Filing Machine

I built this filing machine for the sole purpose of being able to file 90 degrees from a flat surface and to maintain that squareness no matter what shape or geometry I'm filing, I have used filing machines in different shops years ago and loved them, I do a little gunsmithing from time to time and everyone knows how intricate these little parts can be, You can only do so much with a conventional Milling Machine, Unless you have a CNC Mill which I don't have !!! So this was my only alternative.
It doesn't have an overhead support for the file because the thickest material I'll be filing will never exceed .250"
I made a ball and socket to hold any shape file, the ball and socket also allows me to square the file with the table very accurately, the crankshaft has a 1.250" stroke,

Below are some photos

Thanks for looking and Happy Machining

Doug

Attachment 2131


Above shows all the machined and finished pieces before assembly

Attachment 2132

Above shows the ball with a file in it, the socket is to the left of the file, the knurled nut is to the right of the file, all made from 4140 then heat treated and polished

Attachment 2133

Above shows the file inserted into the ball and socket with a knurled retaining nut, the socket and nut both have the same radius machined into them as the ball

Attachment 2134

Above shows the machine housing, fabricated from 1018 CRS, painted Rust-Oleum black hammered finish, the file assembly is just sitting on top

Attachment 2135

Above shows the crankshaft installed into the housing, the crank is supported by two R10 sealed ball bearings

Attachment 2136

Above shows the housing with the crankshaft and bronze linear bearing fitted over the crank pin, the crankshaft was made from 2" round pre-heat treated 4140, the crank pin is a hardened 3/8" dowel

Attachment 2137

Above shows the linear bearing housing which is 4140 heat treated steel, slipped over the bronze bearing with the vertical shaft locked into the bearing housing by two 5/16" set screws

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Above shows the housing with the file holder installed on the vertical shaft, the precision ground table is ready for installation, the table was made from .500" X 6" X 10" 1018 CRS

Attachment 2139

Above shows the machine completely assembled with it's motor and switch sitting on a cherry wood base

Attachment 2140

Above shows another view of completed machine

Here is a link to the you tube video of the machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8KBf34Znww

rossbotics...
Great job. Congratulations.

Amazing job. Would you have a video posted somewhere?

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Originally Posted by DIYer

Amazing job. Would you have a video posted somewhere?

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Yes video good idea..:rolleyes:

Thanks rossbotics! I've added your Filing Machine to our Metalworking and Woodworking categories, as well as to your builder page: rossbotics' Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="/filing-machine-3"><img src="/uploads/100104/filing-machine-3.jpeg" alt="Filing Machine" /></a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="/filing-machine-3">Filing Machine</a> <span> by <a href="/builder/rossbotics">rossbotics</a></span> </div> <div class="tags"> tags: <a href="/tag/file">file</a>, <a href="/tag/gunsmithing">gunsmithing</a>, <a href="/tag/motor">motor</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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Originally Posted by Hotz

Yes video good idea..:rolleyes:

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Looking forward to it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8KBf34Znww

It's amazing, it looks like you nice machine is breathing !

THAT is a cool tool! Thanks for posting that video.

Hi rossbotics,

An interesting and useful homemade tool! Your Filing Machine is the 'Tool of the Week'!

You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:

Attachment 2164

Let me know (via PM) your size, color choice, and mailing address. We'll get the shirt in the mail to you directly.

Congrats!

Ken

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

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

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.

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.

Ross
What do you do about files ?

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.

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

Wow! That's awesome

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

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Thanks MountainMan
Doug

Beautiful piece of work. Congratulations.