| File Glossary | |
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| Tang | the pointed part of the file that is inserted into the file handle |
| Heel | the part of the file that comes next to the tang - also known as the shoulder |
| Point | the end of the file opposite the tang |
| Length | Length is measured exclusive of tang, from the point to the heel - also known as the body |
| Teeth | the cutting ridges on the file's surface |
| Side | the wide file surface - used for most filing |
| Edge | the narrow file surface - may be round or square in shape |
| Back | the rounded side of all half-round files |
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Safe |
refers to an edge or side with no teeth cut |
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Coarseness |
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| - Work to be accomplished, roughing or finishing, will determine type of teeth and coarseness for each application.
- Most American pattern files are available with 3 grades of cut: bastard-cut, second-cut, and smooth-cut. - Swiss pattern files are available in seven cuts: No. 00, 0, 1,2, 3, 4, and 6 - The degree of coarseness is greater in longer files, but differences between bastard, second and smooth are proportionate. |
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Teeth |
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• Single set of parallel, diagonal rows of teeth • Single-cut files are often used with light pressure to produce a smooth surface finish or to put a keen edge on knives, shears or saws |
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• 2 sets of diagonal rows of teeth • Second set of teeth cut in opposite diagonal direction and on top of the first set • First set of teeth is known as the overcut, second is known as upcut • Upcut is finer than overcut • Double-cut file is used with heavier pressure than the single-cut and removes material faster from the workpiece |
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• Series of individual teeth which are formed by a single-pointed tool • Produces a rough cut that is used primarily on wood, hooves, aluminum and lead |
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• Single cut teeth divided by angular serrations into shorter cutting edges, which free themselves readily from chips and perform roughing and smoothing at the same time |
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• Teeth arranged in curved contours across the file face • Curved-cut file is normally used in automotive body shops for smoothing body panels |
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