I concur Roy. I had a craftsman file in my tools at work. About the worst file I ever had. I found an old file at a flea market, cleaned it up, and it's still got life. I forget what brand, but it was marked USA.
Can confirm. Bought a swiss file a while back for guitar fretwork, nickel silver is kinda tough, but the file keeps on cutting, tooth brush or file card is a must.
Thank you very much! Very helpful indeed. Many branded tools are "rebranded" Chinese fakes. That's why it's very hard to buy online, where you can't inspect them closely.
Alotta backdoor deals are made with the big chain stores/box stores.I know Walmart makes deals with manufactures in the automotive isle.If the packages have a walmart symbol or say walmart it is not genuine STUFF.It is a dumbed down version of the good stuff so malwart can make mo $$ Im sure Home depot etc do the same...folks get paid alot $$$ to sit around and figure out how to screw the consumer.Appreciate the video Roy,thankyou.
Great video Roy, I do need needle files and never thought HF files would do the job better than others! Safe edges are not always good in tight corners. Thanks for sharing buddy!
Steve Cox sent me.. Glad he did. You're correct about H.F. ,they do have some junk tools, but they are getting better. I have 3 - 41/2" grinders, had them for about 6 years with no issues.
From one believer to another, let me offer you a freebie. My career was as a Television news anchor and reporter. Run that lavalier mic cord inside your shirt or jacket to hide it and then clip it above your top button. It won't change the world, but it's a "cleaner," more professional look. Blessings to you and all your viewers!
Quality Control is the thing with harbor freight. Everything they have could be good or it could be junk. No matter the tool somebody someone got a lemon and that goes for any brand
I shop at HF for most of my hand tools and have received excellent quality with most having a lifetime warranty. I bought a 2 ton rated floor jack in 1988 and its worked without flaw and it even came with a rebuild kit that still in my tool box. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to inspect HF tools and choose wisely.
Years ago I was a temp at this company and I got stuck with doing the deburing, I used the triangle file I loves how it would get the edges debured but I hated it cause I had to do 300 parts lol
I've had great luck with their hand tools and such but personally have had a horrible experience with a lot of the power tools, with a few exceptions namely my little drill press and a couple of air compressors.
So I do agree to a point with the whole brand thing but honestly more often then not you get what you pay for and I learned the hard way buying files, but actually the harbor freight ones in the blue packaging are surprisingly decent files with one safe edge and decently straight but once I actually bought a good high quality file like vallorbe I honestly won’t touch anything else and will happily pay the extra for them, they are obscenely well made, very accurate and cut like butter, not to mention the higher selection of sizes, cuts and styles
Do you recommend these also for jewelry work? Just beginning to aquire all of my tools and find them to be absolutely cost prohibitive! A good set of Swiss needle files can go for greater than $300. I find this ridiculous. But what are you to do if you want to take this on as a hobby?
When I was solely making knives I needed a set of needle files because occasionally I would put designs on the spine, I bought the first set at Harbor Freight and to this day I still purchase them there.
It's a sad truth, but even the classic brands do cheap out on manufacturing and rely on name recognition to sell their wares. It's all pretty much hit and miss, really. We don't have Harbor Freight this side of the pond, but we got plenty of cheap hardware stores/chains, who likely get their stuff from largely the same manufacturers.
Yes unfortunately brand don’t always mean what used to we got niclison and they were made in Mexico but ten years back three rivers archery had them and they were still under the made in USA labor on their website now I don’t know but we traditional archers use them in filing down bows to tune the draw when making bows and for sharpening broad heads sad really just a change of a few years like we are not fit to have tools from our own country anymore gets under my skin to think about it nothing beats giving an old tool life again though
ah well thanks for the like, its true too much we have given up on who we are as a country, this is not just the inabillity to make the huge things we used to as far as manufacturing this is also our judio christian identity and its tenants, or its like when I start to like something all of a sudden its got to be cast aside and done away with or people are not willing to do what they are fully capable of producing or giving effort, at least there are still a few out there like you and Jessica, Roy, willing to get dirty and do hard work of black smithing, or someone like royal none such doing machining or making wepons, though it would be really expensive as the demand for the specialized labor is high and the time investment is high and with very real stakes to a way of life and other opportunities in making money.
This may be odd, but I find that the better files can break. Like, if they got bent, they wouldn't bend they'd snap. Hardness means brittleness, but hard teeth is good, yeah?
a couple of decades ago nicholson made a huge trust mistake. they began using a coating that was supposed to replace teeth as the cutting edge. they still cut the teeth in the files but coated it with what they call "black diamond". this way they could use cheap metal but rely on the coating. once the coating wore off, it was done. not even worth recycling into something else. needless to say, this caused a storm and they supposedly backed off using cheap steel. however, they still use the name "black diamond". i also became aware that even the german files are made in germany and china. i was told to specifically ask for so and so brand in the blue carry bag because the other carry bag color came from that company's chinese supplier. seriously? it comes down to specifiers like tool wrap color?
Newer Nicholson files are pretty much garbage. I really like the files from HF. And for general forging, I'm lucky to have a farrier friend who gives me his lightly used hellar files. To show him my thanks, I've made him a couple of good knives and picks from them. It's a great thing. Grobet makes great files, but they are expensive.
If a Nicholson file has an edge without teeth it's because.... (drum roll) ITS NOT SUPPOSE TO! It's called use a different file. Newer Nicholson are definitely not anything near the old but I will never ever use that HF garbage. Take pride in your work gentlemen. If it deserves your time it deserves a good tool.
I think good steel can come from china. I've ordered HSS lathe blanks made in china. I think modern technology allows for better steel even if it's not german or Swedish
You should'nt allow youtube to traducte your channel's name, in french it's traducted "Christ a centré ferronnerie forge pour le forgeage des métaux" wich doesn't mean anything XD kinda funny tho but it's really wordy
I concur Roy. I had a craftsman file in my tools at work. About the worst file I ever had. I found an old file at a flea market, cleaned it up, and it's still got life. I forget what brand, but it was marked USA.
@Toreutics same here. No tool, like an old tool. Too much plastic in things these days (said the guy who works in a plastic auto parts factory) 😮🤣
Great video. Buy a set of Grobet or Gesswein or Simonds and not ever worry about edge loss or if it is gonna be good. Those are the golden standard
Thanks for the info Brett! 🤝 … Richie.
Can confirm. Bought a swiss file a while back for guitar fretwork, nickel silver is kinda tough, but the file keeps on cutting, tooth brush or file card is a must.
Have always been happy with Swiss Pattern Simonds brand
Thank you very much! Very helpful indeed.
Many branded tools are "rebranded" Chinese fakes.
That's why it's very hard to buy online, where you can't inspect them closely.
I have the HF set. I like them so far!
Alotta backdoor deals are made with the big chain stores/box stores.I know Walmart makes deals with manufactures in the automotive isle.If the packages have a walmart symbol or say walmart it is not genuine STUFF.It is a dumbed down version of the good stuff so malwart can make mo $$ Im sure Home depot etc do the same...folks get paid alot $$$ to sit around and figure out how to screw the consumer.Appreciate the video Roy,thankyou.
Great video Roy, I do need needle files and never thought HF files would do the job better than others! Safe edges are not always good in tight corners. Thanks for sharing buddy!
Hey thanks for watching and taking the time to comment :-)
Tsubosan (Japanese file brand) makes great files.
Steve Cox sent me..
Glad he did.
You're correct about H.F. ,they do have some junk tools, but they are getting better. I have 3 - 41/2" grinders, had them for about 6 years with no issues.
Awesome glad to have you as part of the community! Hope you enjoy and tell Steven thank you
Forget the files lol (which is what I came for) I’m lovin’ that flat cap!
From one believer to another, let me offer you a freebie. My career was as a Television news anchor and reporter. Run that lavalier mic cord inside your shirt or jacket to hide it and then clip it above your top button. It won't change the world, but it's a "cleaner," more professional look. Blessings to you and all your viewers!
That's odd, because that same HF set I got several months back, wouldn't cut squat for me, 2 of them broke before I even completed the first stroke.
Quality Control is the thing with harbor freight. Everything they have could be good or it could be junk. No matter the tool somebody someone got a lemon and that goes for any brand
I shop at HF for most of my hand tools and have received excellent quality with most having a lifetime warranty. I bought a 2 ton rated floor jack in 1988 and its worked without flaw and it even came with a rebuild kit that still in my tool box. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to inspect HF tools and choose wisely.
Years ago I was a temp at this company and I got stuck with doing the deburing, I used the triangle file I loves how it would get the edges debured but I hated it cause I had to do 300 parts lol
Yeah that job would be the pits for sure lol... Thanks for watching
Great info. Thanks for sharing.
Love the fact you have no anti kickback so you well be visiting the ER
And if you look around, you can get a 20% off a single item coupon and a coupon for a free LED flashlight at Harbor Freight!
I've had great luck with their hand tools and such but personally have had a horrible experience with a lot of the power tools, with a few exceptions namely my little drill press and a couple of air compressors.
So I do agree to a point with the whole brand thing but honestly more often then not you get what you pay for and I learned the hard way buying files, but actually the harbor freight ones in the blue packaging are surprisingly decent files with one safe edge and decently straight but once I actually bought a good high quality file like vallorbe I honestly won’t touch anything else and will happily pay the extra for them, they are obscenely well made, very accurate and cut like butter, not to mention the higher selection of sizes, cuts and styles
Thx 4 sharing , yes I'm on my second pack of Hf needle files now ,
Do you recommend these also for jewelry work? Just beginning to aquire all of my tools and find them to be absolutely cost prohibitive! A good set of Swiss needle files can go for greater than $300. I find this ridiculous. But what are you to do if you want to take this on as a hobby?
Nicholson files are now made in Mexico, Brazil for China.
Bahco makes quality files for a good price. Save-Edge are great (if you can find them). Avoid any new Nicholson, they're just trading on their past.
I have a Bahco that's great.
When I was solely making knives I needed a set of needle files because occasionally I would put designs on the spine, I bought the first set at Harbor Freight and to this day I still purchase them there.
Good to know my guy! Really helpful for us poors!
It's a sad truth, but even the classic brands do cheap out on manufacturing and rely on name recognition to sell their wares. It's all pretty much hit and miss, really.
We don't have Harbor Freight this side of the pond, but we got plenty of cheap hardware stores/chains, who likely get their stuff from largely the same manufacturers.
Yes unfortunately brand don’t always mean what used to we got niclison and they were made in Mexico but ten years back three rivers archery had them and they were still under the made in USA labor on their website now I don’t know but we traditional archers use them in filing down bows to tune the draw when making bows and for sharpening broad heads sad really just a change of a few years like we are not fit to have tools from our own country anymore gets under my skin to think about it nothing beats giving an old tool life again though
ah well thanks for the like, its true too much we have given up on who we are as a country, this is not just the inabillity to make the huge things we used to as far as manufacturing this is also our judio christian identity and its tenants, or its like when I start to like something all of a sudden its got to be cast aside and done away with or people are not willing to do what they are fully capable of producing or giving effort, at least there are still a few out there like you and Jessica, Roy, willing to get dirty and do hard work of black smithing, or someone like royal none such doing machining or making wepons, though it would be really expensive as the demand for the specialized labor is high and the time investment is high and with very real stakes to a way of life and other opportunities in making money.
This may be odd, but I find that the better files can break. Like, if they got bent, they wouldn't bend they'd snap. Hardness means brittleness, but hard teeth is good, yeah?
a couple of decades ago nicholson made a huge trust mistake. they began using a coating that was supposed to replace teeth as the cutting edge. they still cut the teeth in the files but coated it with what they call "black diamond". this way they could use cheap metal but rely on the coating. once the coating wore off, it was done. not even worth recycling into something else. needless to say, this caused a storm and they supposedly backed off using cheap steel. however, they still use the name "black diamond".
i also became aware that even the german files are made in germany and china. i was told to specifically ask for so and so brand in the blue carry bag because the other carry bag color came from that company's chinese supplier. seriously? it comes down to specifiers like tool wrap color?
Hi Roy, are you on Patreon?
No I'm not on patreon :-) thank you for taking the time to watch and comment
Newer Nicholson files are pretty much garbage. I really like the files from HF. And for general forging, I'm lucky to have a farrier friend who gives me his lightly used hellar files. To show him my thanks, I've made him a couple of good knives and picks from them. It's a great thing. Grobet makes great files, but they are expensive.
So, you seem to be confusing application with quality. You have a valid point for consideration, but it’s entirely unrelated to quality.
Don’t buy the husky brand. They all snapped in half after a couple uses of careful use
Good to know
If a Nicholson file has an edge without teeth it's because.... (drum roll) ITS NOT SUPPOSE TO! It's called use a different file. Newer Nicholson are definitely not anything near the old but I will never ever use that HF garbage. Take pride in your work gentlemen. If it deserves your time it deserves a good tool.
the only ones I trust are the ones made in countries I could raise my kids in.
I think good steel can come from china. I've ordered HSS lathe blanks made in china. I think modern technology allows for better steel even if it's not german or Swedish
You should'nt allow youtube to traducte your channel's name, in french it's traducted "Christ a centré ferronnerie forge pour le forgeage des métaux" wich doesn't mean anything XD kinda funny tho but it's really wordy