What is the difference between a flat file and a mill file?

With certain flat files, called hand files, only the thickness narrows; the edges remain parallel. Mill files are similar to hand files in that they have one ”safe” edge. They are always single-cut, and they are used primarily for finishing work and for draw filing.

What is a flat bastard file used for?

These double cut flat bastard metal file tools are commonly found to be used by those who require aggressive stock removal, such as repairmen or machinists. This hand file can be used for general stock removal purposes as well as de-scaling, die casting, die forging, foundry casting.

What is considered a bastard file?

: a file having teeth of a grade next finer than coarse.

What are the four basic grades of files?

There are four different grades for American Pattern Files: Coarse Cut, Bastard Cut, Second Cut, and Smooth Cut. They range in that order from fewest to most teeth per inch.

Is used to file corners of a job?

For example, a triangular file should be used on acute internal angles, to clear out square corners and in sharpening saw teeth. A flat file should be used for general-purpose work, a square file for enlarging rectangular holes and a round file for enlarging round holes.

What kind of files are called bastard files?

A bastard file is a file whose teeth configuration is in between a rough or coarse file and a ‘second cut’ file. In precise terms therefore a bastard file is one which ‘is one cut finer than that of a coarse file’.

What are the different types of bastard files?

Most hand files are classified as Swiss Pattern or American Pattern. American Pattern files are available in three grades of cut: Bastard, Second Cut and Smooth. The length of a file also affects the coarseness, regardless of the cut. For example a 6″ Bastard Cut is a lot finer than a 12″ Bastard Cut.

What is a smooth mill file?

Smooth-Cut Mill file is a general purpose file for shaping steel or restoring sharp edges and where a smooth finish is important. This file is ideal for sharpening tools such as spades, shovels, hoes, scrapers and it can also be used to polish and deburring work lathes.

What is a mill file?

A mill file is a tool used in both wood and metalworking applications that removes small pieces of material from a workpiece—they are the most common type of file. At one point, mill files served a very similar purpose to a milling machine, mainly being used to finish the surfaces of parts.