Needle files

[montka]

Just wondered if anyone here has a good set of needle files and where they got them? (Especially any good internet shops.) My smallest file is about 5mm in diameter which is too big for some of the jobs I want to do.

Cheers!

 

[MPJ]

My favorite shop for these sort of things is Micro-Mark which you can get to at that URL.

My favorite files on their website are at this page. In case the URL doesn\'t work for some reason they are the Diamond Coated Needle Files. Looks like there are now 6 different sets of Diamond Files on their site, it\'s been a while since I bought mine. They file fairly fast, leave the metal fairly smooth, and last a long time (mine are 10yrs old+).

 

[james sequeira]

Check out Heresy Miniatures for files.

 

[airhead]

Also, check out Sears. They have a nice set that I have used for years.

the flea market tool guys usually have a set as well, but I have found those files to be too coarse for much use on minis.

 

[J2FcM]

Is there anything specific or must have, that I should look for when purchasing files then? I need a good set, but am thinking of directly going to a store directly.

 

[MPJ]

In my experience you will use the half round files the most by far. I rarely if ever use the flat, square, or triangle ones though I do use the full round one a bit. I guess that makes the half-round type a \'must have\'.

 

[airhead]

my most used file is a flat/rounded one.

|)

kinda like that. File on both sides.

then I use a 6\" flat file a lot on the minis with included bases.

 

[finn17]

Bloody Hell!

Originally posted by montka
My smallest file is about 5mm in diameter which is too big for some of the jobs I want to do.

[Crocodile Dundee Voice] That\'s not a needle file...THIS! is a needle file....[/Crocodile Dundee Voice]

 

[Thecadian]

if your in the uk focus sell some pretty small files

 

[J2FcM]

Is there a certain grit to look for a files?
I may pickup something at SEARS today and was wondering what to look for (other than round, and half round)

 

[demonherald]

A finer grain is generally better as it doesn\'t scratch the surface of the mini as much.

 

[airhead]

Originally posted by J2FcM
Is there a certain grit to look for a files?
I may pickup something at SEARS today and was wondering what to look for (other than round, and half round)

Sears sells a small set No. 96757: Swiss pattern, single cut teeth, six files.

the numbers may have changed as this is an old set of mine. but I have not worn them out on minis.

 

[Verm1s]

I second the Heresy files, specifically the diamond files. They\'re teeny wee things but at least twice as efficient as the files I was using.

 

[vincegamer]

I\'ve heard diamond files are not actually suited for what we do, but can\'t remember why.
I\'ll have to ask the guy who told me.

I also used to use the l) file most, until I lost it.
Now I use the round (\"rat tail\") file most. I use the triangular one as well when I need a thin but flat edge. I actually use all of them, but those most often.
I even have occasional use for an 8\" file, but that\'s just to get the bottoms of bases smooth.

 

[Verm1s]

Originally posted by vincegamer
I\'ve heard diamond files are not actually suited for what we do, but can\'t remember why.
I\'ll have to ask the guy who told me.

A guy who doesn\'t sell them? :innocent:

They seem okay to me. They scratch a little when you start filing something, but it soon smooths out again.

 

[vincegamer]

no. He\'s a guy that used to do sculpting for GW.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

Originally posted by Verm1s

Originally posted by vincegamer
I\'ve heard diamond files are not actually suited for what we do, but can\'t remember why.
I\'ll have to ask the guy who told me.

Diamond files are alomst all I use. What I dont like about \'regular\' files is that they can tend to leave a \'washboard\' effect. Lots of tiny evenly spaced grooves whereas a diamond file will leave faint scratches but I have two files, one new, one old. The new one takes alot more material off and leaves scratches, the old one I use to finish with.

 

[Painfully]

Eternal Tools offers 600 and 900 grit diamond files, versus Micro-mark\'s 220 grit. You do the math.

I gushed over them months ago on the Reaper Forums.

I still love these things!

 

[J2FcM]

Originally posted by airhead

Originally posted by J2FcM
Is there a certain grit to look for a files?
I may pickup something at SEARS today and was wondering what to look for (other than round, and half round)

Sears sells a small set No. 96757: Swiss pattern, single cut teeth, six files.

the numbers may have changed as this is an old set of mine. but I have not worn them out on minis.

and the winner is..... SEARS files! I settled on those. They are fine for the task. They seem a little less fine than the GW files (I went into GW and felt up their files), but seem to do a efficient and smooth jobbo.
pip pip!

 

[montka]

Reckon the \'eternal tools\' files are worth the extra cash compared to the ones on heresy miniatures? They cost £6 each compared to £10 for 10