Types of files for metalwork: features and technical characteristics, Photo
The average person is quite difficult to understand the large number of files of various shapes with different sizes of notches and their scope. That is why the article will consider the classification of the main types of this tool, which will be further supplemented by new types of files, as the new models are very different from the old ones.
Although the first file appeared a long time ago, it is almost impossible to find a replacement even in the age of advanced technologies, after all, most work on wood and metal is performed using this tool. The device provides the selected material the desired shape and size by layer-by-layer grinding of its surface.
Technical characteristics of the tool
The classic modern file resembles a bar in its appearance, made of special grade steel, with a surface cut according to a certain pattern. Most of these cutting tools are triangular, rectangular or round cross section of the bar, however, there are other types of sections.
The most commonly used material for the manufacture of the device are various types of high-quality tool steel, example, chromium alloy (SHX15 and 13X) and improved unalloyed (U10A - U13A).
One of the components of this tool is a plastic or wooden handle, attached to a narrowed conical shank. The part does not perform any important functions, does not affect the quality of the file and serves only for ease of use by the employee. If such a handle falls off, it makes absolutely no sense to throw away the tool - just replace one part with another.
The quality and scope of the file directly depends on the type of notch applied to it, as well as the configuration of the teeth. Milling methods are most often used in the manufacture of files for the application of such teeth, drawing, notching or turning, however, recently manufacturers have begun to produce files mainly with teeth, notched on a special machine.
Types of notches on different files
Modern files are characterized by different types of notches, however, the most common are the following.
Single notch. This tool is mainly used to remove sawdust, equal in size teeth on the work surface. This device is not easy to use for the average person, therefore, it is mainly used by specialists in woodworking, plastics or very soft metals (div. Photo).
- Double notch, also called cross. In this tool, the main deep notch alternates with the small auxiliary, applied at a certain angle. So, intersecting notches additionally grind chips, formed in the workflow, so the tool is suitable for working even with very hard metals and alloys (div. Photo).
The size of the tool teeth directly depends on the size of the notches (teeth the bigger, the smaller the number of notches in the file). Based on the size of the teeth, the tool is divided into numbers from 1 to 5.
Numbers 0 and 1 correspond to the largest teeth. This type of tool is usually used, if the employee needs to quickly get rid of a large layer of working material. In such cases, this type of device is simply irreplaceable, however, it also has a clear disadvantage - the accuracy of machining the part is quite low. Numbers 2 and 3 correspond to medium-sized teeth, and the tool accurate in work is used at interaction with materials of small density, when to remove 0,015 – 0,05 mm from the surface of the part. And here already for finishing of material use files number 4 and 5 with high precision machining, popularly called velvet (div. Photo).
Features of classification
According to the scope and main purpose of the file is divided into several major categories:
- files;
- unbuttoned;
- special purpose;
- general purpose;
- machine (div. Photo).
The name of the latter type of instrument speaks for itself, but other categories should be considered in more detail (also presented in the form of a table in the photo).
The most common are files. There are more than ten subspecies, example, flat, square, oval, round, semicircular, hacksaws, triangular, etc.. d. All these types of files differ in the notch and the small length of the bar. They are also equipped with a double notch, however, the edges of flat-type tools can be single. Needles are mainly used for processing small parts or bottlenecks, when ordinary metalwork tools do not allow it.
As for the rasps, they are divided into three subspecies (general purpose, shoemakers, ungulates) and have large notch teeth and long length. Round and semicircular rasps are most often used for work, as well as flat with a sharp or blunt tip.
Locksmith files for special purposes are mainly used for industrial purposes, as their main purpose is to eliminate large gaps when fitting grooves, as well as the curvature of the surface when working with non-ferrous metals. Based on its purpose, use flat and grooved files, as well as bars.
General purpose tools are most often used during general locksmith work. They come in different lengths, can have a different shape of the bar and literally any of the numbers of the notch. The latter for devices of this type is performed by the notch method, ensuring the formation of cross (double) notches.
Features of using different files
The shape of the bar plays an important role in the work process, after all, it is for her and you can determine the scope of the file. According to the method of use, the devices are divided into:
standard flat or flat pointed (for processing of external and internal flat surfaces);
- square (for sawing square, rectangular and polygonal holes);
- round (for processing of round and oval openings of the small size, as well as concave surfaces with a small radius);
- semicircular (for processing of openings of the big size and the concave surfaces with big radius of curvature);
- rhombic (for work with details of gear type);
- triangular (for processing of hard-to-reach places, example, grooves, grooves and outer parts with an acute angle);
- hacksaws (for sampling of narrow grooves and grooves, processing of internal corners and planes in various openings mainly rectangular, square and diamond-shaped).
The service life of the device directly depends on the manufacturer, the quality of the notch and heat treatment.
