From all of the feedback I have gotten, my sawing has improved much!
I was just thinking about googling how to saw for woods, because
using a saw is much the same. My husband was coaching me last night
on the condition of my files and how to best work with them and not
waste time. Does the Ganoksin site have tutorials on this? Or other
resources?
brenda
Search: John Donivan in the archives. I think he did a blog on files
and filing… VERY well done…
Files are rather like knives or chisels or any other cutting tool
that you can name, in that if you just throw them in a drawer or a
box, they will dull each other. Solution, get a canvas storage wrap
with pockets and keep them in the pockets. Keep the wrap rolled up
and tied off when your files are not in used.
Files are one way tools. They are intended to cut in one direction
only. If you rub your finger on one it will tell you immediately in
which direction to cut with it. Never drag a file backwards across a
surface. Such action will dull the file, even when you are working
with soft materials.
Use the largest file you can use on the job. This is important, but
hard to believe, so I’ll say it again. Use the largest file you can
for a given job. If you will just follow this rule you will have far
less trouble using files.
Use a coarse, fast cutting file first, then use a smoother, slower
cuting file to finish.
And, as it is with all the other tools you own, practice makes
perfect. Look for opportunities to use your files so that you can
practice using them. Don’t think, “Oh, God! I’m gonna hafta file
this!” Think, “Oh, goody! I get use my files.”
My husband was coaching me last night on the condition of my files and how to best work with them and not waste time
Do yourself a huge favor and DO WASTE TIME.
When I started in Goldsmithing, I got comfortable with ful skill
repertoire very fast. But I could not accomplish anything until I
have learned to WASTE TIME.
Goldsmithing is not about speed. Speed and efficiency are two
different things. The fastest way in goldsmithing is to maintain
ratio of thinking to actually working as at least 3 to 1.
I know there are shops who fire you if you do not make certain number
of widgets in an hour, but I am not talking about goldsmith
plantations.
Leonid Surpin
The Orchid list archives on the Ganoksin site are a treasure for
finding most such if it has been discussed on-list
before. Using and caring for files are topics that come up
occasionally and a search of the archives will return those threads
for your review.
There is a link in each Orchid message that comes to your inbox:
Orchid Archives:
http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Any newbie could do well to visit the archives and look up things
they’re interested in learning more about. Often, just that subject
has been covered before. If there are further questions, bringing it
up to the current Orchid forum will surely get answers for you. This
group is very giving and willing to help one another out.
Additionally, there are many searchable articles available on the
Ganoksin site that address many issues related to the jewelry field -
bench practices, jewlery design, history, ergonmics, safety, etc. The
largest collection of such resource available anywhere, perhaps, but
online for sure!
Thanks to Hanuman and Charles for bringing life to the idea, to Ton
who works to keep Ganoksin functioning and to all our Orchid family
who share their expertise, ideas and encouragement! Special thanks as
well to those whose financial contributions keep Ganoksin “healthy”
and afloat.
My best,
Pam
Pam Chott
www.songofthephoenix.com
Solution, get a canvas storage wrap with pockets and keep them in the pockets. Keep the wrap rolled up and tied off when your files are not in used.
As long as you keep that canvas oiled, otherwise your files will
rust. Oiled leather is good, but oiled lambs wool is the best imo.
Files are one way tools. They are intended to cut in one direction only. If you rub your finger on one it will tell you immediately in which direction to cut with it. Never drag a file backwards across a surface. Such action will dull the file, even when you are working with soft materials.
Cross cut files are can be used a few ways and all metal files can
be used to “draw file”.
One thing you should remember it to “not” take your file off the
work piece, otherwise you’ll end up with flat areas where you don’t
want them.
Regards Charles A.
As long as you keep that canvas oiled, otherwise your files will rust. Oiled leather is good, but oiled lambs wool is the best imo.
Do you need to add oil to the wool? It seems to me that the lanolin
should work - though I don’t know how it’s treated.
Paul Anderson