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Old 12-16-2011, 03:28 PM
Jerry Jackson Jerry Jackson is offline
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Default Body file blade

I bought my first body file blade and I am very disappointed with its poor quality. Some teeth have irregular curls standing proud of the mean line. Other teeth have flat tops because the cutting bit was advanced too far when making the next tooth. When the 16 tpi blade was applied to aluminum the results looked like it had been made with #8 sandpaper. I will not name who I bought it from here but I will in private messages.

Is this normal? Can anyone recommend a source for good blades?

Jerry Jackson
San Antonio
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  #2  
Old 12-16-2011, 05:52 PM
Overkill Overkill is offline
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Default Vixen File?

Are you talking about Vixen Files? Not sure what you mean by 'body file'?

I've purchased two from www.tinmantech.com. I've also had old ones sharpened by Boggs Tool. I believe he sells them as well.
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Old 12-16-2011, 06:02 PM
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Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
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Is this the kind of file you are talking about?



If it is they are called Vixen files. You should be able to achieve a smooth cut with them. You pull these files, don't push them like a regular file and it doesn't take a lot of pressure.
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Old 12-16-2011, 06:21 PM
Jerry Jackson Jerry Jackson is offline
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Vixen is the file I want and I have ordered one from Kent White. Thanks for the advice.

Jerry Jackson
San Antonio
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  #5  
Old 12-16-2011, 07:04 PM
Resto Rod Race Resto Rod Race is offline
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In Oz they are known as body files, but definatly worth paying abit more for some quality files.
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Old 12-16-2011, 07:25 PM
Overkill Overkill is offline
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Default Vixen files

Most people just buy the coarse - I think it's 8 teeth per inch. But there are others available, it all depends on the job you want to do. Kent does have info about which one is best on his website.

The issue I've had with them on aluminum, is that they will pick up piece of aluminum in the teeth (Kent calls them "pins") and it will tend to gall the surrounding metal. It's something you have to watch for as you do the work.
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Old 12-16-2011, 08:20 PM
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Mark Fox Mark Fox is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Overkill View Post
Most people just buy the coarse - I think it's 8 teeth per inch. But there are others available, it all depends on the job you want to do. Kent does have info about which one is best on his website.

The issue I've had with them on aluminum, is that they will pick up piece of aluminum in the teeth (Kent calls them "pins") and it will tend to gall the surrounding metal. It's something you have to watch for as you do the work.
Hi, Try putting chalk on your file, it helps it not to clog. When filing Aluminum.
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Old 12-17-2011, 12:10 AM
TheRodDoc TheRodDoc is offline
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Joe,

VIXENŽ is a brand name for a Milled Curved Tooth File. There are other brands of curved tooth files.

The ones that have no tang on them are body files.
They are used for any soft material that would normally plug a regular file.

The curved tooth design is meant to be self cleaning. They are made to be pushed or pulled at about a 15 to 20 degree angle over the work. In other words in 2 directions at once. This keeps the work smooth, flat and free of chatter ridges and not plug any teeth.

file.jpg
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Old 12-17-2011, 01:14 AM
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Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
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Richard, I get much better results when I pull the file than when I push it. If you want to push it be my guest.
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Old 12-17-2011, 11:31 PM
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www.kustomgarage.com.au www.kustomgarage.com.au is offline
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As Adam Says we call them body files, and there are various qualities and well worth spending the money on good ones. As Mark suggested using chalk on Aluminium, I use soap and I get a peice and scratch it on the area to be filed. For me pushing the file works best but I sometimes pull it over the panel.
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