How do I tell a wood file from a metal file? I have several, and they are appox. the size of a 12" wood ruler

Question

How do I tell a wood file from a metal file? I have several, and they are appox. the size of a 12" wood ruler

Answer 1

Files are for metal, the tool for wood is called a rasp. It will have sharp pointed teeth that are about 1/8" long and widely spaced.  Once you see a rasp you will know what it is. Most of those metal tools are files, not rasp.

Answer 2

Wood files are coarser than metal files to help keep the wood fibers from clogging them.

Answer 3

The teeth on a wood file will be more course and a metal file they will be more finer.

Answer 4

the abrading surface on metal files has the ridges set straight up and on a wood file the ridges are angle toward the cut.  The best example is called a "four in hand" rasp, it has one flat side with 1/2 rasp and half wood file and the other side is rounded with 1/2 rasp and half file.  A rasp is unmistakable, small teeth meant to remove wood quickly.

I'm guessing you have metal files if they are flat on both sides and both sides are the same.

Answer 5

Take a magnet and see if it sticks to the file.  If it does, it is metal...if not, it is probably wood, but I have seen some made of paper....for fingernails.