In a listserv I participate on, my mild caution against using files for making turning tools (based on several reports here) was met with a combination of skepticism, derision, and acrimony. Cites to posts by turners who've had problems with file steel breaking didn't cut the mustard.
Does anyone know of a citation to anything by someone who'd be recognized as a metals expert on this?
-- Andy Barss
Probably a diversity of opinion because of a diversity in interpretation. Annealed carbon steel won't break, it also won't hold an edge. Hardened carbon steel holds a nice edge, but is brittle. If folks don't temper, their results will disappoint. A file is just one source for carbon steel, thinner than most, and one familiar with metal working can make a compromise tool of it.
I presume you have already given them the sources which caused you to make your assertion? If they won't go out on their own and find information, no appeal to authority is going to convince them.
Hi Andy, I agree with George. Don't bother trying to convince such a group. "A man convinced against his will...." and all that. If they can't temper their brittle "combination of scepticism, derision and acrimony" with goodwill, they are unlikely to temper their brittle files. IMHO, the best you can do is invite them to drop a hard file on a concrete floor and watch it shatter. Last week I shattered a 3/16" HSS inserted tool bit that was hanging out too far. Fortunately for me the pieces were contained inside the blank that I was hollowing. Best regards, Arch
Fortiter,
Arch wrote (clip) they are unlikely to temper their brittle files.(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^ I think it's less likely to shatter if you use a Glaser file. But, seriously, I believe the objection to using reground files is that they could be filled with micro-cracks, produced when the file teeth are impressed. Small cracks act as stress raisers--tempering may lessen the risk somewhat, but cannot eliminate it. However, I do not have an opinion as to whether one should EVER regrind a file and turn with it. I do think that if you do, you should be aware of the possibility of a sudden break, and behave accordingly. I would NEVER hang a file out a long way over the tool post, or take more than light cuts with it.
Considering how inexpensive high carbon steel blanks are I can't imagine why anyone would invest MORE labor into making a tool with an old file than with a precision ground piece of O-1 .
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