because it has fewer teeth per inch. It results in a rough surface. On the other hand, a finer file removes finer material since it has more teeth per inch. It creates a smooth and delicate finish.

Conclusion

The desired surface roughness and shape may only be obtained by a proficient filer. Understanding file types according to shape, cut, and their intended purposes is essential for efficient filing. You must also be aware of the variables listed above that should be taken into account when selecting the best file for the intended usage. We hope that this post covers all the fundamentals of using metal files.

    Previous article Alex Parker (@parkers_speed_and_fab)

    Join Our Newsletter

    Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …

    Compare products

    {"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

    Select first item to compare

    Select second item to compare

    Select third item to compare

    Compare