Peculiar needle file

Hi All,

We get a lot of these small needle files and Bedford is a common make at the upper end of the quality tree after Grobet, Vallorbe, Stubs and a Portugese make that I cannot remember at the moment.

They are often very flexible but never seem to break even when pushed hard.

All very good news from a selling point of view, they fly away when listed.

Cheers and Season's Greetings to all, with many thanks to all the members here who have been kind enough to help me out over the last year.

Martin

Hi Martin,

The Portuguese maker is Tomé Feteira and the files, as much as I know, are usually sold as "Tomé Feteira hand files".
In UK I know they are sold at least by ArcEurotrade.

Dias Costa

Spot on! Obrigado!

Martin

Bedford were a decent Sheffield toolmaker, they made a variety of tools spanners cold chisels and files at least, I still use the Bedford spanners I bought as an apprentice abut 45 years ago.

Mike

If you think the Swiss files we use, look what this one costs. But it is for a higher-precision purpose...

Neil

Neil

I thought that the Swiss were completely metric I didn't know that they still make and sell imperial files . Thanks for the update.

Wishing all a Happy Christmas and Fruitful New Year.

Martin W

Edited By Martin W on 20/12/2017 19:00:33

Another use for thin files such s these is cutting slots in screw heads for watches, clocks, guns etc -- I have some but also use modified fine tooth hacksaw blades -- grind the teeth away on each side of the blade to between 10 & 25 thou thick and they work well. Some screw slot files are also produced in a diamond cross section.
John

The file in question is one used for refreshing magneto points having seen one being used. The occasion being during weekends as members of the ATC in 1950, at RAF Thornaby , being instructed as to how the systems work for routine servicing of aircraft and to how the fitters completed the work and signed off all actions they were responsible for. One instance demonstrated was the cleaning of engine electric breaker points, if I recollect was completed on an Anson engine, using a very fine file just like the one subject of this post. I cannot remember how awkward the access was to the magneto in this instance. One assumption regarding the subject file handle 1.5mm square, surely if working in a confined space, one would need to know that the one or two flat file surfaces were in the correct plane to complete the work where as a round handle needle file correct positioning could not be guaranteed.

Definitely a distributor breaker point file. They used to be quite common.

When using the file (for its designed purpose) there is no need to know the precise plane of the blade. The opposite sides of the file both have the same tooth pitch and when trapped between the points of a contact breaker the cutting pressure comes solely and equally on both faces from the spring holding the contacts closed.

Obviously the contact breaker points need to be separated to insert the file and the file flexibility allows it to more or less to self align whilst is is pushed and pulled. The files thickness (or thinness really) mean the two contact faces are virtually parallel ensuring good contact area.

Ian P

Blimey! I didn't realise some people's feet were so toxic! Why not use a bit of wet and dry stuck to a 99p cooking spatula?!

Regards,

John.

Sadly Neil you are very close to the truth, as a resident in Bedfordshire the biggest problem this area has is its Councils including the Borough.

Edited By martin perman on 21/12/2017 10:41:41

you should see my feet.......

jim

Gentlemen, I realise that this is a very old thread but I have found in the box that the "contact file" was in, yet another peculiar needle file.

This has an overall length of 90mm and if you look carefully the cutting portion of the file is approximately 55mm long. The tip measures 0.5 x 1.5mm and it tapers to approximately 1.25 x 2.5mm, the cut is extremely fine, it barely makes any mark on brass (haven't tried it on steel) and I can barely see a mark when running it across a finger nail. Using a 10x magnifier l can't find any markings on the plain portion ie handle.

Have any of you any ideas what this could have been for? I did think that it might have had a clock/watch connection but I've not been able to prove/disprove this idea.

Phil

It sounds like a pivot burnisher.....

Phil

From your description, that sounds like ‘cut 6’ [where ‘cut 0’ is the coarse one]
Used for delicate work on watches, and also by goldsmiths.

MichaelG.

Is it anything like this? They come in various other shapes as well.

File

Edited By V8Eng on 20/10/2022 18:37:24

Edited By V8Eng on 20/10/2022 18:39:46

It won't be one of those, V8; those aren't toothed [like the one in Philip's picture] but have diamond particles [or some sort of abrasive material, at any rate] embedded in them.

Edited By Bill Phinn on 20/10/2022 18:42:59

Even the cheaper diamond plates make a good foot file and so much cheaper than Neil's

Kwil, I uttered a certain word starting with F, upon reading Neil's Swiss advert and seeing the price, but I guess that as usual, you get what you pay for, if you're lucky. I think that you may have missed the fact that the Swiss version is Stainless and can be sterilised to prevent cross infection.

John