Types Of Files Tool And How To Classify Them

Posted by Deepayan Saha on January 31st, 2021

A file tool is an integral part of your toolbox and is an important companion in all your workshop or intricate works. A file is used to cut, trim, or finish a job of metal or wood with the goal to give them shapes and structures. A file tool helps to make the job round, square, or angular as per the requirement and use of the particular material. There are several types of files tool, and it is important to know their individual uses and features before you start using them.

Files tool come in different shapes. Here are few of them with their unique set of tasks.

a. Flat, Mill or Hand

• Has straight edges and a flat surface with a series of parallel teeth.
• Flat files taper in width and thickness from the middle outward
• Mill files taper in width and thickness all the way through
• Hand files taper only in thickness and feature a square point

b. Half-Round

• Half-round file has a flat face and a curved face both
• It has concave surfaces, edges and holes
• Flat face is mainly used for filing flat surfaces
• The curved face of this file tool is ideal for use on grooves

c. Round

• This type is also known as rat-tail and has circular design featured teeth all the way around
• Round type file tool has enlarged round openings
• It is used to remove burrs from metal

d. Square

• Square file has four cut sides
• It has enlarged rectangular openings

e. Triangle

• Triangle file tool is also called taper or three-square
• It has two cut sides and one uncut side
• It is effective on acute internal angles
• It has squaring corners, filing grooves
• It is used in sharpening saw teeth and other tools

Types of files on the basis of grades or teeth:

a. Rough File: This type of file tool has big sized teeth in less numbered. It is used for cutting soft materials, as the cutting is rough and hence can’t be used for hard metal. 

b. Bastard File: This type has relatively smaller teeth as compared to those of rough file. The main purpose of this type is to shed metal through filing in large quantity.

c. Second cut File: This is a medium grade file tool which is mostly used to bring the job in the proper size. This type is used to make the surface plain.

d. Smooth File: Smooth file tool is used to make the surface quite plain, and also to accurately tone down the size by mere filing.

e. Dead Smooth File: This type of file tool has teeth very close to each other. The main purpose of this tool is to rub off the metal in precise quantity and only a little at a time. This is actually the last tool used for shining on the job after finishing is almost done.

File tools classified as per the basis of cut

a. Single-cut file: With a parallel set of teeth running diagonally across the face towards a particular direction. The purpose is to rub the metal in little quantity to make the surface of the hard metal smooth and precise.

b. Double-cut file: This file has two rows of teeth crossing each other at different angles. The double teeth pattern makes it easy to cut metal quickly but not very smooth.

c. Curved-cut file: It has a set of circular teeth and is used for filing of the wide surfaces of soft metals.

d. Spiral-cut file: This type of file tool is cut in round or semi-round with thread-like teeth.

e. Rasp-cut file: This file comes with special thick teeth in triangle shape. It is mainly used for work related to woods, hard rubber, fiber, plastic, or horns and hoofs of animals.

These and more file tools are available on several online stores. You have to be specific about your purpose before making the purchase. Also, it is important to know the types to make the most of them.