Body files

Flexible panel file
This tool (Figure 3.10a) is designed with a two position handle,and has a 14 in (30cm) spring steel backing plate to give adequate support over the whole blade. Positioned between the two hand grips is a turnscrew threaded left and right hand for adjusting the blade to concave or convex positions to suit the user’s requirements. The main use of this stool is to assist in the final planishing of the work. First and most important,it locates areas which arelow on the surface of the panel under repair; second,it files out small marks or defects on the panel surface. It can be adapted to file the surface of almost any shaped panel by setting the bladeeither straight,concave or convex. The file blades are specially designed so that they do not remove too much metal,and the milled serrations are wide apart and curved to prevent clogging when filing metal which has been painted,soldered or plastic filled. It is important to release the tension on the file blade after use in order to reduce the risk of breakage if it is dropped or struck by accident.

Flat file
This file (Figure 3.10b) has a solid wood holder designed to take a standard 14 in (30cm) blade, which must be used in a rigid position.

Half-round body file
This tool (Figure 3.10c) is similar in design to the flat file but the blade is half-round. It is very useful for curved surfaces.
Abrasive file
This (Figure 3.10d) is not a normal file but an abrasive holder with a wood handle having spring clips at either end on to which can be attached an abrasive grit paper. This tool is of greatest use when rubbing down plastic body fillers to their final finish.
Body file blades
These flexible,double-sided blades are produced from a special alloy steel and heat treated. The milled teeth allow a smooth filing operation and are specially shaped to reduce clogging. The blades are either flat or radiused according to the surface to be filed.
Supercut blades are 8 tpi (teeth per inch) general- purpose standard blades.
Standard cut blades are 9 tpi and used for soft metals such as lead and solder fillers.
Fine cut blades are 13 tpi and used for aluminium, copper and brass.
Extra fine cut clades are 17 tpi and suitable for castiron,steel or any narrow section of metal. Plasticut blades are 6.5 tpi and used for plastic body fillers only.