Coyote Jim Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 I have progressed far enough in my woodworking journey that I want to start introducing curves and rounds and such. That means I would like some woodworking files and rasps in my tool box. I have never once put a file or rasp to wood so I am a complete beginner here. I want good quality tools and I don't mind spending extra for them. But I am not independently wealthy so spending $100 on a single file seems a bit silly. For files and rasps does quality matter all that much? Will I be perfectly happy with a Harbor Freight/Home Center quality? Are there some good files you would recommend that do not cost their weight in gold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 The difference is getting something done, or getting frustrated. Buy one from Home Depot, use it, and then come back to discuss it some more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 I've heard that the Narex rasps are pretty good for the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 For wood files, I really like the Iwasaki files. The x-fine leaves the surface glass smooth. Their rasps are not bad, but don't remove wood as fast as the hand stitched ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 I'm with Tom try a a cheap one then try a $100 they are not even close. When I built my sculpted bar stools I purchased two I now have a dozen or so including riflers. I guess I'm different then some in that I have spent literally thousands on some of my power tools so to drop a couple thousand on a high quality set of hand tools didn't bother me in the least. I would go so far to say I would rather still have my Ridgid TS and my high quality hand tools than have my current Sawstop and cheap hand tools. Hand tools have improved the quality of my work a 100 times more than any power tool in my shop, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference, budget, and work habits. Not to continue this rant but I will someone posted earlier that the LN Honing guide at $125 was ridiculous when you can buy an Eclipse guide for $14. Ultimately can you get an Eclipse guide to work absolutely but you cannot compare it to the LN in anyway IMHO. Ok i'm done sorry for getting carried away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 15, 2019 Report Share Posted July 15, 2019 6 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I'm with Tom try a a cheap one then try a $100 they are not even close. When I built my sculpted bar stools I purchased two I now have a dozen or so including riflers. I guess I'm different then some in that I have spent literally thousands on some of my power tools so to drop a couple thousand on a high quality set of hand tools didn't bother me in the least. I would go so far to say I would rather still have my Ridgid TS and my high quality hand tools than have my current Sawstop and cheap hand tools. Hand tools have improved the quality of my work a 100 times more than any power tool in my shop, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference, budget, and work habits. Not to continue this rant but I will someone posted earlier that the LN Honing guide at $125 was ridiculous when you can buy an Eclipse guide for $14. Ultimately can you get an Eclipse guide to work absolutely but you cannot compare it to the LN in anyway IMHO. Ok i'm done sorry for getting carried away. All of this plus - The hand stitched rasps don't clog up with the waste material. I have the Auriou rasps, and yes they are $100 plus, but I have never had to take any kind of brush to them the clean them out, just use them and put then back in the rack. Something of this quality you only need to purchase once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 16, 2019 Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 I’d like to blame it on a drunken stupor or something similiar but in reality it was probably Chet or the likes that directed me to the better rasps. Ounce you try the Auriou, you won’t go back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Coyote Jim Posted July 16, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 After checking out the price of Auriou files and rasps, I'm liking strait edges more and more. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted July 16, 2019 Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 Yup, the price is alittle steep for those rasps, but not many things have changed my woodworking like they have. I don't think I could live without my rasps. They never seem to get put away, as I find myself using them time and again for things, usually for things that I never considered using them for when I bought them. If the price is too steep then put them on your Christmas list. You could get by with a a nice cabinet makers rasp, you can do a lot with that. Besides Auriou (which are the ones I own that I reach for the most), Woodcraft sells Liogier, and Gramercy makes a decent rasp that is somewhat less expensive. Putting a nice hand stitched rasp to wood is a lot like putting a nice plane to wood, the sound the feel and the result is impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted July 16, 2019 Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 I'm with Tom on this - the Iwasaki carving files are amazing, and they're not crazy expensive. I've bought a fine and x-fine from Lee valley. The fine is the tool I use the most in fine tuning the fit on joinery, and ends up being a general problem solver. It can be very aggressive, or with a lighter touch can leave a surface almost like the wood was planed. It's so much better than trying to use a home center rasp and then spending forever trying to get the gouges out of the wood. These ones: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=63451&cat=1,42524 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted July 16, 2019 Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 Before you go either way (cheap or worthy) take a little time to learn about files and rasps as tools. I can't put my finger on the URL's right now, but I found web pages explaining the types of files (e.g. what is a flat bastard) and their purposes. It's worthwhile info no matter which way you go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 For a starter rasp these are hand cut and i have one and like it a lot. http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=20133&cat=1,42524 I agree that the expensive ones are worth it but sometimes you need to try something just to see if it works in to your style. Buy the expensive ones after you know you are going to use them a lot. For files and rasps having only one generally doesn't cut it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coyote Jim Posted July 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 2 hours ago, Chestnut said: For files and rasps having only one generally doesn't cut it. Was that a pun? Great advice everyone! This is why I like to come here first. I really like Mark J's suggestion about hitting the books and learning all I can about what's what. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 2 hours ago, Coyote Jim said: Was that a pun? Maybe ..... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted July 17, 2019 Report Share Posted July 17, 2019 4 hours ago, Coyote Jim said: Was that a pun? Great advice everyone! This is why I like to come here first. I really like Mark J's suggestion about hitting the books and learning all I can about what's what. Thank you! I like Mark J's suggestion, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post workswood4food Posted October 20, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 20, 2019 For years I looked on rasps with disdain. It seemed like anything I could do with a rasp I could also do with a spokeshave, a knife, or a chisel. And then I got old, i guess. I now own two Liogier rasps, hand made and much finer toothed than a hardware store rasp. I bought one, tried it, and really liked it. It is nothing like a hardware store rasp. I bought another, a bit finer cut, and really like it. I think I will buy more when I find a job these can't do. If you can, find someone who has one of these beauties and try it out along with a hardware store rasp. You will quickly learn why they cost so much. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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