Sharpening Used Files

[mastermind7864]

They are too small for what I do though.

 

[flushcut]

They are too small for what I do though.

Look at the lab cutters they are much bigger than what goes in the mouth. Some are 1/8"-1/2" diameter.
What type of hand piece are you running?

 

[mastermind7864]

I use H30 and H28 Foredom handpieces.

I sometimes use fluted milling bits in the H30. They are great for roughing in the exhaust port.

 

[Maximalist]

I never thought that the files can be given a second life.)) What kind of vinegar is best? Apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar, or other options? In order not to waste time sharpening chains, I just put a sharp chain. For quick sharpening very blunt chains I have electrical chain grinder for saws 12 Volt / 85 Watt / 5000 rpm. Powered from a car cigarette lighter.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Both apple and wine vinegar are good choices, relatively high acid content. Be sure to clean files before, I've been using a brass wire brush. Try 20-24 hours. Rinse and dry well. I dip them in a baking soda solution to stop the acid reacting with the metal, then rinse with plain water. Probably you can eliminate the baking soda if you wash the vinegar off well.

 

[flushcut]

I use H30 and H28 Foredom handpieces.

I sometimes use fluted milling bits in the H30. They are great for roughing in the exhaust port.

Ahhh I just checked your handpieces have a larger collet than what Brasseler makes. If you are ever change your hanpiece their E cutters are very nice.

 

[Magnus]

I have two bottles. One apple cider vinegar, one with gas mix.
When I dipped in vinegar i let it sit with cutters up.
After I rinse it in gas. I got in to my head this has a anti corrosive effect as well as ending the metal eating effect..

 

[Al Smith]

On that carbide probabley all the acid would do is work on tramp aluminum not on the carbide itself .On that I've actually got impregnated diamond burrs but they aren't worth a hoot on aluminum .Fact I've got diamond cutters for the lathe too which will put a finish on aluminum about like a mirror ,not worth a hoot on steel though ,they break .The best cutters I have are ceramic which will cut harder stuff than carbide .I think I sent TW a bunch of them couple years back with a holder or 6 .

On the files ,what like a buck a pop for good ones .They get dull I toss them aside for other uses .

 

[woodworkingboy]

I was thinking that perhaps a good way to use these reconditioned files, would be to go around the loop with them, and then do it again with one or two strokes from a newer file to finish off. Extend the life of a good condition file.

 

[Magnus]

I use them just as a new file, no different.