Files

We sell a range of quality files manufactured in Switzerland, Germany and Italy. It's so important to use high-quality files when making jewellery. Cheap files will damage your work. So if you're on a budget, these are one item, you should make it a priority to spend a little extra on.

We recommend every jeweller has a Cut-2 half-round slim 150mm jewellers hand file with Twist on wooden file handle in their toolkit. It's such a versatile file that you can use to make most pieces of jewellery.

We also recommend a set of 6 Cut-2 Needle Files to help you with that more detailed work where the hand file is too big. We use both hand files and needle files in our workshops.

Types of Jewellery Files

Files are an essential tool in jewellery making and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and cuts to suit whatever project you’re working on. Knowing the main types of files will help you choose the right file for the job.

Hand Files: The largest type of file, hand files have a cutting length of around 150mm (or 6 inches) and have a tapered section called the tang. Hand files are used for preparing joins for soldering and cleaning up after soldering.

They can also be used to shape metal and smooth out rough edges and corners. The size of hand files makes them ideal for working with larger pieces of metal. We use these a lot in the studio.
Needle Files: Needle files are smaller than hand files and measure about 14 to 16cm in length, with half of that being the cutting surface. Needle files are used for detailed work and are ideal for filing small areas, filing small designs and filing small rough edges.

They are used when you need to get into small areas where a hand file cannot be used. We also use these when working with wax, as they are remove less wax than wax needle files and are easier to control.

Escapement Files: Escapement files are even smaller than needle files and measure about 14cm in total length, with half of that being the cutting surface. Escapement files are used for the smallest areas and are ideal for filing small areas, small designs and filing small rough edges.
Wax Files: Wax files have much larger teeth than files for precious metal. The main file used is wax working is often a Double-ended Wax File. These files have one curved side and one flat side and are coarser at one end of the file. Using this coarser end will help you to remove wax more quickly from your piece.

Once you have a range of files, you'll be ready to tackle any jewellery making task.

How to use files

To use files effectively, you need to choose the right file and use the right techniques. Here's how to use files.

Choosing the right file

The shape and size of the file you choose will depend on the shape and size of the metal you’re working with. The file shape should match the shape of the metal. For example, a half-round file is used on curved surfaces and a square file is used on flat surfaces.

The cut of the file will also depend on the task. A coarse cut (cut 00 or 0) is used to quickly remove metal and a finer cut (cut 4, 5 or 6) is used to achieve a smooth finish. The most used cut of file is a cut 2.

How to use files

The forward and backward motion of the file is also important. Hold the file at an angle and place the file on the metal. Apply gentle pressure on the forward stroke. On the backward stroke, lift the file slightly. This will help you avoid scratching the metal.

File in a logical sequence, using a coarse file first to remove the bulk of the metal and then using finer files to achieve a smooth finish. If you can only afford one file, buy a cut-2 file. This fantastic Cut-2 File Set is perfect to get you started.

How to look after files

To keep your files in good condition, here are some tips.

Keep Files Dry: Files should be kept in a dry place to prevent rust. Don’t use your file when you hands are wet.
Avoid Damage: Files should not be knocked against each other or other tools, as this can damage the teeth.
Regular Cleaning: Files should be cleaned regularly to prevent them becoming clogged. A file brush is ideal for cleaning files and a blowtorch can be used to remove stubborn particles.
Remove Metal Dust: After use, gently tap the file against the side of the bench peg to remove metal dust.
Use Handles: Handles can be fitted to files for safety and comfort. Interchangeable handles are particularly useful for needle files. Twist-on file handles are easy to swap between your files.
Routine Maintenance: Files should be cleaned regularly to prevent them becoming clogged. A file brush is ideal for cleaning files and a blowtorch can be used to remove stubborn particles.