Posts: 2,021
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
I picked this up at an estate sale. Nothing of significance for tools-the others didn't give a hint for this one. Blade is 4 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/8" thick. Flat portion is smooth, but the edges are concave and have teeth like a file. I have big money invested in this ($2.00) so I hope it is valuable. At worse case I can reuse the handle. I wasn't even going to purchase it, but the curiosity got the best of me. That style of handle looks familiar to me.
Does anybody know what it is used for or take a guess?
Thanks
Posts: 14,785
Threads: 10
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: southeastern VA
It is called a "float."
There are basically 2 types: file action only on edge or file action only on face.
I heard about them from people who make wooden planes. There may be other uses for them.
"the most important safety feature on any tool is the one between your ears." - Ken Vick
A wish for you all: May you keep buying green bananas.
Posts: 1,131
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2004
(09-17-2023, 11:36 PM)iclark Wrote: It is called a "float."
There are basically 2 types: file action only on edge or file action only on face.
I heard about them from people who make wooden planes. There may be other uses for them.
I have some floats, but I have never seen one with concave (or convex) teeth. I can't think of what this would be for.
It's all wood.
Posts: 4,013
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2002
It’s a “fret” file, for rounding / shaping frets on a guitar or similar stringed instrument. See:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-an...-crowning/
Posts: 2,021
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
(09-18-2023, 02:55 AM)Nordic Wrote: It’s a “fret” file, for rounding / shaping frets on a guitar or similar stringed instrument. See:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-an...-crowning/
Sure looks like it. There was no guitars that I saw, Only thing close I remembered was a music stand
I guess I learned something new today, thanks to you folks, and it only cost $2.00
Posts: 14,785
Threads: 10
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: southeastern VA
(09-18-2023, 02:55 AM)Nordic Wrote: It’s a “fret” file, for rounding / shaping frets on a guitar or similar stringed instrument. See:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-an...-crowning/
Thanks for the better answer. I learned something today, too.
"the most important safety feature on any tool is the one between your ears." - Ken Vick
A wish for you all: May you keep buying green bananas.
Posts: 10,704
Threads: 1
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Orlando, Florida
Whatever luthier owned this was pretty proud of it considering the very nice handle.
Still Learning,
Allan Hill
Posts: 2,021
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
(09-19-2023, 09:30 AM)AHill Wrote: Whatever luthier owned this was pretty proud of it considering the very nice handle.
It's in very nice shape. The finish is good. That's why I was questioning if it was even a tool. I know we like to keep them in nice shape, but this didn't show any use.
Posts: 4,013
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2002
I recognized it from my own:
Stew Mac sold these for years. There is a similar one still on the link I sent earlier, a “Gurian” quarter round fret file, “Gurian” being a brand.
https://www.gurianinstruments.com/showca...ret-files/
They aren’t really “heavy” use files. The teeth will probably wear out before the handle does.
I’ve used mine on about 2 dozen fret jobs or so? The only way you can really tell is the condition of the teeth.