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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 ×
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  3. Length 12 in Remove This Item
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File Cut  
  1. Smooth 4 items
  2. Bastard 9 items
  3. Second 4 items
  4. Magicut 1 item
Length  
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  1. 4 in 12 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 25 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 22 items
  6. 10 in 22 items
  7. 12 in 18 items
  8. 14 in 7 items
  9. 16 in 2 items
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Handled  
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  1. No 17 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
File Shape  
  1. Half Round 4 items
  2. Flat 10 items
  3. Round 4 items
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18 Items

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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 #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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  3. 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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  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 #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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  6. 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
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  7. 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
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  8. 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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  9. 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
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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Nicholson File #05090N 12 in. Half Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05090N

    Nicholson File #05090N 12 in. Half Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $38.48 Regular Price $53.49
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  16. Nicholson File #05094N 12 in. Half Round Bastard Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05094N

    Nicholson File #05094N 12 in. Half Round Bastard Cut
    Special Price $36.69 Regular Price $51.00
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  17. Nicholson File #05125N 12 in. Half Round Second Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05125N

    Nicholson File #05125N 12 in. Half Round Second Cut
    Special Price $39.83 Regular Price $55.36
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  18. Nicholson File #05158N 12 in. Half Round Smooth Cut

    Sku #: 3HN-05158N

    Nicholson File #05158N 12 in. Half Round Smooth Cut
    Special Price $41.98 Regular Price $58.35
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18 Items

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File Cut
  1. Smooth 4 items
  2. Bastard 9 items
  3. Second 4 items
  4. Magicut 1 item
Length
  1. 4 in 12 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 6 in 25 items
  4. 7 in 2 items
  5. 8 in 22 items
  6. 10 in 22 items
  7. 12 in 18 items
  8. 14 in 7 items
  9. 16 in 2 items
Show more
Handled
  1. No 17 items
  2. Ergonomic 1 item
File Shape
  1. Half Round 4 items
  2. Flat 10 items
  3. Round 4 items