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
Clear All
Diameter  
  1. 1/8 in 1 item
  2. 5/32 in 1 item
  3. 1/4 in 2 items
  4. 5/16 in 2 items
  5. 3/8 in 2 items
  6. 1/2 in 2 items
Show more
File Cut  
X
  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 7 items
  2. 6 in 10 items
  3. 8 in 10 items
  4. 10 in 8 items
  5. 12 in 6 items
  6. 14 in 2 items
Show more
File Shape  
  1. Half Round 5 items
  2. Flat 22 items
  3. Round 5 items
  4. Knife 4 items
  5. Square Shape 5 items
  6. Triangle 2 items
Show more
View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 43

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
  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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  2. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  3. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  4. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  5. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  6. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  7. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  8. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  9. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  10. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  11. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  12. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. Nicholson File #08306NN 4 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08306NN

    Nicholson File #08306NN 4 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $12.42 Regular Price $17.27
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  26. Nicholson File #08416NN 6 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08416NN

    Nicholson File #08416NN 6 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $12.78 Regular Price $17.76
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  27. Nicholson File #08560NN 8 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08560NN

    Nicholson File #08560NN 8 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $15.04 Regular Price $20.90
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  28. Nicholson File #08704NN 10 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08704NN

    Nicholson File #08704NN 10 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $17.73 Regular Price $24.65
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  29. Nicholson File #08799NN 12 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08799NN

    Nicholson File #08799NN 12 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $24.97 Regular Price $34.70
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  30. Nicholson File #08894NN 14 in. Mill Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08894NN

    Nicholson File #08894NN 14 in. Mill Smooth Cut
    Special Price $34.97 Regular Price $48.61
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
View as Grid List

Items 1-30 of 43

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
Shop By
Now Shopping by
  1. File Cut Smooth Remove This Item
Clear All
Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/8 in 1 item
  2. 5/32 in 1 item
  3. 1/4 in 2 items
  4. 5/16 in 2 items
  5. 3/8 in 2 items
  6. 1/2 in 2 items
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 7 items
  2. 6 in 10 items
  3. 8 in 10 items
  4. 10 in 8 items
  5. 12 in 6 items
  6. 14 in 2 items
Show more
File Shape
  1. Half Round 5 items
  2. Flat 22 items
  3. Round 5 items
  4. Knife 4 items
  5. Square Shape 5 items
  6. Triangle 2 items
Show more