Cleaning up vintage metal and wood files. JB Smith Co, McCaffrey File Co, Heller Nucut, Nicholson

[@RinoaL]

I've gotten a lot of business lately doing freelance product design for people, but man guys, I had a really bad customer that I had to tell to leave the makerspace and never talk to me last week. I've felt pretty damn drained. I'm building a VR headset but just can't present the video yet. Kinda annoying. I did finally get that 1910s window restoration through its biggest hurdle though. Been working on that since November, but everybody keeps getting covid so I try to avoid them lol.

[@MaverickandStuff]

I have cleaned several files using a wire wheel like this. It can definitely bring some life back into the files. I have also used a light acid like HCL or vinegar that cleaned them up well. You can also take a piece of flattened copper pipe and use it to scrape out the grooves.

[@Toolness1]

Nice, it sure beats being wasteful and letting them rust away. They can still serve a purpose, you can even make other tools out of them if they are too far gone. Too many end up in the trash.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Nice to see you doing great stuff on KZbin. Look forward to more great videos fela. Maybe a video on a TV antenna ???

[@RinoaL]

I have one planned.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@RinoaL I look forward to see the item. Please consider something deep fringe reception. Thanks fella, stay healthy.

[@psyenceguy]

OK but how many file handles do you have?

[@grendel1960a]

i love cleaning up old files

[@loukashareangas4420]

Hey Rinoa, you can bring back the teeth on not-too-far-gone files by dipping them in dilute sulphuric acid, there's at least one video here on YT on that. So you might be able to use more of those old files you have on hand.

[@RinoaL]

Don't worry, I know about that. In fact I mentioned it somewhere in the video. I plan to maybe give something like that a try, don't worry.

[@novanut1964]

i liked the file picture frame-artistic

[@sixtyfiveford]

You can't do a file video without pissing a bunch of people off... It's always hilarious to reread the same comments on every one.

[@RinoaL]

It's so true, files are so controversial!

[@frsujongaming]

I like this your vedio

[@btruj2507]

I love your vids kiddo and have learned a lot from watching you use your power tools, but I get anxious when I see you reach over a spinning lathe with a long sleeve or a whirring bench grinder with the same. Please be careful. I use short sleeves and put my long hair up in a braid when using my Atlas 618 or other power tools. Just be careful, just sayin'. Peace.

[@RinoaL]

Don't worry, I'm very mindful of all that.

[@psyenceguy]

The easiest way to remove rust off files is to use them.

[@RinoaL]

Actually no, that doesn't clean out the rills.

[@superczech69]

Excellent job of showing the use of proper PPE. Too many videos on here of people cutting and grinding without safety gear.

[@RinoaL]

Thanks, I later bought a nice pair of earmuffs to stop the sound, but yeah I can't do grinding without a face shield.

[@Evokvn]

2nd

[@dropdoc4927]

Fun fact.....files will stay sharp for a lifetime if only used in a forward motion. Dull files are all most always due to user error. Example (scrubbing the file back and forth on the work.) They only cut in the forward motion or side motion.(draw filing) Pressure on the reverse stroke, dulls the bite of the teeth and leaves all those gnarly marks. :machinist of 40 years.

[@RinoaL]

Actually incorrect! That is a myth that has been proven wrong recently, particularly on Fireball Tools channel.

[@dropdoc4927]

@@RinoaL well its real easy to test. Get 2 new files. Scrub one in both directions on steel until it is completely dull, then use one only on the forward stroke and see how much more it cuts and inspect the condition. Fireball tool is wrong.

[@RinoaL]

But that's what he did. The proper tests always prove that backdragging is ok so far.

[@oOMonkeyMagicOo]

@@dropdoc4927 Thanks for the tip, I definitely value the experience of a 40+ years machinist when it comes to these things. I watched the the Fireball Tools test and he seemed to confirm that the drag caused damage especially on the finer files. Also his test was only over 2500 strokes which is miniscule in the life of a quality tool. Hardly "broke in" at that point. If there was obvious damage and degradation after 2500 strokes, what's it going to be like after 25k 50k etc.

[@RinoaL]

At least it's a myth that won't cause any problems for anybody, unlike the "Don't put lead-acid batteries on concrete" myth.