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  
Diameter  
  1. 1/8 in 3 items
  2. 5/32 in 3 items
  3. 3/16 in 2 items
  4. 7/32 in 1 item
  5. 1/4 in 8 items
  6. 5/16 in 7 items
  7. 3/8 in 6 items
  8. 1/2 in 6 items
  9. 5/8 in 1 item
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 18 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  4. 6 in 44 items
  5. 7 in 2 items
  6. 8 in 50 items
  7. 10 in 34 items
  8. 12 in 28 items
  9. 14 in 9 items
  10. 16 in 2 items
Show more
Handled  
  1. No 105 items
  2. Ergonomic 8 items
  3. Yes 9 items
File Shape  
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 92 items
  3. Round 27 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 28 items
Show more
View as Grid List

Items 61-90 of 192

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
  1. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  2. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  3. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  4. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  5. 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
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  6. Nicholson File #14665MN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14665MN

    Nicholson File #14665MN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $8.19 Regular Price $11.39
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  7. Nicholson File #14729NN 8 in. Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14729NN

    Nicholson File #14729NN 8 in. Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $11.27 Regular Price $15.67
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  8. Nicholson File #21736NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File-Red Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21736NN

    Nicholson File #21736NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File-Red Handle
    Special Price $9.54 Regular Price $13.26
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  9. Nicholson File #21873NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21873NN

    Nicholson File #21873NN 6 in. Extra Slim Taper File without Handle
    Special Price $8.70 Regular Price $12.09
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  10. Nicholson File #14942MN 4 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14942MN

    Nicholson File #14942MN 4 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.69 Regular Price $10.68
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  11. Nicholson File #14992MN 5 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-14992MN

    Nicholson File #14992MN 5 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $7.78 Regular Price $10.82
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  12. Nicholson File #15024NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-15024NN

    Nicholson File #15024NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $8.27 Regular Price $11.50
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  13. Nicholson File #15056NN 7 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-15056NN

    Nicholson File #15056NN 7 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File
    Special Price $9.87 Regular Price $13.72
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  14. Nicholson File #21743NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File-Red Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21743NN

    Nicholson File #21743NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File-Red Handle
    Special Price $10.03 Regular Price $13.94
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  15. Nicholson File #21874NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File without Handle

    Sku #: 3HN-21874NN

    Nicholson File #21874NN 6 in. Double Extra Slim Taper File without Handle
    Special Price $8.86 Regular Price $12.31
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  16. Nicholson File #13807MN 6 in. Regular Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-13807MN

    Nicholson File #13807MN 6 in. Regular Taper File
    Special Price $9.46 Regular Price $13.15
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  17. Nicholson File #13875MN 8 in. Regular Taper File

    Sku #: 3HN-13875MN

    Nicholson File #13875MN 8 in. Regular Taper File
    Special Price $14.53 Regular Price $20.20
    Add to Wish List Add to Compare
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
View as Grid List

Items 61-90 of 192

Page
per page
Set Descending Direction
Shop By
Shopping Options
Diameter
  1. 1/8 in 3 items
  2. 5/32 in 3 items
  3. 3/16 in 2 items
  4. 7/32 in 1 item
  5. 1/4 in 8 items
  6. 5/16 in 7 items
  7. 3/8 in 6 items
  8. 1/2 in 6 items
  9. 5/8 in 1 item
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 18 items
  2. 5 in 3 items
  3. 5-1/4 in 2 items
  4. 6 in 44 items
  5. 7 in 2 items
  6. 8 in 50 items
  7. 10 in 34 items
  8. 12 in 28 items
  9. 14 in 9 items
  10. 16 in 2 items
Show more
Handled
  1. No 105 items
  2. Ergonomic 8 items
  3. Yes 9 items
File Shape
  1. Half Round 24 items
  2. Flat 92 items
  3. Round 27 items
  4. Knife 11 items
  5. Square Shape 10 items
  6. Triangle 28 items
Show more