How to create a file surface?

[ComboTool]

Well, the title kind of says it all. I'd like to add a file surface on an existing tool (not a large area, the aim is to file my nails). Is it just a matter of making a few stripes in the metal (with which tool? A diamond glass cutter?) or is it more involved than that? And how can one do it right, parallel and evenly spaced? If some of my fellow modders out there can help I'd be very grateful.

[Mike 56]

A gunsmiths checkering file.

[ComboTool]

Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't know about this. However, from the information I found these are used to pattern handles, so I have two questions:
- will they work on metal as well?
- is the resulting pattern fine enough to be used as a file?

[pfrsantos]

Thanks for the suggestion, I didn't know about this. However, from the information I found these are used to pattern handles, so I have two questions:
- will they work on metal as well?
- is the resulting pattern fine enough to be used as a file?

Any chance you can try it on another piece of metal, to test the result?

 

[ComboTool]

If I go this route, I will definitely try it on another piece first but I'm still pondering whether I should buy a checkering file.

[pfrsantos]

If I go this route, I will definitely try it on another piece first but I'm still pondering whether I should buy a checkering file.

Just go to a store and ask for a demonstration.

 

[Don Pablo]

There's two parts:
Doing the file pattern nice and sharp, such as with the gunsmith tool.
And case hardening after, so the pattern is hard enough to file with.

[pfrsantos]

There's two parts:
Doing the file pattern nice and sharp, such as with the gunsmith tool.
And case hardening after, so the pattern is hard enough to file with.

If just used for nail filing, I think that last step can be skipped.

 

[Adam5]

The teeth on files were traditional formed with a hammer and chisel:

https://www.netris.org/RIToolmakers/FILEMAKING/File-making-H-M.html

[ComboTool]

Wow, thanks a bunch for the link. A whole new set of skills to learn... Now where am I going to find horse manure?

[Adam5]

Wow, thanks a bunch for the link. A whole new set of skills to learn... Now where am I going to find horse manure?

 

Here is a short video if a file being made:

[Poncho65]

Looking at gunsmith checkering files now I do love a good file

[Mike 56]

Years a go I’m thinking ten or fifteen years a go I think it was the old SAK forum their was someone I can’t remember who that was an accomplished modder he had a long list of mods one of his mods was using a checkering file to make a file on the back of a Vic package hook. The mod looked good. Would it be perfect I don’t think so but I think it would work on a package hook. I am shooting from the hip here I would think files are formed on steel that has been anealed them hardened after being cut.

Mike

[ComboTool]

I wave watched some videos and did a few tries but quickly came to the conclusion that I won't master this skill any time soon, so I gave up on the idea.
However, I recently came across a few multitools where the nail file isn't engraved, instead it's a microperforated layer glued on the tool. I found some (mono-tool) nail files build like this and removed the file layer. A few drops of glue, a few minutes in a clamp and... voilà!
Now I can make a Woyageur mod (Voyageur with Wenger scissors) without having to choose between opening bottles and filing nails.

[ComboTool]

And I've also added a file surface to my 93mm Compact-like.
Speaking of which, I can now make my own file-hooks without having to destroy an expensive new Compact.
How long this will last remains to be seen, but replacing the file surface is cheap and easy if it falls.

[Poncho65]

That is so cool

[Tasky]

There's also quite a scene in the woodworking community for those who like to make tools, which naturally spills over into the metalworking and precision machining side. There are dozens of different techniques (old and new) and hundreds of articles, if you're prepared to spend some time researching...
I'll try and grab some links next time I'm nose-deep in such stuff.

Now I can make a Woyageur mod

I thought it was a SAK for those who work on "Nuclear Wessels"!!

[kamakiri]

I wave watched some videos and did a few tries but quickly came to the conclusion that I won't master this skill any time soon, so I gave up on the idea.

Still planning on trying this myself. Was gonna use a 75 LPI profile. I figure I could make it finer by “doubling” the cut to get an effective 150 LPI surface.
I guess we’ll see.

However, I recently came across a few multitools where the nail file isn't engraved, instead it's a microperforated layer glued on the tool. I found some (mono-tool) nail files build like this and removed the file layer. A few drops of glue, a few minutes in a clamp and... voilà!

This was my backup plan as well, but attached either mechanical like milled keyway or tack welding the ends. I was gonna use a file from a Vic nail clipper

Now I can make a Woyageur mod (Voyageur with Wenger scissors) without having to choose between opening bottles and filing nails.

Nice work. 

[Aloha]

The things I learn here on MTO 

[kamakiri]

Did some testing for line spacing, cutting and sharpening. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to attempt a spacing like 150 LPI that 1) I couldn’t sharpen after spacing it out with a checkering file and 2) that I couldn’t reproduce or repair with current tools or files and 3) waste money on new files that I’ll  never use again

Below is the test area on the edge of a 1.5mm tool. I found that I can hand cut and sharpen down to about 0.25mm or 100 LPI. Unfortunately, that spacing would still need the ‘doubling’ of a 50 LPI file. Near 0.35mm spacing was easy enough and could be achieved with the 75 LPI file. 150 might be possible for me to sharpen, but I couldn’t reliably cut it that tight by hand. Or not without destroying the previous  cut.

Pretty happy that this dinky test sample actually cuts finger nails…even with all the different spacing and various sharpening methods.

I’m still undecided which file size to try, but I’ll update  after I have something that works. I might just cave and get both the 50 and 75 LPI files.

[kamakiri]

 

Went with the 75 LPI Grobet. Nice piece…good quality IMO.

Already did a couple of tests and put a file on the knife I’m currently working on.

I’m glad I did the test beforehand, but turned out to be overly cautious and I should have just bought one and either the 50 or 75 LPI would have worked for my purposes. With the 50, it could have easily been used to get 100 or 150 with done care and good technique. The surprise there for me was that 225 LPI (!) is possible with the one I got. Big surprise is that I don’t seem to need to sharpen it at all for nail filing and I’m wondering what metals I could cut we itch my created files if I did.

Testing on my modded 111mm Garden doohickey:

[MadPlumbarian]

Interesting!
JR

[kamakiri]

 

Forgot to put up the finished one next to the OEM type.

Works great. Cuts faster and smoother than other files I use. Zero need to use a coarse followed by fine.

[Fortytwo]

Forgot to put up the finished one next to the OEM type.

Works great. Cuts faster and smoother than other files I use. Zero need to use a coarse followed by fine.

That looks very good, super professional finish.

[kamakiri]

That looks very good, super professional finish.

Thanks for saying so. 

The beauty of it though, is that anybody should be able to do this mod. I did this in minutes after I got the delivery. I thought it might require some tricky sharpening techniques…nope. Performs great as cut by the checkering file.

Getting subsequent lines to match up as the file is advanced to make the next set of lines, but even if it isn’t pretty, it should cut and file nails just great anyway.

[Fortytwo]

The minichamp ruler would be a perfect candidate I feel. Should yield a better file with the extra bonus of having the ruler on the back.

[ComboTool]

That looks way easier than the chisel method I tried (and failed miserably). I might try to get my hands on one of those checkering files, but despite them being labeled "made in Italy" I can't seem to locate a seller outside the USA 

[kamakiri]

The minichamp ruler would be a perfect candidate I feel. Should yield a better file with the extra bonus of having the ruler on the back.

Good idea. No blank space should escape this mod! 

That looks way easier than the chisel method I tried (and failed miserably). I might try to get my hands on one of those checkering files, but despite them being labeled "made in Italy" I can't seem to locate a seller outside the USA 

Probably a supply contract?

It’s pretty easy to do and I imagine way easier than chiseling and tempering yourself unless equipped to do so.

I gotta wonder if we’ll see a video from Felix doing this mod too. 

Another quick test today…this time against the new cadet file. Again better cut and smoother finish. The cadet file left tiny scallops like serrations in the nail edge. Visible under magnification.

[kamakiri]

A gunsmiths checkering file.

Years a go I’m thinking ten or fifteen years a go I think it was the old SAK forum their was someone I can’t remember who that was an accomplished modder he had a long list of mods one of his mods was using a checkering file to make a file on the back of a Vic package hook. The mod looked good. Would it be perfect I don’t think so but I think it would work on a package hook. I am shooting from the hip here I would think files are formed on steel that has been anealed them hardened after being cut.

Mike

Now that we know this works as you remembered it, I gotta say thanks for posting about it!   

[kamakiri]

Still planning on trying this myself. Was gonna use a 75 LPI profile. I figure I could make it finer by “doubling” the cut to get an effective 150 LPI surface.
I guess we’ll see.

This works as planned too. Finally got around to cutting more files today after finishing up some of the  other mods I was working on. Essentially, it’s splitting the ~1/3mm spacing and going for 1/6mm spacing to get to the 150LPI. Not sure if I’m ever really gonna try for the 225LPI I mentioned. Seems like too high in the risk/reward context.