What are aluminium files and lead float files?
What are aluminium files and
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Aluminium files are special tools that have been developed for the shaping, finishing and deburring of aluminium without causing the file to clog.
Millenicut files can also be used on aluminium as they feature a straight tooth cut diagonally on the blade that also prevents clogging. |
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Why does aluminium clog files? |
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Aluminium is a soft metal. | |||
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When a file’s teeth drag across aluminium, the soft chips that are shorn off can curl into the teeth of the file and become stuck. This is known as ‘pinning’. | |||
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Why is pinning a bad thing?If a chunk of jammed debris gets big enough, it can start to scratch the surface of your workpiece. If you’re filing to create a beautiful finish then this can be a bit of a problem! |
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What are the characteristics of aluminium files? |
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Cross section and profileAluminium files have a rectangular cross section and are slightly tapered in width and thickness. |
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CutThe teeth on aluminium files are ‘undercut’ – in other words, there is more space between the tip of the tooth and the file body. This makes it much more difficult for debris to get jammed, because the space beneath the teeth is too large. |
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Even if the teeth begin to clog, repeated use of the file causes the workpiece itself to push the debris out from under the teeth. This process is referred to as ‘self-cleaning’. | |||
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SizeAluminium files are usually available in lengths from 150mm (6 inches) to 300mm (12 inches). |
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Swiss or American?Aluminium files are American pattern files. |
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What is a lead float? |
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Lead floats, or lead float files, are similar to aluminium files in all respects, except that they have their teeth spaced wider apart. They are used to file lead. | |||
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This is to provide added resistance to clogging, as lead is even softer than aluminium. | |||
