What is a file cut? Each file has a series of sharp, parallel ridges known as “teeth” the files with fewer teeth are coarser and have a lower cut number. The cut # refers to the number of teeth per inch on the file. A file with a cut # of 00 for... more
For this week’s #tooltalktuesday I wanted to talk FILES, we all use em, we all need em, we all love em! Files come in various cuts depending on their “teeth” (the series of sharp, parallel ridges) In this image I’m showing off cut #s: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, &... more
Here is a file tip from @at_the_bench_uk - “at_the_bench_uk Don’t listen to those who say they don’t bother with a file handle because they want to ‘feel’ the file. They’ll be feeling the file alright when it penetrates the heel of their hand should... more
Here is a tip for utilizing a collet block to file a setting from @paulcoyne - “This tip is useful when making bezel settings. It can be tough to file the top of a bezel setting accurately, I use my bezel block as a filing guide place the setting in... more
Here is a bench pin/peg modification tip from @estona.jewelry.tutorials - “This simple tip will help steady your hand whilst filing. Make a slot in your bench pin in where you can place your file. Your file has a saving side, a side without any... more
Here is a tip for filing tiny, sliver balls from @seaelements - “First I put the silver ball in an existing drilled holes and see if it fits. If it doesn't I'll go with a round needle file and widen the hole a bit until the ball is almost flush. Then... more
Here is a tip to differentiate your needle files from @garry_brisdion - “I was used to get annoyed at picking up the wrong grade of needle file whilst working at my bench until I hit upon this idea. I use different colours of electrical heat shrink... more
If you drink champagne start saving those corks! Thanks for the lovely tip @fwatsondesigns - “Use champagne corks as file handles! Their fat rounded tops fit perfectly into the heel of my palm, allowing my hand to adopt a natural, relaxed curve as I... more
Here is a step by step on how to create a basket setting from @sinead_cleary_jewelry - “Start by forming two circles out of wire. I prefer 18g. Argentium, sterling or fine silver all work. One circle should be smaller than the other, the larger circle... more
Here is a technique for using your sawblade as a file from @rametalsnyc - “Use the teeth of your sawblade to file hard to reach places such as this hand casting to clean up in between the fingers. Use the upstroke to file small bits at a time. In... more
Here are some fabulous tips for successful sawing from @cabrinachanningsilverworks - “First remember to breathe slowly and deeply and sit up straight. . It’s very important to hold your saw with a loose grip, you should be able to wiggle your fingers... more
Here’s a tool for when you are sanding small, flat areas or around bezels and curves–Sanding Boards from @riogrande (Item #: 337458)! I know what some of you must be thinking: “that looks like a nail file”, and you are absolutely right. You can... more
Here is a tip for making one side of your file “safe” while working from @makestuffwithyourhands - “A simple trick to 'safe' one edge of a file without actually grinding the teeth off the file - lay a strip of painters tape over the teeth. It keeps... more
Love this filing tip from @bd_mastermind - “For fine tuning small pierced or carved areas with a file, clamp a bench pin in your gravers block and drill a tiny hole for the file to pass through. the smaller the hole, the more 'square' (perfectly... more
Here is technique to create a flat area on a ball from @hartleyenough - “I have had the worst time filing a flat surface on tiny silver balls. They flip out from underneath my finger, or I file my finger 🙄 so, I started thinking about what I could use... more
Here is a tip to clean your files from @funlolacoker - “It's nothing revolutionary, but it doesn't require having file cleaning brush so it's one less tool to buy. Using a scrap piece of brass, scrape debris downward. Light pressure is usually... more
Here is a metal organization tip from @cindyliebel - “I like to keep my workspaces organized to ease the flow of production while I create. After many attempts in organizing all of my precious metal wire, I finally figured out what has worked best for... more
Here is a tip for identifying your files from - @pohpohcito - “I got this idea from an @mjsa_jewelrymaking book that @alanrevere wrote, 101 Bench Tips for Jewelers. In the book, he suggests using different nail polish colors for different file shapes... more
Here is a file storage tip from @kkmetalwerk4640 - “I use a big box craft scissor rotating carousel to store my files. I had to drill some holes on the bottom for the file handles to rest in so they wouldn’t wander but that was it. I use a piece... more
Here is a little video showing how I use champagne corks as file handles. Thank you to artifactprocess and emilieshapirojewelry for sharing this tip in the past! Writing the file cut on the end is super helpful for me to quickly grab the file I need... more
