Smooth Filing

[Deschenus Maximus]

Simple enough question: how do you arrive at a smooth finish when filing? Whenever I do it, it seems like the filed area is scratched and grooved. I'm mainly talking about erasing BA blood drops from DC components.

[Prosedragon]

I feel your pain - I've always gotten the best results from just a sharp razor blade.

 

My thumb might dispute that contention...

[Xeonic]

Once you've filed the area down, I find that going over it with several passes of successively finer sandpaper does the job. But yes, for small stuff a sharp razorblade(your thumb should never be a full stop!) produces better results with less work.

[Hemal]

Or you file along the model. The needle files should produce a relatively smooth finish - though as suggested fine grit sandpaper produces a much smoother surface.

[Olgerth Istaarn]

Use emery boards after you scrape the majority off with the knife (found at any pharmacy). Someone gave me this advice on this board earlier ;) An emery board is essentially sandpaper-on-a-stick, you can cut it down to size if necessary, and they come in very fine grits.

[MajorKhaos]

I use these pads. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?acti...p;isSearch=true

 

They can be cut up into small pieces and being sponge backed are flexible so cn easily folow the contors of the model better than files / sandpaper.

[winterdyne]

The general rule of thumb is the tools do the work, not the muscle. I think you may be pressing too hard on the file, and pulling it back and forth.

 

Try less pressure, more directions (file in a circular motion or regularly change angle) and a finer file. Then sand. Grooving is usually a sign you've put way too much pressure on the piece and worked too much in one direction. Also remember to clean away material regularly (especially on metal) as this can build up and cause scratching too. Also; some files have a particular cutting direction - usually back (toward the handle) - when pulling it this way keep the pressure on the piece particularly light.