Single cut files tend to be at least 8 inches long. Choke up on the file so you can use both thumbs rubbing against the side flats of the barrel to guide the file over the flat you are filing. Turn the file to an angle to help it cut like the blade on a snow plow. Teh teeth are already angled at about 30 degrees, so just increase that angle to the length of your stroke to about 45 degrees.
I was taught to use a push stroke when draw filing, pushing away from my body. However, a pull stroke may actually give you more control. Try both and use what works for you. The teeth are designed to cut in one direction, only, so if you switch direction for the stroke, you also have to switch the file around. With a good sharp file, you don't need a lot of pressure for the file to cut. Let the edges do the cutting. If you have to put lots of pressure on that file, its a pretty good indicator that the file is dull. Replace it.
Fill the entire length of the file with chalk. Now, only file ONE stroke with each portion of the file. Move your fingers over, so that you are using a new area of the file for success strokes. That way, if any steel bits do get clogged in the teeth, they won't scratch your barrel on the next stroke. When you get down to the other end of your file, stop, use a file card to removed the steel bits, check visually to see that no bits are still stuck there( the chalk helps lubricate the teeth so they usually won't hold steel filings, and cutting at an angle tends to curl the steel removed, so that it does no " stick" in the teeth) then use a Copper or Bronze " Pick" to check and remove any steel stuck in the file.
Now, you can re-chalk the file, and continue using it on your barrel.
Some skilled craftsmen store their files chalked, but you need a very Dry storage area to get away with this practice and not have rust develop. I prefer to clean the chalk out, and then use WD40 on the file to protect it from rusting during storage.( Use alcohol to remove the WD40 before the next use. Otherwise, the chalk will " gum up" the teeth, and will fight you as you try to file the new work project.)
Always store a file in paper or plastic, or cardboard containers, so that the file does not smack against another file and damage both . Chipped teeth cannot be replaced. Bent teeth eventually break off, and now you CAN catch steel burrs that will scratch your work.
It probably would be instructive for ALL of us( Yes, me too) to have to make our FIRST file from a forging, so that we would appreciate what a fine cutting tool it is. We would take much better care of our files, and treat them like a fine straight razor we intend to shave with every morning. :hmm:
I too have done all kinds of dumb things with files, and need to replace several of mine. I remember what terrible shape they are in every time I grab one to do some filing, and the hardware stores are usually closed by then.
" Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart!" :hmm: :rotf: :hatsoff:
