Sharpening Files
You can send files out to be re-sharpened. Lore also says you can sharpen them up yourself by soaking them in battery acid or vinegar. October 28, 2005
Question
I have a large number of old files from my father-in-law. Some of them are of a size and shape that I find would be useful in my work. However, after a number of years of abuse in toolboxes, drawers and bench tops, they don’t work as well as new ones. The cost to replace would be significant. Is there a company that would refurbish and sharpen them?
Forum Responses
(Furniture Making Forum)
From contributor A:
I spent a few years working for a large laminate display manufacturer and we sent our laminate files out to be acid etched about three times each before throwing them away.
They weren’t quite as sharp as a new one but they were sharp. If the files have a lot of rust then they are probably a loss. As far as who to call about acid etching files, I would start by calling a large sharpening service.
From contributor B:
I would recommend Boggs Tool.
From contributor C:
Weyger’s book on blacksmithing talks about using used battery acid (free) to sharpen files. I’ve heard about that for years from folks but never tried it personally.
From the original questioner:
None of the files I am considering are rusted, just dull. I will look into getting a quote from Boggs. I have heard of some company in Ohio but I think I will avoid sulfuric acid myself.
From contributor D:
I just had some files sharpened by Boggs, and I recommend them. The price was very reasonable, $1-3 a piece, and I was impressed with the results. Including shipping both ways, I ended up paying a total of about $2 per file, which was a lot cheaper than buying new ones.
From contributor E:
An old gunsmith told me he sharpened files by immersing them in pickling vinegar. I have not tried this but if you have a lot of files it might be worth a try. The amount of time the file is left immersed is a matter of trial and error. Also, I suspect the condition of some files may prevent the use of this process to revive them.
From contributor F:
I just want to second the recommendation of Boggs Tool - they will even sharpen a brand new Nicholson 49 or 50 rasp, before shipping it to you, and when they do so, it's noticeably sharper than a stock one. I've used them a couple of times. The service is not fast, but they offer incredible results.
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