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American Pattern Hand Files - Smooth Cut, 8''''
Our editorial team reviews specifications, product data, and field-use information to keep pages accurate.
This smooth-cut hand file is a practical shop tool for dressing, striking off, shaping, and removing metal during gun work and other general metalworking tasks.
$16.69
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SKU: 191058190
Overview
This smooth-cut hand file is a practical shop tool for dressing, striking off, shaping, and removing metal during gun work and other general metalworking tasks. Its American pattern design is described as an all-purpose file, with parallel width and a slight taper in thickness for controlled use on a range of shaping jobs. The file features double-cut sides, with one edge single-cut and the other left safe, giving the user more control where contact needs to be limited. It is a straightforward choice for serious work where a versatile, basic file is needed rather than a specialized tool.
AI Recommendation
This smooth-cut hand file is a practical shop tool for dressing, striking off, shaping, and removing metal during gun work and other general metalworking tasks.
Why Hunters Choose the Apex Tool Group
Versatile All-purpose
File for dressing, striking off,
Smooth Cut
Suits general gun work and
Parallel Width
Slight thickness taper for consistent
Double-cut Sides
Efficient filing action
Safe Edge
Helps reduce unintended contact on
Key Features
- Smooth-cut American pattern hand file for general gun work and metal shaping.
- Suitable for dressing, striking off, shaping, and removing metal.
- Parallel width with slight taper in thickness for controlled filing.
- Double-cut sides with one single-cut edge and one safe edge.
- 8-inch American pattern size listed at 25/32 inch wide by 7/32 inch thick.
Best Used For
- Gun work and metal shaping tasks requiring an all-purpose hand file
- Dressing, striking off, and removing metal during shop or bench work
- Users needing a file with double-cut sides and one safe edge
- General-purpose filing where a smooth-cut finish is preferred
Pros
- Versatile all-purpose file for dressing, striking off, shaping, and metal removal.
- Smooth cut suits general gun work and controlled material removal.
- Parallel width with slight thickness taper for consistent handling.
- Double-cut sides provide efficient filing action.
- Safe edge helps reduce unintended contact on finished surfaces.
Considerations & Trade-offs
- Smooth cut is suited to finer shaping and dressing work, so it may remove material more slowly than a coarser file when heavier stock removal is needed.
- The safe edge is useful for controlled work, but it also means the file is more specialized than a fully cut file when you need to work close to adjacent surfaces.
- The listed dimensions show a relatively narrow file profile, which can be helpful for detail work but less efficient on broader surfaces.
- The product is described as an all-purpose gun work file, but it is still a hand file, so results depend on user technique and the specific metalworking task.
Suggested Comparisons
- Hand files
- Metal shaping files
- Gun work files
- General-purpose workshop files
Suggested Accessories
- File handle
- Bench vise
- File card
- Deburring tool
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this file intended for in gun work and general metal shaping?
It is described as one of the basic gun work files and an all-purpose file for dressing, striking off, shaping, and metal removing of all types.
What cut pattern does this file have?
The long description states it has double-cut sides, with one edge single-cut and the other edge safe.
What size options are listed for this product?
The specifications list two American-pattern sizes: 8" (20.3 cm) and 10" (25.4 cm).
Are the dimensions provided for both sizes?
Yes. The 8" size is listed as 25/32" (19.8 mm) wide x 7/32" (5.6 mm) thick, and the 10" size is listed as 31/32" (24.6 mm) wide x 1/4" (6.3 mm) thick.
Who makes this file?
The manufacturer listed is Apex Tool Group.