Peculiar needle file

I recently came across this needle file in my collection which I think that I inherited from my father in the 1980s. I have not seen anything like it elsewhere and wondered what the collective view of members on it's origin might be. The handle portion is 1.5mm square 80mm long and has relatively sharp edges not at all comfortable to hold, the business end is a very fine cut but only 0.3mm thick. As it is so thin and quite flexible I would be afraid to use it for fear of it breaking. With the aid of a x10 magnifier I can just about make out the name 'Bedford' stamped on the handle, I seem to vaguely recall this name as a file manufacturer when I was an apprentice back in the 60s but age does strange things to my memory, so not sure.

Phil

Phil........ Looks like a magneto file of old. Their use was a subject on the forum a while ago............jf

Distributor contact point file, to clean up the arcing damage on points in the distributor.

​George.

Phil,

Does it have a maker's name or logo ?

It looks like there may be something in the plain area 'twixt handle and file

... but there is insufficient resolution for me to read it.

MichaelG.

Does it have a maker's name or logo ?

Original post:

With the aid of a x10 magnifier I can just about make out the name 'Bedford' stamped on the handle, I

So, I s'pose it was made by BedfordTools of Sheffield?

Edited By not done it yet on 20/12/2017 13:45:45

Michael, as I mentioned in the original post, the handle is stamped with the name 'Bedford', the marking you refer to is just staining. John/George, interesting what you say about it being a contact file, although I would hesitate to use it in such circumstances as it is so fragile.

Phil

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Sorry, Phil

My error

MichaelG.

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... Or it might possibly have been supplied with a Bedford vehicle; or belonged to a Mr. Bedford.

If you had kindly quoted me more fully, you would have included the following observation:

"It looks like there may be something in the plain area 'twixt handle and file"

[ which Phil has now discredited ]

MichaelG.

or belonged to a Mr. Bedford

Yeah, right! If you think that.....

Until a few years ago the thinnest Vallorbe had was 0.33 mm, although not with this type of handle. I used them for work on very narrow spaced music box combs. Now use slitting discs which go even thinner. They have a single straigth cut, were expensive and indeed break very quick. Niko.

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What an extraordinarily narrow mind you must have.

MichaelG.

Looks like a magneto file used on aircraft piston engines, length is so that it can reach into the magneto if buried in the engine ancillaries.

Dave W

What an extraordinarily narrow mind you must have.

Are you real? JS would be jumping all over you for such a crass posting.

It would be just the thing Mr Bedford would neatlly mark on his property - even though the handle is rather small for easy engraving? . The handle portion is 1.5mm square

Furthermore, it could well be raised, not stamped or engraved, but I haven't looked and somehow I doubt you have either.

I think someone needs to grow up - and it's not me. The advice of 'stop digging' when you are in a hole, comes to mind.

My advice ? Nah not worth it....

I've got my name on allen keys down to 1mm.

Jim

Gentlemen

We've got enough going on regarding the 'listing of potential helpers' thread, let's not have another bunfight on this one.

Life is too short.

Seasons greetings to all

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Please feel free to add me to your 'Ignore member' list

I'm sure we would both be much happier.

MichaelG.

It's a 'Bedford' file, famously used by Bedford Council for filing paperwork by enlarging the gaps between existing documents, so they could cram even more bureaucracy into a each filing cabinet.

I can't believe you didn't know that.

Neil

Gentlemen, thank you all for your in depth descriptions as to the probable/possible original uses for this type of file, I have learnt a quite a lot today - notably nothing is quite as it seems.

Seasonal greetings to you all and I hope that Santa brings all that you wish for, although in my case whatever I bring for myself as no one close to me ever has any idea of what I want.

Phil