Re: [Harp-L] Needle Files

[Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

MicroMark offers a wide selection of small files, some of which are curved.

I have modified files by grinding off all of the teeth except for 1/8" at the tip.  This makes it easy to keep the filing local.

I have used a Dremel abrasive wheel to re-shape an Xacto blade into a stubby little shape almost flat across the tip but with a slight arc.   This makes a scraper that works very well.  It as also useful for removing old windsaver glue.  The only difference between filing and scraping is that the file has a few more teeth. The scraper doesn't load up as the file does.

When at home, I use a Shofu Brownie wheel in a fingernail-shaper spindle.  Away from home, the scraper fits better in a small harmonica toolkit.

Vern

On Dec 5, 2011, at 10:00 AM, Joseph Leone wrote:

> Or, lol, a small set from Home Depot will suffice. After all, we're talking brass here. As long as you don't let the 'tips' load up, you're good to go.
> I (personally) use slips a lot. I take enough popsicle sticks to fill a 1" (25.4mm) clamp. I coat the edges with contact cement, then slam them down on a piece of 80/280/1000 emory paper, place a personal watercraft battery on them and next day I slit them apart with an razor blade. Thrn I cut the ends on a 45 angle. As the paper loads up, I snip off the wood with side cutters.
> Assuming a tuning of one complete note (100 cents),  I use the 80 for the first 50 cents of tuning, the 280 for the next 30 cents, and the 1000 for the fine tuning. 
> 
> You could also use a file for the first 80 cents if careful, and adjust as you go. I got my files when I went to Kay's jewelry store to buy a ring. Asked the jeweler if he had any junk files and burrs he could let go for a song. He proceeded to empty his drawer. Most of the files were badly worn and loaded up on the tips. After a soak in turpentine and having to snap the tips off of several to get to clean hatch, I was salad. 
> 
> smo-joe  (btw, that name is Grobet America. A Swiss firm actually..kind expensive..so go with the hardware store..and 'smo-joe-slips'. 
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Date: December 5, 2011 12:22:17 PM EST
>> To: Frank Franze <franze52@xxxxxxx>
>> Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
>> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Needle Files
>> 
>> Look at a jewelry supply catalogue. I forget the name right now. It might be: Gobert or Grobert. They have the very finest tools that one can find. No affiliation.
>> smo-joe
>> 
>> On Dec 5, 2011, at 12:14 PM, Frank Franze wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi, I am looking to purchase some "Needle Files" to tune harps with...If anyone has suggestions - PLEASE post your advise, Thank You!
>>> 
>>> Frank  		 	   		  
>> 
>> 
>