Carbide Hand Files

Often outlast regular files 1 to 100, and can be resharpened over and over again

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Superior Performance, Unmatched Durability

Severance Carbide Hand Files often outlast regular files 1 to 100, and they can be resharpened over and over again.

Severance Tool originated the carbide hand file. Carbide files are ideal for hard materials, which quickly dull ordinary steel files. They are stocked in coarse, medium and fine cuts in the standard tooth pattern, and other cuts and patterns can be supplied promptly to order. Severance can regrind dull carbide files many times for a fraction of the new file cost.

One customer filing long beads of tough titanium weld had been using 40 to 60 16" steel files a day. One Severance FJ-7-W carbide file did the same amount of work as 15 of the steel bastard files.

1 to 100
Often outlast regular files
4
File types: carbide, steel, CBN, diamond
5
Hand file styles: FJ, FZ-K, FZ, FS, FE
Severance carbide hand files

Key Advantages

  • Often outlast regular files 1 to 100
  • Cuts hardened steel
  • Resharpenable
  • Won't load or pinch
  • Multiple cut patterns
  • Multiple shapes

Application & Techniques

Carbide hand file being used for precision filing

Carbide files provide precise control for finishing operations.

Proper Filing Technique

  • Apply pressure on the forward stroke only
  • Lift the file slightly on the return stroke
  • Use full length strokes when possible
  • Keep the file clean with a file card
  • Match cut pattern to material hardness
Hand file technique demonstration

Tooth Patterns

File tooth patterns: standard, curved, diamond and CBN grid, chip breaker, rasp and double cut

Standard tooth patterns are supplied unless specified. Standard tooth is used with light pressure for deburring and smoothing to a smooth finish. Curved tooth removes material fast with less loading on flat, curved and round surfaces. Chip breakers make the file cut a little better because no large shavings are produced. Rasp tooth is for fast removal on relatively soft materials and leaves a rougher finish. Double cut is used with medium pressure for medium finishes. Diamond grid and CBN grid remove material without clogging or loading up.

Tooth Densities

File tooth densities from Super Fine (62 teeth per inch) to Coarse (16 teeth per inch)

Seven tooth densities: Super Fine (.016 pitch, 62 teeth/in.), Extra Fine (.020 pitch, 50 teeth/in.), Fine (.025 pitch, 40 teeth/in.), Med. Fine (.032 pitch, 31 teeth/in.), Medium (.040 pitch, 25 teeth/in.), Med. Coarse (.050 pitch, 20 teeth/in.) and Coarse (.062 pitch, 16 teeth/in.). The FJ, FZ-K, FZ and FS files come in Fine to Coarse; the miniature FE files come in Super Fine to Medium.

File Materials

Carbide Files

Severance originated the carbide hand file. Ideal for hard materials, which quickly dull ordinary steel files. Can be reground many times.

Best For: Hard materials

Diamond Files

Diamond-coated surface for the hardest materials. Ideal for ceramics, glass, carbide, and hardened tool steel.

Best For: Hardest materials

CBN Files

Cubic Boron Nitride for ferrous materials. Excellent heat resistance. Ideal for hardened steel where diamond may react.

Best For: Hardened ferrous

Steel (HSS) Files

Tough, fatigue-resistant select grade of molybdenum steel, heat treated before final grinding. Same cutting action as the carbide files. The ideal "medium" material where inexpensive files do not hold up and where carbide files might chip on an interrupted cut. Steel files can also be reground.

Best For: Interrupted cuts

Carbide File Examples

Precision-ground carbide files available in multiple shapes and cuts for various applications.

FJ-6-W Carbide File

FJ-6-W, 6" stroke in-line style

FZ-6-K hand file

FZ-6-K, offset handle with knob

FZ-6-W Carbide File

FZ-6-W, offset handle

FE-3-W Carbide File with Penny for Scale

Miniature File (shown with penny for scale)

FJ Series - 6" Stroke, In-Line Style

Cutting area 3/4" x 6", OAL 11-3/4". Available in 5 tooth densities: Fine (40 tpi), Med. Fine (31 tpi), Medium (25 tpi), Med. Coarse (20 tpi), and Coarse (16 tpi). Cut patterns: Standard, Curved, Chip Breaker, Rasp, and Double Cut.

HSS - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FJ-3Fine (40 tpi)20070
FJ-4Med. Fine (31 tpi)20071
FJ-5Medium (25 tpi)20072
FJ-6Med. Coarse (20 tpi)20073
FJ-7Coarse (16 tpi)20074

Carbide - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FJ-3-WFine (40 tpi)19770
FJ-4-WMed. Fine (31 tpi)19771
FJ-5-WMedium (25 tpi)19772
FJ-6-WMed. Coarse (20 tpi)19773
FJ-7-WCoarse (16 tpi)19774
Additional Cut Patterns
Cut PatternCutHSS ToolHSS EDPCarbide ToolCarbide EDP
CurvedFine (40 tpi)FCT-320075FCT-3-W19775
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FCT-420076FCT-4-W19776
Medium (25 tpi)FCT-520077FCT-5-W19777
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FCT-620078FCT-6-W19778
Coarse (16 tpi)FCT-720079FCT-7-W19779
Chip BreakerFine (40 tpi)FJ-3-CB20080FJ-3-W-CB19780
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FJ-4-CB20081FJ-4-W-CB19781
Medium (25 tpi)FJ-5-CB20082FJ-5-W-CB19782
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FJ-6-CB20083FJ-6-W-CB19783
Coarse (16 tpi)FJ-7-CB20084FJ-7-W-CB19784
RaspFine (40 tpi)FJ-3-RASP20085FJ-3-W-RASP19785
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FJ-4-RASP20086FJ-4-W-RASP19786
Medium (25 tpi)FJ-5-RASP20087FJ-5-W-RASP19787
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FJ-6-RASP20088FJ-6-W-RASP19788
Coarse (16 tpi)FJ-7-RASP20089FJ-7-W-RASP19789
Double CutFine (40 tpi)FJ-3-DBL20090FJ-3-W-DBL19790
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FJ-4-DBL20091FJ-4-W-DBL19791
Medium (25 tpi)FJ-5-DBL20092FJ-5-W-DBL19792
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FJ-6-DBL20093FJ-6-W-DBL19793
Coarse (16 tpi)FJ-7-DBL20094FJ-7-W-DBL19794
FJ CBN and Diamond Files
Abrasive ActionGrit SizeBorazon (CBN) ToolCBN EDPDiamond (DCF) ToolDiamond EDP
Fine200FJ-CBN-F19720FJ-DCF-F19970
Coarse100FJ-CBN-C19722FJ-DCF-C19974

FZ Series - 3" Stroke, Offset Handle

Offset handle, no knob. Cutting area 3/4" x 3", OAL 8-3/4". Same tooth densities and cut patterns as FJ series. Also available with knob (FZ-K series, OAL 9-1/2").

HSS - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FZ-3Fine (40 tpi)20095
FZ-4Med. Fine (31 tpi)20096
FZ-5Medium (25 tpi)20097
FZ-6Med. Coarse (20 tpi)20098
FZ-7Coarse (16 tpi)20099

Carbide - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FZ-3-WFine (40 tpi)19795
FZ-4-WMed. Fine (31 tpi)19796
FZ-5-WMedium (25 tpi)19797
FZ-6-WMed. Coarse (20 tpi)19798
FZ-7-WCoarse (16 tpi)19799
FZ Additional Cut Patterns (Without Knob)
Cut PatternCutHSS ToolHSS EDPCarbide ToolCarbide EDP
CurvedFine (40 tpi)FCZ-320100FCZ-3-W19800
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FCZ-420101FCZ-4-W19801
Medium (25 tpi)FCZ-520102FCZ-5-W19802
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FCZ-620103FCZ-6-W19803
Coarse (16 tpi)FCZ-720104FCZ-7-W19804
Chip BreakerFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-CB20105FZ-3-W-CB19805
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-CB20106FZ-4-W-CB19806
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-CB20107FZ-5-W-CB19807
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-CB20108FZ-6-W-CB19808
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-CB20109FZ-7-W-CB19809
RaspFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-RASP20110FZ-3-W-RASP19810
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-RASP20111FZ-4-W-RASP19811
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-RASP20112FZ-5-W-RASP19812
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-RASP20113FZ-6-W-RASP19813
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-RASP20114FZ-7-W-RASP19814
Double CutFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-DBL20115FZ-3-W-DBL19815
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-DBL20116FZ-4-W-DBL19816
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-DBL20117FZ-5-W-DBL19817
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-DBL20118FZ-6-W-DBL19818
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-DBL20119FZ-7-W-DBL19819
FZ CBN and Diamond Files
Abrasive ActionGrit SizeBorazon (CBN) ToolCBN EDPDiamond (DCF) ToolDiamond EDP
Fine200FZ-CBN-F19738FZ-DCF-F19983
Coarse100FZ-CBN-C19740FZ-DCF-C19987

FZ-K Series - With Knob

Cutting area 3/4" x 3", OAL 9-1/2". Offset handle with knob.

Cut PatternCutHSS ToolHSS EDPCarbide ToolCarbide EDP
StandardFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-K20120FZ-3-W-K19820
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-K20121FZ-4-W-K19821
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-K20122FZ-5-W-K19822
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-K20123FZ-6-W-K19823
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-K20124FZ-7-W-K19824
CurvedFine (40 tpi)FCZ-3-K20125FCZ-3-W-K19825
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FCZ-4-K20126FCZ-4-W-K19826
Medium (25 tpi)FCZ-5-K20127FCZ-5-W-K19827
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FCZ-6-K20128FCZ-6-W-K19828
Coarse (16 tpi)FCZ-7-K20129FCZ-7-W-K19829
Chip BreakerFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-K-CB20130FZ-3-W-K-CB19830
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-K-CB20131FZ-4-W-K-CB19831
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-K-CB20132FZ-5-W-K-CB19832
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-K-CB20133FZ-6-W-K-CB19833
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-K-CB20134FZ-7-W-K-CB19834
RaspFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-K-RASP20135FZ-3-W-K-RASP19835
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-K-RASP20136FZ-4-W-K-RASP19836
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-K-RASP20137FZ-5-W-K-RASP19837
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-K-RASP20138FZ-6-W-K-RASP19838
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-K-RASP20139FZ-7-W-K-RASP19839
Double CutFine (40 tpi)FZ-3-K-DBL20140FZ-3-W-K-DBL19840
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FZ-4-K-DBL20141FZ-4-W-K-DBL19841
Medium (25 tpi)FZ-5-K-DBL20142FZ-5-W-K-DBL19842
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FZ-6-K-DBL20143FZ-6-W-K-DBL19843
Coarse (16 tpi)FZ-7-K-DBL20144FZ-7-W-K-DBL19844
FZ-K CBN and Diamond Files
Abrasive ActionGrit SizeBorazon (CBN) ToolCBN EDPDiamond (DCF) ToolDiamond EDP
Fine200FZ-CBN-K-F19747FZ-DCF-K-F19996
Coarse100FZ-CBN-K-C19749FZ-DCF-K-C20000

FS Series - 3" Stroke, Plain Style

Cutting area 3/4" x 3", OAL 6". Compact design for tight spaces.

HSS - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FS-3Fine (40 tpi)20145
FS-4Med. Fine (31 tpi)20146
FS-5Medium (25 tpi)20147
FS-6Med. Coarse (20 tpi)20148
FS-7Coarse (16 tpi)20149

Carbide - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FS-3-WFine (40 tpi)19845
FS-4-WMed. Fine (31 tpi)19846
FS-5-WMedium (25 tpi)19847
FS-6-WMed. Coarse (20 tpi)19848
FS-7-WCoarse (16 tpi)19849
Additional Cut Patterns
Cut PatternCutHSS ToolHSS EDPCarbide ToolCarbide EDP
CurvedFine (40 tpi)FCS-320150FCS-3-W19850
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FCS-420151FCS-4-W19851
Medium (25 tpi)FCS-520152FCS-5-W19852
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FCS-620153FCS-6-W19853
Coarse (16 tpi)FCS-720154FCS-7-W19854
Chip BreakerFine (40 tpi)FS-3-CB20155FS-3-W-CB19855
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FS-4-CB20156FS-4-W-CB19856
Medium (25 tpi)FS-5-CB20157FS-5-W-CB19857
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FS-6-CB20158FS-6-W-CB19858
Coarse (16 tpi)FS-7-CB20159FS-7-W-CB19859
RaspFine (40 tpi)FS-3-RASP20160FS-3-W-RASP19860
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FS-4-RASP20161FS-4-W-RASP19861
Medium (25 tpi)FS-5-RASP20162FS-5-W-RASP19862
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FS-6-RASP20163FS-6-W-RASP19863
Coarse (16 tpi)FS-7-RASP20164FS-7-W-RASP19864
Double CutFine (40 tpi)FS-3-DBL20165FS-3-W-DBL19865
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FS-4-DBL20166FS-4-W-DBL19866
Medium (25 tpi)FS-5-DBL20167FS-5-W-DBL19867
Med. Coarse (20 tpi)FS-6-DBL20168FS-6-W-DBL19868
Coarse (16 tpi)FS-7-DBL20169FS-7-W-DBL19869
FS CBN and Diamond Files
Abrasive ActionGrit SizeBorazon (CBN) ToolCBN EDPDiamond (DCF) ToolDiamond EDP
Fine200FS-CBN-F19750FS-DCF-F20009
Coarse100FS-CBN-C19751FS-DCF-C20013

FE Series - Miniature Files

Cutting area 3/8" x 1-1/2", OAL 6". For fine detail work. Available in Super Fine (62 tpi), Extra Fine (50 tpi), Fine (40 tpi), Med. Fine (31 tpi), and Medium (25 tpi).

HSS - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FE-1Super Fine (62 tpi)20170
FE-2Extra Fine (50 tpi)20171
FE-3Fine (40 tpi)20172
FE-4Med. Fine (31 tpi)20173
FE-5Medium (25 tpi)20174

Carbide - Standard Cut

Tool NameCutEDP
FE-1-WSuper Fine (62 tpi)19870
FE-2-WExtra Fine (50 tpi)19871
FE-3-WFine (40 tpi)19872
FE-4-WMed. Fine (31 tpi)19873
FE-5-WMedium (25 tpi)19874
Additional Cut Patterns
Cut PatternCutHSS ToolHSS EDPCarbide ToolCarbide EDP
CurvedSuper Fine (62 tpi)FCE-120175FCE-1-W19875
Extra Fine (50 tpi)FCE-220176FCE-2-W19876
Fine (40 tpi)FCE-320177FCE-3-W19877
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FCE-420178FCE-4-W19878
Medium (25 tpi)FCE-520179FCE-5-W19879
Chip BreakerSuper Fine (62 tpi)FE-1-CB20180FE-1-W-CB19880
Extra Fine (50 tpi)FE-2-CB20181FE-2-W-CB19881
Fine (40 tpi)FE-3-CB20182FE-3-W-CB19882
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FE-4-CB20183FE-4-W-CB19883
Medium (25 tpi)FE-5-CB20184FE-5-W-CB19884
RaspSuper Fine (62 tpi)FE-1-RASP20185FE-1-W-RASP19885
Extra Fine (50 tpi)FE-2-RASP20186FE-2-W-RASP19886
Fine (40 tpi)FE-3-RASP20187FE-3-W-RASP19887
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FE-4-RASP20188FE-4-W-RASP19888
Medium (25 tpi)FE-5-RASP20189FE-5-W-RASP19889
Double CutSuper Fine (62 tpi)FE-1-DBL20190FE-1-W-DBL19890
Extra Fine (50 tpi)FE-2-DBL20191FE-2-W-DBL19891
Fine (40 tpi)FE-3-DBL20192FE-3-W-DBL19892
Med. Fine (31 tpi)FE-4-DBL20193FE-4-W-DBL19893
Medium (25 tpi)FE-5-DBL20194FE-5-W-DBL19894
FE CBN and Diamond Files
Abrasive ActionGrit SizeBorazon (CBN) ToolCBN EDPDiamond (DCF) ToolDiamond EDP
Fine200FE-CBN-F19756FE-DCF-F20022
Coarse100FE-CBN-C19758FE-DCF-C20026

Die Files

Severance carbide die files are used for finishing work on hardened materials. All have 2" long cutting surfaces, and handles are supplied with all die files. The tools below are supplied with the standard spiral, medium cut; other cuts and tooth patterns are available to specification.

Cutting SurfaceShapeTool NameEDP
2"TriangularDFT-1/4-STD20270
2"CircularDFC-1/4-STD20275
2"RectangularDFR-1/4-STD20280
2"Half-RoundDFHR-1/4-STD20285
2"SquareDFS-1/4-STD20290
2"Tapered TriangleDFTT-1/4-STD20295

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Specialty Tools

Custom files and specialty shapes available.

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Regrind Service

Resharpen your carbide files for extended life.

Regrind Service Details
Carbide Machine Files are also available as custom-made tools for production machining applications. Contact us for details and engineering quotes.

Need a Custom File Shape or Size?

We can manufacture carbide files to your specifications.

Contact Engineering
Detailed pages: Carbide Hand Files
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