An Update On Mexican Made Nicholson Files

george wilson

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I can't recall if I posted information before about the soft-as-butter Mexican Nicholson files(hereafter Nich.). I got a box of a dozen triangular Mex. Nich files a few years ago. They were perfect looking,but so soft that they could be filed with an old USA made Nich file as easily as if they were made of mild steel.

This was VERY distressing to me as a metal worker who has depended upon good files all his life. I went around and bought up all the remaining USA made files I could find in this area. They tided me over for 8" mill files.

The parent company contacted me,asking about their files being soft a few years ago.

NOW THEY SEEM TO HAVE RESOLVED THEIR PROBLEM !!!!!!!

A few days ago at Home Depot,who carries Nich. files(Lowes carries those horrible,in my opinion,Kobalt files made in China). I decided to take a chance and buy a Mexican 8" mill file.

In a word,it now seems to be fully the equal of the old USA made Nich. files.

I urge caution,as I don't know how many of the old,defective files might still be on the shelves. Test any you buy with a fine cut,old USA made file before using it. Just try to file the corner of the front edge to see if it is soft.
 
George, I remember hearing of the soft files some time back but knew that they would have to resolve the issue sooner or later. So, I purchased a couple of new Nicholson files about a month back (one triangle, one rat tail) and warily tried them out, but they seem to be fine. I did not try filing one with an old USA made file, but they seem to be holding up well thus far, even on stainless steel.
 
Great news,Terry!!!!! Files have been about the most important hand tool in my life. I have removed many cubic inches with them for the many years before I could afford machines. They still are essential for finishing and detailing,etc..
 
I know exactly what you mean, George. I have quite a few files here and they get used frequently. I learned how to use files properly long ago and they get treated like they were made out of gold around here. My two sons did not have the same appreciation for a good file until I started keeping the good ones hidden away. I managed to teach both of them how to take proper care of them and make it stick by letting them struggle with an old worn file, then let them try a new or nearly new one. Once they experienced the difference they finally understood. They now treat them with great care.
 
Hi All, I've been trying to find a way to keep my files safe in drawer so they don't bounce around on each other whenever the drawer is opened , they are Nos Nicholson, any suggestions ?.
Also big drills same thing
I have to keep things in drawers due to dust problems
Thanks
Derrick
 
I laminated two pieces of 5/8" plywood together, then cut slots in the top using a dado in a table saw to hold the files. Works like a charm! I do think that laminating three pieces of 1/2" together would have worked better though as the slots could be deeper then and some of the larger files would stand in their slots better.
 
Make a nice slotted, oiled, wood rack to hold the files?
 
Thanks , I have a lot of different size files & S&D drills , I'll dig out the table saw .
Guess ply is better than 2x for this.
 
No, plywood is not necessarily any better, it is just what I had laying around at the time. Dimensional lumber would work just as well.
 
Hi All, I've been trying to find a way to keep my files safe in drawer so they don't bounce around on each other whenever the drawer is opened , they are Nos Nicholson, any suggestions ?.
Also big drills same thing
I have to keep things in drawers due to dust problems
Thanks
Derrick
Would something like these sheaths work? Made out of inexpensive manilaDsc_0338 small.jpg folders. Cut fold and tape.
 
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