RhBBob Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Another gap in my knowledge Searching for a square section file for use on brass sections - i.e. soldering two 'H' section pieces for catenary posts - I looked at these which I presume are fairly good quality stock. (Although nowhere on the site can I find the actual cross-section dimension!) http://www.axminster.co.uk/vallorbe-swiss-square-files But, what is the difference between the two types ? Thanks ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hughes Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Another gap in my knowledge Searching for a square section file for use on brass sections - i.e. soldering two 'H' section pieces for catenary posts - I looked at these which I presume are fairly good quality stock. (Although nowhere on the site can I find the actual cross-section dimension!) http://www.axminster.co.uk/vallorbe-swiss-square-files But, what is the difference between the two types ? Thanks ! The "cut" is the size of the teeth on the file. Smooth cut is the finer of the two. I am a bit unclear as quite what you want it for. Is it to clean the soldered joint in the web of the H-section? if that is the case you might want to consider if you would be better off with a riffler file which you might find easier to get into where it is needed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUASHP Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Second cut is more coarse so may mark the brass but will be less likely to be clogged by the solder. I would go for the smooth cut as it will give a better finish on brass as long as your soldering is reasonable. Looks like these might be about 5 or 6 mm square for a 6" length but you could always e mail or phone them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhBBob Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 The "cut" is the size of the teeth on the file. Smooth cut is the finer of the two. I am a bit unclear as quite what you want it for. Is it to clean the soldered joint in the web of the H-section? if that is the case you might want to consider if you would be better off with a riffler file which you might find easier to get into where it is needed. Second cut is more coarse so may mark the brass but will be less likely to be clogged by the solder. I would go for the smooth cut as it will give a better finish on brass as long as your soldering is reasonable. Looks like these might be about 5 or 6 mm square for a 6" length but you could always e mail or phone them. Thanks to both of you for the helpful answers ! Graham - I am hoping to file through one 'H' section to make a square slot for one of the flat sides of the other 'H' section to be soldered in+ but I take your point about the solder. PUASHP - Yes, I think that a smooth cut will do the job - after many years and much free advice from a great friend, I think my soldering could be described as 'reasonable' + I see now where the expression ' a picture is worth a thousand words' comes from !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hughes Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Graham - I am hoping to file through one 'H' section to make a square slot for one of the flat sides of the other 'H' section to be soldered in In that case it is perhaps worth considering that a flat needle file will have at least one cutting edge on its narrow face. Then you don't need to worry about the square file being too wide for the slot you are filing, if that might be an issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trustytrev Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Hello, It might be a good idea to get a file cleaning card at the same time to keep it in good condition. trustytrev. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymw Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 If you want to clean a file used for brass, do not use a steel 'cleaning card', and only use the file for brass. The best way of cleaning it is to use a strip of brass, edge on, as a sort of chisel, and push it in line with the teeth. The teeth will soon make grooves in the edge of the brass strip, allowing all the solder to be scraped out as you move the strip across. iirc, rubbing a piece of blackboard chalk into the teeth will prevent clogging, to some extent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 ...Graham - I am hoping to file through one 'H' section to make a square slot for one of the flat sides of the other 'H' section to be soldered in+ but I take your point about the solder.... Illogical as it might seem, it's not a good idea to try cutting a square slot with a square file. The file may get stuck frequently and there's a danger of distorting the metal. Square files also have a significant radius at the corners so you won't get sharp angles. Far better to cut the sides with a piercing or razor saw, perhaps also a couple of diagonal cuts, then finish with a triangular file that will give nice sharp corners. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 I would use the second cut and then finish off with emery. The quickest way to ruin a smooth file is to use it to clean up solder. I agree with 'Buffalo' re use of the three square file. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted December 14, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 14, 2014 For removing excess solder I have a selection of these, far better than a file IMHO. http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/Toolsteel---hss-blanks-and-sets.html Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 It is possible to get brass and steel rotary brushes for use in a mini-drill. Are these of any value in cleaning up solder? Are there any other uses for them? Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.