one of the principal operations in smithery, &c., succeeding to forging. See FILE.

The coarser cut files are always to be succeeded by finer; and in all the kinds the rule is, to lean heavy on the file in thrusting it forwards, because the teeth of the file are made to cut forwards. But in drawing the file back again for a second stroke, it is to be lightly lifted just above the work, by reason it cuts not coming back.

The rough or coarse-toothed file (which, when large, is called a rubber) serves to take off the unevennesses of the work, left by the hammer in forging.

The bastard toothed file is to take out too deep cuts and file strokes made by the rough file. The fine-toothed file takes out the cuts or file-strokes the bastard file made; and the smooth file those left by the fine file.

In this order, the files of several cuts are to succeed each other till the work is as smooth as it can be filed. After which it may be made yet smoother with emery, tripoli, &c. See POLISHING.