Draw filing

[Booger]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
What kind of files should I be using for draw filing the barrels? Are there certain files which are better than others? Maybe certain brands , cuts or tooth configurations ?
Also is there somewhere to buy regular slotted head type wood screws patch boxes and butt plates?
Thank you.
Regards,
GDM

[rich pierce]

Muzzleloading Builders Supply and Track of the Wolf are online "general stores" for builders abc shooters. You can find files and wood screws there. Yes expensive but buying in bulk may not be economical either.

I have about 80 files I guess so seldom buy one. For draw filing a "mill bastard" file works. I'd go with a Nicholson.

Some folks peen the stamped lettering on barrels with good effect carefully using a ballpeen hammer before filing.

[David R. Pennington]

Good new files are hard to come by. Appears that when all the manufacturing left our country so did the quality. I keep my eyes peeled at flea markets etc.,. for new or slightly used old USA made Simmonds or Nicholson files. I have had very good success having files resharpened by Boggs Tool Company and they work better than the new ones you can buy today. I also look for old wood screws at junk stores, flea markets and estate sales. Every old codger (like me) kept jars and cans full of them around their workbench. Blacksmith Bolt Supply has some slotted wood screws but maybe not all the sizes you might need.

[Booger]

Thank you gents for the information . Much appreciated.

GDM

[Ky-Flinter]

You can often find slotted screws at hardware stores, but they are almost always plated.  Toss them in a dish of Tidy-Bowl for about 5 minutes and the plating will be gone.  Rinse with water.

-Ron

[Curtis]

I purchased one of these Made in USA files from here about a year ago, it is excellent for drawfiling and other filing operations.  A few other USA files to be found there as well.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/files/johnson-ft70212-14-mill-bastard-file-usa.html

Curtis

[Scota4570]

What Curtis said!  I bought a couple of those and could not be happier.  They seem too large but they are not.  They don't pin and cut fast and smooth.  I can draw file a barrel in about a half an hour with one.  I then work it over with burganday scotchbrite.  That is it. 

[jerrywh]

 I try to find new American made bastard files about 12" long.  I keep them for nothing but draw filing barrels.  When draw filing the file is held at a diagonal angle to the barrel flat. This gives the file a shearing cut and helps stop the file from pinning or loading up. Also if the file is given a slight pressure on the return stroke it will help clear the teeth. If a file begins to load up and gall the metal you are probably applying too much pressure. Proper draw filing will give about as good a finish as 220 grit paper.  I could do a flat on a 12L14 in about 10 minutes.

[P.W.Berkuta]

I use a 10" lathe file. I purchased 4 imports @ $15.99 each about 3 years ago with the thought that they will dull quickly. So far I am still on my first one which I use all the time. Say what you may about the imports (these are from India) they are fine with me & my pocketbook. Treat them right and they will last a long time. I still have my dad's files & some of his dad's files which I send to Boggs Tool for re-sharpening.

[Bob Roller]

I use a 10" lathe file. I purchased 4 imports @ $15.99 each about 3 years ago with the thought that they will dull quickly. So far I am still on my first one which I use all the time. Say what you may about the imports (these are from India) they are fine with me & my pocketbook. Treat them right and they will last a long time. I still have my dad's files & some of his dad's files which I send to Boggs Tool for re-sharpening.

I bought a few end mills made in India from a company in New York
and I have not been gentle with them and they have outlasted any
others I have bought in recent years.<cdt tooling.com>

Bob Roller

[Booger]

Thank you gents for all the information . I followed David R.'s advice and hit the flea markets today . Picked up several good USA made files for under 20 bucks for the whole lot.  8 Nickelson , 2 Simmonds,  1 Meller , 1 Cleveland Tool co., 1 Lenox and 1 that all I can make out is some Letters either H&F or K&F but on other side is USA. I will be cleaning them up and giving a few a try. Thanks again for all the advice and help.

[taco650]

I try to find new American made bastard files about 12" long.  I keep them for nothing but draw filing barrels.  When draw filing the file is held at a diagonal angle to the barrel flat. This gives the file a shearing cut and helps stop the file from pinning or loading up. Also if the file is given a slight pressure on the return stroke it will help clear the teeth. If a file begins to load up and gall the metal you are probably applying too much pressure. Proper draw filing will give about as good a finish as 220 grit paper.  I could do a flat on a 12L14 in about 10 minutes.

Thanks for this info on how draw file with a standard file.  Is there tutorial on this with pics?  Would love to "see" how it is done.

[SingleMalt]

I've found "Made in USA" Nicholson files at "mom & pop" hardware stores.  Forget the big box stores.

[deepcreekdale]

I got one of those Johnson files from Cripes, (Thanks Curtis!) and it is one of the best files for draw filing I have ever used. Cuts fast and leaves a smooth finish. I also have several made in India files that I have been using for over 40 years and they are still going strong with heavy use. Old NIcholson files are great if you can find them but just because a file or anything else says "Made in the USA" is not a guarantee that it is superior to anything imported. If I want high end files for precision work, I buy Swedish Swiss or German files