6 best files

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

One of the oldest tools for processing parts and workpieces is a file. It is still very popular today, both among home craftsmen and professional locksmiths, joiners and carpenters. The tool is simple and reliable; it consists of a working part (blade) and a handle. To select a useful and effective set of files, you should heed the recommendations of the magazine experts.

How to choose a file

The shape of the working part. There are several popular blade shapes for files. They are selected taking into account the characteristics of the treated surface.

1. Flat is best suited for flat surfaces.
2. Triangular is convenient when working with grooves, grooves and internal holes.
3. The square working part helps the master to enlarge the hole, to make right angles in the internal cavities.
4. Round is required for sharpening chains, machining holes and concave surfaces.
5. Semicircular are versatile. With their help, it is possible to make roundings and process smooth surfaces.

Features of notches. The working part of the files differs in the size and direction of the notches. When choosing a tool, a potential buyer should consider a simple rule. The larger the cut, the faster the workpiece surface is processed. But after the operation, the parts will have risks, scratches and high roughness. To obtain a smooth surface, choose a file with fine notches.

Blade length. The choice of the length of the working part depends on the size of the workpiece. A tool with a blade length of 200-350 mm is ideal for working with large parts. It is more convenient to process small surfaces with a tool with a length of 150-180 mm. Files with a length of 200 mm have universal qualities.

Lever. When the tool is used for a long time for processing parts, the ergonomics of the handle becomes an important parameter. Manufacturers use materials such as wood, plastic, polyurethane, rubber.

1. Wooden handles are traditionally used to equip files and rasps. But over time, they crack, rot, get dirty.
2. Plastic is the cheapest option. The material is not afraid of moisture, it does not crack, it is simply maintained. But the plastic handle is not the most convenient and safe option.
3. Most of all, users like the two-piece handles, which have a rubberized insert on the outer surface. Such handles fit comfortably in the hand and do not slip out during operation.

We have selected 6 of the best files for review. All of them are widely represented in the Russian trade network. When compiling the rating, the opinion of the expert community and feedback from domestic consumers were taken into account.

Rating of the best files

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best files for metal	1	nforce 06-09-54 5 pieces	2 300 rub.
	2	TOPEX 200 mm grit 2	764 RUB
	3	COBALT No. 2, 200 mm, 5 pcs. 247-750	752 r
The best files for wood	1	NEO 3pcs. 37-600	727 RUB
	2	TOPEX 200 mm, 3 pcs. 06A330	410 RUB
	3	Top Tools 3 Pcs. 06A530	158 RUB

The best files for metal

A distinctive feature of metal files is the hard tool steel used in the manufacture of the blade. Sets for metal processing are distinguished by the richness of the shapes of the working parts. The experts have selected several quality tool kits.

Inforce 06-09-54 5 pieces

Rating: 4.9

The entire range of metal surfaces can be processed with the Inforce 06-09-54 file set. It consists of 5 tools that differ in the shape of the blade. Files can be used to process flat, angular, rounded, concave and convex surfaces. The experts liked the polyurethane handles the most. They do not slip in the hand, which makes the work as safe as possible. In addition, polyurethane is resistant to petrol and oil. For high-quality manufacturing, safety and reliability, the Russian-Chinese set becomes the winner of our rating.

Users praise the strong, durable blades, ergonomic handles and comfortable shape. Of the shortcomings, a high price is noted.

Advantages

• different forms;
• polyurethane handles;
• reliability;
• durability.

disadvantages

• high price.

File set for metal 200 mm grit 2 TOPEX

Rating: 4.8

For handmade metalwork, the Polish-Chinese product TOPEX 06A250 is perfect. All tools have a length of 200 mm, the grain size of the blades is 2. Experts noted the high strength of the working part. It is made of T12 steel, the material makes the blades wear resistant and durable. All instruments are equipped with ergonomic two-component handles that fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. For good steel, smooth cut and affordable price, the set takes an honorable second place.

To the pluses, consumers include rubberized handles, their tight fit on the working part, and a reasonable price. Of the shortcomings, it should be noted the rough processing of the end of the files.

Advantages

• high quality steel;
• even notch;
• two-component handles;
• tight fit of the handles on the working part.

disadvantages

• the ends are roughly processed.

COBALT No. 2, 200 mm, 5 pcs. 247-750

Rating: 4.7

A variety of jobs, from chamfering to widening holes, can be performed with the COBALT 247-750. The set consists of 5 products that differ in the shape of the blade. The working part has a double cross cut, it is made at an angle of 45 and 65 degrees. Thanks to this design, the accuracy of the processed surface is 0.02 … 0.15 mm. The file blades are made of U13 tool steel, the hardness reaches 62 Rockwell units. For the convenience of work, the manufacturer has equipped the files with two-component handles. Rubber pads prevent slipping even in a wet hand.

Users appreciated the high-quality workmanship and affordable price. The disadvantages of the set, they include the fragility of the working surface.

Advantages

• affordable price;
• high-quality manufacturing;
• comfortable handles;
• high processing precision.

disadvantages

• short-lived blade surface.

The best files for wood

Wood file blades have a coarse notch. Manufacturers use less hard steel, paying more attention to the ergonomics of the handle. Professionals liked the following sets of wood files.

NEO 3pcs. 37-600

Rating: 4.9

You can qualitatively process a wooden surface using the NEO 37-600 rasp set. The kit includes a flat, round and semicircular tool, which allows you to perform a wide range of operations. The experts liked the T12 alloy steel, all the blades are made from it. A distinctive feature of the working part of the rasps is their high hardness, thanks to which the tool will serve for many years. The manufacturer also took care of safety during the work. The handles of the rasps are made of two-component non-slip material. The product ranks first in our ranking.

Domestic carpenters and carpenters praise the reliability and durability of the Polish-Chinese rasp set. The tool is convenient and safe to use.

Advantages

• durable alloy steel;
• high hardness;
• two-component handles;
• safety.

disadvantages

• not found.

Set of rasps for wood TOPEX 200 mm, 3 pcs. 06A330

Rating: 4.8

Another Polish-Chinese rasp set is included in our rating. The experts gave the second line to the TOPEX 06A330 set. It consists of 3 flat, round and semicircular rasps. The set is designed for processing wooden blanks. The length of the tool is 200 mm, which allows it to be used in a wide variety of situations. The versatility of the set is organically complemented by an affordable price. Also noteworthy are the two-component handles, they fit comfortably in the hand and do not slip during operation.

Users consider the strong point of rasps to be very comfortable handles, the brush does not get tired even after prolonged use. The disadvantages include rough wood processing.

Advantages

• high-quality manufacturing;
• ergonomic handles;
• acceptable price;
• universality of application.

disadvantages

• rough processing.

Top Tools 3 Pcs. 06A530

Rating: 4.7

Top Tools 06A530 is sold at the most attractive price on the Russian market. It consists of three tools with traditional blade shapes (round, flat, semicircular). The length of the tools is 280 mm and the weight is 0.19 kg. The working part is made of carbon steel, which ensures the durability of the tool when working with wood of any species. The bright red handles have a comfortable shape; the manufacturer used plastic for their manufacture. Experts appreciated the availability of the kit, good technical parameters, for which it falls into the top three of our rating.

When buying, users do not expect miracles from a budget set. They note tool flaws such as awkward handles and rough cutting of the blade.

Advantages

• low price;
• carbon steel;
• light weight;
• versatility.

disadvantages

• uncomfortable handles;
• rough blades.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.