|
|
|
|
What is a rasp’s coarseness?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shop for Files |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The term ‘coarseness’ refers to how rough or smooth the face of a rasp is. This is based on the size of the teeth and the distance between them. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The coarseness of a rasp can be measured in three different ways. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American pattern system
|
|
|
 |
|
Some rasps will be listed as coarse, bastard, second cut, smooth or dead smooth in a similar way to files. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teeth per row
|
|
|
 |
|
Other rasps may be described as having a certain number of teeth per row. This refers to the number of times the triangular punch has been hit during each diagonal pass across the face of the tool. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The higher the number of teeth per row, the finer the rasp will be. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grades
|
|
|
 |
|
Rasps can also be measured in grades, from 1-15, with 1 being the coarsest and 15 being the finest. Grade 1 has a small number of large teeth on each row, whereas grade 15 has a lot of very small teeth. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Grade 1 is so coarse that it tends to only be produced for industrial use! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Whichever system is being used, all you need to do is choose a grade, cut or number of teeth per row that will be fine enough for the finish you would like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|