I just got some files and some wooden handles to mount them on.
However I didn’t see that the handles (from Otto Frei) states in the
description “Must be drilled to accept file tang.” This is the
handle I bought-
I am a total novice when it comes to tools and assembly. The handle
already has a pre-drilled hole but I was wondering if it needs to be
a larger hole (not to large of course). I also see some handles that
say they have a steel die inside the handle that cuts it’s own
thread on the tang. Are these the easiest to use? I’m wondering if I
shouldn’t have gotten that one instead…
My boyfriend says I should just push the file into the handle
without drilling it because there’s already a hole. But I’m not sure
why they’d make a note that it must be drilled before inserting the
file if it were already ready to accept the tang.
Thanks in advance,
Ashley
Feeling silly asking this question, but asking it anyway.
I was taught and install the handles on my files buy first drilling
the hole in the handle out to slightly smaller then the diameter of
the end of the file tang and to a depth slightly greater then you
want to seat the file handle. The tang is then heated to a orangeish
red and the file is pressed into the handle and then withdrawn,
cooled, dried and then driven into the prepared handle.
Takes a couple of times to get the feel for it, and on very valuable
files you may want to wrap the rest of the file in a wet rag so as
to not draw the temper out of the file by over heating it. As always
take care when working around torches and hot metal.
I was taught many years ago not to rely just on the pre-drilled hole
in the handle but you may need to drill the starter hole a little
deeper but not necessarily wider. Then heat the tang of the file but
not the teeth, put the file in a vice -tang end up - and force the
handle down onto the tang with a few knocks of a hammer.
In a lot of cases the pre-drilled hole in the file handle isn’t a
hole at all. It is simply the indentation left by the turning center
on the lathe. It’s not deep at all.