shed9":1eytuu94 said:
I would add that files are often overlooked when it comes to woodworking. I got hold of an Oberg cut file in recent months, a Bahco 1-106-10-1-0. This is the only file I have ever used which just doesn't clog and it produces a really nice finish to boot.
Other files worth mentioning in the same light are dreadnoughts, AKA vixen files in the US, and multicut which is somewhat like a less-regular Oberg cut. The British-made Aven file is or was a double-sided file with one side dreadnought cut and the other multicut. I lucked out and got one of these in a big joblot of files about a year ago and even slightly worn it's an excellent file, factory-sharp I can only imagine how awesomely it would cut.
Files in general are widely underrated for woodworking. Fine files in particular never seem to get a look in now that abrasives have become the norm. Coarse or turnip files in the larger sizes can remove wood at an amazing clip, while the surface they leave isn't anything like as refined as a good rasp will leave that will always be refined anyway so I consider this a non-issue personally.
Standard files, both single-cut and double-cut, do load up with use but clogging shouldn't be a big deal if you have a file card or something else to clean them as they need it. Some system to do this should be in place when using files anyway, they're a must-have companion. With wood dust rather than metal filings a firm toothbrush can do this job quite well.
Dusting with talc or chalk to lessen the tendency towards clogging is also worth trying, some machinists swear by this trick.
Just to mention, old files from many a revered maker are widely available at the car boots and usually cost peanuts. They're sometimes available for practically nothing, I've heard of people acquiring rusty files for as little as 10p a pop!
