Many people confuse woodworking rasps with files as both have a somewhat similar look and do similar tasks. However, there is a fundamental difference between the two that is often overlooked; that is, files are made for metal, and rasps are meant to work on wood.
If you are interested to know more differences between files and rasps, you are at the right place. After reading the article, you should have a clear understanding of file vs rasp; their functions, pros, and cons, and many more.
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Difference Between Files and Rasps
Before digging deeper about rasp vs file, let’s learn the key differences between the two. The basic differences between them appear when you look at the size, shape, and arrangement of the teeth in both tools. Soon you learn how they are different and how you can use them for the right functions.
Usually, the files have teeth that go across their width. They come sometimes with parallel teeth and sometimes with crossing teeth that create opposing angles. The teeth are shaped and arranged in such a way that works best on metals, rather than on wood. On the contrary, the rasps have a series of mountain-shaped teeth that work best on wooden materials.
Although both have different functions and work on different materials, many tend to count them under woodworking tools and consider them the same. But to be specific, rasps are made for wood, and files are made for metal.
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What Is a Rasp?
A rasp is a woodworking tool that removes a large amount of materials with a single stroke. The mountain-shaped teeth help you to remove materials in no time. It leaves partially a smooth finish which you can further smoothen by a bit of sanding. That explains a lot about why woodworkers tend to have a few rasps in their shops or work sites. In fact, woodworkers use different types of rasps that allow them to shape a piece of wood; that is, to flatten and smoothen it.
Rasps come in different types: thick-cut, medium cut, and smooth cut. However, they do not cut through materials, remove stocks so that you can achieve a specific shape out of a piece of wood.
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What Is a File?
Files are one of the essential tools to shape a piece of metal. The long teeth work aggressively on the material to remove materials and achieve a specific shape.
Depending on the purpose and function of the tool, the files come with teeth of different profiles and arrangements. Some files are made for crosscut and some are for a straight cut.
You can also use them on wood, but the problem is they clog up when applied on wood. When we look at different types of files, we see four different profiles of teeth: coarse, bastard, second cut, and smooth. You have the freedom to pick and choose depending on your project and style of working.
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Conclusion
These two tools are used by woodworkers and other professionals when they work with metal or wood. Although they are very simple and lightweight tools, you won’t be able to run a workshop in their absence.
However, these primary tools are often regarded as the same despite the differences found in them or their unique usage of them. Since you have learned about the difference between files and rasps, you should now be able to take your knowledge to the workstation. I hope this article would help in this regard.
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