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Hello all,

I've been watching an old video from Dan Erlewine (from the "fretting series") last night in which Dan uses some wax on his files. I've heard of this before, but not been doing it. Now I’m going to try this, but I've looked at StewMac, Lee Valley, and googled quite a bit and can't find any clear reference to a particular product.

Do any of you do this too? What do you use? Where do you buy this stuff?

Thanks for your help.


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

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Pierre Castonguay

I use chalk on my files sometimes to keep them from clogging. For wax I would think just beeswax.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks for the tips.

After some more searching, I believe Dan's using cutting lubricant in wax form, such as Pro-Cut or some other jeweller's stuff.

Would you try the kind that's used on saw blades?


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

_________________
Pierre Castonguay

For me:

No wax on files - I clean the teeth by pushing the chips out sideways with hardwood block as needed.

An old candle (paraffin) for saw blades because it doesn't stick and adhere wood chips.

Beeswax for screws because it DOES stick to the screw. . .

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

I was taught to use chalk on my files to help keep the teeth from clogging. Wax might have it's uses for files but I've not tried it. like Frank said, wax for saw blades and beeswax for wood screws.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks Frank. I was asking about files used on frets rather than on wood. Does your tip with the hardwood block apply to that use? You're not using a file card (brass brush) to clean those?


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

_________________
Pierre Castonguay

Definitely got to try chalk on mine...


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

_________________
Pierre Castonguay

No, a file card is nearly useless and slightly destructive in my opinion.

I don't much use files on wood - I was referring to cleaning files used on metal as well.

You can clean single-cut files very efficiently using a block of hardwood - the action makes little grooves in the wood that match the file teeth and can push out most chips:



A folded-over piece of copper plumbing pipe or tubing works really well, too, used in the same way.


If you want your files to cut really well, follow this link to Boggs Tool, where they can be sharpened for a very low price:

https://boggstool.com

A well-kept secret business since 1932, they use a special high pressure steam/abrasive to blast the teeth and bring an old file to better-than-new sharpness. All you have to do is send a box of files with your name and contact info and a count of the number of files in the box. A while later, like magic, the brown truck appears at your shop with a box of renewed files and a bill for the service. Any that can't be sharpened effectively are not charged, and the cost of doing the "good" ones is shockingly low. Literally any size, shape or type of file goes through the process well, including nut, fret, and any other specialty files. even the reject free ones come back far in far better shape than they left!

_________________
Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

Huge tip! Thanks a lot Frank!


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

_________________
Pierre Castonguay

For the DYI crowd some Muriatic Acid - used to clean masonry - will sharpen files very nicely. About as good as the Boggs batch I sent out. Cover the file with the acid and check it after an hour. I have never cleaned them afterwards with anything but water, but many say you need something like borax to stop the acid.

I sent a dozen files to Boggs in a flat rate Priority envelope that was taped up all around - must have been 6-8 pounds worth.

Ed

Thanks Ed.


Pierre
www.torvisse.com

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Pierre Castonguay