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I have a few files that I use mostly on plastic models, but a few metal ones as well. After a few months of use, the metal and plastic filings seem to make the file smooth, and I am having a terrible time trying to clean it out. Any suggestions?

I believe you need to use a metal wire brush.

I don't have many ideas to help, but sometimes I clean my files with a cloth right after I use them to get rid of all the excess crap that builds up

Dual Face wrote:I don't have many ideas to help, but sometimes I clean my files with a cloth right after I use them to get rid of all the excess crap that builds up

unfiortunately, it's a little late for that... But I will do so from now on, it's a good idea, thanks!

Invest in a wire brush. That should do the trick. You'll probably want one that is of medium stiffness, so it does it's job without damaging the files.

Edit: Ha, ninja'd by SilverMK2

You can also use a scrap piece of wood pushed in the direction of the file grain to push the crud that has built up along the valleys and out of the side of the file.

Are they diamond-coated or plain metal? Metal files are far easier to clean (mill cut more so than bastard), since they have straight grooves that can be scraped clean with a stiff brush or a file card. Diamond-coated files are more like sandpaper, with lots of little pits and crevices, so a combination of wire brush a running water may be necessary to really flush gunk out. A stiff gum eraser can also help with general upkeep (you can get massive ones meant for clearing the pads on belt-/disk-/drum-sanders).

I leave my files in nail varnish remover, the type with acetone in. Its melts always the plastic and pretty much gets rid of the rest of the gunk aswell

Try pressing the file (assume metal) into a small piece of Blue-tac and lift it out again, do the next section.

Works for me.

If you mainly use it for plastic you can simply burn the swarf away with a blow torch

Burning plastic is not a good idea. You could try compressed air, but it is a bit of a waste.

I've always used something like this:

http://www.micromark.com/File-Cleaner,7355.html