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For lathe work I like a safe file. The faces are cut but the edges are smooth. Nice for breaking sharp edges and cleaning up details without making the adjacent surface.
Free advice is worth exactly what you payed for it.
Greg
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I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)
Dave H. (the other one)
Rules are for the obedience of fools, and the guidance of wise men...
(Douglas Bader)
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(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)
Dave H. (the other one)
Huh?? They make such a thing?
Collecting tools for 30 years.
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(08-31-2012, 05:49 PM)DanH Wrote: (08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)
Dave H. (the other one)
Huh?? They make such a thing?
You can usually find them on the shelves next to the left-handed screw drivers.
-Ron
11" South Bend lathe - Wells-Index 860C mill - 16" Queen City Shaper
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(08-31-2012, 04:11 PM)Hopefuldave Wrote: I hate reaching over the spinning chuck, so I always buy left-handed files to use on the lathe.... ;)
Dave H. (the other one)
Not having found any left-handed files here in the land of "you can't get that here" I just
climb over the lathe, run it in reverse and file right handed.
Busy Bee 12-36 lathe, Busy Bee Mill drill, Busy Bee 4x6 bandsaw, Homemade 9x17 bandsaw, Ad infinitum.
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(09-01-2012, 02:54 AM)ScrapMetal Wrote: You can usually find them on the shelves next to the left-handed screw drivers.
-Ron
I guess it depends on the store. I found mine next to the bolt stretchers in the hardware isle. (I had a couple of bolts that were a bit too short.)
Anyway..... as far as I know (not much) the only difference between a lathe file and a "regular" hand file is the angle of the teeth. The longer angle leaves more of a "draw filed" finish when used on a lathe. Corrections welcome...
Willie
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Whichever you use, ensure it has a handle fitted.
Hunting American dentists since 2015.
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We could market a double handled file on this site. If it had a tang on each end it could be used right or left handed.
Free advice is worth exactly what you payed for it.
Greg