What is a file’s size?

29th February 2020


	What is a file’s size?


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			Length is the only size that you will see listed for a file. It is measured from the point to the end of the heel, and the tang is not included in the measurement.

			When is a file’s length important?
			Usually, the length of a file won’t be important to the project you’re working on.

			For example, if you were working on rounding the corners on the edges of a long piece of metal, it wouldn’t matter whether you used a 250mm (10″) file or a 200mm (8″) file.

			You could even use a 100m (4″) file. It would just take you longer to do the job!

			There are a few things to bear in mind when choosing which length of file to use.

			Limited space If you are working in a confined space, you will need to be able to get your file inside that space to use it. Choosing a 250mm (10″) file might be a problem if you’re trying to work on a small component from a lock, for example!

			Sharpening a saw If you’re choosing a file to sharpen a saw, there are some specific guidelines that you should follow. For more information, see: How to sharpen a handsaw with a file: choosing the right files

			Speed If you’re working on a large piece of material and you’re aiming for speed, the use of a bigger file is more likely to get you across the finish line in the desired amount of time.

			This is partly because the larger files have bigger surface areas, but also because larger files tend to be more coarse. For more information, see: What is a file’s coarseness?