File Basics: How to select and use files for metalworking 

2020 and I'm here consulting your videos to start bladesmithing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, know that you've helped a lot of people achieve meaningful things in their lives!

I learned a couple things here at the ripe old age of 67. Thank you. Nice job. Good presentation.

38 years since High School metal shop and a great refresher!

Re: using a paintbrush to clean the file, if you trim the bristles very short, it stiffens them considerably. Naturally, the brush is useless for anything else after that, so you'd want to do this with a brush that would be discarded or a cheap one, but it's surprising how frequently you'll find uses for it. I find myself reaching for mine often.

Nice! People are often amazed that you can make beautiful refined things with only hand-tools!

Hey Aaron loving the vids mate. During my apprenticeship(fitter and turner) I got stuck in the deburring section for 3 months, hated it! Another method to free up any stubborn pits is to make a scraper that conforms exactly to the profile of the teeth of the file, aluminium and brass work the best. Simply take some stock about 3/4 of an inch wide and rub in the same direction as the teeth it will form itself to the shape of the peaks and valleys, works a treat at cleaning out your file heaps better than the file card.

Yesterday I saw your tip with the chalk and today I tried it. Holy moley, I couldn´t believe the difference! It´s like I have a new file. Thanks a lot! Only tiny little scratches left, wich are a lot easier to fix than before. It´s fantastic you do those videos, helped me in many ways. Greetings from Germany

The only reason to use a bench or belt grinder over a file is really that it's quicker. I try to show hand-tools in my videos so that other people will want to have a go at the stuff I'm showing, if I only showed power tools then everyone would assume they need big, fancy, expensive power tools to do the work... I use power tools for my personal stuff as well, but for small things it's often easier/faster just to grab a file or a hacksaw. Good question!

All of what i need is on your video.. thanks a lot for ur tutorials sir..

For people just getting started in anything knife related I generally recommend O1, purely because you can make a decent knife out of it and it's easy to get. Other steels may give better results with simple equipment but they're not easy to find.

I put one together, didn't take long to do. Works great. Thanks for posting this, lot of us out there that can't devote the cash for expensive power equipment to do the job.

This Guy is nothing but a pro!Thanks for the tips. Great Stuff.

Yes! I just finished shooting the video for showing the filing jig yesterday. Once it's edited I will be uploading it, should be up soon.

Thanks mate! Glad you found them useful! The inch to metric stuff is annoying at first, but you get used to it!

No wasted time, thank you so much for the great video

Yes, I used a double-cut bastard file when filing the bevels on the jig.

A little tip I learned was to use a piece of brass to help remove stuborn clogs in files, the brass is soft enough not to hurt the file. It works really well, hope this helps someone! cheers

You should have your own show. Very nicely done thanks.

I assume you mean the blue ones... They came from Reid Supply, they're Grobet brand. They're available separately and they're not expensive. I'm a big fan of them, they hold the tang of the file very firmly and they're quite comfortable! Glad you've liked the videos so far!

At last a video showing how to use a file card, thank you

Hey mate, I recommend watching the other videos on my channel first. I have videos that will cover 90% or more of what you need to know. If you still have questions after that I'll be happy to help!

Simple and clear. I enjoyed this lesson very informative. Thanks Aaron.

I too learned a few things here and I’ve been a union carpenter for past 31 years. Great job and thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much! I am not a metal worker by any means but i love making custom cars. This info helped a lot, I almost bought the wrong set.

Thanks for the watch, very informative. One thing to note. I recently learnt that the correct name for a triangular file is actually three square. Live and learn

I love how clean your work is. You make such great knives

I feel like i know a lot about the tools i am using until i watch you. Thank you and keep making videos like this!

No worries mate! Thanks for watching!

If you want other fancy steels then your options are mainly online stores, here's a list of the ones I use and recommend: Jantz Supply: jantzsupply . com New Jersey Steel Baron: newjerseysteelbaron . com Canadian knifemaker supply: knifemaker . ca Hope that helps mate!

For preventing rust I use Vapour Corrosion Inhibitors in my tool-chest, basically little boxes that emit a protective vapour that coats the files. I do this because I prefer or my tools not to be oily all the time. The other option is just to coat them with a light oil before putting them away WD-40 or Starret M-1 would both likely work just fine!

Thanks for the video....It's Good Knowledge to have about tools that are used in the trades. Alot of people don't know or even care about this kinda thing. But alot of us Do!!!

Nice vídeo man! Thanks for share

Thanks man! Been waitimg for a video like this for a while. I wanna start using hand file, this was very helpful.

why the heck are you not on the History channel? This channel and the wisdom you share is amazing, (thank you for sharing that with us by the way). It's better than watching the Discovery Channel.

Thanks dude. Handy to know. An Aussie in Canada? I checked out your knives...awesome.

Aaron, you're a natural born teacher.

Thank you for a clear, concise video. You answered a lot of questions for this gal!

I'm glad it was of interest to you!

Hey mate! I'm glad my editing is ok, that's one of the areas that I'm newest to in all this! Well it just so happens that if you're in Ontario you have a number of choices. If you want tool steel (O1, A2) then the best place I've found so far is KBC tools. You can order online or go to one of their stores. I order online, they ship the stuff from the US, but there's no customs fees or anything. They ship very quickly too! If I order in the morning I often get the stuff the next day.

Well I'm glad to hear that it provided some extra information! One of my biggest fears doing videos like this is that I'll lose subscribers who are already somewhat experienced. Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks dude you really helped me in my school project thanks to you I got an A+ and a Reword for the best working student from my year in the "creative crafts" (Kind of wood/metal making stuff) so thanks once again :)

Thanks Lee! Glad you liked it!

I enjoy using a file. it seems like I have better control than I do when using a grinder or sander and the surface seems much easier to keep true. Thank you for the video, makes me want to go to the hardware store and shop for more files. I also enjoyed the filing jig video.

Short and efficient education. Thank you.

Hey Aaron, quick comment. I have read in multiple places that using oil on a file is a big no-no, and actually hinders the file's ability to cut the material. Files require friction for the teeth to dig and using oil actually will seem to make your file glide on the material and not cut it. Love you videos and help sir. Hope I have no stepped on any proverbial toes.

ey, no problems ;) im a tools salesman and know aloot about them but it's fun and good learning anyway, im glad that they are more people then me that are "nuts" enought to clean and care of their tools instead of use and throw.. :)

Always something to learn on Aaron’s channel! 🇬🇧👍🇦🇺

Great tips on choosing and using files! This helped me a lot.

Cool to run across this file video, then realize it's by Aaron Gough of whom I have an amazing Gough Custom knife! 👍

Too nice explanation I can watch up lessons whole day tnx a lot bro

Nicholson are like the best files ever my grandpa has a crap ton of them and are AWESOME!

I subscribed! Thank you for taking the time to reach us the basics of time work! I am an old school and skills guy. Forge blades in the past and filed by hand to finish. I think your jigs and ideas are what I have looking for! I just don't enjoy using a grinder in any fashion. Nice video, well done, thanks again!

I would prefer to keep talking in the comments, that way other people can benefit from your questions!

How long should your files last you? what are your opinions about how to prevent rust on files? do you prefer specific brands to others? Great video.

I never new about file cards. Thanks for the great video

If you want to clean files very effectively then use a piece of copper about 40mm wide about 1mm thick. The copper can be about 60mm long but make a bead turn back to take away the sharp edges at the end your hand will be at. The front edge of the copper is pushed through the file along the line of the teeth. The file will cut the shape of the teeth into the copper, and the copper will then effectively remove the pinned material. The reason a file card is not used too often is that it is generally harder than the high carbon steel the file is made from and will wear the files cutting edges. The copper is softer, and will wear away but will do the job more efficiently as is has taken the shape of the files teeth and gets into remove the pinned material.

I am currently working my practicals. Thank you sir

Are there any type of files mounted in a jig where it would help file one edge square with another?

Thanks! Definitely agree with that.

I'm making a box from Plexiglass. Going to make box or finger joints to join the box together, but I'm doing it with a table saw, and hand files. Was wondering if you knew of a type of files that were square and about 5mm in width.

Very helpful for rookies like me. More videos please. Thanks! 😄

i just started woodworking. i have always loved doing something by. hand. i am going to clean my filed.and now i know what to pick up at yard sales. ps have you ever had luck sharpening japanese hand saws. i bought one.at harbor 2 sizes at harbor freight. you could probably get them elseware. i love them i use them to cut to within a 32nd of inch. shame to say some of my hand tools are rusty. i am refurbishing a little at a time. i used vineger and water to take away rust.

how do you stop wire from getting bent? Meaning do you have special container for the wire brush or is it hanging someone where it's not bumping into other things?

Great video! Extremely helpful and well presented! Thank you!

Cool video. I've been looking for all this information. thank you for your time.

Glad you found it helpful!

What would be your recommendation for a first file for general purpose use on metal. In other words, if you could have only one, what would you suggest?

I haven't made a knife from a file yet, it's on my todo list though!

Great tips. Learned so much from your video. Thanks so much!

Nice job. Thanks for the vid! Would be good to know what determines quality of files other than price.

Hello Arron, nice vid. Could you please recommend an inductry shop grade file set that includes everything you just mentioned. Please no generic made in Brazil tools...

Você sabe me dizer qual a dureza e qual aço a nikelsom usa nas suas limas retas de 8 polegadas e de 10 polegadas ?

Good job, very helpful information, just what I needed, thanks.

I don't think there are any sets that cover everything, and most sets won't be very good quality anyway to be honest. Just buy the files you need from a from a brand like nicholson or grobet and you should be fine. Make sure you spend a little extra and get good quality handles!

Can a file be used to file towards you? So from top of file to the handle with each pass, or are the teeth made to only use it from tip to handle?

Great video, thanks:-) The name "file card" is from the same looking "brush" that are used to card wool (to clean wool), You have a great knowledge and are good at explaining the subject. maybe there is a miner unimportant error, depending on who you ask. But still great video:-)

good info. People should also know that the files they get from places like McMaster-Carr are great deal better. This is true even when they are the same brand and type as the ones you can at Home Cheapo or whatever. The industrial supply stores sell better stuff. Walmart saves money by selling thinner and weaker files with the same name as the better ones.

hi gough i have a question if the tolerence of a workpiece is 0.02 mm how can you achieve it my thought was use bastard to get the exess material off and then smooth to get as close to the tolerance as possable ? and great video btw

Nice vid! Hello from a distant relative across the pond!

It takes some time but I always use files to clean up the bevels on the knives I make which are made from old used files

Excellent explanation, thanks! Question: if single-cut files leave a smoother surface finish, then why is the large blue-handled 'smooth' file a double-cut file? I assume it's mainly used for leaving a smooth surface finish, but wouldn't a single-cut file be better for that purpose?

Good information - thanks!

This is a great video. Thank you for making it!

I knew I could find info on files within....Really helpfull info on how to choose the proper tools...Thanks a lot man...BTW, do you design you knifes from scratch right??I mean no pattern downloads and stuff....If so, can you share them???Or is it too much to ask????

thanks for the video, I've just made your filing jig a week ago and have been working on one of my knives to make a nice bevel, my only problem is that the file i'm using is a single cut. it leaves bad gauges in the knife no matter how much I clean it and towards the end of making a bevel produces a loud irritating squeek. I've been looking to buy a new one and thinking of getting a double cut bastard for the job. is that what you use for your bevels? if not, what would you recommend, and was wondering what brand of double cut files do you buy? thanks alot :)

What's the ebst way to smooth the edges of a gutter cut with an angle grinder? i usually deburr and straighten the cut with a double cut bastard file and follow it up with a single cut smooth file and round the edge a little bit. But because of corners in my workpiece i make straight pushing movements instead of diagonal movements, am i doing it right?

The name "file card" comes from the "card cloth" attached to the brush frame. Card cloth was used in machines that card wool.

Hello, do you think it would be possible to clean a file using a magnet? to collect all the metal pins

Hi, great video, thanks. I have a few questions if I may. Firstly, does the direction or the ridge matter? I have a large, coarse flat file but the ridges are curves, not straight lines. Is this a specific type of file? Also, I assume that a file would remain sharp due to the friction with the metal, but how, if ever, would I sharpen a file which I use for wood? Finally, for wood work, would a file be better or worse than sander? Or is it just a case of swapping the personal touch of the file for the speed of a sander? Thanks again, Dave.

For sharpening scissors etc do you use a smooth file and draw filing?

I think you left out the ultimate file technique. Patience. It ain't a power tool. You need to let the tool do its work. More, better placed passes is better than harder, roughly positioned passes. Oh I don't have that much time you say? Doing it right once saves more time than screwing it up and having to rework it.

I get nauseated when i see someone push and pull a file, I like how you put the uses in here, because most people watch too much tv and think its ok to push and pull that just dulls your file and ruins your surface. Great video

Very helpful video! To cut a soft, unremovable, corroded metal spud stuck in a 2"-tub drain, should I use a cut-triangle or cut-round file? Thank you

so I am pretty new at this but I was wonder what types of file should be use when beveling a knife

The files you show are no longer made in the U.S. Are they still good quality? I plan on making a knife by following your video using files so I need good ones. I want something to last so I don't waste money replacing them to often. Keep making the videos they are very helpful to a novice like myself.

nice video! Have you noticed excessive tool wear when filing g10? I've been told that it is very rough on steel tools.

Which file do you normally use when filling the bevel with your DIY Jig?

Need to do a size comparison. How long are the three blue handle ones?

amzn.to/1DiLWnP is a link to a single file, but it says "set" above. Could you clarify?

really enjoyed watching that bud, thank you for sharing, take care. lee.