What Is a Millsaw File?
A millsaw file is a specialized file designed for sharpening various metals, including copper, silver, gold, and iron. It is versatile and capable of being used on both hard metals and softer materials like plastic and wood.
This tool is essential for metalworking due to its ability to sharpen hard metals. There are multiple shapes of millsaw files, each suited to different applications. For sharpening particularly hard metals, like stainless steel, a specialized millsaw file is required.
Uses of a Millsaw File
Millsaw files are primarily used for sharpening metals. They are helpful when fitting metal parts together, especially if one part is too large. By sharpening the oversized part with a millsaw file, it can be adjusted to fit. For enlarging holes, a long, round millsaw file can be used effectively.
These files are also instrumental in surface treatment tasks, such as smoothing uneven surfaces or removing burrs from metal edges post-cutting. Moreover, they are useful for removing rust from metal parts and stripping paint from metal surfaces. Millsaw files are also employed in the sharpening and maintenance of saw blades.
Principle of a Millsaw File
A millsaw file features a bladed surface that scrapes off material softer than itself. This process smoothens or shapes the material being filed.
Available in rough, medium, and fine grits, millsaw files offer varying levels of sharpening. Rough grit is used for initial grinding, creating visible unevenness on the metal surface. To achieve a smoother finish, medium-grit files are used next, followed by fine-grit files for final polishing.
Typically flat in design, millsaw files are adaptable for various applications. Some files feature different levels of coarseness on each side, providing versatility in use. Modern advancements have introduced diamond-coated millsaw files, utilizing artificial diamonds for the effective sharpening of even the hardest metals.