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Industrial Hardware and Specialties is classified as an ESSENTIAL business and is fully operational.

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American Pattern

Choosing an American Pattern File

Selecting the proper file for your application is essential if your going to achieve the desired result for your job. When selecting the proper file you most consider its shape, size, tooth type, and coarseness. The size and the coarseness of the file are directly related. Larger files will remove more stock but will also leave your project with a coarse finish, while smaller files will remove less stock, but will leave a finer, smoother finish.

Parts of the File
Coarseness
Kinds of Teeth
Shape

Parts of the File

  • Length is measured exclusive of tang, from point to heel,unless specified otherwise
  • Desired stroke length, type of material and size will determine length required
 ClassicPlain ×

Kinds of Teeth

    SINGLE-CUT

  • Single set of parallel, diagonal rows of teeth
  • Single-cut files are often used with light pressure to produce a smooth surface finish or to put a keen edge on knives, shears or saws
 ClassicPlain

      • DOUBLE-CUT

      • 2 sets of diagonal rows of teeth
      • Second set of teeth cut in opposite diagonal direction and on top of the first set
      • First set of teeth is known as the overcut, second is known as upcut
      • Upcut is finer than overcut
      • Double-cut file is used with heavier pressure than the single-cut and removes material faster from the workpiece
      		 ClassicPlain

        MAGICUT

      • Single cut teeth divided by angular serrations into shorter cutting edges, which free themselves readily from chips and perform roughing and smoothing at the same time
      		 ClassicPlain

        CURVED-CUT

      • Teeth arranged in curved contours across the file face
      • Curved-cut file is normally used in automotive body shops for smoothing body panels
      		 ClassicPlain

        RASP-CUT

      • Series of individual teeth which are formed by a single-pointed tool
      • Produces a rough cut that is used primarily on wood, hooves, aluminum and lead
      		 ClassicPlain

Coarseness

  • Work to be accomplished, whether roughing or finishing, will determine type of teeth and coarseness for each application
  • Most American pattern files are available with 3 grades of cut: bastard-cut, second-cut and smooth-cut
 ClassicPlain

Shape

  • Area to be filed will determine specific cross-section (round, square, flat, etc.) to be used
 ClassicPlain ×
Filter  
Diameter  
  1. 1/8 in 3 items
  2. 5/32 in 3 items
  3. 3/16 in 2 items
  4. 7/32 in 1 item
  5. 1/4 in 8 items
  6. 5/16 in 7 items
  7. 3/8 in 6 items
  8. 1/2 in 6 items
  9. 5/8 in 1 item
Show more
File Cut  
  1. Smooth 43 items
  2. Bastard 79 items
  3. Second 23 items
  4. Single/Double 5 items
  5. Single 24 items
  6. Fine 4 items
  7. Double Cut 5 items
  8. Knurl Cut 6 items
  9. Magicut 3 items
Show more
Length  
  1. 4 in 18 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  4. 6 in 44 items
  5. 7 in 2 items
  6. 8 in 50 items
  7. 10 in 34 items
  8. 12 in 28 items
  9. 14 in 9 items
  10. 16 in 2 items
Show more
Handled  
  1. No 105 items
  2. Ergonomic 8 items
  3. Yes 9 items
File Shape  
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 92 items
  3. Round 27 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 28 items
Show more
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Items 1-30 of 192

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  1. Nicholson File #07894NN 8 in. Flat Magicut

    Sku #: 3HN-07894NN

    Nicholson File #07894NN 8 in. Flat Magicut
    Special Price $16.97 Regular Price $23.59
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  2. Nicholson File #07917NN 10 in. Flat Magicut

    Sku #: 3HN-07917NN

    Nicholson File #07917NN 10 in. Flat Magicut
    Special Price $21.90 Regular Price $30.45
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  3. Nicholson File #07941NN 12 in. Flat Magicut

    Sku #: 3HN-07941NN

    Nicholson File #07941NN 12 in. Flat Magicut
    Special Price $29.28 Regular Price $40.70
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  4. Nicholson File #03367NN 4 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03367NN

    Nicholson File #03367NN 4 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $11.47 Regular Price $15.94
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  5. Nicholson File #03434NN 4 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03434NN

    Nicholson File #03434NN 4 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $14.45 Regular Price $20.09
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  6. Nicholson File #03467NN 6 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03467NN

    Nicholson File #03467NN 6 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $12.23 Regular Price $17.00
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  7. Nicholson File #03500NN 6 in. Flat Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03500NN

    Nicholson File #03500NN 6 in. Flat Second Cut
    Special Price $12.95 Regular Price $18.00
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  8. Nicholson File #03533NN 6 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03533NN

    Nicholson File #03533NN 6 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $15.43 Regular Price $21.45
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  9. Nicholson File #03534NN 6 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03534NN

    Nicholson File #03534NN 6 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $16.19 Regular Price $22.50
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  10. Nicholson File #03566NN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03566NN

    Nicholson File #03566NN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $15.21 Regular Price $21.15
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  11. Nicholson File #03599NN 8 in. Flat Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03599NN

    Nicholson File #03599NN 8 in. Flat Second Cut
    Special Price $16.74 Regular Price $23.26
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  12. Nicholson File #03632NN 8 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03632NN

    Nicholson File #03632NN 8 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $17.89 Regular Price $24.86
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  13. Nicholson File #03633NN 8 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03633NN

    Nicholson File #03633NN 8 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $18.74 Regular Price $26.06
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  14. Nicholson File #03665NN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03665NN

    Nicholson File #03665NN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $18.49 Regular Price $25.70
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  15. Nicholson File #03698NN 10 in. Flat Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03698NN

    Nicholson File #03698NN 10 in. Flat Second Cut
    Special Price $21.63 Regular Price $30.07
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  16. Nicholson File #03731NN 10 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03731NN

    Nicholson File #03731NN 10 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $24.15 Regular Price $33.57
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  17. Nicholson File #03732NN 10 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03732NN

    Nicholson File #03732NN 10 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $25.61 Regular Price $35.60
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  18. Nicholson File #03762NN 12 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03762NN

    Nicholson File #03762NN 12 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $27.00 Regular Price $37.52
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  19. Nicholson File #03764NN 12 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03764NN

    Nicholson File #03764NN 12 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $25.75 Regular Price $35.79
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  20. Nicholson File #03797NN 12 in. Flat Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03797NN

    Nicholson File #03797NN 12 in. Flat Second Cut
    Special Price $29.10 Regular Price $40.45
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  21. Nicholson File #03830NN 12 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03830NN

    Nicholson File #03830NN 12 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $32.28 Regular Price $44.87
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  22. Nicholson File #03863NN 14 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03863NN

    Nicholson File #03863NN 14 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $35.97 Regular Price $50.00
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  23. Nicholson File #03929NN 14 in. Flat Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03929NN

    Nicholson File #03929NN 14 in. Flat Smooth Cut
    Special Price $45.25 Regular Price $62.90
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  24. Nicholson File #03980NN 16 in. Flat Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-03980NN

    Nicholson File #03980NN 16 in. Flat Bastard Cut
    Special Price $47.36 Regular Price $65.83
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  25. Nicholson File #21748HNN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21748HNN

    Nicholson File #21748HNN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle
    Special Price $17.55 Regular Price $24.40
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  26. Nicholson File #21862NN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21862NN

    Nicholson File #21862NN 8 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle
    Special Price $15.78 Regular Price $21.93
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  27. Nicholson File #21867NN 6 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21867NN

    Nicholson File #21867NN 6 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle
    Special Price $13.63 Regular Price $18.95
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  28. Nicholson File #21868HNN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21868HNN

    Nicholson File #21868HNN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle
    Special Price $20.58 Regular Price $28.60
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  29. Nicholson File #21868NN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21868NN

    Nicholson File #21868NN 10 in. Flat Bastard Cut without Handle
    Special Price $15.00 Regular Price $20.85
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  30. Nicholson File #02244NN 8 in. Chainsaw Depth Gauge File-Code No. 211

    Sku #: 3HN-02244NN

    Nicholson File #02244NN 8 in. Chainsaw Depth Gauge File-Code No. 211
    Special Price $10.92 Regular Price $15.18
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View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 192

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Set Descending Direction
Shop By
Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/8 in 3 items
  2. 5/32 in 3 items
  3. 3/16 in 2 items
  4. 7/32 in 1 item
  5. 1/4 in 8 items
  6. 5/16 in 7 items
  7. 3/8 in 6 items
  8. 1/2 in 6 items
  9. 5/8 in 1 item
Show more
File Cut
  1. Smooth 43 items
  2. Bastard 79 items
  3. Second 23 items
  4. Single/Double 5 items
  5. Single 24 items
  6. Fine 4 items
  7. Double Cut 5 items
  8. Knurl Cut 6 items
  9. Magicut 3 items
Show more
Length
  1. 4 in 18 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  4. 6 in 44 items
  5. 7 in 2 items
  6. 8 in 50 items
  7. 10 in 34 items
  8. 12 in 28 items
  9. 14 in 9 items
  10. 16 in 2 items
Show more
Handled
  1. No 105 items
  2. Ergonomic 8 items
  3. Yes 9 items
File Shape
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 92 items
  3. Round 27 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 28 items
Show more