Confessions of a deburring butcher

[Bone Head]

I'll supply the first thread drift. Any machined parts I've had a hand in years past, deburring was finished off with sanding belts with a fine grit. Being careful not to damage the machined finish. I now use a fine cut file; don't know what number it is. I'll wipe it down with Scotchbrite to further smooth it.

 

[C-Bag]

Deburring and overall finishing is not just files for me. I have two sets of inexpensive jewelers files for small stuff and a drawer full of assorted files I’ve picked up over the decades. But just as important is holding fixtures and proper lighting as it’s basically trying to hit a moving target otherwise. If it’s aluminum I don’t even try to use files as I get a much nicer even finish with deburring tool.

Filing is more about the filer than the work because your technique takes a consistent stroke in angle and pressure. There’s not that much I do that I want to spend that much time on.

 

[solo]

I worked with a couple of German guys, you spend a few years on the de burring bench before touching a machine.

 

[Winegrower]

I have enjoyed the 3M deburring wheel, sort of a Scotchbrite product. It makes fast and smooth deburring pretty effortless. The material removal rate is impressive, and very controllable.

 

[Batmanacw]

I have enjoyed the 3M deburring wheel, sort of a Scotchbrite product. It makes fast and smooth deburring pretty effortless. The material removal rate is impressive, and very controllable.

Ive got one. I didn't bring it up because this is a thread about files. It says so in the first sentence.

 

[woodchucker]

My weapons of choice, excluding sandpaper and wire wheels.

 

[Batmanacw]

My weapons of choice, excluding sandpaper and wire wheels.
View attachment 445260

Is there a cut you find yourself going back to over and over?

 

[FOMOGO]

There is something very satisfying about using a good file and controlling it well. I use several different methods for de-burring, but always have several different types of files on the bench. The half rounds, and round files can work well in tight areas. Mike

 

[Eyerelief]

I'll try to answer the OP's question directly although I haven't much to offer. I have a few standard mill files that I use to break the edges on parts post machining. For the most part, I don't get too carried away with the operation other than burr removal. For close work or tight spaces, I have a set of Nicholson die sinkers.

I use them only for harder materials as they load easily, never AL or softer. On that note, my best friend in the file world is my file card/cleaning brushes. I find that these allow me the best chance to repeat the performance of the file from project to project. Amazing what a file can do if it is kept reasonably clean. I have even used them to put a final finish on some parts or to take off the last few tenths during turning operations. I keep mill files at every machine, but I keep them clean.

From what I understand the bastard cut files were originally used to torture people. I haven't tried that yet-

but the day is young..
and who needs customers anyway..........

 

[woodchucker]

Is there a cut you find yourself going back to over and over?

so, I think the half round is my most used file. But whatever works, I have used most every type of file over the years. I find that I need safe sided files quite often. It's really based on the job at hand. If you don't have a file when you need it , you'll know it. If you have more than you need, you'll be happy trying to figure out which to use. I gave my son 2 sets of needles for his use. He has a 3d printer. I also gave him my sharpest triangle deburrer. I have others, but I thought he could use it for his prints.