I’ve always struggled with files- the types, the cuts, which one is used for different projects… and you just made it very clear! I really appreciate that you demonstrated the files too!

I think I’ve watched all of your videos over the last month while recovering from a broken foot. Thank you for such wonderful videos! Your straightforward and un-rushed teaching style demystifies so many techniques. THANK YOU!!

You're such an inspiring teacher, I love your video's. Thank you so much!

My friend Lexie Erickson echoes your sentiment. Her version with reference to shoddy workmanship: "...and don't tell me, 'Its rustic'...". Good workmanship, is unmistakable!!

Thank you for another clear meaningful video! It’s really a pleasure to watch trained hands in action.

i'm in love with your channel. The teaching is so clear and well explained. Thank you for the content you are putting out there for us. Much love from Brazil.

This is so amazingly helpful! Thank you for all you do!

I am right at the start of my journey. Your excellent in depth tutorials are really helpful to de-mystefy the tools and techniques. You are a superb communicator on the subject and I will continue watching all of your tutorials. I have also looked at your website shop and love the individuality of your pieces. They stand apart from most other creators. Thankyou for your generosity of heart. Greetings from '' across the pond '.

Really informative, thank you.

This video really helped me thank you. For taking time to share such important information. Kim South Africa

Thank you for these videos you are a wealth of information

Thank you so much for the incredibly helpful video!

That was great!!! Thank you so much!

I find handles to be essential even on small files. I make my own on a wood lathe. I drill out a hole that allows the tang to sink about half way into the handle. Then I heat the tang to a dull red and shove the handle onto the hot tang. This sinks the tang 3/4 deep and makes a solid fit. It's not a problem to heat file tangs as they are not hardened anyway. I use copper pipe for ferules. Have you tried the trick using a piece of brass sheet to clean file teeth? I mount a bit of brass sheet on a dowel and push the edge across the teeth. Soon the file cuts into the edge of the softer brass turning the brass into a comb. The teeth of the comb then rake out the material clogging the teeth. File cards are rather hard on files. Brass is the way to go.

I love all the personal tips and the reminders on how to use the files.

Certainly learned a LOT about files today; thank you!

Thank you for the nice video. I don't do much filing because I primarily do wirework. So, I only have the ends of the wire to deal with. I have one half round needle file and one regular flat file. And a whole bunch of cup burrs. But I have wondered about files in case I want to use them more someday. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. 👍

Oh Greg thanks so much for this video. I’ve been struggling with needle files but just last night ordered my first large flat file. I thought as you mentioned ‘a files a files a file’ so it was great to have explanations not only on types but also how to get the best action AND cleaning, you have a wonderful way of explaining in an easy to follow format. I feel so much more comfortable in ordering my next purchase! I have just received my new Foredom flexi shaft motor and wondered will you do a ‘how to use and look after the motor’ video?

Thank you for sharing. I really enjoy your channel! This was lucky timing for me because I am buying some files. I mostly have needle files so far. If you ever get a chance, can you please make a video on how you organize your bench? It looks very well thought out. I spend a lot of time looking things 🙂. Happy Thanksgiving Greg🦃🥧🍂

Thank you for your interesting and useful videos☺ Your instruction is the main reason that I'm able to make silver soldering the right way. Thank you. I'm not at all up to say anything negative about your very instructive and highly skilled work but there is one thing i found out resently about file cards: File cards can be very rough and damaging to the fine files. Just use a piece of hardwood or thick brass sheet and rub the end of it in the same direction, as with the file card. Both the piece of wood and the brass sheet will take shape after the file, which isn't the case with the wires on the file card. The file card can clean a file but will dull the top of the teeths over time.

For a beginner jewelry maker/silversmith/metalsmith (not sure which title suits me best as a beginner) anyway if I have a set of needle files but can only afford to get one or two hand files to get started, which two would you recommend?? Thank you so much for all your tutorials, they’re so clear and straightforward. I’ve watched several. I appreciate that you provide such incredibly helpful information! And for free no less! Many Thanks 🙏🏼😊

You can get the blue plastic handles with the screw on they can be taken off and used on another !

Awesome video Greg my son and I have stopped watching anything else! What exactly have you found is good for dipping the file ends in? the tapes sound like a sticky mess someday. And again Our Sincere thanks for all the help and the videos with so much detail and explanation. We love them

I use wooden, unlacquered handles for my files and burn the number of the cut plus the shape of the file into the handle. So when they are resting in their stand/holder, it is quite easy to spot the right one - no searching.

amazing

I always grind a safe edge on my flat files if they are not present already. A simple bench grinder will do the job.

I use wine bottle corks for handles. Stops the tang digging into you

learned lots on this one. we do woodworking and always find it most enjoyable when done paitentlly. good reminder to also do this making jewelry. we bought the Glardon-Vallorbe LP1094 Precision File Set Of 5 - 6" (150mm) Cut 2 set from ottofrei after looking at recommendations on the ganoskin jewelry community. seems to match up well with your recommendations. cheers