All Replies on Source for saw files.

This set from Lee Valley is pretty nice.

-- John, BC, Canada

Can’t go wrong with Lie-Nielsen.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=files

-- Mike

I am aware of both offerings. I was looking for something a little cheaper for something I will have to throw away after 2 or 3 uses.

What would you be throwing away after two or three uses? The files? The saw? You lost me…

-- John, BC, Canada

That would be the file.

Tools for Working Wood offers boxes of 12 at a discount.

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/dept/TRR/item/EE-555-SF.XX/Saw_Files

Rich;)

-- Rich;) -"Dada make a big mess?" "Yes Dada made a big mess."

A good quality file will last a rather long time.
I can’t speak for the ones specefically offered by Lie Nielsen or Lee Valley, but in my jewelry work I can use, and get good results for many months of daily use from Swiss made Grobett files. And the cut is smoother and the teeth don’t clog the way cheaper files do from day one. There is just no comparison.

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

My invoice just 2 weeks ago at Tools for Working Wood. I looked quite a bit being first saw file purchase and these guys seemed well organized. They shipped the next business day and it arrived on my doorstep on second day after shipping from Brooklyn to New England.

EE-555-SF.7X Saw File – 7” Extra Slim – Each 1 $5.95 $5.95
EE-555-SF.7S Saw File – 7” Slim – Each 1 $5.95 $5.95
USPS Priority Mail: $7.53

-- Dave, New England - “We are made to persist. that's how we find out who we are.” ― Tobias Wolff

Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen and Tools for Working Wood all sell the Grobet files.

Rich;)

-- Rich;) -"Dada make a big mess?" "Yes Dada made a big mess."

I know they aren’t the best quality and wont last as long but like you said you won’t need them long. I’m sure that you would get a better sharpen off of quality files but if you want cheaper one time type look at lowes or home depot. I found the ones I needed there. They had triangular in the size I needed for both a disston D8, and my dovetail saw. both worked great. But I did wear them out :)

-- LAS, http://www.abettersign.com

Unless your “uses” each consist of sharpening a dozen or so saws, good files won’t be wearing out after 2-3 sessions.

-- John, BC, Canada

You can order the individual files you need from Highlandwoodworking.com. (You may need to lookup what size you need elsewhere). They are about $5 each, I think…just a little less than the Lie Neilsons….the killer is that if that’s all you order, you’ll also be paying $5 for shipping.

I actually only ordered one, for my small back-saws…I use a regular $20 Stanley Sharptooth for larger cuts…it doesn’t get sharpened, just replaced.

-- I'm strictly hand-tool only...unless the power tool is faster and easier!

There are things you can get on a cheap but files…....... Here is why quality is more important.

Higher grade files retains the edge longer when you file the saw. If it was cheap, the edge would not last
through the session of the first saw blade. If this was an expensive saw do get a better file. You would enjoy the process of sharpening. Well if it was a cheap saw :)

You can get Bahco files which are cheaper but the sizes are for bigger tpi 7-8.

I remember early on in my reading on saw sharpening that I read you should only use a file a few times, then toss it out. It has not been my experience with Grobet files that you need to do this. Perhaps your experience has been different.

Rich;)

-- Rich;) -"Dada make a big mess?" "Yes Dada made a big mess."

As Paul Sellers recounts here, the quality of current Nicholson files has suffered horribly since the firm moved production to Mexico.

That said, I’ve taken to looking through boxes of files at estate sales and flea markets. The vintage files were made during a time where the company still had a commitment to quality. You can pick up files for barely over a dollar and they’ll be good for a few sharpenings. Of course you’ll have to sort through a whole gaggle of beaters to find the couple that will meet your needs…

-- "People's lives are their own rewards or punishments."

For years, I used Nicholson, their quality went to crap.
I now use Grobet, Swiss made I think. Available from several sources.
Buy the sizes that you need and replace as necessary.
You can usually get 3 or more saws from a file unless it is a total rework.

-- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic