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I like to have handles on all my files, a good way to make them is to take a hardwood dowel, drill a center hole, hammer the file in firm.
Then, my little trick.
Drill a tiny hole, and bend hard steel wire at a 90 degree angle, cut off so it's about 1/4".
Stick the wire in the hole, then using pliers gently heat the wire with a bunsen burner or plumber torch as you wind it as tightly as possible 25 times, it's ok if the wood smokes a bit, if you use cherry you can soak it in water first overnight, the one pictured is a cherry one i think.
Then add a drop of hard solder, or spot weld the end. When you quench it in water, it hardens the wire, which also shrinks and tightenes the clench.
Works well for tiny file sets that come with just one handle, in the picture is a chain saw sharpening round file, I'm getting ready to put a new handle on the new file. I also cut the 1/2" of smooth space off chainsaw files, I find they are good for removing casting flange and junk from inside things like 60% castings.
Old drumsticks are around half inch ,and single ones mismatched,or used ones can be found for about a dollar, made from maple, cherry, or walnut at a music instruments store, they make good handles for small files, the one pictured is about 3/4" ,and I took the extra step of cutting a shallow channel for the wire.
The small file sets of files, like from harbor freight, can use even smaller dowels if you want, there is a square one that is usually exactly the size of frame rails, don't be shy, pop open the package and check to find the ones exactly the right size, oversized is good too,so you can make safe faces to deepen without widening the channel. I got tired of waiting for my $65
ne from Bronnels, that file is better, but these can be found just about anywhere.
These are from Fire Mountain Jems jewelry supply, about $10 per set, very handy, especially with 1/4" or so handles on them , gives more leverage and control. I bought a set from harbor freight that were too dull for stainless, these cut it like butter. For $50 or so you can get diamond ones, they also have lots of smithin' uses.
Then, my little trick.
Drill a tiny hole, and bend hard steel wire at a 90 degree angle, cut off so it's about 1/4".
Stick the wire in the hole, then using pliers gently heat the wire with a bunsen burner or plumber torch as you wind it as tightly as possible 25 times, it's ok if the wood smokes a bit, if you use cherry you can soak it in water first overnight, the one pictured is a cherry one i think.
Then add a drop of hard solder, or spot weld the end. When you quench it in water, it hardens the wire, which also shrinks and tightenes the clench.
Works well for tiny file sets that come with just one handle, in the picture is a chain saw sharpening round file, I'm getting ready to put a new handle on the new file. I also cut the 1/2" of smooth space off chainsaw files, I find they are good for removing casting flange and junk from inside things like 60% castings.
Old drumsticks are around half inch ,and single ones mismatched,or used ones can be found for about a dollar, made from maple, cherry, or walnut at a music instruments store, they make good handles for small files, the one pictured is about 3/4" ,and I took the extra step of cutting a shallow channel for the wire.
The small file sets of files, like from harbor freight, can use even smaller dowels if you want, there is a square one that is usually exactly the size of frame rails, don't be shy, pop open the package and check to find the ones exactly the right size, oversized is good too,so you can make safe faces to deepen without widening the channel. I got tired of waiting for my $65
ne from Bronnels, that file is better, but these can be found just about anywhere.These are from Fire Mountain Jems jewelry supply, about $10 per set, very handy, especially with 1/4" or so handles on them , gives more leverage and control. I bought a set from harbor freight that were too dull for stainless, these cut it like butter. For $50 or so you can get diamond ones, they also have lots of smithin' uses.
