Draw filing

[halman]

Thanks for all the info, got one coming from Amazon , gonna put a comfortable piece of antler on it for a handle

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Ones I use are single cut reaper files, and they work very well.
It seems some spend days or weeks at it but do not know how. A perfectly fine finish can be achieved in short order.
When I made a barrel and put the flats on by hand, it took about 20 minutes per flat, then a bit longer than that to draw file each flat down true.

All the best,
Rich.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I’d rather have 1 -$20 Nicholson file than 4-$5 Chinese.
Also, get one 8 or even better a 10” long file so you can grip with the palm of your hands on each side of the barrel.
Good luck - it’s not hard.

nicholson maybe were good at one time now that are not. if you want to polish metal use a nicholson. I bought a cheap Chinese set and they are so sharp they ruin the metal if pressed to hard

 

[1BadDart]

From reading this thread, I probably filed mine wrong. I started with long files, probably 20" and filed lengthwise. Once the flats were straight and flat, I went with smaller finer files, then to sandpaper.

 

[TDM]

I probably don’t follow the proper procedure either, but they end up smooth and flat. Still, I’m going to try to be more attentive on the SMR barrel.

 

[stephenprops1]

Thanks for all the info, I have read through a lot using the search, just couldn’t find anything on the type of file. Can I get it at harbor freight or is it something I should get a name brand of.

I would check with Dixie Gun Works. Their last catalog showed several files.

 

[R Ellis]

I know some will cringe but I lay the file flat lengthwise from front to back and file the flats it works for me and I can do a flat in a short time because I use the full length of the file with each pass and the corners are sharp

 

[Pukka Bundook]

That can work RE, but a swamped barrel means you have to press pretty hard.

Best,
Rich.