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Tools & Supplies
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How do I clean a file?
GhengisWong
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United States
Member Since: May 06, 2003
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:52 AM UTC
Hi All,

Can anyone suggest a way to clean out a file that is full of plastic and other junk built up from use. I'm referring to a modelling file, the files in my office are hopeless...

Thanks,
Jason
scoccia
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Milano, Italy
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:57 AM UTC
Try with an eraser the one for the pencils...
Ciao

GunTruck
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California, United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 09:57 AM UTC
I've tried two things:

1) An old toothbrush...
2) The stainless steel brush that comes in most Dremel tool sets. That works fairly well in knocking out the debris between the ridges of a file...

Gunnie
matt
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
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New York, United States
Member Since: February 28, 2002
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 10:00 AM UTC
There's a file cleaner called a File Card. It's made for "full size" files but it works on model files as well. A wire brush in the dremel or a hand held "miniature" wire brush works great too
GhengisWong
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 10:05 AM UTC
Thanks Guys.

I'll give it a go with the metal brush in the Dremel box. Didn't even think of that.

Thanks again.
Army
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:39 AM UTC
Good info! I was having the same problem..
Sabot
Member Since: December 18, 2001
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:52 AM UTC
Swirl it around in clean thinner. Let it sit for a while if the build up is really bad.
ZoomieE7
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Texas, United States
Member Since: October 17, 2002
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Posted: Monday, June 02, 2003 - 12:00 PM UTC
Lacquer thinner works especially well. One of its best modeling uses. Rob
Holdfast
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IPMS-UK KITMAKER BRANCH
#056
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Member Since: September 30, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 06:55 AM UTC
:-) I use a suade shoe brush, works well :-)
Mal
Eagle
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Member Since: May 22, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 06:57 AM UTC
A flame.. burn the plastic away and after that .... thinner. DON'T reverse that action !!!
REMF11M
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Member Since: December 18, 2002
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Posted: Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 08:09 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A flame.. burn the plastic away and after that .... thinner. DON'T reverse that action !!!


Why not? The flame is such a pretty color. Oh the flaming thinner is running down my hand. That'll leave a mark.

Now seriously I just use the thinner. let it set over night.
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