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That time an old machinist told me I was filing brass all wrong
He said I was pushing the file instead of pulling it and now my parts actually fit after I switched to dragging the file across the metal, has anyone else had a basic skill they thought they knew totally flipped on them like that?
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clairec785mo ago
Dragging the file across the metal" - that one got me too. I spent years filing rods and small brackets by pushing down hard, never could get a clean finish. Then a gunsmith friend watched me for about ten seconds and said "you're fighting the file, let it do the work." Turned out I was also using a file that was way too fine for the job. Switched to a single cut bastard file and started pulling lightly, night and day difference on how smooth the surface came out.
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jordanm195mo ago
That's exactly right about the file being too fine. I was the same way for years, thought you needed a fine cut to get a smooth finish. But then an old machinist showed me a rough file can actually leave a smoother surface because you're not fighting it as hard. Took me a whole weekend of practice to break the habit of pushing down with all my weight. Now my arms don't get tired and the metal actually looks like something.
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