File care

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Anyone have any tips on cleaning a file I have several fine and course bastards that are full of iron and whatever else. It will take more than a steel brush I am thinking an acid or something. Any ideas?

[crashdive123]

I've always just used a file card.

[Ole WV Coot]

File card works for me also.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Guess that is why mine are full....I have never seen one. Never looked though. Will it work for really rusted impacted iron on old files?

[crashdive123]

I've never tried to clean one that was badly rusted. I'd try the file card first and if that doesn't work a treatment with naval jelly might help.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Yeah there that bad your spot on with Naval Jelly. I have something equivalent to naval jelly. I thought it was the only way...you just confirmed it. Sure would be nice if it saves them they have seen 20 yrs. of hard use.

[crashdive123]

If it doesn't work you've got yourself another knife project.

[SARKY]

Well you guys covered all that needed to be covered on this one!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Update...

I just tried Nitro-Solvent Hoppe's #9 and it'll flat clean your file. I also employed a wire brush in 1/2" drill motor. Cleaned them good as new!

[your_comforting_company]

excellent info guys. I have some powder solvent that I need to use on my fine file. I don't worry too much about he course one, the big teeth don't hold too much iron. Thanks for sharing. anyone tried any other solvents? I don't think I want to play around with acids...

[Rick]

I use a file card every time I finish using a file. It's just part of cleaning my tools before I put them away. For something like files and saw blades that will collect debris, preventative maintenance pays dividends IMHO.

[edr730]

Toilet bowl cleaner works good, but if you don't wash it off with baking soda it will rust even worse. It has acid in it, but doesn't take your breath away as much.