MetalworkingFun Forum

What do you folk recommend as a good selection of files, and where should I get them? I have seen a flat lathe file, but are other shapes also designed with any special features for lathe work?

Mike

For lathe work I like a safe file. The faces are cut but the edges are smooth. Nice for breaking sharp edges and cleaning up details without making the adjacent surface.

I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)

Dave H. (the other one)

(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: [ -> ]I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)

Dave H. (the other one)

Huh?? They make such a thing?

(08-31-2012, 05:49 PM)DanH Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: [ -> ]I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)

Dave H. (the other one)

Huh?? They make such a thing?

You can usually find them on the shelves next to the left-handed screw drivers.

-Ron

(09-01-2012, 02:54 AM)ScrapMetal Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-31-2012, 05:49 PM)DanH Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: [ -> ]I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)

Dave H. (the other one)

Huh?? They make such a thing?

You can usually find them on the shelves next to the left-handed screw drivers.

-Ron

So thats why some people are left handed, they make some jobs easy

(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: [ -> ]I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)

Dave H. (the other one)

Not having found any left-handed files here in the land of "you can't get that here" I just

climb over the lathe, run it in reverse and file right handed.

(09-01-2012, 02:54 AM)ScrapMetal Wrote: [ -> ]You can usually find them on the shelves next to the left-handed screw drivers.

-Ron

I guess it depends on the store. I found mine next to the bolt stretchers in the hardware isle. (I had a couple of bolts that were a bit too short.)

Anyway..... as far as I know (not much) the only difference between a lathe file and a "regular" hand file is the angle of the teeth. The longer angle leaves more of a "draw filed" finish when used on a lathe. Corrections welcome...

Whichever you use, ensure it has a handle fitted.

We could market a double handled file on this site. If it had a tang on each end it could be used right or left handed.