what kind of files?

[rathead]

what brand name files should i look for? im looking for a good set of files for fine sanding, hard to reach spots, etc.
are they all the same?
thanks.

[MPWR]

Files are files. You'll probably be hard pressed to find a difference in quality from one set of needle or jeweler's files versus another.

Sanding sticks are much the same way. I've used sanding sticks made by Flexifile, Suqadron, and Stevens. I liked that the Flexifile ones had more of a point, so they fit into confined areas a bit better. My favorite at present are the Stevens ones, because they're a bit larger, and if you use them properly they seem to last a bit longer.

Get a pack of them, and get one of the tri-grit polishing sticks. And don't be above using sandpaper to for bodywork and the like.

Welcome to AF!

[Raceman]

These sanding sticks are very helpful just ask your Wife or girlfried,i always get beaten up by my Wife when she wants to do her nails and cant find the sticks ;-)
They are about 3 mm thick and you can get them in different grades.

http://people.freenet.de/raceman.de/alfa/sticks.JPG

[rathead]

thanks for the quick answers.
im going to try some sticks. steal one from my wife

[freakmech]

Sticks are great but for more detailed stuff files are nice. Squadron makes a variety pack with 8 or so different files, sells for like $15. Its a good start and once you find the ones you like the most Nicholson makes very nice files, much better quality but are pricey. So experiment with the cheapy ones first. I only use like 6 or 7 type files on a regular basis so i buy good ones in those shapes.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Files are files. You'll probably be hard pressed to find a difference in quality from one set of needle or jeweler's files versus another.

Sanding sticks are much the same way. I've used sanding sticks made by Flexifile, Suqadron, and Stevens. I liked that the Flexifile ones had more of a point, so they fit into confined areas a bit better. My favorite at present are the Stevens ones, because they're a bit larger, and if you use them properly they seem to last a bit longer.

Get a pack of them, and get one of the tri-grit polishing sticks. And don't be above using sandpaper to for bodywork and the like.

Welcome to AF!

Yes and no. I have a set of Craftsman needle files and a set of Squadron. The Craftsman files are beautifully made, the Squadron set is crude. The Craftsman set files beautifully and the flat file is flat, the round file is round and the triangular shaped file is triangular shaped. The best that can be said for the Squadron set is that the flat file is kinda, sorta flat shaped, etc...

Nicholson files are a quality product and they make needle files and rifler files.

hth,
Bill

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Whoever said "files are files" hasn't experienced the difference between quality tools and cheap tools. You can get decent results from cheap files, but make sure you have extras, you'll wear them out quicker. They won't cut as nicely.

While standard flat and needle files are good to have in a variety of shapes, if you do any fine bodywork on models you will find curved "riffler" files to be an invaluable tool at your disposal. They are amazingly easy to use, and can get into and dress areas that straight files just can't do. W/o my triangular and round riffler files I would be LOST. You can get 'em cheap or expensive, but by all means find some. They seem to average about $20 a set at hobby shops. I use them about 90% of the time I need to use a file.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

Whoever said "files are files" hasn't experienced the difference between quality tools and cheap tools. You can get decent results from cheap files, but make sure you have extras, you'll wear them out quicker. They won't cut as nicely.

While standard flat and needle files are good to have in a variety of shapes, if you do any fine bodywork on models you will find curved "riffler" files to be an invaluable tool at your disposal. They are amazingly easy to use, and can get into and dress areas that straight files just can't do. W/o my triangular and round riffler files I would be LOST. You can get 'em cheap or expensive, but by all means find some. They seem to average about $20 a set at hobby shops. I use them about 90% of the time I need to use a file.

Wassa' "Riffler file" when it's at home?
Glad you can't see me blushing over the internet
If you have a photo handy that would be nice.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Riffler files:

http://www.rnhorological.co.uk/image...-S150%20RN.jpg