Filing metals has not been an easy task, but with the aid of a metal file, this tiring task becomes a lot easier and more fun to do. This guide looks to show you the best metal files out there. You should go through this guide to find out the best metal files.
Though metal files are amazing tools to shape, cut, or sharpening things. One can use them for different purposes like sharpening knives, cutting steels, and also to smooth materials easily.
You can find several types and shapes of metal files, but you need to buy that one that will make things easier for you, and suits your job well.
How To Make Fine Cuts With Metal Files
A file that’s designed for bastard cuts goes through material quickly. You should maintain proper hand-to-eye coordination when making a bastard cut with the coarse surface of a file.
The second cut is ideal for material removal tasks. While the second (medium) leaves a smoother surface, it also removes quickly, just an ac vacuum cleaner removes stains from a surface.
To smoothen the second cut, use smooth cut files with fine-textured teeth. Steel teeth are often better for surface preparation before the sanding process.
METAL FILE BUYER’S GUIDE
When you are planning to buy any metal files, there are some things that you should be careful of. The reason is if you are not capable of purchasing the right and suitable one, there is no reason for buying that thing. Also, you will face difficulties if you get the wrong product.
That’s why you must be careful while purchasing. Let’s get right into the parts that are important and see why things are important.
Shape
Though the files are used for cutting, sharpening, shaping, and other purposes, it’s important to choose the right one. There are lots of shapes available in a file set. But choose that set that can help you appropriately.
There are four types of files available, and those are single-cut, double-cut, curved-cut, and rasp-cut files. Though these are completely different from one to another, you must be very careful about your needs. It is because without knowing your need you cannot be able to choose the right one.
There are also some certain shapes a file set can have, such as rounded, half-rounded, square, triangular, and flat. These are the common shapes of files.
So, when you are choosing any file set, you must know what types of files you need. At first, know your need fully then decide about the exact file set.
Moreover, there are other numerous shapes available in the market. These can also satisfy you by providing better performance, like that from the best laser levels. That’s why you have to be sure about your needs before buying any set. And once you are done with choosing, you can get better performance and better results for sure.
Sharpness
The file is known for its sharpness. When you are going to shape or sharpen any material, you will need a file with good sharpness. And for that reason, you have to be sure if the file set you are going to buy is sharp or not.
As sharpness is necessary, you will need to take it seriously. It is because if there is no sharpness in the file then you won’t be able to do with it what you want to. Moreover, it’s the compulsory thing of any file. You need to know what file will do your job correctly.
Also, you need to examine if the sharpness is appropriate or not. Taking the over-sharpened file can also be a risky one. One mistake can harm your safety. That’s why you have to be very concerned about the steps you take.
Handles
Every metal file has a handle with it. When it’s about a metal file set, it’s important to take care of the handles. Before buying it, you need to check if the handles are made of high material or not. It is because if the handles are not well-attached, you will face difficulties.
Moreover, take care of the construction of handles. If the handles are made of wood, it generally can loosen over time. That’s why take care of this thing, and if it gets loosen then make sure you will repair it in time. Do not use it in a hurry without its handles.
Materials
Like a jumper cable, the sharpness and handles are important. But keeping the material fact in mind is also important because if the material of those files is not that good then it will be of no use for purchasing that product.
Every kind of steel is a mixture of carbon and iron. The technique and proportion might be changed but all is the mixture of these two elements. Like garden carts, metal files are super hard, powerful to work with any other hard materials.
There are also some fumes made of high carbon steel. When you are going to fill metal, you will need harder teeth than the material you are cutting into. Using carbon can give you high-quality performance, and better sharpness. The high carbon steel can do all these things.
When you are working with wood or plastic, you should be very careful that you will use those files that have a bastard or rough kind of pattern. The reason is you won’t face any problem as it can shave easily.
Warranty
Most of the hand files have a lifetime warranty. That’s a plus point of metal files. But otherwise, you have to check the details first before buying any file set. That’s why it will be great if you could check the warranty details before buying it.
Not only the materials, sharpness, and shapes are important. Knowing the warranty details and if it is available or not is the other thing that you should be concerned about. So, it will be better if you check the details first and the purchase.
The Ease Of Handling
Get a hand file with fine-textured construction. Depending on your needs, it could be a fixed or interchangeable handle.
Usually, file sets with removable handles, like those from some steam cleaners, have space-saving designs. If you have a small toolbox, this design is ideal. Otherwise, it might be inconvenient to swap replaceable handles frequently.
Price
People generally like to purchase the best product at a reasonable price. There are two options- getting the long-lasting product or getting the branded one.
Different people have different choices. Some of you want the product if they are of good brands. Other people want a good quality product at a reasonable rate.
Both thoughts are valid. It all depends on you, and your choices. But first, make sure you will make the right decision. You cannot have both in a single set. You do not even need both qualities in a product. So, you have to be sure about what kind of job you have. And according to that, you will now decide.
BEST METAL FILES
| NAME | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| Nicholson 9-Piece Of Bastard (Tooth Pattern) File Set with Ergonomic Handles
|
Set of 9 American pattern hand files includes taper, flat, mill, half-round, and round cross-section files
For shaping, sharpening, and removing material in a range of applications Half-round, flat, and mill files provided in two lengths for proper reach; strong, durable high-carbon steel construction for extended tool life |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Protian Premium-Grade 6-Piece Needle File Set
|
Excellent-quality toolset for the shop, home or hobby filing, shaping, forming, material removal
Blades are permanently coated with industrial diamonds to create hardest abrasive surface available Six different styles for superior versatility: half-round, round, flat, square, flat taper & triangular |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Neiko 00109A
|
Hardened Steel Construction
For Wood, Metal, and Plastic Can be used with or without handles Files: 8″ Half Round, 6″ Slim Taper, 6″ Extra-Slim Taper, 8″ Rotary, 8″ Round, 6″ Round, 10″ Flat |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Preciva 16-Piece Multipurpose File Set
|
Preciva 16PCS File Set
High Carbon Steel Material Ergonomic Handle Design |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Amartisan 20-Piece Premium Hand File Set
|
High-Quality
Various specifications Comfortable Handle Easy to carry |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| SE 74330DF 6-Piece 7-Inches Diamond Grit File Set
|
The total length of each file: 7 inches
Usable diamond length: 2-¾ inches Diamond file width: 10mm Round dipped handle |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Topec 18Pcs File Set
|
It is made of carbon steel.
This product is among the best metal files in 2020 supports the movable set. It has multi-functions. |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| DS-Space High Carbon Steel File Set
|
Wooden Handle
Excellent Quality Multipurpose Tools Files Shapes: |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Kapoua 6-Pcs Needle Metal Files Set
|
GREAT MATERIAL
COMBO SET Comfortable Rubberized Handle EASY STORAGE AND ORGANIZED |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
| Tacklife 11-Pcs Needle File Set
|
Premium Material
Wide Application Comfort Grip |
GET IT ON AMAZON |
Nicholson 9-Piece Of Bastard (Tooth Pattern) File Set with Ergonomic Handles
Your ideal choice of hand file sets should include features like rugged construction and reliability. As a dependable American brand, Nicholson offers hand tools that can handle a range of applications.
The versatility of these hand files ensures a smoother finish than regular file sets. Also, this Nicholson 9-Piece set has the quality of coarseness-grade for your mechanical jobs.
As a machinist, I recommend this set of files for your material removal tasks. There’s a whole bunch of projects that you can handle with files that have laser-straight edges.
| PROS | CONS |
| Oversized contoured rubber handles for good grips | There are no complimentary accessories in this file set |
| 6, 8, and 10-inch options of file set | |
| The package comes in a compact pouch with ergonomic designs | |
| Suitable for both precision and non-precision tasks. |
Protian Premium-Grade 6-Piece Needle File Set
Protain product comes with a lifetime warranty. The set includes six files that are half-round, round, flat, square, flat taper & triangular. The files have a soft PVC grip that makes it comfortable for you to work for longer durations.
| PROS | CONS |
| Anti-slip coated soft handles that allow comfortable grips with wet hands | Unlike other models, this Protian product is only a set of 6 hand files with different styles. |
| Corrosion-proof and tempered high-carbon steel blades | |
| 6-inch files with blade widths of between 3.0 to 5.0mm |
Neiko 00109A
The Neiko 00109A file set has an impressive design. You can save space inside a small toolbox by detaching these PVC handles from their respective files. Also, this 12-piece set is a made-in-the U.S.A product from a reputable manufacturer.
Generally, Neiko Tools add unique features to crafts that offer a range of benefits. It’s the same concept with this set of hand files. This hand file and rasp set are for heavy-duty applications, and they come with a vinyl pouch.
| PROS | CONS |
| The set is convenient to transport and use | The replaceable plastic handles are very delicate and you’ll notice this disadvantage during long periods of tough jobs. |
| Two removable plastic handles that are compatible with file and rasp blades | |
| Each of these file blades has different levels of coarseness |
Preciva 16-Piece Multipurpose File Set
Here’s another ergonomic pick by Preciva. Save most of your labor with this 16-pieces metal files set with worth noting specs. The 4-big pieces consist of the triangle, flat, round large, and half-round files. Now, it’s been super easy to maintain the files with a provided scratch brush. The material of files is built with high-quality carbon steel, which can deburr any kind of materials such as metal, wood, or leather.
Even if you are doing any kind of DIY manufacturing project, this is the ultimate file set by Preciva with a protective carrying case
| PROS | CONS |
| This set is ideal for glass sheets wood, and metal | This set is not suitable for vigorous sanding applications |
| Tempered and coated steel surfaces help to optimize performance. | |
| Ergonomic design and sturdy construction that guarantees durability |
Amartisan 20-Piece Premium Hand File Set
High-Quality, 20 pieces file are all forged from T12 alloy steel, The long-lasting teeth were deeply milled tempered and coated for durable cutting and filing performance
Comfortable Handle, Handle, and blade with fully wrapped connection process, Eliminate the separation of the handle and the file. Rubbery handle with long length to bring your comfortable handling that will allow for hours of use
Easy to carry. all file sets are packed in a rugged, compact carry case for storage and portability, which is perfect for carpenter and DIY fans.
| PROS | CONS |
| Tempered and coated with special anti-rust chemicals. | The handle lacks anti-slip designs. |
| Long rubber handles that enhances comfort during many hours of work | |
| Durable metal material |
SE 74330DF 6-Piece 7-Inches Diamond Grit File Set
You can enjoy much value with this SE hand file set that comes with fine grits. These SE 74330DF diamond files have high-quality abrasives that exert their level of toughness on any surface.
You can sharpen large knives, and cut like the blades of razors with this model of SE files. They are coated to handle industrial applications. Normally, diamond grit files have strong teeth, but these flat diamond files are fast-cutting tools.
| PROS | CONS |
| They have plastic handles with round-dipped designs | This set of hand files has a mild steel construction that doesn’t appear like a durable product. |
| The set of file comes with different super-fine grits (40, 80, 150, 240, 400, 600) | |
| The width of each of these diamond file is 10mm, and usable length is 2-¾ inches |
Topec 18Pcs File Set
When you are going to search for the high-class file tool, this product will be a great option for you at this moment. This one can offer users all 18 pieces of the file set. On the other hand, the set arrives along with the leading quality functions. It is made from carbon steel that consists of 80% at all.
When it comes to the multi-tasks, the set comprises a round, triangle, and other accurate needle files as well. Moreover, you could deal with wood, metal, and glass easily, thanks to this tool.
Besides, this one arrives along with the perfect pitch of teeth and other structures that could boost up the grinding influence. Users can make the most of the wrapped link process along with handle because it can connect it so fast.
| PROS | CONS |
| Has multi-functional quality that can be useful during working with it | The zipper of the case is a bit hard to get started |
| Rubbery handles are very comfortable and easy to use so that you will have a portable and comfortable experience working with it | |
| Suitable for daily use, that’s why you can surely get this and do daily work easily |
DS-Space High Carbon Steel File Set
This set is perfect for different types of sharpening and shaping work. If you are looking for the best files for metals then you can get this product without any doubt.
This set includes flat, square, triangle, round, half-round, and the other types of files also.
| PROS | CONS |
| Handles are wooden that’s why it becomes handy and easy to use | Sometimes handles slip off so, you should be careful about this |
| Made of high carbon steel that ensures high-frequency quenching, longevity, high hardness, and strength | |
| Can use for different purposes, so that, it will be a great deal for you |
Kapoua 6-Pcs Needle Metal Files Set
It’s a set of 6 pieces file set by Kapoua, including different shaping. The texture of each file is finely grained to offer a high level of precision on metal or another similar surface. The structure may look small as compared to other picks, but all of them are ergonomic enough to handle portably and use efficiently. We would highly suggest these best metal files set for beginners.
You will get a variety of application ranges with the set. They have incorporated double grain pattern technology to increase the durability and performance of files in the long run. Furthermore, they are best called as needle file sets that are ideal for refining, removing, scraping, or reshaping different types of surfaces.
| PROS | CONS |
| It is flexible | It is easy to be broken down. |
| The best metal file set contains six files. | |
| This one is made from leading carbon steel. |
Tacklife 11-Pcs Needle File Set
These are one of the best files in the reasonable price range by Tacklife. Round rubber and soft handles are there for ease of use of files. The set includes 10-diamond files and 1 T12 Hard file. They can be easily applied on any surface such as metal, ceramic, glass, mirror, silver, gold, and any other jewelry stone. Therefore, you are getting files not only for metal but for all other purposes as well.
| PROS | CONS |
| It can support along with other dimensions and styles. | The lightweight metal is not as great as users think. |
| This product is affordable to buy. | |
| This version can handle all metal works. |
CONCLUSION
If you went through the review above, you might have grasped some knowledge on the best metal files. These tools are sturdy and also versatile. You should not waste time in getting one for yourself. You will be pleased if you do.