Draw filing

[RavenLoon]

I like draw filing and using hand tools in general over power tools. I like the quiet, calming effect of hand work.

[DBX]

Also, I don't screw up as badly with hand tools as I do with power tools.

Sent from over the edge

[Akela]

woodsghost,

That's a great discription of the draw filing technique.

The only thing I could add is to clean the file every few strokes with a file card to dislodge the filings that have become stuck into the teeth of the file. It gets rid of any bigger chips that might otherwise drop loose as you make the next pass and prevents gouges as they roll between the surface of the file and the material you are working on.

[Lisa West]

All the time..Barrel makers still do it to get good flat "flats"..Phillip taught me to draw file, he learned the finer points of it by watching a Peter Ross demo..Peter is one of the most talented blacksmiths there is, period..His stuff is stunning..

[x39]

All the time..Barrel makers still do it to get good flat "flats"...Peter is one of the most talented blacksmiths there is, period..His stuff is stunning..

I learned to draw file when I went to trade school for Tool & Die Making, guess that tells my vintage, lol! Peter Ross is a friend of a friend, hoping to meet him some day. Pic of me last week draw filing an octagonal .62 cal. smoothbore barrel I made for a buddy of mine...
img_1340.jpg

[briarbrow]

Midway USA has a short you tube video
How to draw file an octagon barrel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dec78RQsokw