checkering file: is it worth the $?

T

Travis Fry

Well-Known Member
I understand the use and point of a checkering file, but they're freakin' expensive and I'd rather spend my limited funds elsewhere. I'll go ahead and get one if you guys can convince me it's necessary, but does anyone have a good alternative besides being really careful with a needle file?
 
I'd say its worth while. I use mine all the time. I had a hard time getting thumb notches evenly spaced and the same depth. I could be really careful with a needle file, take over an hour, and still have them off. A checkering file takes about 5 minutes and has perfect results. I've checkered quite a few thumb grooves and it still cuts good. I've only used one side of mine and they're two sided so they should last a while. I think mine's paid for itself many times over by now.

Just my two cents.
 
I've been using mine for years, and I don't even remember what I paid for it. But every time I use it, I'm reminded of how quickly it works compared to a needle file, and what else I can get accomplished with the time I've saved.
 
This makes sense to me. The followup question is what kind? There are a lot of different brands, and I don't know much about any of them.
 
Another good tool for setting thumb notches evenly is a thread-cleaning file. Mine has 8 different faces on it for various TPI/pitch etc.

I don't think it would work so well for actual checkering, but I'm not sure because I've never checkered a darn thing.
 
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James,
Setting thumb notches is what I have in mind, and that file looks like just the right tool. Thanks for the link!
 
You're welcome! They work pretty good, it's obviously easiest to use them before HT. It's nice to have 8 options on one simple tool. That link isn't the exact one I have, just the first one that popped up on google. Same concept, though. Shop around.

J. Doyle said:
...And a bit cheaper.
Click to expand...
Yeah, $8 versus $42... yikes!
 
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I went ahead and ordered from them. Just FYI they have a minimum order of $25, which was enough to cover a tapered reamer and a carbide bit in addition to the file. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
 
I purchased my last checkering files About 20 years ago from Brownells and they are still going strong and I use them a lot.Thet are worth every penny when you consider the use you get out of them about a dollar a year.
 
I use mine a lot. I'm on my second one. I have a 20 tpi. The CPM 3V is pretty rough on them.
-John
 
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