No Way That Was Done With A File ! ..... But, Seeing is Believing :)

[@chemicalcorrosion]

Joe. I was trained as a machinist(44E) in the U.S. Army in the late 80’s. Early on in the training we had to produce a part from a print using only a hacksaw and files. It had to be dimensionally accurate. You can do a lot with the correct files and the right techniques for using them. To this day I still make some small parts using a usb microscope and some jewelers files. Love your content.

[@joeziegler9054]

We had the same thing during my apprenticeship. Had to file a 1" square block all 6 sides parallel! Rubbed on a surface plate and scraped it in with hand scrapers. Thank you for your service sir! My son is active duty USMC.

[@glasshalffull2930]

Small part inside my front door latch broke. Part was less than an inch long and less than a quarter inch wide. Square on one end and round on the other and had a tear drop lobe sticking out of the side. No longer available and the lock set was over $200 and I’d have to repaint the 8 ft door. A jeweler friend said he could make it, but it would take a day. Decided I didn’t want to burden him and so I designed the part with free 3D software and then sent the file to Shapeways and they 3D printed it in stainless steel. Fit perfectly and has been going strong for 5 years.

[@devmeistersuperprecision4155]

I saw Arabs using files to fabricate AK47 parts in the day. I was impressed. In my own work, I now own a handful of milling machines but I still do the double splay dovetails for my English handplane reproductions by hand using files. Learned a lot from bill Carter. It’s just easier to do the finicky fitting by hand especially on miter planes that need to have a shell bent over 180 degrees. The good news is that you have to peen them in the end forcing metal into the file boo boos! These days I need help with tiny parts so a magnifying visor really helps.

[@threegreencharms]

I do the same thing---Understanding what is possible using files alone---That is probably the Most Important skill, even more than actual machining.

[@CasparDurant]

You are amazing, as I have said before I have never done any kind of machining in my 70 years of life, but because of you I am sure I will be doing some starting next year 2023. Thank You Very Much.

[@bearsrodshop7067]

Don't put starting off, I don't buy my first lathe till 2018. Now 70, have become addicted to marching, and owe 95% of my learning from Joe Pie 👍👍

[@453421abcdefg12345]

These are called "Toolmakers Button" in the UK, they are made from hardened steel and used for generating filed radii, Your project came out flawlessly! Chris B.

[@prodoverjeff2876]

I was taught by old timers who had been taught by old timers who started careers by learning to file by hand. I also worked for a while with an Englishman who's shop teacher spent early months teaching them to file shapes, hexagons, pentagons and squares. That guy also opened his first day of school with, " I'm going to teach you a little game called chess". Talk about the old way of getting things done! The Englishman turned out to be one of the best machinists I have ever known.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

I learned that way and still prefer dials vs. dro's.

[@stevenaegele5228]

Perfect opportunity to make and use filing buttons!

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Back in 1965, my dad brought me with him to visit his friend, a former public school shop teacher. He made 'O' scale sized steam engines entirely by hand. He showed me his tools, down to jeweler's files and such, and how to make precision parts by hand. AFAIK there was no CNC type machinery available, at least not at the consumer level. The intricacy and detail was incredible. What it needed in great amounts, was the patience to remove seemingly microscopic amounts of metal at a time, re-measure, and then remove a tiny bit more. Although I'm a skilled mechanic, and have worked on many tiny (N scale) model trains, I'm not sure I would have been able to do that. There are just some incredibly talented people on earth, who make the things that the rest of us usually take for granted.

[@joepie221]

I enjoy watching people like that. I recently saw a hand made locomotive at the Boston Science museum that absolutely floored me. It was about 3 feet long. Spectacular model.

[@Pest789]

I first encountered this technique back in the 90s when I wanted to put a beaver tail grip safety on my 1911. Brownells sold hardened steel file guides to match the contour of the grip safety and allow it to fit. It's shocking how accurate they can enable you to be.

[@jamesdavis8021]

I always learn something from this channel.Pure information.No advertising for sponsors.That alone,is a testament to your integrity.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I do allow ads, but shy away from product stuff unless I think it would help my viewers.

[@RailcarEng]

Looks great.. started out rough but right smoothed out. Finished to a tee.. Be safe.

[@ChrisB257]

Bravo Joe - never under rate the potential of files - and you again showed your proclivity for patience! Looks so much better. Like that t-nut approach... nice result. Nearly there :)

[@nlo114]

During my apprenticeship I'd turn up what were known as 'filing buttons'. These were slipped on the shaft either side of the part to be filed. The shaft was made a few thou longer than the added thickness of part + two buttons. Careful clamping end to end in a smooth-jaw vise allowed the buttons to rotate when the file contacted them. When the part was to size, draw-filing with a No4 cut file gave a nice finish.

[@levitated-pit]

brings back memories of my early days as an apprentice.......two weeks of learning how to file ..

[@samrodian919]

@ Richard Pearson , were you given a 1/2" cube and told to file it into a sphere? That was a standard apprentices first filing lesson in a lot of places lol

[@peteengard9966]

Sweet Joe. Thank you. Filing work is wonderful. I got my dad's files when he passed. Always cleaned and individually wrapped in felt so they wouldn't touch each other.

[@debrainwasher]

Hi Joe, I am used to make all the time such parts on my milling machine - even double-winged specimens. There is a simple trick: Open your machine-vice on your milling machine a bit larger than the height of the cylindrical part. Place your mandrel into the part, put the assembly into the vice - the axis of the mandrel oriented in Y-direction. Insert an end-mill into the chuck of your milling machine of about 1/5th of the O.D. of the part. Adjust and lock the Z-position in the desired height. Now, you can go in Y-direction, make the O.D. flat, loosing the vice, spinning the workpiece a couple of degreess, clamp it again, flatten the next sector, etc. until you reach each face of your wing(s). No tooling is required, the process goes very quickly and the result is smooth and precise.

[@peterlunn1360]

as a goldsmith/jeweller this is a straight forward job, just file it freehand, its the sort of thing done every day!! and just as accurate

[@joepie221]

Good eyes, sharp files and patience.

[@N1gel]

I am getting excited now. A miniture workshop of old machine tools. I remember we got what are now known as a wire edm machine ie: a spark errosion machine back in 1976. So I am counting down each of the next 42 months till you can legitimately make a miniture wedm.

[@grahamstoppani8177]

My dear old dad was an ordnance artificer in the Royal Navy. He used to say that there's nothing a skilled man with a file couldn't make.

[@angrydragonslayer]

same thing with a rock, i'd say saw a guy make a lathe using a pile of rocks (and cast iron)

[@mikepetersen2927]

Lovely work as usual! Loved the comparison of the full- and mini-nuts at the end. Better than a "banana for scale"! I still think these mini-machines deserve some mini-indicators & other accessories to go with them. 😁

[@rickvaneijck3016]

Joe is still waiting for you to make some for him🤣

[@mikepetersen2927]

@@rickvaneijck3016 If only I could! I am nowhere near worthy; I can barely turn the machine on without hurting myself (or the part).

[@roadshowautosports]

17:03 I just love the size comparisons and exaggerations you do once in a while to light up the subject and make it easier for us to understand it!

[@brucewilliams6292]

I am so glad you did this with a file. There is a tendency to ignore what can be done with precision by hand. Thank you !!

[@joepie221]

You are welcome!

[@brianmoore1164]

Love the new intro. Thanks for all the great content. My guage pins were definitely underused tools until I started watching you.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. My gage pins get a lot of use around here. Respectful use that is.

[@voodoochild1954]

That was clever how you filed that part smooth. I wish I could come up with answers like you do. 👍🏻

[@georgehollowell9295]

Joe, it is a true joy to see that all your years of experience have elevated to to where you can claim to the 'intelligently lazy', i.e. get the job done as simply and quickly as at all possible. Very well done with both components.

[@georgehollowell9295]

sorry about the typos. elevated you to claim to be intelligently lazy.

[@utidjian]

Absolutely excellent array of techniques. I especially like the stress you put on the idea of thinking through the entire sequence of operations for the T-nuts and how best to accomplish the desired finished parts, including the deburring, while minimizing the time spent for all the operations. By taking a superficial cut before parting off with the slitting saw and deburring the long edge of the T-nuts the total time to make 11 finished T-nuts would rival a CNC made set of T-nuts. Very compelling video. Nicely done sir!

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much. I once heard the saying " work smarter, not harder".

[@chuckinwyoming8526]

Sooner or later making these tiny parts was bound to make you go nuts!!!

[@joepie221]

Great comment.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Great solution for finishing off that collar👌👌, I seem to recall rubbing chalk into the files to get a good finish. I like the colour contrast with the T nuts against the steel .. or is it ally. Great video!! Good luck from Spain!!

[@joepie221]

Aluminum. ( aluminium )

[@davidberlanny3308]

@@joepie221 Well spotted Joe, thanks for the translation!! Its fair cheered me up as I am in hospital with a touch of COVID. Good luck from Spain!!

[@soundmaster1966]

17:03 Love this couple. That is so amazing. Thank you, Joe. Lovely video again. Cheers from Germany. Stay safe and healthy. Yours Ulf

[@joepie221]

Love Germany. Beautiful country.

[@DavidHerscher]

LOVE the new intro, reminds me of something you’d see in a classroom “edutainment” film from the mid 90s, played on one of those rolling TV carts with the 15” tube TV and VCR. The filing reminds me very much of clicksrping, he does a lot of hand filing and uses very similar techniques to achieve results like this as well. I really like the idea of hand filing to precision, very cool.

[@joepie221]

I was the AV nerd back then. Big shock huh?

[@rgsparber1]

Thanks Joe! My hobby mill has some runout. I would take that top pass and measure the slot to get the effective cutter diameter.

[@daveticehurst4191]

Joe as an apprentice in 1966 one of the exercises was filing a full radius on a flat bar with a hole in it. We had a filing jig similar to your idea but the flanges were hardened . Just keep filing until the file stops cutting and job done. Buggered the file, but hey go to the stores and book out a new one 😁 Regards from Australia.

[@joepie221]

Hi Dave. A hard surface is good, but just be very aware of the slide when the file get close. ( or Just swap files with the guy sitting next to you when you're done.)

[@varmint243davev7]

Nicely done ! I noticed you didn't use and old dull tap and break it off in one of your T nuts like I did on some bigger ones I was making.

[@joepie221]

I hate when that happens. Patience is key when working on small parts.

[@HobbiesHobo]

All of us were instantly guessing at which direction those things would fly when you cut them off! We were wrong. Funny! Thanks, Mike.

[@joepie221]

I expected them to fly all over. They behaved.

[@TheEvertw]

Those parts turned out absolutely gorgeous! Pleasure to watch!

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@roadshowautosports]

Well, I gotta quote some rod Stewart here: “Have I told you lately that I hate you!” You are one individual that is inspiration and depressing at the same time! 😂😂😂😂 Inspiring by willing to share your knowledge with us all! Depressing for showing how behind I am on my learning path!!!! WORST IS THAT I’VE WATCHED TWICE!!!!!!! Thank you for all you do for us!!!

[@JeffSearust]

Love these little kits. Lots of problem solving.

[@ikkentonda]

Thank you, Joe, for taking the time to go through everything in such detail. It never grows old and I continue to pick up little tricks. Love it!

[@joepie221]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelryan6884]

Nice work, Joe...always a joy to watch good machining.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. This was fun.

[@FartsInTanks]

Joe, thank you for the great entertainment and tips! Always taken aback when the giant hand reaches into the shot to adjust or point to a part.. :)

[@joepie221]

They always look bigger on the drawing and monitor.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

That large drawer of files and my bench type drill press are my machine shop. There is rarely a time when I finish doing a piece like this that I don't feel great knowing that grandpas teachings don't go without remembering that particular lesson. After all hand work made the machine that made the machine eh. Great post my friend. Those T nuts are perfect eh!

[@joepie221]

At the end of the day, I'm smiling. Thanks for checking in.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

@@joepie221 Looks good on ya!

[@timothyball3144]

I'm thinking of Clickspring making one of the parts for his skeleton clock. He made a bushing for the ID, then two bushings for the OD with a bolt holding it all together. Then he did as you did and filed to the bushings. Same basic concept, just with a smaller footprint.

[@samrodian919]

Great way to do it Joe! It's coming on leaps and bounds, I can't wait to see it in all its glory!

[@devemch7851]

Love the new introduction.... NICE.... Great tips! Before CNC became the rage, it was hard to get your hands on a milling machine. We often referred to a good set of files as a poor mans's milling machine. Files are quite effective for many odd applications. Keep up the good work.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I like it too.

[@ellieprice363]

No way. He actually used a miniature hand operated multiple tooth air cooled variable speed milling machine. Gotta watch this guy! 👍👍

[@mith5168]

I believe clockmakers referred to the guides as “filing buttons”. Theyvwere used to

[@joepie221]

Tough on the files, but yielded great parts.

[@mikeburston9427]

Joe looking forward to you making the rest of a clamp kit

[@sheilaghpollard9373]

You could use a shaper - remember , you can make anything on a shaper except money!

[@joepie221]

I'm building a shaper.

[@g.tucker8682]

After watching, I ran the very end of the video on my phone. Closed one eye and superimposed the tip of my finger over Joe's. I could almost see the finished part sitting on my finger, for a real sense of just how tiny some of these parts are. Try it. A question: is there a good process for making a black finish on brass? It would be cool if these looked more like real hardened steel.

[@johnmcclain3887]

Yes there is, I don't know what, but long noted some "bluing solutions" for steel make brass or copper go black.

[@MyLilMule]

I would think you'd want those bushes to be hardened, like a blade smith's file guide.

[@tompekarna]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I read that the British auto manufacturer Rolls Royce had the following test for machinist hires in the earliest days of the company. Applicant was given two pieces of steel, a 1’” thick piece 4” X 4” with a 1” hole bored through the center of the piece. A second piece was a 2” diam 4” long rod. Using only a set of files and machine square and inside and outside micrometers, the applicant had to: 1; enlarge the 1” round hole to a 1” square hole 2.reduce 2 inches of the the 2” rod to a 1” X 1” square shaft square shaft when inserted into square hole must have tolerance no greater then 1/1000” in any of the four possible rotations. time requirement not known

[@joepie221]

Go check out "Mr. Crispin" on KZbin. He's an actual Rolls Royce machinist. Maybe he can answer that. @mrcrispin

[@mrc1539]

Another good one Joe, always amazed with your problem solving skills. Thanks for passing them on .

[@joepie221]

Glad to do so.

[@slypig24]

A great comparison between the Tee nut.

[@836dmar]

The ultimate in benchwork! Well done!

[@joepie221]

Thank you.

[@jdsstegman]

Man! Every time I learn something! Haven't touched my cheap mill or lathe in months but I feel like I just gained a ton of experience on backlash! And my cheap mill has a ton! But now I know how to work with it and not be confused about how to avoid the problem. Go past and then back only spinning the dial clock wise to your number. Or vise versa.

[@SpruceSculptures]

Joe preaches this method every video....almost

[@jdsstegman]

@@SpruceSculptures You are correct. But this time, I finally understood. Or finally put it all together on his teaching. Either way, makes more sense to me know! Great stuff here. I'm not a machinist by trade. I just do odds and ends stuff out of necessity. Mainly making old carburator parts for vintage motorcycles. So watching Joe has helped out my knowledge by 100 percent. Even if I have never used it much in practice.

[@bluegreen2360]

I use files like this all the time the finish can be awesome so yeah I can believe this just never thought of buttons thanks for the tip joe

[@dougstarkey7128]

I bet you can make a machinist jack very similarly with that type is set up

[@TalRohan]

thats an awesome tecnique ....I like the finished article better than the rough one too

[@joepie221]

I have to admit it does look better.

[@Laz_Arus]

Definitely have to file this technique away for future use. 😉

[@courier11sec]

This is such a fantastic project. I really appreciate you sharing it with us.

[@joepie221]

Thanks. It adds a lot of time to the parts, but its good to capture it for you all.

[@nickfox6339]

I appreciate all the tips you pass onto us Joe, thanks, and as usual great workmanship.

[@joepie221]

Happy to do it.

[@jamesnorman8489]

A timely video. I started the Elmer Verburg beam engine eccentric strap yesterday, and was debating whether to screw with a rotary table, or just saw and file it to a layout line. I will save a couple of hours by filing!

[@joepie221]

Plus you'll have the satisfaction of knowing how you did it.

[@johndevries8759]

Nice approach to making tiny parts. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertpearson8798]

With all of the nuts in this video I'm surprised that the angry chipmunk didn't make an appearance.

[@petehill1926]

good job, looks way better. Thanks for your great content

[@joepie221]

Thanks, I think so too.

[@enegron6987]

That’s just amazing! I’ve missed a few videos in this series because by the time I get off work it’s already time to wake up again lol. 17:32 I almost expected you to say “FOCUS YA **** but that’s AvE’s channel 😂

[@joepie221]

I had that in my comments onscreen, but deleted it because I have dads and young sons that watch together. Had to keep it PG. Great comment.

[@alanmony1582]

Mr. Pie, When you began work on the t-nuts I couldn't figure out why you had a piece of wood in the vice/vise (sp) ? I didn't know it was ally until the first climb cut. Sure fooled these old eyes!

[@dan4653]

Clickspring does a lot of file work. If you haven't seen his stuff, it's worth a watch...

[@joepie221]

I have been a subscriber of his for a long time. He is very talented. Great videos too.

[@donniceblakely1075]

Joe have you ever installed a DRO on a milling machine your self, if so did you make a video? All my machines are 20 to 30 years old and dont DRO's on them. Sure would be nice to see you do a video on that. As always I enjoy watching sir!

[@sblack48]

There are lots of dro installation videos on KZbin. I’ve done it on 2 machines. It’s pretty easy. And they used to cost $1500+. Now they cost $200-300 and are just as good so no reason not to do it.

[@michaelguglielmo2749]

Nice finishing touch ! 👍 it would bug me also.

[@joepie221]

I struggled, but went the right way.

[@billchiasson2019]

Great video! Those T-nuts fell off perfectly!! Looks amazing so far Joe!!

[@joepie221]

:) It was in the script.

[@arthurirwin8235]

You are definitely a master of small parts! Great video and a job well done!

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much!

[@michaelbush2905]

I'm 70 and the adjuster on the stroke arm was an L type lead slug against the rod , on the other machine it was replaced with a knob that I didn't work out so well .

[@navaho5430]

I love your thinking in parts holding, I have learnt a lot from you over the few years I have been watching cheers

[@joepie221]

Glad they help.

[@rickardjd]

Looking forward to your next project made on the miniature lathe. Seriously I love your work.

[@joepie221]

Thank you very much!

[@roberthiggins1142]

As always it is a pleasure to watch you work & those Shop gems are just the best.

[@Gauge1LiveSteam]

On a side note. You prompted me to install a 5C collet chuck on my little Chinese 9" lathe. This thing is fabulous. Why did I wait so long?

[@edwardaloftis6705]

I made a T nut from a 1/4-20 square nut for my Sherline rotary table.

[@joepie221]

Great idea

[@angelramos-2005]

It really works and makes you think.Thank you.

[@joepie221]

Works well.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@sticks7817]

Next project, 58 piece T-slot clamping kit. That will be tedious. Awesome as always.

[@joepie221]

I considered it.

[@clonoid]

Really liking the 'work smarter, not harder' tips you share

[@joeziegler9054]

Another awesome video Joe Pie! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the next one. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@joepie221]

More to come!

[@joeziegler9054]

@@joepie221 I really want you to know how much I appreciate your time and skills that you share with us. You are the best IMO on KZbin! Hands down! Seeing a new notification of a Joe Pie video makes me happy! Keep up the awesome work Joe!!

[@joepie221]

@@joeziegler9054 Thank you very much.

[@tonypike5785]

You sure do pretty work, and i am learning. Thanks Mr. Joe

[@joepie221]

Keep learning, and passing it on.

[@oculusangelicus8978]

Those are things of beauty, they slide in there like you actually meant them to! Rather than relying upon Planetary alignments for successful completion of your operations! LOL As always it is a pleasure to watch you make things and to listen to your explanations and the wisdom behind the reasons why you do things a certain way! Stay safe and healthy and I wish happiness on you and all of your kin!

[@joepie221]

Thanks. Same to you.

[@davidmyhre2720]

Hey Joe Thank you sir. One more GEM to put in the Rolodex, great stuff Joe!!

[@brucewood8046]

Amazing! Those hold downs are smaller than most dental fillings! And better lookin' too! 🙂 Woody

[@joepie221]

Thanks Woody. I need to make some more.

[@multirole240]

Excellent attention to detail as always Joe. I really enjoyed your skill and knowledge and have learned a great deal from you. Thanks from the UK for all your time and efforts in making all your videos.

[@joepie221]

Glad to help.

[@donstelfox6921]

Excellent, thank you for sharing. Cheers.

[@joepie221]

My pleasure!

[@ardenharan2201]

That's impressive work and a clever trick. I wonder if you could apply something similar to this to glassblowing, which is more relevant to my own job...

[@joepie221]

I bet I would come up with something. :)

[@paddlefaster]

The End Mill is still wondering what that foreign substance was when you were demonstrating finding the center.

[@glencrandall7051]

You continue to amaze me.👍👍Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@joepie221]

Thanks, you too!

[@MrAvjones]

Absolutely amazing, great work.

[@BensWorkshop]

Excellent tips and well done for showing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

[@joepie221]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TerryPullen]

The wide shot near the end was eye opening.

[@frankinpattaya]

Very neat job, well done Joe, regards Frank

[@ironhead65]

Great explanation on the T-Nut. When you built all those nuts in a strip, did you drill then tap by changing the tool before moving the head? Or did you drill all holes, then tap all holes and leverage the dro for placement?

[@joepie221]

Drilled them all, then tapped them all.

[@joemiller5110]

Thanks again Joe

[@gillfitzpatrick7894]

Perfect job for filing buttons

[@joepie221]

Yep

[@mathewmolk2089]

Like the new opening,,,,and the way you are always thinking outside the box. (Id have spent a half a day screwing around with th rotary table and still not had it looking as good as you did on the OD of that part. .

[@joepie221]

Thanks. I like the new opening too.

[@Miniatures-And-More]

I had Used This Technique In My Projects A very Long Ago , Thanks To Refresh This Idea !

[@joepie221]

It sticks once you see it.

[@davidsnyder2000]

Thanks Joe for all the cool tips and shortcuts for making machining faster, easier and more enjoyable 👍🙂