Thread: Storing files

Guys,
Just wondering how you all store your files?

I recently acquired a dozen or so that were laid in the bottom of an old steel toolbox I came across.

They seem good quality, about half have handles.

Just wondering what's the best way to store them? I'm assuming they shouldn't just get thrown in a drawer...

Also, a few have surface rust and rubbish on them. Any ideas about the best way to clean them? I did wonder about a wire wheel in a drill???

Thx
Jon


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They are meant to be stored in a way that seperates them to prevent damage. A drawer is not a bad idea. Dividers if you want to be fussy. Mine get stored in an old olive oil tin with the top removed. They are mostly junk tho.

Acid is a good way to clean them. Wire brush first. Acid will remove surface rust and metal, and will sharpen them.

A tip to remove stubborn bits of metal stuck in the teeth is to use dental floss.

Just joking.

Seriously I read it right here on the forum and has helped me many times. Push a piece of copper along in line with the row of teeth. I use a bit of flattened copper pipe.

Dean

Hang them by the hole in the end of the handle.
If no hole, drill one. Or nail a small piece of leather in the end, with a hole so it can be hung on a hook (or better, a bullet head nail).

Jordan

To remove any metal caught between the teeth, use a file card. File cards are wire brushes with very short wire bristles, they should be used it sparingly. I have 30 or so files, they are stored under the bench in a rack mounted next to the vice at knee level. My rack consists of tree 19mm lengths of tube running parallel to each other with a gap between wide enough to accommodate the files.

Originally Posted by sacc51

To remove any metal caught between the teeth, use a file card. File cards are wire brushes with very short wire bristles, they should be used it sparingly. I have 30 or so files, they are stored under the bench in a rack mounted next to the vice at knee level. My rack consists of two 19mm lengths of tube running parallel to each other with a gap between wide enough to accommodate the files.

Good point. I was going to put that in my post as well, but obviously I forgot.

Good idea with the rack. I could do that at the end of my bench, but with timber. It is a timber bench.

Dean

Originally I made up two rings from 12mm round stock, one about 12 mm larger than the other. These were welded around the vice mount you see to the left of the picture and the files slotted in the gap between the two rings. Very handy place to have them right under the vice. My file collection grew so large that soon there wasn't enough room to fit them all in the rack so I made a new one. Can't use hand files anymore, or at least I use them very sparingly, so I might revert back to my original system, when I've finished the other hundred or so jobs that is.

Timber is even better for a file rack, just cut a slot with a router and keep the wood oiled.

I just lay mine in a cardboard fruit tray, salvaged from the local supermarket. Though I must admit it is getting a bit heavy to lift nowadays when I want to get at the tray underneath it.
02-03-2017-001.jpg

I keep mine in a filing cabinet
P1040151.JPG

Michael

My best files, the ones pictured below , I store in my tool cupboard.

Not the sort of filing cabinet I thought of , but that's a beauty. Mind if I copy the idea.
Kryn

Some very clever ideas.

I have to admit that 95% of the time when I have an actual file in my hand the lathe is doing most of the work. Other than that I have several high speed rotary files that I find quite convenient, tho rather noisy.

Dean

It took 40 years, but I finally made this file drawer under the main work bench. The files are right there near the vices, ready to grab, and protected from each other and from humidity and condensation.

Graham.IMG_9254.jpg

Files I create folders with descriptions and eventually save to an external drive for safe keeping 😉

2 Draws of my tool box heading for 3 they seem to accumulate or maybe breed like screwdrivers. A variaty of sizes types most have handles fine medium and small files kive in a file fold pouch LOML made out of canvas. The last box of fine engineer files given to me still sits in that box all soaked in vinegar for 24hrs to remove surface rust. Sprayed with WD40 the returned to the box none have handles but have a couple of the plastic quick fit ones. Need LOML to make another File folder

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Files I create folders with descriptions and eventually save to an external drive for safe keeping 😉

I thought about pulling that one.

Dean

I recently saw this in a video and thought I would show it.

Vertical File Drawer.jpg

A vertical file drawer. I would say it was double sided.

Dean