FILING NON-FERROUS METALS and ABRASIVE SHEETS (for metals) AND WIRE WOOL

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FILING NON-FERROUS METALS
ABRASIVE SHEETS (for metals) AND WIRE WOOL

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FILING SOFT NON-FERROUS METALS

When there is a need to smooth the edges of a thin sheet metal such as copper, the material is placed low down in the vice. If it is placed too high, will bend and lose shape during the filing process. It is good practice to protect the surfaces of the copper with two small pieces of card, held between the jaws and the copper. Alternatively, vice fibre grips can be used. If the surfaces are not protected, the grip pattern of the vice jaws will be pressed into the surface of the soft copper.

If a typical hand file is to large / robust for the metal being filed, switch to using a flat needle file. The first technique is to ‘through file’, followed by ‘draw filing’. Abrasive paper / emery cloth is finally used to create a smooth edge.

For light filing, a table vice / vice bench clamp may be more suitable, as it is smaller and less bulky, allowing easier access to the metal.

Click here for link to Through Filing and Draw Filing

ABRASIVE SHEETS FOR METALS

The next stage is to use emery cloth (a traditional sheet abrasive, for use with metals). There are four general grades of emery cloth:

Emery cloth is the . engineers traditional choice of abrasive sheet for metals. However, a range of alternative sheets are available today. The grit size table seen above, applies to all the types of abrasive. The most common type of abrasive sheet (appropriate for metals) are shown below.

One way of using an abrasive sheet is to tear a strip and wrap it around the blade of a hand file.

Use both hands to hold the abrasive in place on the file, whilst working forwards and backwards along the edge of the copper, in a ‘draw filing’ action.
Take care not to ‘knock’ your knuckles on the jaws of the vice, or seven worse catching them on the sharp edges of the metal being smoothed.

WIRE WOOL

Wire wool is ideal for finishing the surface of non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Engineers sometimes prefer to use emery cloth or a sheet abrasive first, followed by wire wool. Wire wool is normally supplied as a packaged roll(see below). The user simply pulls off a small ‘ball’ of wool and uses this for smoothing / cleaning a surface.

ADVANTAGES OF USING WIRE WOOL

Why is wire wool is used for smoothing and cleaning purposes?

Adaptability: When held in the hand, wire wool can be formed into shapes that allow it to smooth, polish and clean irregular surfaces.

Variety of uses: It is used to clean, smooth and polish a range of materials, including woods and metals. Wire wool can be used in a circular movement or linear movement (forwards and backwards). It can even be used to produce a fine texture on the surface of metals.

Sometimes a better choice than sheet abrasives: Sheet abrasives are more likely to scratch and damage a surface, if used incorrectly or the wrong choice of grade is applied.

Life span: Wire wool is long lasting and tends not to hold on to particles of the materials being cleaned / polished. However, it will eventually wear out.

Effectiveness: It is a comparatively efficient cleaner of surfaces and is a little easier to use and hold than sheet abrasives.

ADVANTAGES OF USING SHEET ABRASIVES

Why are sheet abrasives used for smoothing and cleaning purposes?

Surface Finish: Because of the consistent abrasive surface of sheets, they can be used to produce a uniform textured finish. Often a linear texture, similar to a ‘ground’ finish, produced by a surface grinder.

Range of Grits: They are supplied in a broad range of grits, which can be used for rough finishing and cleaning to polishing a surface.

Life span: Quality abrasive sheets with cloth backings, in particular the rougher grades, last longer than wire wool equivalents.

Variety of uses: Abrasive sheets can be used on a wide range of materials, from woods and metals to plastics. The range of available grits, make sheet abrasives very useful in workshops. Sheets can be cut to different sizes, which means they can be adapted to a variety of sanding machines, including handheld portable machines. They are also ideal for hand use.

Cleaner: Abrasive sheets tend to hold on to the particles, creating less harmful dust, especially fine dust / particles.

Safety: Abrasive sheets tend to be wrapped round tools such as a hand file or held by clamps (e.g. a portable sanding machine). This makes them a little safer to use, hands and fingers are further away from the surface being abraded. Wire wool is held directly in the hand.

ABRASIVE CLOTH / PAPER TEXTURES

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