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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 Shape Flat Remove This Item
  2. Length 6 in Remove This Item
  3. Length 12 in Remove This Item
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File Cut  
  1. Smooth 8 items
  2. Bastard 15 items
  3. Second 6 items
  4. Single/Double 1 item
  5. Fine 1 item
  6. Double Cut 1 item
  7. Magicut 1 item
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Length  
X
  1. 4 in 6 items
  2. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  3. 6 in 16 items
  4. 8 in 25 items
  5. 10 in 19 items
  6. 12 in 17 items
  7. 14 in 6 items
  8. 16 in 1 item
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Handled  
  1. No 18 items
  2. Ergonomic 2 items
  3. Yes 1 item
File Shape  
X
  1. Half Round 8 items
  2. Flat 33 items
  3. Round 10 items
  4. Knife 4 items
  5. Square Shape 4 items
  6. Triangle 13 items
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Items 1-30 of 33

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  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. Nicholson File #00070NN 12 in. Flat Aluminum Type A File

    Sku #: 3HN-00070NN

    Nicholson File #00070NN 12 in. Flat Aluminum Type A File
    Special Price $35.19 Regular Price $48.91
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  12. Nicholson File #16663NN 6 in. Warding Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-16663NN

    Nicholson File #16663NN 6 in. Warding Bastard Cut
    Special Price $16.15 Regular Price $22.45
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  13. 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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  14. Nicholson File #08354NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08354NN

    Nicholson File #08354NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut
    Special Price $8.29 Regular Price $11.52
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  15. 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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  16. 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
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  17. Nicholson File #08737NN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-08737NN

    Nicholson File #08737NN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut
    Special Price $21.12 Regular Price $29.36
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  18. 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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  19. 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
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  20. Nicholson File #21687HNN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21687HNN

    Nicholson File #21687HNN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle
    Special Price $11.76 Regular Price $16.35
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  21. Nicholson File #21687NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Red Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21687NN

    Nicholson File #21687NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Red Handle
    Special Price $10.20 Regular Price $14.18
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  22. Nicholson File #21825NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21825NN

    Nicholson File #21825NN 6 in. Mill Bastard Cut without Handle
    Special Price $8.84 Regular Price $12.28
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  23. Nicholson File #21842HNN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21842HNN

    Nicholson File #21842HNN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut-Ergonomic Handle
    Special Price $23.06 Regular Price $32.05
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  24. Nicholson File #21842NN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21842NN

    Nicholson File #21842NN 12 in. Mill Bastard Cut without Handle
    Special Price $19.10 Regular Price $26.54
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  25. Nicholson File #07851N 12 in. Hand Long Angle Lathe (LAL) Fine

    Sku #: 3HN-07851N

    Nicholson File #07851N 12 in. Hand Long Angle Lathe (LAL) Fine
    Special Price $36.73 Regular Price $51.05
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  26. Nicholson File #07688NN 12 in. Flat Long Angle Lathe (LAL)

    Sku #: 3HN-07688NN

    Nicholson File #07688NN 12 in. Flat Long Angle Lathe (LAL)
    Special Price $32.93 Regular Price $45.77
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  27. Nicholson File #06686NN 12 in. Handy File

    Sku #: 3HN-06686NN

    Nicholson File #06686NN 12 in. Handy File
    Special Price $28.87 Regular Price $40.13
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  28. Nicholson File #05738N 6 in. Hand Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05738N

    Nicholson File #05738N 6 in. Hand Bastard Cut
    Special Price $13.79 Regular Price $19.17
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  29. Nicholson File #05771N 6 in. Hand Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05771N

    Nicholson File #05771N 6 in. Hand Second Cut
    Special Price $14.90 Regular Price $20.71
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  30. Nicholson File #05804N 6 in. Hand Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05804N

    Nicholson File #05804N 6 in. Hand Smooth Cut
    Special Price $15.74 Regular Price $21.88
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  1. File Shape Flat Remove This Item
  2. Length 6 in Remove This Item
  3. Length 12 in Remove This Item
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Shopping Options
File Cut
  1. Smooth 8 items
  2. Bastard 15 items
  3. Second 6 items
  4. Single/Double 1 item
  5. Fine 1 item
  6. Double Cut 1 item
  7. Magicut 1 item
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Length
  1. 4 in 6 items
  2. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  3. 6 in 16 items
  4. 8 in 25 items
  5. 10 in 19 items
  6. 12 in 17 items
  7. 14 in 6 items
  8. 16 in 1 item
Show more
Handled
  1. No 18 items
  2. Ergonomic 2 items
  3. Yes 1 item
File Shape
  1. Half Round 8 items
  2. Flat 33 items
  3. Round 10 items
  4. Knife 4 items
  5. Square Shape 4 items
  6. Triangle 13 items
Show more