I am looking for a nice set/selection of good quality needle files, and wondered if anyone had any suggestions. I have been looking at the UMV Vallorbe files (mostly from UK dealers) that have been recommended in Tony Greenland’s Panzer Modelling book, but the cost is rather prohibitive, and I am unable to find a US supplier which might have a better price (given the current value of the dollar, buying through the UK just seems undoable right now). Does anyone have any ideas, or know of US suppliers of UMV files? How about Grobet Vallorbe–are they worthwhile? Or Klein files–how do they compare? I ask because I have seem some Grobet Vallorbe files offered on eBay-UK which seem quite reasonable in price. Thank you!
Well, I don’t know if you allready have some and just want better ones? But if you don’t have any now work your way thru the suppliers. Start with (here in the U.S.) Harbour Freight, you will get a China made needle or riffer set for as low as $2 on sale. If you already have some and know brand names that you like then search that manufacture name. Widget, MicroMark or any of the other small tool specialist companies? HTH.
I have some needle files, but they are rather cheap, are wearing out rather quickly, and I would just like higher quality files. Something that will last, and enable me to do some very fine work. What I would like is recommendations from other modellers on specific brands they like, preferably high quality files at a cost that isn’t totally insane. I am willing to spend some money on a decent set, I just don’t want to go over the top if I can avoid it. I found a set of 5 UMV Vallorbe files online for about 65 GBP, about $133 USD, which is just too darn much, and I am looking for an aggreable compromise. If I were a “professional” and made a living doing this, I might think otherwise!
I have several sets of needle files but the set I use most was bought at Big Lots for $3. If you use them on plastic they will last a lifetime. When they seem like they aren’t working as good as they once did, soak them in a plastic solvent and scrub them clean with a brass wire brush. I like to use MEK but any plastic solvent will work. Eye protection is a must too.
“The only tool you can afford is the best tool you can find.” —Ross Martinek
A decent set of files will cost you. Look for Swiss or German made, and search under jeweler’s supplies and tools. Grobet and Nickolson are good brands. I bought mine so long ago that I’ve forgotten what brand they are, or where I got them That being said, you will have to shop around:
Brownells recommended. Check out the EZE-lap diamond files. EZE-Lap products are excellent.
I have a 6-piece set made by exacto that I purchased almost 20 years ago…still use them, and quite often. The fact that they are used mainly on styrene, resin, and softer metals, and are cleaned after each use, has helped to prolong their life span considerably.
I have a ton of files. They hardly get used unless I am doing some serious kit bashing and scratchbuilding. My advice, buy the cheap ones, you’ll probably never wear them out and if you do, hey they are cheap enough to replace. I once picked up a set of twelve in one of those bargin bins of Chicago Tools at a local hardware store for something like $3. The high end wood workers sets were anywhere from $50-$200, yeah they were better, but not for what I needed them for…shaping soft materials like styrene and putty? This is one time I say go low buck.
somewhere in storage I actually have coffee cans full of riffler files and needle files. I mean to say hundreds of different shapes and styles. Have never needed them in the last fifteen years. What I do use a lot are the Sandvic and Nicolson sets that come in the small packages. One thing I learned about files a long time ago was that you get what you pay for. In the Grizzley catalog they list several sets that are pretty reasonably priced.