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So I got a little bored tonight (out of briar again...should have some by mid week) and I got my Cumberland from PME. Thought I would see what damage I could do. I have a volcano laying on the shelf I started about a month ago. So of course the shape and the stem angle clash...I think its fixable, but it's gonna take some thinking. I figured some things out about working with Ebonite. It's way, way easier to drill and turn than acrylic. I don't care that acrylic is cheaper...I'll pay the extra money and save my drill bits. I can, indeed, turn an integral tenon on a wood lathe. It takes a little while longer and I need to work on my tenon shoulder, but it's do-able with the tools I have. I need to get over my fear of sanding into the airway, eventually it's gonna happen. And I would post a picture, but I can't find my damned camera...

Where can I get some cheap jewelers files for the slot and botton work? Amazon the best?

Stick with amazon. You can get some good deals there.

Call up http://www.boggstool.com/

They re-sharpen files and sell new re-sharpened files that are ridiculously sharp. It can take up to 2 weeks to get your order but he can get you any file shape/size/cut that you want.

You could go to Ace Hardware and buy one of these: http://www.creativecoldsnow.com/browse. ... 17609.html

They come in a set, but I only use one of them.

Rad

I second Boggs Tool. I sent them a bunch of old used files I bought at Estate Sales. The files were in rough shape when I sent them but they came back freaking amazing. I go to these files over my brand new ones because they are better, period.
They sharpen the new files they sell, I cant recommend their work enough.

So... just find a cheap set and start using it. You'll have to use them for a little while just to see what you like and what you don't like (not harbor freight cheap, but maybe home depot, even though they're probably made in the same place).

Files took me a little while to get the hang of. I love them, but they can be your worst nightmare. You can completely ruin a stem with one errant stroke. That said, they're pretty much indispensable.

The reasons for buying a cheap set:
You'll find the ones you like and can buy better singles later (normally I don't endorse that type of behavior),
no worry about breaking one while you are learning (cheaper files are much easier to break).

Thanks guys. I think I will start with the set Rad suggested. I live just a few miles from an Ace Hardware store and don't wanna wait to get something in the mail.....I'm tired of waiting on stuff in the mail.

Scottie that Xacto set is the one I use too.


Rad, which of those files do you use exclusively?

Mail does = waiting :'(

I use a set I got from Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... F8cnFGt21c

That file set is my next purchase. I've been trying to expand the slot with the dremel and wind up with the insides looking a mess.

Dremel is hard to control....

Ocelot55 wrote:Scottie that Xacto set is the one I use too.


Rad, which of those files do you use exclusively?

If he tells you he'll have to kill you. . . . .

That's a stupid question.. the square one...

james

Ocelot55 wrote:Scottie that Xacto set is the one I use too.


Rad, which of those files do you use exclusively?

I use the one that's pointy on the end with one rounded side an one flat side. I use the flat side.

Rad

UberHuberMan wrote:That file set is my next purchase. I've been trying to expand the slot with the dremel and wind up with the insides looking a mess.

I start by widening with a Dremel but use a 3/64" drill bit instead of a 1/16". I only widen it enough to get my slot cutter in because it's easier to control and makes faster work of it that the Dremel. After that I use the flat, pointy micro file.

RadDavis wrote:

Ocelot55 wrote:Scottie that Xacto set is the one I use too.


Rad, which of those files do you use exclusively?

I use the one that's pointy on the end with one rounded side an one flat side. I use the flat side.

Rad

Thanks, Rad. I use that one, the round one, and the tapered flat one. I haven't really figured out what works best though.

wdteipen wrote:

UberHuberMan wrote:That file set is my next purchase. I've been trying to expand the slot with the dremel and wind up with the insides looking a mess.

I start by widening with a Dremel but use a 3/64" drill bit instead of a 1/16". I only widen it enough to get my slot cutter in because it's easier to control and makes faster work of it that the Dremel. After that I use the flat, pointy micro file.

Well that makes sense.

Thanks for the tip, Wayne!

RadDavis wrote:You could go to Ace Hardware and buy one of these: http://www.creativecoldsnow.com/browse. ... 17609.html

They come in a set, but I only use one of them.

Rad

Rad you just made my day sir.