Toggle Nav
Company Phone Number
My Cart
Search
Menu
Account

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

Please read our COVID-19 Message to our valued customers.

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 Smooth Remove This Item
  2. File Cut Bastard Remove This Item
  3. File Cut Second Remove This Item
  4. File Cut Regular Second Remove This Item
  5. File Shape Round Remove This Item
  6. File Shape Square Shape Remove This Item
  7. File Shape Triangle Remove This Item
Clear All
Diameter  
  1. 1/8 in 2 items
  2. 5/32 in 2 items
  3. 1/4 in 7 items
  4. 5/16 in 7 items
  5. 3/8 in 6 items
  6. 1/2 in 6 items
  7. 5/8 in 1 item
Show more
File Cut  
X
  1. Smooth 12 items
  2. Bastard 20 items
  3. Second 4 items
  4. Single 23 items
  5. Knurl Cut 6 items
Show more
Length  
  1. 4 in 4 items
  2. 6 in 9 items
  3. 8 in 9 items
  4. 10 in 7 items
  5. 12 in 6 items
  6. 14 in 1 item
Show more
Handled  
  1. No 19 items
  2. Yes 2 items
File Shape  
X
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 74 items
  3. Round 21 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 5 items
Show more
View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 36

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
  1. Nicholson File #15925NNN 6 in. Three Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-15925NNN

    Nicholson File #15925NNN 6 in. Three Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $16.19 Regular Price $22.50
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  2. Nicholson File #15991NNN 6 in. Three Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-15991NNN

    Nicholson File #15991NNN 6 in. Three Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $18.41 Regular Price $25.59
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  3. Nicholson File #16036NNN 8 in. Three Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16036NNN

    Nicholson File #16036NNN 8 in. Three Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $19.31 Regular Price $26.84
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  4. Nicholson File #16102NNN 8 in. Three Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16102NNN

    Nicholson File #16102NNN 8 in. Three Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $23.13 Regular Price $32.16
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  5. Nicholson File #16147NNN 10 in. Three Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16147NNN

    Nicholson File #16147NNN 10 in. Three Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $24.13 Regular Price $33.54
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  6. Nicholson File #13196 10 in. Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13196

    Nicholson File #13196 10 in. Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $21.96 Regular Price $30.53
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  7. Nicholson File #12790 4 in. Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12790

    Nicholson File #12790 4 in. Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $13.21 Regular Price $18.36
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  8. Nicholson File #12857 4 in. Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12857

    Nicholson File #12857 4 in. Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $15.53 Regular Price $21.58
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  9. Nicholson File #12967 6 in. Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12967

    Nicholson File #12967 6 in. Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $13.79 Regular Price $19.17
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  10. Nicholson File #13033 6 in. Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13033

    Nicholson File #13033 6 in. Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $16.33 Regular Price $22.69
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  11. Nicholson File #13081 8 in. Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13081

    Nicholson File #13081 8 in. Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $16.54 Regular Price $22.99
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  12. Nicholson File #13147 8 in. Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13147

    Nicholson File #13147 8 in. Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $18.92 Regular Price $26.30
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  13. Nicholson File #13262 10 in. Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13262

    Nicholson File #13262 10 in. Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $24.71 Regular Price $34.35
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  14. Nicholson File #13310 12 in. Square Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13310

    Nicholson File #13310 12 in. Square Bastard Cut
    Special Price $31.01 Regular Price $43.11
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  15. Nicholson File #13376 12 in. Square Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-13376

    Nicholson File #13376 12 in. Square Smooth Cut
    Special Price $38.21 Regular Price $53.11
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  16. Nicholson File #11526NN 4 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11526NN

    Nicholson File #11526NN 4 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $9.38 Regular Price $13.04
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  17. Nicholson File #11592NNN 4 in. Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11592NNN

    Nicholson File #11592NNN 4 in. Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $11.24 Regular Price $15.62
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  18. Nicholson File #11716 6 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11716

    Nicholson File #11716 6 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $9.58 Regular Price $13.31
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  19. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  20. Nicholson File #11781 6 in. Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11781

    Nicholson File #11781 6 in. Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $11.96 Regular Price $16.62
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  21. Nicholson File #11904 8 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11904

    Nicholson File #11904 8 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $11.57 Regular Price $16.08
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  22. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  23. Nicholson File #11969 8 in. Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-11969

    Nicholson File #11969 8 in. Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $14.75 Regular Price $20.50
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  24. Nicholson File #12019 10 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12019

    Nicholson File #12019 10 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $14.94 Regular Price $20.77
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  25. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  26. Nicholson File #12084 10 in. Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12084

    Nicholson File #12084 10 in. Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $19.45 Regular Price $27.03
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  27. Nicholson File #12131 12 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12131

    Nicholson File #12131 12 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $21.71 Regular Price $30.18
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  28. Nicholson File #12134 12 in. Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12134

    Nicholson File #12134 12 in. Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $20.68 Regular Price $28.74
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  29. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  30. Nicholson File #12199 12 in. Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-12199

    Nicholson File #12199 12 in. Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $25.73 Regular Price $35.76
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 36

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
Shop By
Now Shopping by
  1. File Cut Smooth Remove This Item
  2. File Cut Bastard Remove This Item
  3. File Cut Second Remove This Item
  4. File Cut Regular Second Remove This Item
  5. File Shape Round Remove This Item
  6. File Shape Square Shape Remove This Item
  7. File Shape Triangle Remove This Item
Clear All
Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/8 in 2 items
  2. 5/32 in 2 items
  3. 1/4 in 7 items
  4. 5/16 in 7 items
  5. 3/8 in 6 items
  6. 1/2 in 6 items
  7. 5/8 in 1 item
Show more
File Cut
  1. Smooth 12 items
  2. Bastard 20 items
  3. Second 4 items
  4. Single 23 items
  5. Knurl Cut 6 items
Show more
Length
  1. 4 in 4 items
  2. 6 in 9 items
  3. 8 in 9 items
  4. 10 in 7 items
  5. 12 in 6 items
  6. 14 in 1 item
Show more
Handled
  1. No 19 items
  2. Yes 2 items
File Shape
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 74 items
  3. Round 21 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 5 items
Show more