What file is needed for extractor tuning?

[L0UISVILLE]

Title pretty much asks it all. What kind of file(s) do you guys use and where can I get them?

[wichaka]

A good quality set of needle files. Look at Brownells, the set will run around 100.00

[L0UISVILLE]

A good quality set of needle files. Look at Brownells, the set will run around 100.00
I must admit, when I seen ($100), my jaw dropped. But, at least I now know I need a needle file, lol. Down the road, when times arent so hard, I might be able to afford a nice set. For the moment, Im just looking for a (singular) file, or other cheap alternative like these I guess http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/file-needle/BDF05

[L0UISVILLE]

What kind of needle file do you use btw?

[wichaka]

I use 5..........a small round, a square, triangle, a flat, and one that looks like a flat file, but has the file part on the edges only.

If you can get just those 4, you'd do well. I'm not around my Brownells catalog at the moment, but you may be able to get those same high quality files individually.

[niemi24s]

One fairly good place to get jeweler's (needle) files locally is if there's a hobby shop in your area. Those that stock them in my neck of the woods have them singly or in sets, but they're usually not a very fine cut.

The US$3+ set of 6 from Widget Supply is, however, hard to beat price-wise. Extractors are around RCH 48 to 52, and these el-cheapos may possibly file a little before they get too dull. :D

There IS a difference (other than price) between a 50¢ file and a $10 file.

[L0UISVILLE]

One fairly good place to get jeweler's (needle) files locally is if there's a hobby shop in your area. Those that stock them in my neck of the woods have them singly or in sets, but they're usually not a very fine cut.

The US$3+ set of 6 from Widget Supply is, however, hard to beat price-wise. Extractors are around RCH 48 to 52, and these el-cheapos may possibly file a little before they get too dull. :D

There IS a difference (other than price) between a 50¢ file and a $10 file.
No I understand completely the old motto "You get what you pay for."
And I really only expect 1 use from these cheapo sets anyways. On a side note, wichikia, Tuner, whoever-What kind of file should I use to radius a firing pin stop?

[L0UISVILLE]

Actually, for just a tad more, I found these at cheaperthandirt.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd_images/bgprod/GNS-342.jpg $10.00 LOL

[Canuck-IL]

What kind of file should I use to radius a firing pin stop? Just tape some 400 grit paper to a sheet of glass and drag the FPS toward you on it...keeps the cut even, 20 minutes or so will do it.
/Bryan

[L0UISVILLE]

Thanks Canuck. I started to think about that after posting, just didnt know how long it would take.

[niemi24s]

Canuck-IL's method (drawing the FPS towards you) is the only effective way to keep the cut even when doing the job by hand.

The same method can also be used with a file, but just make sure the file is wider than the FPS and has a fairly fine cut. Then finish with abrasive paper on glass (or anything hard and flat - don't use wood) or a flat abrasive file (stone).

With either abrasive paper, file or stone, check the work often to keep the cut even from side to side. You want the FPS radius to bear evenly across the width of the hammer face. A normal (loose) FPS will pivot slightly about the FP and bear evenly. A properly fitted FPS won't pivot.

[Hill]

Some Chinese files cut, but many don't.

If you don't use at least one good file you may be quite a while finding out how different they can be.

[Lazarus]

For extractors, you need to find a tiny, good quality triangle file to work on the lower inside edge of the claw and the lower inside radius (if you elect to have one). The other jobs can be done with your standard gunsmithing fine-cut flat files. You might polish up the claw with some 600 paper, but I woudn't stick it under the buffing wheel.

-Lazarus