Filing Machine

[Christophe Mineau]

Hi,
I fully agree with the choice,
What I especially love, in addition to the technical excellence of the machining and design, is the good looking aspect and the presentation.
I (off course) appreciate the nice cherry wood plate, it gives the ensemble a final touch that makes it a real piece of museum.
Thanks and congrats !
Christophe

[kbalch]

This thread has been moved to the Must Read subforum. Congrats (and thanks) to Doug for making such a valuable contribution!

[will52100]

That is an awesome tool! That would be a big help for me when I do folders. I think if I did more folders I'd have to invest in building one. Great presentation as well. Thanks for sharing.

[owen moore]

That is a very nice little machine and I agree with you about why it is used on certain jobs where a milling machine will get as close as a hand grenade! Where are you getting your machine files? They don't seem to be as popular as they were years ago. As you know, they work on the pull stroke, so the shank is on the opposite end of the file. Clickspring down in Australia gave me some leads, but I would like some input from you fellas as to sources in the USA. Thanks in advance. I love the forum.

[G.Paul]

Ross
What do you do about files ?

[Toolmaker51]

Members asking about files. As mentioned they cut on the 'pull' stroke to reduce chatter with part supported by platen of die-filer. Not essentially different except the uncut portion is figuratively on opposite end of a hand file, and have no taper [lest they would jam].
As for sources, googling 'machine files' usually comes up with CNC topics. You need to specify parallel die files to reduce returns about digital interfaces.

https://www.falcontool.com/PublicSto...s,577,183.aspx

Parallel Machines Files - Types E and F

Parallel Machine Files - ARTCO - American Rotary Tools Company

https://www.google.com/search?q=para...nt=firefox-b-1

I have seen them pop up on one particular auction site; but so many bidders are unaware of commercial suppliers; only inflates price beyond reason.

There likely are re-arrangements to terminology that apply in different geographical regions.

Die files typically produce a finer finish than an equally sized hand file, guessing by form of teeth and shear angle, but die filers produce a respectable pile of chips quickly. In practice, we'd bandsaw with kerf just shy of scribed layout line, blending in radii and mill cusps. Occasionally, table tilted couple degrees for back taper in a die where tapered endmills fail. I also filed a zillion [OK, maybe 40] flintlock and muzzle loading era patch box frames. Very small profiles, sharp acute angles and curls in foliage details etc. On handle and teeth epoxied straight Swiss jeweler files teeth down in tubing for the die filer clamp. Tube at top accommodates the guide bearings so file isn't bent; even if not breaking the surface will curve vertically.

[ncollar]

Ross
Wonderful build the only thing missing is the bell shaped cone under the file mount to keep the fine metal out of the bearings.
Very nice set up.
Nelson

[JRock]

Wow! That's awesome

[high-side]

If I wasn't using it, I would be fine just staring at it on my coffee table.

[MountainMan]

All I can say is WOW!! You turn out some amazing tools Ross. Also, nice mill you got there in the background. I wish I had the floor space in the shop for one.