Slitting and slotting files are machinist’s files that are characterised by a diamond-shaped cross section.
What are the characteristics of slitting and slotting files?
Cross section, profile and cut
Slitting files are diamond-shaped, blunt and cut on all faces.
As diamonds have two obtuse angles and two acute angles, this makes slitting files versatile when it comes to creating grooves narrower or wider than those you would be able to cut with a triangle file.
Slitting files are used for deburring inside acute angles with limited space. These files tend not to be as wide as knife files, and can often fit into more confined spaces.
They are also known as lozenge files, as the lozenge in heraldry was diamond shaped. Throat sweets also used to be shaped this way, which is where they got their name, too!
Slotting files are similar to slitting files in all respects, but for the fact that they are only cut on their edges. All of their faces are safe.
Slotting files are used to create the slots in heads of screws. Their safe faces allow for slots to be filed to a specific depth and to keep a rectangular shape.
For this reason, they are also known as screw head files.
Size
Slitting files are usually available in lengths from 137mm (51/2 inches) to 162mm (61/2 inches).
Slotting files are smaller, and are usually 100mm (4 inches) long.
Swiss or American?
Slitting and slotting files are Swiss pattern files.