Hand Files

[_MC6_]

I never took the time to learn how to use hand files on metal properly. I would grab whatever power tool was closest and go to town. Most often I would remove too much metal and create a problem larger than the one I was trying to solve. With my latest project, I have made myself take breaks and just walk away from the project every 15 min or so to assess my progress and also I've made myself do a large portion of metal fitting by hand... (Hand files and such) It's resulted in at least being able to observe the damage that I'm doing in slow motion... Actually, I have been amazed at what you can teach yourself by slowing down... I also started to re-learn welding by getting an oxy-acy setup and really watching the metal melt together.

What do you think? Here are some links that I found interesting...

http://www.wikihow.com/File-Metal

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-3967.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2362429_store-metal-files-.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6100418_clean-metal-files.html


http://www.simondsinternational.com/

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/bran...ts &att2=American Pattern

http://www.shorinternational.com/Files.php

http://www.pferdusa.com/products/index.html

 

[xjwmx]

Most often I would remove too much metal and create a problem larger than the one I was trying to solve. With my latest project, I have made myself take breaks and just walk away from the project every 15 min or so to assess my progress

That reminds me a little bit of Pirsig's prescription for avoiding those oops moments that can ruin a part unnecessarily.

I use hand files a lot too. I think the latest time was cleaning up the worm gear to my clutch where a po had taken it apart using vice grips on the gear. He'd cleaned it up with a file himself enough to work, but it wasn't to my satisfaction

 

[Grinder]

A hand file was the first tool I grabbed when I started the polishing process on this mag. If you have ever looked at the center hub on these wheels you know how bad they are. A file worked perfectly to get the high spots off. Now on to the front wheel.

 

[_MC6_]

That reminds me a little bit of Pirsig's prescription for avoiding those oops moments that can ruin a part unnecessarily.

I now have to read that book... I'm not sure why I've never gotten around to it...