Files (Various Types)

Files (Various Types)

Category: Machine Shop

Summary: Shaping and finishing surfaces by hand.

Files are hand tools with hardened steel blades that have rows of teeth or cutting edges. They are used to shape, smooth, or deburr workpieces by removing small chips of material through abrasion. The "various types" of files refer to the wide range of shapes, sizes, tooth patterns (cuts), and coarseness (grades) available, each designed for specific tasks and materials. For example, flat files are used for general-purpose shaping, while round files are for enlarging holes or shaping curved surfaces. The coarseness of a file, from coarse to fine, determines the rate of material removal and the smoothness of the finish, with coarser files removing material more quickly and finer files producing a smoother surface. Understanding these variations is crucial for selecting the appropriate file for a particular metalworking or woodworking job.