Shopsmith Forums

Hi,

After never ordering these in the days when you could and after not winning any on ebay... (you can read that I'm not will to pay the amount they are going for). I have decided to search the open market for something that will fit and of course work.

To start my quest I need to have some idea as to what these really look like and to that end I'm thinking someone here must have a set and be able to fill in some information for me.

Below is a sketch I made up and if someone would be so kind as to provide me the missing dimensions I'll be off.

Of couse if someone has already done the leg work and has a place you can order them from please post that as well.

I'm guessing the "D" is a dia. but if not please let me know what it does look like. If it has a flat or something please point that out as well.

Thanks in advance,

Ed
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Ed,
Tough little animals to find....Dia is 1/4" and length is 3 7/16". I attached a pic of round, half round and flat or profile.
ldh

Ed, these files were once as common as dirt in the tool & die trade, and they still may be reasonably common. I have an ancient reciprocating "die file" that is better than 100 years old that uses the very same files as we used to offer for the Shopsmith jig saw. I also have a few of those old jig saw files in my shop, and I'll look for them and supply you with the specs if I find them. But I'd check with some old-time metalworkers before you have something specially made.

With all good wishes,

Thanks guys.

Yes, in the old days... almost 40 years ago now, I worked in a machine shop and we used powered files that looked a great deal like those pictured. If I recall they used a ball detent and sliding sleeve to lock them in place... More of deburring tool then for anything else, at least that is how we used them.

A few years later while I was attend school I worked summers for an extruded aluminum company as a draftsman where I would do drawings to have dies made. When the dies came in they would extrude a short billet and match the results to the customers specs... They had files with which they would adjust the dies. Those files had what I would guess were more like 1/8" shafts... I guess they might also work as long as you let the file and machine do the cutting and didn't force things.

Some good starting points anyway. If and when I find something I'll try to remember to post back my results in case more of you are looking for something like this.

Ed

Check out eBay auction no. 110221914594.

solicitr wrote:Check out eBay auction no. 110221914594.

Thanks!

Ed

A small box arrived today with my set of files. They are in a Magna Engineering Corp. box, accessory no. 12095, artical no. 84-3118. The tag on the back is from Wards and it looks like a hand written $1.00 but it is not totally clear.

The 6 files set in a red painted bock of wood and look to be new. No rust or anything else on them. They do have Disston USA stamped on them followed by a "0" near the end.

I've updated my drawing per these file sizes.

I had contacted a company that has not gotten back to me (more then a week now) they have a set of files that may work. I'm guessing they don't want to deal with general people so I wouldn't hold my breath for an answer.

I paid a lot more then I wanted to but now I have them my quest is over... and no I did not attempt to check for Disston files on the web. If someone is interested in doing so please let us know what you find.

Ed
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Hi Ed,

If you are interested in this type of thing, there is some history to learn: http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/ It seems the company was sold sometime after 1940, but I did not research too far and can not give you an exact date. They made quite a variety of product, all related to saws and maintaining them.

I have also been watching SS jig saw file sets on ebay - the last set sold for 84 dollars! Wow! Has anyone found an alternative source for these? Alec

I have a fine friend in Chicago, a Maniacal Serb(aka Mad Serb), who has some. PM me or use my CP email. Mt