Pat Roy Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I've been doing some filing, on steel, copper and aluminum. The aluminum has created a problem; bits of the aluminum have become embeded in the file and I'm looking for a way to get the file clean. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I run my forge brush on my files to clean them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I can't help you with the ones that are already filled but in future treat the files with powdered chalk to minimize this problem. I have only used chalk but my guess is that diatomaceous earth or talc would also work well. For the filled ones try soaking in vinegar and brushing a couple of times per day for about two days... I doubt the aluminum will be affected much but the vinegar might eat the steel enough to loosen the aluminum and allow the brush to scrub it out. Your files might end up a bit sharper too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBower Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 A file card is the traditional solution. A better suggestion (stolen from Alexander Weygers) is to use the edge of a sheet of thin brass, and run it parallel with the teeth of the file. The brass will be soft enough to conform to the teeth of the file and form little teeth of its own, which will get down into the grooves and scrape out the embedded bits of metal. But brass is much softer than the file teeth, so it's much gentler than a file card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Roy Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 I've tried a file card, it didn't do much. I'll try the vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBower Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You could try sheet aluminum in place of brass. I'd think it would much the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 The vinegar will etch the aluminum much much faster than the steel. Just be sure you neutralize and wash afterwards. I like dilute ammonia for neutralizing vinegar, and dish soap to wash with a plastic brush. It should be oiled after it dries. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You could use a soft mild steel scriber point to pick out the aluminium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Roy Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks for the info Phil, I'm going that way. John B, that would undoubtedly work but there are several files and too many specks to pick, I'd go blind. If nothing works well enough, there's always new files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backwoods Blacksmith Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Before filing rub soap stone or chalk into the teeth. When you feel the file skate over the material clean with a file card. A little elbow grease and a piece of copper will push the clog out of the teeth of the file. Yes it will take some time. (minutes) Once clean, easy to keep clean. Good files are expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 There are files made especially for aluminum. They have larger teeth and a different cut. They work exceptionally well. In a lot situations a cutting tool works optimally on materials with similar properties. Aluminum is soft and gummy steel and many kinds of brass are not. http://www.simonds.cc/files/amp-aluminumflat.php?menu=mnuPFiles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Just came in from the shop. I went out to check my facts before I responded. Chalk and soapstone work well, but I think WD 40 or charcoal lighter fluid is better. I had to refresh the chalk after just a few strokes, but could file alot longer with the wet lube. It does cause the chips to collect on the file but were easily brushed away with a fingernail brush or tooth brush. Even a glove hand cleaned them off. WD 40 will also keep grinding wheels from clogging when grinding aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 WD-40 + grinding wheel = icka-poo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Didn't say it was all neat and everything. Said it worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Wax is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryLWatson Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 A tool and die friend of mine once told me that brass was the best way to clean a file and I've found that to be true. Keeps the teeth sharp and like new. I have a file card but it does seem to dull the file teeth and I tried things like chalk in the past but found them to be kinda messy and I had to keep applying the chalk which was tedious on a protracted filing job. I like the brass idea the best. I know that all these things were mentioned by others; just wanted to toss in my two cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Roy Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 So far I had pretty good succes with rubbing the edge of a piece of aluminum across one file. The other file is round and has very fine teeth. That technique didn't work well at all but now it is sitting in the vinegar. We'll see how that goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Google "curved tooth files;" they're designed for aluminum. I use a brass scratch awl made from a brazing rod to help get rid of stubborn pins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Frank are you talking about Vixen files like we used on body lead before we had bondo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Frank are you talking about Vixen files like we used on body lead before we had bondo? Yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My experience has shown that file work may be not only rewarding, it may be the only way for me to get what I want. This means I need not only a file card (metal teeth) but also a file card ( bristle teeth) and also a copper and/or steel pick to remove pins in the file teeth and also a short napped bristle brush and a nice wood piece to rest the file on while I brush it clean. It also means that I must be patient and be prepared to clean the file every few strokes. Using a second cut or smooth file can take time indeed but will reward you with exceptional finished goods. These files ain't cheap so I take care of them. Yes, a large piece of chalk works well. Remove the chalk from the file teeth when you are done with the project or it will hold moisture (ask me how I know this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 It also helps to "Run in" files using them on brass first to bed them in, much like when used farriers rasps are ideal for 'smiths to use on metal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Roy Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 Well the vinegar didn't touch the aluminum, so I'll do some picking. Thanks guys, from now on I'll prep for the work and clean the files more frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Was playing around with a file that was badly clogged with aluminum to see if I could clean it yesterday. I took a piece of sheet brass 16ga about 1" wide and 2" long and worked it across the teeth in a part of the file that was not clogged as others have suggested. I was able to cut in teeth that matched the cut of the file. I worked this back and forth across the clogged part of the file. It removed some of the pinning but not all. I then decided where I met resistance to to tap on the backside of the brass with a very light hammer. This worked but it was slow. Not exactly a money making activity for me, the time it took I could have earned the money for a new file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I am surprised by that, the aluminum should be the anode to the steel, and dissolve nicely in an overnight pickle... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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