Round files

[Eric Smith]

I have a great many used round files of various sizes. I was wondering wht could be done with them. Can I n=make gravers, punches, what would you do with them? I have already made ramrod scrapers in several sizes, as well as rat tail wood files.

[docone]

You can grind a lot of shapes in those files. Then you can re-harden them and temper them.
I use files for engraving. I grind a relief angle. They actually work well. Some of the ones I use, I use for inletting. They can be very precise, much more than chisels.
It sounds like you can pretty much grind any angle and make any shape you need. Watch temper, heat, and, grind the tail so it does not blossom from use. I have a faceting machine, and I use my graver sharpener on the table with diamond wheels. With round files though, finding -0- will be an issue, possibly. With square, or triangular, you can reset to sharpen.
They should do well for you.

[billd]

You can get them resharpened.

[Ryan McNabb]

The only round file I use is a coarse 3/8" for wiping rod hole work, pipes/thimbles, etc.  Regular round files I have found to be of almost no use.  Chainsaw files are the worst.  They cut like a hacksaw.

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

Chainsaw files work good for making mouldings on powder horns.

[fm tim]

See Keith Castile's engraving DVDs for explicit instructions on grinding, heat treating, and making handles to turn files into gravers.

[Ryan McNabb]

Chainsaw files work good for making mouldings on powder horns.

Yeah, I guess they would - never did any of that.

[TMerkley]

You might also be able to use them for flint and steel strikers for accoutrements.