What are hand and flat files?

29th February 2020


	What are hand and flat files?


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			Hand files and flat files are similar tools. They are machinist’s files useful for a wide range of filing tasks.

			The primary use of hand and flat files is for finishing, shaping and deburring a wide range of materials, including soft metal (e.g. copper, aluminium, brass, bronze and white metal, which is also referred to as babbitt), hard metal (e.g. alloy steel), plastic, cast iron, hard rubber and hot metal.

			Double cut hand and flat files have a rapid removal rate and are useful when you need to remove a lot of material quickly. Files with this type of cut are most often used for shaping.

			Single cut hand and flat files can be used as a substitute to sharpen tools with blades, file material down to a smooth finish, or for deburring. For more information on sharpening, see: How to sharpen blades with a file

			Any type of hand file or flat file can be used to put a bevel on the edge of a piece of metal. They can also be used to round corners and create convex surfaces. For more information, see: How to create a bevelled edge with a fileand How to create round corners and convex surfaces with a file

			Due to their safe edge, smooth, single cut hand files can also be used to file fingernails. For more information, see: How to file your nails

			What are the characteristics of hand and flat files?
			Cross section Both hand and flat files have a rectangular cross section.

			Profile and cut Hand files are almost blunt, other than a slight taper in thickness.

			Hand files have one safe edge, which suits them to filing in corners.

			American pattern flat files taper in both width and thickness. They are cut on both faces and both edges.

			Swiss pattern flat files are completely blunt, with no taper at all, and are safe on one edge.

			All of these slight variations in terms of shape make for a versatile tool that is suited to multiple applications. This is because the DIYer is working with a basic flat surface that can easily be controlled during each filing stroke to work in either straight or contoured lines. For more information, see: What are the different filing techniques?

			Both files can be either single or double cut.

			Size Hand files are usually available in lengths from 100mm (4 inches) to 350mm (14 inches).

			Flat files can be a little larger, ranging from 100mm (4 inches) to 450 mm (18 inches).

			Swiss or American? Hand files are American pattern files.

			Flat files can be either Swiss or American pattern.