Metal checkering question

[fat tony]

At one time Brownell's used to sell 1, 2, and 3 line metal checkering files for laying out checkering on complex convex metal parts. I see no such offering from them now. I was planning on putting a checkered surface on a buttplate.

I'm looking at about a .050" spacing.

But seeing how I am behind the curve already, I might just do it straight across. The Grobert files are all pricey, which makes their purchase impractical.

I was thinking of modifying something common place but I don't know anything like that either. Maybe grinding a hacksaw blade, but that also seems iffy. The approach seems to be a careful layout then slowly cutting the vee grooves frequently checking with dividers.

A flexible ruler clamped down followed by scoring with a hardened steel or tungsten carbide scriber is about the only way I can think of to make the initial grooves.

These types of jobs seem to eat up vast blocks of time even for professionals.

 

[rnrogers]

I'm a retired HD mechanic , I have a set of thread files we used to clean up threads on parts that were damaged, , I've used thm to
Checker hammer spures and other small parts , they're available in 12 tpi up to 32 tpi, check snap-on tools

 

[guntech]

You will want to finish (point up) the metal checkering with a smooth 60 degree "V" file just like wood checkering... only harder.

 

[fat tony]

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Leeper]

The thread chasing files work fine for initial spacing but from there you are going to have to use a sharp v file. Martin Hagn used those thread chasing files to make his checkering tools for wood.

 

[m1008]

Snap on truck would be the last place I’d look for a thread file.
https://www.vallorbe.com/file.cfm?cmsfile=&contentid=6411
Grobet is another brand
Depends on the cut number for how fine the file is.
Nicklson are now and no longer make in the us.
Watch making supply houses like Perrin in Toronto might have what your looking for

 

[Buck1950]

Princess has a metric one for $20, but may not last long - depends on how hard you object is.

 

[boxhitch]

.

 

[257Wby]

Search “ Brownells checkering files “and you will find them

 

[fat tony]

Those have about a dozen lines. The ones they used to stock about ten years ago had one, two, or three lines, for starting patterns on complex convex shapes. I am guessing it was a special run by Grobert that went by the boards. The plandemic killed many good things.