Free and easy to make file holder

[Tom]

I really didn't know where to put this post, home made equipment?, Lapidary tips?, so I put it here:) A tuna can and a handful of borrowed straws from the golden arches make a great holder for files or paint brushes, or?

[1dave]

Damn the expense, I'm going to make one of those!

[Tom]

Lol you go Dave!

[quartz]

I don't like being picky, but here I have to say something. Hopefully none of those files ever get used without the lone handle being put on them. Way too easy to get to pushing on a file, and if it sticks, the tang can easily go right into the hand or wrist. I've never used a file w/o handle, had that pounded well into me by the teacher in trade school in the 60's. He had a shop for years before going into teaching, said he had pulled several file tangs out of peoples wrists. One thing to think about, the smaller the file, the smaller and sharper the tang.

[unclestu]

So you are the one who took all of the straws from the McD's
LOL

[Deleted]

I sure wish I could make one but I hate McD's and never go there. Is there some kind of substitute I can use? Do you know of a place where I can get them cut? Somebody must have a machine to mass cut those inserts, any ideas?

Love the idea and I have a feeling this is going to be a fun thread.
Jim

[RockIt2Me]

darn....hate tuna and McD's.
Great idea....might need to weight the can somehow though or maybe glue it to an old CD to keep it from tipping over.
I love these kinds of solutions,...very clever.

[Tom]

Quartz is 100% absolutely correct! A file should never be used without a proper handle! Accidents can happen exactly like Quartz states.

I must admit that while I have a few handles for the files, I seldom use them:( I have a really nice set of small files that has a sweet interchangeable handle, other than that set I don't think I have ever seen set of files sold with handles let alone a handle (small file sets for sure). Maybe these sets should always be sold with a handle???

While I admit 100% that Quartz is correct and that a file should only be used with a handle, I do find myself using most of my files without a handle. The pressures used when working jewelery are not all that much. Please note that I am NOT trying to justify using a file without a handle just saying what I do.

I was a maintenance electrician at a very large industrial pulp and paper mill for many years after ending my construction career and getting caught using a file without a handle would be cause for catching s**t at the very least. Now I work at a trades/technology polytechnique school and although I don't teach first year apprentices we make it very clear that the students can NOT use a file without a handle.

So now that I have typed this I realize just how silly I sound, Quartz I will be picking up more small file handles and will start to use them! Be safe not sorry. Thanks Quartz:)

But I do have one question for you, you stated you have NEVER used a file without a handle, really? I a mean really, never?

One thing you will never catch me doing is working without safety glasses!!!!! I even wear them in the classroom while instructing.

Maybe a thread is in order for safety tips in the shop, smithing would be a great spot. For instance who all doesn't have a large fire extinguisher in the shop. we have torches, grinders, acetone, and other items in the shop right. We should have a fire extinguisher as part of shop equipment.

Anyway, off to buy file handles:)

Thanks Quartz

[Tom]

Nancie, I have never had a problem with this thing tipping over, but it has. The CD idea is great.

[Tom]

Jim, you can substitute the inserts from similar outlets, Wendy's, the King, the Queen and many other places. I have found the inserts in bulk at places like Safeway and Wallyworld as well. Cutting said inserts to length is really quite easy to do using scissors. But if you don't feel qualified you can take the long inserts to a machine shop for cutting to length. Please be prepared for strange looks and don't be supprised if you are handed a tin foil hat:)

P.S. to any of the artists out there, these holders make a super method of holding your brushes with the bristles up!

[Deleted]

Jeeze, now I am going to have to make two of them. You sure know how to keep a man busy eating junk food.

My small files have a plastic coating on the handles. If you do not like large handles you can by the cans of liquid plastic that you dip your tool handles in to make them easier to grip. Another thing is to put the handle end in a vice and bend the end over to 90 degrees. That part of the file is usually soft and bends easy. Oh crap, if you do that then the holder will not work. They do make larger straws that you can get at some gas stations that sell an assortment of frozen drinks.
Jim

[1dave]

TUNA CAN CASTING?

Tom, you have given me an idea.
(You haven't had an idea for millions of years! - Time Bandits)

How about putting a little cristobalite in the bottom of a can, draw a pattern on paper, put Elmer's glue on it, glue your straw pieces on the pattern honeycomb style, eyedropper cristobalite into the straws about half way, then pour it high outside the pattern.
Let it dry, burn off the paper, melt brass or aluminum, and pour it into the can.

I'll probably give it a bit of a go someday.

[pghram]

Neat idea, thanks.

Rich

[quartz]

O.K., I'll admit to likely using a file w/no handle at some point before losing the invincibility of youth. In reality, in high school shop, two years of machine tech., the Armies machinist school [where I also got to stay and teach for about 10 mo. and drive my learned ideology deep into other peoples minds], a machinist apprenticeship, and 40+ years in industry. I have acquired a very unshakable habit of things like file handles and safety glasses. I've fashioned many handles from pieces of broom handle [sawmills are generally real tightfisted w/$] and doweling, both at work and home. Recently, I learned that Dollar Tree, and likely similar stores, sells a metal-blade scraper for a buck. The handle pulls off easily by grabbing the blade in a vise and giving a pull. This nice rubber handle makes a real nice, cheap file handle. I didn't mean to rain on your parade Tom, that is a dandy idea, certainly usable for little files w/integral handles, paint brushes, and who else will see it as practical. Larry

[Tom]

Oh everything is cool Quartz, really we need to be safe at work and home. I like the idea of the plastic handle dip, that would work fine, or at least a lot better than nothing.

[parfive]

Good enough for this bunch o’ bastards.

[Deleted]

haha! Nice double entendre.

[Tom]

Good ole marrettes:)

[grayfingers]

Rich, good to see you back, you ol' rat-tail.

[jamesp]

Small files were not meant for people w/big hands. Or they present a challenge.

Where have you been oh cleverest Rich?

Welcome back from 'File'omath, Georgia