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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 Smooth Remove This Item
  2. File Cut Second Remove This Item
  3. File Cut Single Remove This Item
  4. File Cut Regular Second Remove This Item
  5. File Cut 1 Remove This Item
  6. File Shape Flat Remove This Item
  7. File Shape Round Remove This Item
  8. File Shape Square Shape Remove This Item
  9. File Shape Triangle Remove This Item
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Diameter  
  1. 1/8 in 1 item
  2. 5/32 in 1 item
  3. 1/4 in 3 items
  4. 5/16 in 3 items
  5. 3/8 in 3 items
  6. 1/2 in 3 items
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File Cut  
X
  1. Smooth 34 items
  2. Bastard 60 items
  3. Second 16 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
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Length  
  1. 4 in 8 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 23 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 16 items
  6. 10 in 11 items
  7. 12 in 9 items
  8. 14 in 2 items
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Handled  
  1. No 49 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
  3. Yes 3 items
File Shape  
X
  1. Half Round 10 items
  2. Flat 35 items
  3. Round 9 items
  4. Knife 6 items
  5. Square Shape 5 items
  6. Triangle 25 items
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Items 1-30 of 74

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  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Nicholson File #16573NN 4 in. Warding Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16573NN

    Nicholson File #16573NN 4 in. Warding Smooth Cut
    Special Price $17.59 Regular Price $24.46
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  16. Nicholson File #16729NN 6 in. Warding Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16729NN

    Nicholson File #16729NN 6 in. Warding Smooth Cut
    Special Price $20.58 Regular Price $28.60
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  17. Nicholson File #16827NN 8 in. Warding Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16827NN

    Nicholson File #16827NN 8 in. Warding Smooth Cut
    Special Price $25.51 Regular Price $35.46
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  18. 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
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  19. 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
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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. 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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  23. 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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  24. 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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  25. 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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  26. Nicholson File #21729HNN 6 in. Slim Taper File-Ergonomic Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21729HNN

    Nicholson File #21729HNN 6 in. Slim Taper File-Ergonomic Handle
    Special Price $10.86 Regular Price $15.10
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  27. Nicholson File #21729NN 6 in. Slim Taper File-Red Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21729NN

    Nicholson File #21729NN 6 in. Slim Taper File-Red Handle
    Special Price $9.87 Regular Price $13.72
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  28. 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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  29. 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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  30. 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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Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/8 in 1 item
  2. 5/32 in 1 item
  3. 1/4 in 3 items
  4. 5/16 in 3 items
  5. 3/8 in 3 items
  6. 1/2 in 3 items
Show more
File Cut
  1. Smooth 34 items
  2. Bastard 60 items
  3. Second 16 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 8 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 23 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 16 items
  6. 10 in 11 items
  7. 12 in 9 items
  8. 14 in 2 items
Show more
Handled
  1. No 49 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
  3. Yes 3 items
File Shape
  1. Half Round 10 items
  2. Flat 35 items
  3. Round 9 items
  4. Knife 6 items
  5. Square Shape 5 items
  6. Triangle 25 items
Show more