JimB1 Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 I was watching the Frank Klaus Mortise and Tenon video the other day (for like the 100th time) and he uses a file to narrow the tenon to fit so that got me thinking... It doesn't get much airtime compared to the glamorous planes and chisels around here but what files, rasps and rifflers do you find indespensable? What would you recommend every woodworker have available in their toolbox? Any brands you'd specifically recommend? Best value or top tier? Let me know what you think... -Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeGauss Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 Chris Schwarz did a video for Lie Neilson on this topic here: http://m.youtube.com/#/profile?user=lienielsentoolworks&v=bkizsqzOewY&view=videos Might be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morton Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 I've got a couple of Auriou Rasps in my shop - which are obviously very expensive but they do work extremely well for shaping wood. Only useful if you need to shape curves, etc - but they do work very quickly and accurately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoboMonk Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 I'm a traditional woodworker, especially using Japanese tools, with more than 40 years experience. Last year I switched to the Japanese Iwasaki Files for dressing tenons. Woodcraft, Lee Valley and Amazon carry them. Research the YouTube videos, e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fCuLLyOqFA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisL Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 I have a microplane that I found if a tool box my friend gave to me. It really hogs off some material, but leaves it surprisingly clean. I don't have a good rasp to compare it to, but I don't know I would have gotten some of those curves without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted December 29, 2011 Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 Like HoboMonk, I love Iwasaki files; very little cleaning needed after using them. I used to use Nicholson #49 and #50 rasps for shaping (the US-made ones, pre-Brazil), but there is no comparison to the Iwasaki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl.verona Posted December 29, 2011 Report Share Posted December 29, 2011 Like HoboMonk, I love Iwasaki files; very little cleaning needed after using them. Absolutely - the blood comes away with ease - damn but they are sharp. They don't leave dust, they leave very small shavings. I followed Hobomonk's advise a few months back and got the fine cut files - very impressive. I'll be after the smaller super fine files next. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bois Posted December 30, 2011 Report Share Posted December 30, 2011 The down side to using a rasp or file to tune tenons is that you have a tendency round over the cheek the more material you remove. It's almost impossible to keep the rasp completely parallel to the tenon through the entire stroke. A #78 rabbet plane is still my tool of choice for that operation unless I'm removing almost minuscule amounts of material. And when I do, I use a japanese file with a "safe" edge to protect the tenon shoulder. I do use rasps quite a bit for any wood shaping though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonjello Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Gramercy Rasps, I like em'! I should have got the "handle makers" rasp for making the handles on my Carcass saw kits! 10" 16ppi and a 12" 25ppi" . Smooth action from both, although the 12" was a little awkward to use in making the handles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB1 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 Gramercy Rasps, I like em'! I should have got the "handle makers" rasp for making the handles on my Carcass saw kits! 10" 16ppi and a 12" 25ppi" . Smooth action from both, although the 12" was a little awkward to use in making the handles. I got to use some Gramercy rasps (10" 16ppi and 25ppi) at the LN event in Brooklyn last weekend. Really excellent! Nice guys to talk to as well... They are on my list -Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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