These are the smoothest, fastest cutting files you can buy. Nothing compares to diamonds. The rotary tone hole file set comes with 6 machined discs/pilots ranging from 12mm to 50mm in diameter (suitable for Alto's & Tenors). The discs can be used to check the flatness of a tone hole by placing a disc (bare metal side down) over a tonehole and using a leak light. To file down high spots of a tone hole, the file is placed on the tonehole and turned with a wrench while applying pressure. The image to the left shows an assembled tone hole file and smaller disc for locating in the tonehole. The ball end allen wrench driver prevents tilting of the file on the tonehole. Works great for repair shops and other high volume work.
Special 1-3/4" low C file and 2-1/2" Baritone files are available. Seven inbetween size plastic pilots are extra. Go to my prices/ordering page to order replacement diamond skins.
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DIAMOND TONEHOLE FILES FOR FLUTES
JS flute tonehole files come supplied with your choice of #300, 600 or 1200 grit diamond abrasive which cuts fast and smooth. These high quality finishing discs are made of precision surface ground steel with diamonds embeded directly into the metal. These are the only files that give you a perfectly flat tonehole quickly and easily every time. Other files are a slow struggle in comparison. For a fine finish I recommend the standard 600 and then the 1200 grit finishing discs. The 300 grit discs are better for student quality flutes or general roughing in. The back side of each steel disc doubles as a surface guage to check for perfect flatness of the tonehole.
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JS SAX AND FLUTE TONEHOLE CHAMFER FILES
To reduce vibration of the tool use a low RPM setting. Before starting, screw the abrasive all the way onto the mandrill, dress the rubber abrasive bit by mounting it on the tool, turn on the small hand tool, then hold the rubber bit to a spinning grinder until the high (out of round) areas are ground off - this will also help to reduce vibration. The chamfer bits without the rotary tool is shown on the left. You can use a common Dremel rotary tool (must have low RPM setting – not single speed), or buy one of mine at reduced cost (not Dremel – see below). Saxophone and Flute chamfer files and templates are different sizes and are sold separately. Lay the plastic template around the tonehole to protect the instrument body. Hold the rotary tool near the tip. Smooth off the outside and inside edges of the tonehole with the angled portion of the abrasive rubber bit. Once or twice around is all you should need – keep the tool moving so you never grind in one spot. Dress up the abrasive bit again when it becomes worn and grooved. Replacement abrasive bits are available separately.
ROTARY TOOL
The rotary tool includes a variety of polish felts, cutoff discs, 1/8" and 3/32" collets, diamond burrs etc, etc. Comes with 110 volt AC to 12 Volt DC power pack. You can buy a complete chamfer file kit for flute or sax or purchase the components separately.
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