[TheForge] Diamond files?

[Andrew Vida]

Harry wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
>    Looking to expand my file inventory. I see files on ebay. Does anyone
>    have experience with them? Are they worth getting? What applications
>    are they used for?

	In my experience, diamond files are somewhat limited in their 
applications.  They are definitely not well suited to gross material 
removal.  The key to using diamond abrasives is a light touch.  Diamond 
is a very aggressive cutter and one must constantly fight the urge to 
push harder than a very light pressure.  It is an abrasive and will act 
as one.  It will NOT act as a file acts.  They can be used effectively 
but you have to know where they are appropriate and how to employ them, 
otherwise you will end up frustrated, possibly with a botched job and 
probably with a ruined file.  In general, I would use diamond files on 
very hard materials where the area to be worked is small, no more than a 
few square inches at the most.  As I said, light pressure is the key 
watchword with diamonds.  Let them do the work.  This becomes especially 
true when you are going to break a sharp corner.  Start with extremely 
light pressure and increase slowly as the sharp corner breaks down.  One 
pound of pressure on a line of action that is .001" wide (sharp corner 
or point) can place thousands of psi at the contact area.  Therefore, go 
lightly.

	I have a few diamond files, but they see very little use.  I would 
sooner build my inventory of "real" files.  I would get one or two 
diamond files or rifflers just to see how they work and get a feel for 
using them.  They are definitely handy now and again but as I said, they 
do not act as files.  They are more like an abrasive stick that never 
wears out if used correctly.

	Good luck.

	-Andy