Over the weekend I went to the steam show to see blacksmithing demonstrations and watch the steam-powered engines do their thing. It’s a great show, but by far my favorite part of the show is the tool vendors who set up on site selling anything from draw-knives to Bridgeport knee mills.
Among the treasures we picked up Jess got a Kelly Wood Slasher she is in love with (quite a score too, original handle, the paper label still on the head and haft). And I picked up some nice used files in some sizes I was lacking mostly first & second cut mill files. So when I got home I realized my tool-roll I use for files is woefully undersized for the new 14-Inch files I brought home.
As you may know, other files are a files worst enemy. As they rub together they file themselves (and each other) down, resulting in a dull, useless tool. These new files that didn’t fit couldn’t be just tossed haphazardly into a drawer, they needed some protection.
While laying out a new design I realized something important about the file storage I have, and all of the storage I have seen sold… they all have the same problem…
You only bring 1-2 files to the job site. Most racks, trays and the few roll-ups hold your entire set. Perhaps 30 pounds of files you’re lugging to the work or you have a handful of unprotected files laying about while you work. So what I wanted was some kind of holster for single files. Something like a knife sheath but designed for a file.
This is what I came up with. It’s not perfect and I already have improvement ideas for version 2, but for now, these will do just fine!
I present to you the File Condom:
Brian Paonessa
For the last 10 years I have been an Internet marketer and web developer with a passion for large system integration projects. I've spent the last few years working for a small fireworks company (Skylighter llc) helping individuals and government clients with pyrotechnic projects. my day to day tasks focus mostly on web development tasks and keeping the Skylighter email marketing machine pumping out good content and offers.