How to Choose the Right File for Jewelry Making
Choosing the right file for a specific jewelry making or repair task is important for achieving the desired result. Here are some tips to help you choose the right file for your needs:
Consider the shape of the file: Files come in different shapes such as round, square, flat, and half-round. The shape of the file you choose will depend on the task you're performing. For example, a round file is great for filing the inside of a ring, while a flat file is ideal for filing flat surfaces. You can purchase a needle file set that contains a variety of shapes to get you started.
Consider the cut of the file: The cut of a file refers to the density of the teeth. A coarse cut is best for removing material quickly, while a fine cut is better for finishing and smoothing. When selecting a file, consider the material you're working with and the amount of material you need to remove. For example, a coarse cut file is ideal for removing a lot of metal quickly, while a fine cut file is best for finishing and polishing. There is more information below on what the different numbers mean when selecting a new file to purchase.
Consider the size of the file: Files come in different sizes ranging from small needle files to large files. The size of the file you choose will depend on the size of the workpiece you're filing. For small, delicate workpieces, a small needle file is ideal, while a large file is best for larger workpieces.
Coarseness
The coarseness of a file is measured by its teeth per inch (TPI) or its cut number. The cut number indicates the density of the teeth on the file, with lower numbers representing a coarse cut and higher numbers indicating a fine cut. Here is a quick breakdown of the cut numbers and their corresponding coarseness:
Rough cut (00 or 0 cut): This type of file has the coarsest cut and is best for removing large amounts of material quickly. I wouldn’t really recommend this kind of file for jewelry work, unless you are using it to file down a casting sprue.
Bastard cut (1 cut): This type of file is slightly finer than a rough cut file and is suitable for general purpose filing and shaping. Again, this one would be fine for filing down casting sprue, but not fine jewelry work.
Second cut (2 cut): This type of file is finer than a bastard cut file and is ideal for smoothing and removing moderate amounts of material. I personally wouldn’t go any rougher than this. I have used this number for sizing rings, and I have a barrette needle file with this roughness to file the tips of prongs down to their rough shape before switching to the smooth cut.
Smooth cut (3 or 4 cut): This type of file has the finest cut and is suitable for finishing before sanding and polishing workpieces.
When selecting a file, it's important to choose the right cut for the task at hand. Using the wrong file can result in poor quality work and can damage the workpiece.
Shape
There are several different shapes of files available, each with their own specific uses in jewelry making and repair. Here are some of the most common file shapes and their uses:
Flat files: Flat files are rectangular in shape and are used for filing flat surfaces. They come in a range of sizes and can be either single-cut or double-cut. Single-cut files have one set of parallel teeth and are used for finishing, while double-cut files have two sets of teeth at an angle to each other and are used for removing material quickly.
Half-round files: Half-round files have a flat side and a rounded side and are used for filing curved surfaces or for removing material from the inside of rings. They come in a range of sizes and can be either single-cut or double-cut.
Barrette files: Barrette files are similar to half-round files but are tapered towards the tip. They are used for filing narrow slots or grooves and come in a range of sizes. Barette needle files come in needle file sizes as well, and are typically used for shaping prongs while stone setting. The edges of a barrette needle file can be high polished so it doesn’t scratch the stone while shaping your prongs.
Needle files: Needle files are small, thin files that come in a range of shapes including round, flat, square, triangular, and barrette. They are used for intricate work and for filing small, hard-to-reach areas. They can also be used to cut seats for your stones if you don’t have, or feel comfortable using a flex shaft.
Choosing the right file shape will depend on the task at hand. When creating your first pieces, you can try out different shapes to see what works best for you. By understanding the different file shapes and their uses, you can select the right tool for the job and achieve professional-quality results.