FILE

The file is defined as a steel hand tool with small sharp teeth on some or
all of its surfaces; used for smoothing metal or wood. Figure 5.1 shows a
hand metal file.
There are various types of file...

1. Rough file
2. Hand File
3. Double cut File
4. Half-Round File
5. Flat File
6. Round Files
7. Square File
8. Bastard File
9. Smooth File
10. Dead smooth File
11. Second cut File
12. Single Cut File
13. Rasp Cut File
14. Triangular File
15. Hand File
16. Knife File

2. Hand Files: Hand files are

commonly used for roughing and

finishing with a rectangular shape and

parallel in width. These files have also

double cut teeth on two faces or single

cut teeth on one edge, and one safe

edge.

3.Double Cut: Double cut files have two series of parallel teeth running diagonally across the width of the file surface with one series crossing the other (Fig. 5.12 b). These files are best suited for rapid removal of material

4.Half-round Files: The cross-section of the half round files is a chord of a circle with its taper towards the tip. It is used for forming radii, grooves, etc. The flat side is used for finishing flat surfaces

5.Flat Files: Flat files are similar to hand files rectangular in section, tapered slightly in width and thickness towards the tip. Flai files have double cut teeth on two faces and Single cut teeth on two sides.

6.Round files have a round cross-section tapering toward the end. Round files are used for enlarging holes and producing internal round corners. Usually double cut in the larger sizes and single cut in the smaller sizes.

7.Square Files: Square files have a square cress-section and tapered towards the tip. These files usually come in double cut on all four faces, and used for filing rectangular slots or grooves

8.Bastard cut: medium teeth for general purposes especially for mild steel

12.Single Cut: There is only one set of cutting teeth located on one edge. It gives a less efficient cutting but better finish. It is suitable for soft metals

13.These files have large and coarse teeth as shown in (Fig. 5.12c). It is commonly used in cutting off soft materials such as rubber, PVC and wood.

14.Three Square Files (Triangular

file) These files are triangular in section

and tapered towards the tip with double

cut on both faces. They are

used in filing corners or angles less than

90°.