How long will it take to file a wiper or hacksaw blade?

[J-SC]

I don't have a grinder to use for this, and I keep hearing that if you use a file it takes much longer. I don't really care how long it'll take, provided that by "long" they don't mean like a whole week. How long will it take with the windshield wiper blades I already have, or the hacksaw blades I could go out and buy?

[Anavaree]

That will all depend on what tools you are using. By filing i assume you mean using actual hand files. Files are available in a variety of "cuts". The cut refers to how course or fine the files is. The finer the file the longer it takes to remove material. However, i have found that most jewelers size files, small files, that you would want to use for making picks are usually a very fine cut.
next to consider is the quality of the file and that will lead to how sharp the teeth are. I have an expensive set of needle files, they are very fine, but cut very fast.
So finally to actually answer your question. I have filed many a pick and i can usually clean up a wiper insert in 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the profile. So using a file isn't that bad, so long as it is sharp and used properly. A hacksaw blade might be a little worse seeing as how there would be much more metal to remove in the first place.
My two cents.
~Jesse

[Violaetor]

Depends on skill and technique, but there really is only one way to find out...

[Anavaree]

I was typing on my phone earlier while waiting for my wife and I forgot something.
Another important aspect when filing, especially something small, is how well the work piece is clamped or supported.
If you have your stock flopping around and vibrating badly, you will not be getting a very efficient or quality cut.
For a simple demostration, hold a wiper insert about 2 inches from the end. The run your file across the tip. Next, grab the wiper very close to the end and repeat the filing. Note the different. I am probably just sayign what many of you have already discovered, J-SC, you may already be very knowledgeable on the subject. I just wanted to throw it out there in case someone else needs the info.

Onward...

I have a machinists vice similiar to this one;
http://www.tormach.com/store/index.php? ... 16du555a3b
It has very precise jaws with no little serrations in them. I can clamp a very small piece of wiper stock in them, long edge, and work on the opposing edge with little or no vibration.
In this manner i get a very accurate and high quality cut and i can control the angle and direction of the filing much more accuratly.
So again, my $0.023 cents.
~Jesse

[J-SC]

J-SC, you may already be very knowledgeable on the subject. I just wanted to throw it out there in case someone else needs the info.

Believe me, I'm not, and thanks. I was planning on using a mill file I found today at Home Depot, would you say this is suitable from the looks of it?

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8455/millfile.jpg

[Anavaree]

J-SC, that file is awfully course for the work you are planning on. It is also pretty big for any detail work. I would suggest this;
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware ... reId=10051
Also at HomeDepot for $17, they are Nicholson files which are actually pretty good quality, or used to be at least.
This little kit gives you round, triangular, flat, square, knife and half round. With this selection you should be able to create any of the usual picks you need. I have rarely ever made any common pick shapes. for a small amount you can get a nice SouthOrd set, which i like and have had plenty of luck with. I have spent most of my pick making time making Kings/Queens of varying sizes, some strange computer generated picks i found. Not the HPC ones. I bought a set of those and the are a smidge large so i am acid dipping those to reduce their profile a little.
If you want to make a couple of good picks for use i really like the SouthOrd snake rake and the Peterson Quad-ripple rake.
There is a good collection of templates in a sticky at the top of this forum and I have a sticky I wrote about making your own picks, using a grinder but some of the info is still relevent.
Looking forward to seeing your results and always happy to help.
~Jesse

[J-SC]

J-SC, that file is awfully course for the work you are planning on. It is also pretty big for any detail work. I would suggest this;
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware ... reId=10051
Also at HomeDepot for $17, they are Nicholson files which are actually pretty good quality, or used to be at least.
This little kit gives you round, triangular, flat, square, knife and half round. With this selection you should be able to create any of the usual picks you need. I have rarely ever made any common pick shapes. for a small amount you can get a nice SouthOrd set, which i like and have had plenty of luck with. I have spent most of my pick making time making Kings/Queens of varying sizes, some strange computer generated picks i found. Not the HPC ones. I bought a set of those and the are a smidge large so i am acid dipping those to reduce their profile a little.
If you want to make a couple of good picks for use i really like the SouthOrd snake rake and the Peterson Quad-ripple rake.
There is a good collection of templates in a sticky at the top of this forum and I have a sticky I wrote about making your own picks, using a grinder but some of the info is still relevent.
Looking forward to seeing your results and always happy to help.
~Jesse

Thanks again, wouldn't wanna spend everything just so I could go all the way back and return it.

[Anavaree]

If you have a couple of bucks to throw around i would suggest this;

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... %2d%5f%2dN

I have 2 dremels and one of those snake/flex attachments. I use it all the time for all sorts of things. some of the tools they offer do amazing things.
This is a great kit too;

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051

The "diamond" cutoff wheel in the top left of the kit is worth every penny. Indestructable, sharp, cuts and grinds and shapes. That piece is $20 by itself.

I am a serious tool nut so I have to force myself not to buy more tools. I have a toolbox that has 6 different sets of metric combination wrenches. All metric, all combo wrenches, and i just bought the 6th one a little while ago.

Maybe I'll goto lowes tomorrow...

~Jesse

[obeisance]

A rotary tool like a Dremel will cut down your filing time significantly. Use it to remove the bulk of the material you don't want then use the files to finish up the profile and smooth things out.

[Daggers]

a dremel would definately be better than a file but it you do go with a file a larger rougher file is good for the initial removal of alot of material but the smaller files that were suggested really should be used. By hand it would take around an hour (for me at least) and about 10-15 minutes with a dremel.