pipemakersforum.com

My current stem roughing file is getting a bit dull (double cut bastard) so I am going to be needing another. In the past I have used Vallorbe or old stock Stubbs but since this is a hive mind of laziness I thought I would ask here. What files do you guys recommend for really fast cutting of stems? I am tried of my elbow hurting.
Doesn't need to cut particularly smoothly, though a rasp is obviously out of the question, as I have plenty of smoothing files and a stem knife for that.
Also bear in mind I may not be able to source exactly what you guys are getting myself so anyone offering to help me out would be greatly appreciated.

Vulcrylic file from Ottofrei. Bought mine a few months ago and I don't know how I lived without it. I know there's a few others here who use it as well.

Tell David to hold the box for a few days until you decide what you want.

I use a Grobet vulcrylic file for the really rough shaping. I follow that up with a Grobet 00 pillar file slightly turned on edge....just shaves the ebonite off (have never used them on acrylic)

scotties22 wrote:Tell David to hold the box for a few days until you decide what you want.

I use a Grobet vulcrylic file for the really rough shaping. I follow that up with a Grobet 00 pillar file slightly turned on edge....just shaves the ebonite off (have never used them on acrylic)

Good plan! Messaged him now, hope it isn't too late.

What do the teeth look like on a vulcrylic file? And it does it come in pillar shape as that is preferred for roughing buttons.

Ooh cheap here, worth it just to try at that price.

http://www.amazon.com/Vul-Crylic-File-J ... B000RAYCES

I have the cheap ones from findaking and the grobet, Very little difference and they have the micro files also.Hope this helps your pain.

Message received and package held.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

I haven't tried the vulcrylic file because I don't like the shape. Maybe it's wonderful, but it looks terrible for stem making, IMO. Maybe I'll get a chance use one someday and change my song, until then, I can't imagine doing any better than this:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#4218A12

Nate put me on to this file. (Thanks Nate!) It flat out REMOVES vulcanite, and in the file shape I'm accustomed to. Having had this file for about a month now, I'm almost tempted to buy another just so I always have one available nearby. It's that good.

PS. If anyone who owns one of the vulcrylic files is headed to Columbus this weekend, throw it in your bag if you are willing. I'd love to see/try one.

I use med cut iwasaki carving files. They remove stock scary fast.

andrew

I have the ultra fine iwasaki files. They cut quite quickly. I have the medium ones as well, but those cut too fast for me. I'm scared to use them on acrylic because I'm afraid they will chip the acrylic. I actually use the 3mm round a lot because it cuts so smooth. I can go right to 220 grit after filing.

I should mention that you need to use a different technique with iwasaki files than you would with a regular bastard file. Press too hard and it will dig in.

Iwasaki files also work really well for shaping briar. They cut as quickly as a rasp, and leave a smooth enough surface that you can see the grain while filing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the help chaps and chappettes. Going to do some research into what I can buy myself and then do some testing.

Oh my poor wallet!

Can't tell the rest of us Nate? SECRets , sECrets, secrEts?

pipedreamer wrote:Can't tell the rest of us Nate? SECRets , sECrets, secrEts?

I thought it had been posted already somewhere, maybe in the section LL posted about files? I forget. But it's now here - thanks Tyler!

That file is flat out awesome for vulcanite. That is all.

I was thinking of trying one of these

http://www.fine-tools.com/magicut.htm

And one of these: maybe a 6" flat in extra fine?

http://www.fine-tools.com/carvingfile.html

Chris I use some files made imPartial Tomme Feteira there the best I've seen TomEltang loves them.www.tomme fetteira.com

I've been pretty happy with these:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files ... Files.html

I use Pferd files. Tyler's file works for me, except that it needs to be a pillar type.
I really can't imagine the vulcrylic type as useful, because of the shape, or am I missing something?

Well I have several new file types on order, will be a file show down I think!

caskwith wrote:Well I have several new file types on order, will be a file show down I think!

Looking forward to a review!


Sent from my banana phone.