Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: islandpiper on October 10, 2008, 10:44:13 pm

Title: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: islandpiper on October 10, 2008, 10:44:13 pm

Here is a handy tool, too.  This one came from an auto body supply place.   Blades come in convex and flat.   The flat ones have teeth on both sides.   Pretty aggressive and leaves a SMOOOOOOTH cut.   
(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0084.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0085.jpg)

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr346/islandpiper51/DSCF0086.jpg)

Pretty hard to "dig in" with this like sometimes happens with a big tooth rasp. 

Piper

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: mullet on October 10, 2008, 10:58:04 pm

   I bought the file at a Flea Market, new it was for Bondo, but never saw the handle it was mounted to. Thanks

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: Pat B on October 11, 2008, 12:15:26 am

I've got one I found years ago, mounted it to a wood block but never used it.   

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: DanaM on October 11, 2008, 08:11:34 am

I have a bunch of them I bought a big tool box of files, rasps and such for $1- at a garage sale.
Haven't tried them yet but will, the best find in the box was 2 old nicolson rasps, not #49's but I believe their even
better ;D

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: islandpiper on October 11, 2008, 08:24:48 am

The danger, of course, in buying a BOX OF OLD FILES is that they are dull or have been banging into each other and are not going to cut too well.   

A remedy for some of that is to:
1.  wash them in HOT soapy water with a good brush
2.  Soak  them over night in kitchen strength white vinegar
3.   Wash them again in HOT water
4.   Dry them with a hair dryer
5.  Oil them with WD-40 and wipe off all excess

The acid will erode the surface slightly and "seem to " make all the points and edges sharper. 

Or, pay $20 for a file sharpening kit and do the same thing. 

Piper

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: shamus on October 11, 2008, 03:48:56 pm

Very interesting.

thanks for sharing.

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: Sidewinder on October 11, 2008, 04:52:44 pm

I used one like that my brother got me at an estate sale when I first got stated last year building bows. You are correct it does leave a smooth surface. I may go back and revisit  its use on my next bow.  Danny

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: Kegan on October 11, 2008, 04:57:23 pm

I fatehr has one like that- been using it for years. His is flat on one side, ounded on the other. Great tool- I use it alot.

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: DanaM on October 11, 2008, 06:33:29 pm

Quote from: islandpiper on October 11, 2008, 08:24:48 am

The danger, of course, in buying a BOX OF OLD FILES is that they are dull or have been banging into each other and are not going to cut too well.   

A remedy for some of that is to:
1.  wash them in HOT soapy water with a good brush
2.  Soak  them over night in kitchen strength white vinegar
3.   Wash them again in HOT water
4.   Dry them with a hair dryer
5.  Oil them with WD-40 and wipe off all excess

The acid will erode the surface slightly and "seem to " make all the points and edges sharper. 

Or make knives out of em ;) ;D

Or, pay $20 for a file sharpening kit and do the same thing. 

Piper

Title: Re: Ah, yes.....the old Vixen File
Post by: El Destructo on October 11, 2008, 09:15:33 pm

Hey ....I have blades for one of them!!! Didn't have an Idea what they were for.....Dana gave a couple....they seem very aggressive....now that I know what they are....I may just make a Handle for one and try it out!!!