Overview of the Sharpening File
One cannot imagine the pain and difficulty associated with the use of dull tools in performing various operations on the farm and in the workshop. Using dull tools can result in damaged handles and blades, waste of time, and even lead to injuries on the part of the users.
Therefore, it is paramount to keep small hand tools sharpened for optimal performance. The file is a small hand tool used for sharpening and smoothing the metal blade of cutting and digging edges of small hand tools. Hand tools used for cutting and digging operations require constant sharpening so as to be used effectively.
Traditional tools or small hand-operated tools such as a hoe, hand saw, cutlass, knife, sickle, go-to-hell, shear, machete spade, tapping knife, budding knife, and mattock and saw require the use of the file to keep their edge sharpened. These tools before, and during usage require constant sharpening for adequate use , and the file is one of the solutions to tool sharpening.
In the workshop, kitchen, and on the farm, a file is an indispensable tool used for sharpening metal blades or digging and cutting small hand tools. In developing countries where farming is their main occupation, the file is available in every home. Every household has one type of sharpening file for sharpening farm tools and other operations.
The sharpening file is crucial in agriculture and workshops for sharpening and smoothening the surfaces of metal farm tools. Tools such as knives, chainsaws, cutlasses, hoes, shovels, and more require the use of a file to whet the cutting edge.
Description of the Sharpening file
The sharpening file is made of high metal steel of different designs. The tools come in different shapes and sizes which be square, flat, and triangular in shape. The tools have numerous single-cut fine teeth which could be present on both sides and even by the side of the tools. Irrespective of the types of files available in the market they are usually dual or multiple-purpose side uses.
The file is designed to be especially Due to the different structures of farm tools, the sharpening file is designed in such a way that it can be used to sharpen all different types of farm tools with regard to their special shape and size.
The handle of the sharpening file is designed to aid effective handling, the handle contains a small hole but the Circular and triangular files have pointed edges.
Types of Sharpening Files
There are basically four types of files used for sharpening farm tools and small farm machines. Some of the types of sharpening files used for filing farm tools are:
- Flat Thick File: this type of file is flat, thick, and heavy. It is the biggest type of file. The file is rectangular in shape. The file has an equal opposite side. The two equal opposite sides have single-cut fine teeth that help in sharpening farm tools. It has a well-designed handle for good handling. The handle has a hole where red pieces can be tied for easy identification. The flat file is a very durable cut that is useful for sharpening small farm tools like cutlasses, knives, spades, sickles, etc.
- Flat small file: the small flat file is not as big as the thick flat file, though almost similar in shape but it is smaller than the flat big file. The file is rectangular in shape and the two opposite sides are equal. The small flat file has one of the opposite curves. The two equal opposite sides have single-cut fine teeth that help in sharpening farm tools. It has a well-designed handle for good handling. The handle has a hole where red pieces can be tied for easy identification. The flat small file is not as durable as the thick big file. It is used for sharpening small farm tools like cutlasses, knives, spades, sickles, etc.
- Round File/Circular File: This is a circular type of file. The file is very small and has a circular single fine-cut tooth that helps in sharpening farm tools. It has a small round pointed handle. Most farmers add nailed points to a small piece of wood for ease of handling. It is the best file for sharpening tools like the chainsaw, cutlass, knife, spade, sickle, etc.
- Triangular File: This file just as it is called is triangular in shape. It has three equal opposite sides. It is a medium-sized file with a single fine-cut tooth that helps in sharpening farm tools. It has a small round pointed handle. Most farmers add nailed the pointed to a small wood handle for ease of handling. It is the best file for sharpening tools like serrated knives, hand saws, cutlasses, knives, spades, sickles, etc.
Uses of the Sharpening File
The sharpening file is used for many operations in the farmstead. Some of the uses of the file include the following.
- Sharpening of small farm machine blades: Chainsaw: a file is a vital tool for whetting small farm machine blades. The round file is mostly used in sharpening the chain of the saw for effective cutting.
- Sharpening of cutlass, hoe, and spade: the tools a crucial to sharpening small farm tools like the cutlass, kitchen knife, hoe, and spade on the farm or on the farmstead.
- Sharpening of knives: It is used for sharpening the tapping knife, especially the small flat file
- Shaping nut and bolt: the file is used to shape the nuts and bolts of the farm machine and structure so that can properly fit into the original position.
- Smooth the surface of metals: the sharpening is the workshop to smooth the surface of metals in the workshop.
- wooden surface: the file is used in the workshop for smoothening wooden surfaces during woodworking
How to Use the Sharpening File.
The file is very a sensitive farm tool and improper use may destroy the filing tooth and as well the metal blade. It is advisable to follow specified guidelines while using the sharpening file.
- Clean the metal blade of farm tools to be sharpened.
- Use the bench vice to hold the tools or if in the farm or workshop hold with hand with the cutting edge pointing upward.
- Lubricate the edge of the tools to be sharpened with lubricant
- Position the sharpening file at an angle of 450c and start filing the metal edge front and back, starting from the first side.
- Lose the tools from the vice, remove the burrs, and adjust the tools to the other of the tool.
- Flip the file across the blade from the beginning to the end.
- After achieving thorough filing
- Run the file along the metal edge of the tools to ensure achieved good result
- Remove the tools from tools the bench vice.
- Clean the tools or wash them to remove the blur before use.
Reasons to lubricate file with oil before sharping
The followng are the reasons for lubricating farm tools before sharpening
- it helps to reduce friction between the file and tools
- it helps to reduce clogging of burrs on the farm tools
- it aid the movement of the file over the tools
- to reduce blurrs (metal steel from the tools) on the surface of the farm tools
Advantages of the Sharpening file
The sharpening file has the following advantages:
- It is a multifaceted farm tools,(i.e. it can be used on farm tools)
- It is fast and quick to use.
- It is light weighted hence it can easily carry from one place to another
- It is one of the best sharpening tool farm tools.
- It is very portable hence the users have good control over the use of the tools
- It does not require strength to use except It is worn out.
- It comes in various shapes and sizes to suit the consumer preferences
- It is usually budget financial capacity.
Disadvantages of the Sharpening file
The disadvantages associated with using this tool are
- It can easily rust if not well handled.
- Water can easily make the tools sharpen or become dull
- It can be easily misplaced or lost
- It can easily lead to injured if not taking.