Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Hardness files

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default Hardness files

    Hello all.

    I have seen a few sets of hardness files for sale. As I understand it you essentially you use different files in the set and whichever one marks the surface is the approximate hardness. Does anyone here have experience with these and are the worth it.

    Thanks Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    1,075

    Default

    No experience, but I imagine they would only really be useful if you do a lot of work with mystery metal or repair jobs.
    Gear cutting specialists and general engineers www.hardmanbros.com.au
    Fine pitch gear cutting from 0.1 Module www.rigear.com.au

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    I have a cheap set and use them to check hardness in knife blade materials.

    I was given an electric furnace and will use that to harden the blades and for me, thats where the hardness checking function is utilized.

    They are an approximate method of checking the hardness.

    Grahame

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    I have used a cheap set and found them a bit frustrating so I bought an expensive Japanese set (Tsubosan) but they are not that much better.
    The Tsubosans cost $70 but I see they are over $100 these days.

    The way to use them is as follows - assume set is marked A for the hardest and F for softest
    Starting with the hardest file (lets call that one "A") and see if it marks the piece of interest
    Then use the next hardest file (B) to see if it marks the work.
    etc
    When you find a file (lets say that's file E) that doesn't marks the surface this means the hardness is between D and E
    Given the files are 5 units of "Rockwell Hardness C" (HRC) apart, then the actual hardness could be anywhere in the range of 5 HRCs

    Better than nothing I suppose

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    332

    Default

    I have a set of the original files and they are better than nothing and a step up from a file only guess, but can be fiddly to use. If you have not seen before, the Stefan G video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6SmsX44noo at around the 47 minute mark he compares them with a proper machine. Alan.

Similar Threads

  1. Lathe Bed Hardness
    By YBAF in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERY
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 5th Nov 2020, 08:35 PM
  2. 4140 HARDNESS
    By morrisman in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 6th Mar 2015, 08:01 PM
  3. Mig wire, hardness and annealing ?
    By auscab in forum WELDING
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 11th Mar 2014, 09:33 PM
  4. Fun with a hardness tester
    By .RC. in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 19th Aug 2012, 07:52 PM
  5. sheraton bed hardness
    By morrisman in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 14th Nov 2011, 08:04 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •