File buttons

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All
This is a method I use whenever possible as it is quick easy and accurate to file a radius on a component. I have a tin of these I have made over the last 30 years all types and sizes. Sometimes I get lucky and find a pair of buttons I have previously made. The photos below show the method taken to put two radius on a key. The holes in the end of the key are, drilled 3mm to be a close fit on the clamping bolt. Once the radius are, filed to shape, these holes will then, be opened up to 3.3mm and tapped M4. The reason for this is, if I ever need to remove the key, I can use these M4 threads as jacking points.

Turning and drilling silver steel rod


Parted off and faced both end square



Heating the silver steel to harden, I do not bother tempering as I feel there is no need.


The harden buttons, are clamped in place with a M3 socket cap screw, which is a snug fit in the holes of both the key and the buttons (good engineering term lol)




Held in a vice and just file down until the file is in contact with the buttons.




Finished radius.


Key fitted with no additional fitting. Nice tight snug fit


Thank you for taking the time to view
The Home engineer

[Paul Jones]

The Home engineer,

I have not seen this before and a great method for hand filing a perfect radius.

Thank you for the advice,

Paul

[thehomeengineer]

Hi Paul
Thank you for the kind words.
Just another point about using buttons:
You do not have to use silver steel sometimes I make them out of steel due to the size of radius to be cut and leave soft. I could case harden I guess but often it is only one or two radius’s that need filing so I don't bother. I just go a bit more careful when filling with these softer buttons. Soft steel buttons also work on the softer materials Brass, Aluminium etc. However, for best results whenever possible use the hardened buttons.
Thank you for taking the time to view
The Home Engineer

[j.bickley]

Unusual. Thanks!
---Joe

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All
This is a follow up to my post on file buttons. I had to file two radiuses on one component last night and made a button for this application. The other two buttons are the ones I previously made for the key.
The middle button was, machined with a flat so it would fit on the correct centre line of the component and tapped M3. The reason for tapping the button, I did not have a long enough M3 bolt so used tw0 shorter ones bolted from either side. Once finished the two items fitted a treat with no fettling needed. It takes longer to make the buttons and harden them, then to file the radiuses on the work piece but well worth the effort. The tin box is a selection of buttons I have made in the past.





Thank you for taking the time to view.
The Home Engineer

[DIYer]

Thanks thehomeengineer! We've added your File Buttons to our Metalworking category,
as well as to your builder page: thehomeengineer's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

File Buttons by thehomeengineer

tags: file, radius

[Okapi]

A good demonstration for something we always need in the workshop, if you have old rotating guides for centering chambering tools like the Ifanger system, it's a cheap solution too for hardened rollers in small diameters.

[WOTSIRB]

The key end radii locate the key lengthwise, Bolting the key also provides location. Belt and braces ?

[CharlesWaugh]

Fantastic!
I love manual methods that simply WORK.

And, the art of hand-filing is all-but-dead (though you have retained and are promulgating it)
:-)

[emu roo]

Hi a great tool thanks for sharing.