Small needle files for metal figs?

[brasidas19004]

Years ago, I bought a cheap pack of fairly small files at Historicon.
They are about 4" long, some are pointed, some are flat, with 1/16" end to be held by a handle.
They are about 1-2mm thick for the flats, and 2-3mm thick for the rounded, semi-rounded, etc.
They are grooved, and are not uniformly rough [which I believe is called "diamond" finish].
They have been perfect for miniatures of all sizes as they are quite small and can get in the cracks.

I am having a difficult time finding a similar set. Amazon has about 50 sets and there is rarely enough information in the ads, plus Amazon's search engine purposely overloads you.

I'm looking for a SPECIFIC BRAND / MODEL and website to get them. I'll return to Amazon if I have the specific product.

Thanks in advance for your help, I've already wasted hours on this stupid task!

[westwaller]

Mine are Expo branded

https://www.expotools.com/acatalog/72506-Miniature-10pc-Diamond-Needle-File-Set-in-Wallet-72506.html#SID=76

I can't find them on amazon though only similar looking files that are suspiciously cheap.

[Dean]

I am happy with the Army Painter set

[Tactalvanic]

Search for either needle file sets or jewellers file sets.

Every brand name you can think of

Stanley, Axminster, Cromwell etc etc

https://www.metalclay.co.uk/mini-needle-file-set/

https://www.thecuriousgem.co.uk/files-reamers-burs.html

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/tools-and-machining/hand-files-and-rasps/49031007

and so on, and then there's amazon assortments..

[FramFramson]

My problem was always finding ones with finer teeth which didn't rapidly clog up. 

[snitcythedog]

My problem was always finding ones with finer teeth which didn't rapidly clog up. 

A wire file cleaning brush is one of my favorite investments. 

[Fitz]

I don't much like using diamond files on soft metal miniatures, as I find they clog easily and aren't easy to clean. Small mill files are my preference, though I also use bastard-cut files for rapid stock removal.

[FifteensAway]

Files where needed - usually just a bastard file on the base but I've found using a sharp blade (X-acto brand usually, both angled blades and chisel blades, especially the latter (#18)) is faster and usually works better for my purposes.  And my purpose is a game quality paint job, not any sort of high level painting - the old 3' rule.  And in 15 mm so maybe more practical than in larger scales.  Of course, in these days of centrifugal casting there is minimal need compared to many years ago.  I'm looking directly at MiniFigs!  But not them alone. 

Second looking for jeweler's files or needle files - and as alluded, look for quality over price though hard to tell on the internet.  If you live near a good model railroad shop, try there.

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Fine Wire brushes (or a sheet of brass) help clean a clogged file.

[Daeothar]

Fine Wire brushes (or a sheet of brass) help clean a clogged file.

This

I've got a set of jeweler's files I had to purchase when I entered the Antwerp academy of fine arts (to become a jeweler) back in the late nineties which I still heavily use today.

There was a store nearby which sold complete packages of supplies to first year students. Most of these tools were of first rate quality and cost an arm and a leg, but all of these are still in good nick to this day! You get what you pay for I guess. Besides; I was brought up on the adage 'take good care of your tools, and they will take care of you', so I have been careful with them all these years.

The files were originally meant to be used with a wooden handle, but I've found them to be much more nimble without. In fact; I never even put the handles on! They're quite long of their own already; about 20cm or so, without handle.

I have no recollection of the brand though, and the files themselves have no markings on them. You can see two of them in the below picture:



They're the oval and triangular ones. The set came with a flat one, a triangular one, an oval one, a round one and a square one, so five in total.

The triangular one has been my work horse for over 25 years now. I used to use the flat one a lot, but I once filed not completely dry Milliput with it, and the putty has completely clogged it. No amount of wirebrushing, freezing or other attempts have been able to bring it back to life, regrettably.

Don't file uncured Milliput...

Obviously, since I've had them for some long, they're impossible to find online. I mean; this was years before there even were online stores! But I've found a place that sells some that come pretty dang close. The site's in Dutch, but at least you'll get idea of the price point, when you want some tools that will last you a lifetime:

Dutch webstore

[2010sunburst]

If you are simply going to use them for white metal get a cheapo Chinese set of needle files from someone like Amazon.  High quality files (such as Valorbe) will quickly be ruined by white metal and are an unnecessary expense in this case, and diamond files are really just like using Emery paper on a former.  Suede brass wire brushes will clean the cheap files up nicely when they clog.  I must admit I use mostly number 15 and number 11 scalpels for most of my clean up though, keeping the files for particularly bad castings.  White metal is soft enough to be treated very similarly to plastic in my experience.  Bases (plastic and white metal) I flatten using a square of 80 grade wet or dry Emery paper glued to an offcut of MDF.  It has lasted me about thirty years so far……

[brasidas19004]

Pic of my cherished files next to the oversized Chinese c--p I now have three sets of and am returning all three.

It's easy to say "just get them at Amazon" but that's BS - the descriptions aren't accurate.
Mine, as pictured, are obviously a lot smaller, and much more useful with figures due to the size.

Anyone who can advise on an actual product would be very greatly appreciated!

[Daeothar]

I believe I did, though they might not be to your liking

The only surefire way to know what you're buying is to physically check them out at a store or convention (there used to be dedicated tool sellers at the ones I went to). otherwise it'll always be a bit of a gamble I'm afraid...

[2010sunburst]

Try a reputable tool factor such as Proops brothers or Axminster tools then.  The descriptions they give are accurate.  You are looking for second cut files of 150mm or less in length.  Bastard files will be too coarse, and smooth cut will clog too quickly. 

[FramFramson]

I don't know what wire brushes you folks have used but the ones I've had (brass bristles, IIRC) never seemed to clean a damn thing. The grooves on the files I have are just too fine.