Howstuffworks "Files"

Tools and hardware are the nuts and bolts of every home improvement project. Learn about different kinds of tools and hardware and find out how to use hardware correctly.

Related Categories:

> Adhesives
> Hand Tools
> Power Tools

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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Club, Fix-It. "Files." 22 March 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://home.howstuffworks.com/files.htm> 12 May 2008.

Files

by Fix-It Club

A wood rasp, with a rasp and/or curved-tooth cut, is used to remove excess wood. The piece of wood is final-smoothed with a single-cut or double-cut file.

Files are handy for smoothing out rough surfaces.

You may not need files for most quick fixes. If you do decide to add some to your home-repair toolbox, buy an assortment of flat files -- wood rasp, bastard, second-cut, and smooth.

Not what you're looking for? Try these:

Home Repair Tools: Whether you prefer to use the Yellow Pages for anything that needs fixing around the house or consider yourself a regular do-it-yourselfer, there are a handful of tools that everyone should have in their tool box. Learn all about them in this article.
Abrasives: Choosing the proper abrasive for a home repair job usually means the difference between mediocre results and a truly professional appearance. Check out this article for tips on using sandpaper, steel wool, and a file.
Steel Wool: When using steel wool, you'll want to choose the correct grade of coarseness appropriate for the job at hand. See this article for suggestions.
Sandpaper: Sandpaper comes in myriad forms. Find helpful tips along with a chart containing information on sandpaper types and uses on this page.