Rejuvinating Old Files

guido · Oct 26, 2016

Hello,

I have not cleaned my files for 20 plus years. At work always cleaned them wit a card file. I have no clue of its whereabouts. Here is what I have used. A piece of flattened 3/8 scrap copper, then a stiff stainless brush. The copper is soft so as you use it will get grooved and dig the debris out. They came out fairly clean. then I folioed with the brush. Now they cut real well now. I just wanted to pass it on.

Guido.

rbhuntn · Oct 26, 2016

Soaking them in vinegar works pretty good also

Mike(NEOhio) · Oct 26, 2016

I've brought a few back by soaking in Purple Power to get any oil off then soaking in Evaporust.

Bret4207 · Oct 27, 2016

Get a good file card. Try "brownells.com" the gunsmithing place. Clean it and use some sort of rust preventative and put it somewhere it won't be touching other files or metal. A good file is something to be careful with these days when good files are not only expensive, but hard to find.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 27, 2016

I just watched a video on this. The guy used the copper pipe trick, then soaked the file in a 10% solution of sulfuric acid (drain cleaner) for an hour. Then neutralized the acid by dipping in a solution of baking soda and water. File came out clean as a whistle.

Bret4207 · Oct 28, 2016

There is a company out there someplace that will chemically clean and sharpen old files. It's not cheap, but there are some files you simply cannot get any more. I can try to find the name if anyone is interested. I think they'll re heat treat too

Copperhead don't play · Nov 15, 2016

Funny I just found this Post, as I was thinking yesterday how to restore the cutting edge on and old, old special shaped file that is not available anymore.
Old timers use to soak them in some type of acid for a short while. The acid would remove some of the metal file and leave a sharp edge on the teeth.
Thanks for the advice on what type of acid to use.

Charlie in NY · Nov 15, 2016

I have heard soaking rasps on Coca-Cola works but it may be an urban myth.

Bret4207 · Nov 16, 2016

(quoted from post at 11:33:57 11/15/16) Funny I just found this Post, as I was thinking yesterday how to restore the cutting edge on and old, old special shaped file that is not available anymore.
Old timers use to soak them in some type of acid for a short while. The acid would remove some of the metal file and leave a sharp edge on the teeth.
Thanks for the advice on what type of acid to use.

You can try degreasing them and going at them with a file card for staters. The acid they use is pretty stout stuff and probably not something you want to play with in the house. I believe it's a sulfuric acid but they use some sort of vapor set up, not just dunking it in the acid and hoping for the best.

Rejuvinating Old Files

guido

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rbhuntn

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Bret4207

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BarnyardEngineering

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Bret4207

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Copperhead don't play

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Charlie in NY

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Bret4207

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