flat files, thinner than usual 47thou 1.2mm source please

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Steve 22 years ago

I seem only able to purchase the hand held flat files as thin as 47thou (1.2mm), width typically .22inch (5.5mm) and length of file area 3inch (50mm). I usually buy the Swiss Vallorbe files from Shesto UK. I need to file slots of 30thou (0.76mm) gap and thus these files are too thick, and I need a square end to the slot, so gluing emery paper to a steel rule is not going to give me the square side, I need a file with a filing edge. Why is it that 30thou and 20 thou files are not marketed. You can get miniature files like needles, gorgeous !!, but the square ones are much thicker annoyingly ! The material I am filing is plastic kit type so breakage is not a problem.

Does anyone know of a source ?

Guess its double sided tape, a thin steel rule and fine emery or flexifile strips (Aeroclub) but stumped at how to square the slot ends ! Why are we stumped in this day and age by such basic reqirements still !

Steve

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Nigel Eaton 22 years ago

In article , Steve writes

OK, so I know naaaaaarthing, but that's never stopped me before...

Is it not possible to build up what you're making from plastic card bonded together, building the slot in?

Just an idea. And very probably a crap one... ;^)

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Tim Bird 22 years ago

they can put a man on the moon...... but they cant make a thin needle file.....

TYPICAL lol -- From the Keyboard of Tim Bird

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Gravity is not just a good idea........ ITS THE LAW!!! How can i soar like an Eagle.... When I am surrounded by Turkeys!!!!

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cold 22 years ago

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Joe

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Mark Rand 22 years ago

Use a surface grinder on a 32 tpi hacksaw blade!

Mark Rand RTFM

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William J Lamond 22 years ago

The message from "Steve" contains these words:

Steve You can get screwhead slotting files from

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start at .35mm wide to .7mm, at £14 a time they are not cheap but maydo the job.

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Tim Bird 22 years ago

could you not make a file from silver steel...... file a profile onto it and harden it..... -- From the Keyboard of Tim Bird

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Gravity is not just a good idea........ ITS THE LAW!!! How can i soar like an Eagle.... When I am surrounded by Turkeys!!!!

47thou > > (1.2mm), width typically .22inch (5.5mm) and length of file area 3inch > > (50mm). I usually buy the Swiss Vallorbe files from Shesto UK. > > I need to file slots of 30thou (0.76mm) gap and thus these files are too > > thick, and I need a square end to the slot, so gluing emery paper to a steel > > rule is not going to give me the square side, I need a file with a filing > > edge. Why is it that 30thou and 20 thou files are not marketed. You can get > > miniature files like needles, gorgeous !!, but the square ones are much > > thicker annoyingly ! The material I am filing is plastic kit type so > > breakage is not a problem. >

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Steve 22 years ago

Thanks for suggestions so far, Vallorbe screw head slotters at 0.35mm (14thou) thick are nice but have triangle sides not flat sides, otherwise would be ideal. I have no tool making facilities, no bench equipment so filing profiles onto something .3mm thick is beyond me though sounds dicey ?, also I need the file sides to be 'toothed' as well. A friend has tried grinding down a flat file with some success though cross section had a pitched ground surface as opposed to flat which soon fouled the slot height. Perhaps with more precision this is the only solution ? Steve

words:

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> They start at .35mm wide to .7mm, at £14 a time they are not cheap but

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Joules Beech 22 years ago

Another thought, would be to try using a course diamond stone to apply the roughened surface prior to hardening of a silver steel blank. If possbile, just drag the diamond across. Otherwise use a needle file, to impart it's tooth profile, prior to hardening, may also work.

Joules

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Paul A Prescott 22 years ago

I buy the Vallorbe 1mm thick jointing files and had some surface ground (professionally) down to .75 mm without a problem. They are delicate but still cut OK. It was done on a grinder with large wheels i.e. over 18" and a reciprocating action that prevents overheating etc.

Paul

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flat files, thinner than usual 47thou 1.2mm source please

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