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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  
  1. File Cut Second Remove This Item
  2. File Cut Single Remove This Item
  3. File Cut Regular Second Remove This Item
  4. Handled No Remove This Item
Clear All
Diameter  
  1. 1/4 in 1 item
  2. 5/16 in 1 item
  3. 3/8 in 1 item
  4. 1/2 in 1 item
File Cut  
X
  1. Smooth 25 items
  2. Bastard 43 items
  3. Second 17 items
  4. Single 17 items
  5. Magicut 3 items
Show more
Length  
  1. 4 in 4 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 10 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 6 items
  6. 10 in 5 items
  7. 12 in 4 items
Show more
Handled  
X
  1. No 34 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
  3. Yes 3 items
File Shape  
  1. Half Round 5 items
  2. Flat 8 items
  3. Round 4 items
  4. Triangle 17 items
View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 34

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  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. Nicholson File #14106MN 4 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14106MN

    Nicholson File #14106MN 4 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.06 Regular Price $9.81
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  6. Nicholson File #14162MN 5 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14162MN

    Nicholson File #14162MN 5 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $6.79 Regular Price $9.44
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  7. Nicholson File #14224MN 6 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14224MN

    Nicholson File #14224MN 6 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.61 Regular Price $10.57
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  8. Nicholson File #14255MN 7 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14255MN

    Nicholson File #14255MN 7 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $9.38 Regular Price $13.04
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  9. Nicholson File #14290MN 8 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14290MN

    Nicholson File #14290MN 8 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $11.27 Regular Price $15.67
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  10. Nicholson File #14341NNN 10 in. Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14341NNN

    Nicholson File #14341NNN 10 in. Slim Taper File
    Special Price $15.31 Regular Price $21.28
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  11. Nicholson File #21866NN 6 in. Slim Taper File without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21866NN

    Nicholson File #21866NN 6 in. Slim Taper File without Handle
    Special Price $10.90 Regular Price $15.16
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  12. Nicholson File #14547MN 4 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14547MN

    Nicholson File #14547MN 4 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.72 Regular Price $10.74
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  13. Nicholson File #14599MN 5 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14599MN

    Nicholson File #14599MN 5 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.43 Regular Price $10.33
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  14. Nicholson File #14665MN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14665MN

    Nicholson File #14665MN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $8.19 Regular Price $11.39
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  15. Nicholson File #14729NN 8 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14729NN

    Nicholson File #14729NN 8 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $11.27 Regular Price $15.67
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  16. Nicholson File #21873NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21873NN

    Nicholson File #21873NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File without Handle
    Special Price $8.70 Regular Price $12.09
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  17. Nicholson File #14942MN 4 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14942MN

    Nicholson File #14942MN 4 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.69 Regular Price $10.68
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  18. Nicholson File #14992MN 5 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14992MN

    Nicholson File #14992MN 5 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.78 Regular Price $10.82
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  19. Nicholson File #15024NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-15024NN

    Nicholson File #15024NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $8.27 Regular Price $11.50
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  20. Nicholson File #15056NN 7 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-15056NN

    Nicholson File #15056NN 7 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $9.87 Regular Price $13.72
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  21. Nicholson File #21874NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21874NN

    Nicholson File #21874NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File without Handle
    Special Price $8.86 Regular Price $12.31
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  22. Nicholson File #11748NN 6 in. Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11748NN

    Nicholson File #11748NN 6 in. Round Second Cut
    Special Price $10.90 Regular Price $15.16
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  23. Nicholson File #11936 8 in. Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11936

    Nicholson File #11936 8 in. Round Second Cut
    Special Price $13.21 Regular Price $18.36
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  24. Nicholson File #12051 10 in. Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12051

    Nicholson File #12051 10 in. Round Second Cut
    Special Price $17.59 Regular Price $24.46
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  25. Nicholson File #12166 12 in. Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12166

    Nicholson File #12166 12 in. Round Second Cut
    Special Price $23.60 Regular Price $32.81
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  26. Nicholson File #08385NN 6 in. Mill Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08385NN

    Nicholson File #08385NN 6 in. Mill Second Cut
    Special Price $11.84 Regular Price $16.46
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  27. Nicholson File #08529NN 8 in. Mill Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08529NN

    Nicholson File #08529NN 8 in. Mill Second Cut
    Special Price $13.30 Regular Price $18.49
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  28. Nicholson File #08673NN 10 in. Mill Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08673NN

    Nicholson File #08673NN 10 in. Mill Second Cut
    Special Price $16.99 Regular Price $23.61
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  29. Nicholson File #08768NN 12 in. Mill Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08768NN

    Nicholson File #08768NN 12 in. Mill Second Cut
    Special Price $22.33 Regular Price $31.04
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  30. Nicholson File #04828N 6 in. Half Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-04828N

    Nicholson File #04828N 6 in. Half Round Second Cut
    Special Price $20.34 Regular Price $28.28
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Items 1-30 of 34

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Set Descending Direction
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Now Shopping by
  1. File Cut Second Remove This Item
  2. File Cut Single Remove This Item
  3. File Cut Regular Second Remove This Item
  4. Handled No Remove This Item
Clear All
Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/4 in 1 item
  2. 5/16 in 1 item
  3. 3/8 in 1 item
  4. 1/2 in 1 item
File Cut
  1. Smooth 25 items
  2. Bastard 43 items
  3. Second 17 items
  4. Single 17 items
  5. Magicut 3 items
Show more
Length
  1. 4 in 4 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 10 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 6 items
  6. 10 in 5 items
  7. 12 in 4 items
Show more
Handled
  1. No 34 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
  3. Yes 3 items
File Shape
  1. Half Round 5 items
  2. Flat 8 items
  3. Round 4 items
  4. Triangle 17 items