Float??

[Dave Cottrell]

I recently picked up what looks like a float, but the "teeth" are curved. It is shaped just like a hoof rasp (13" long, about 1 1/4" wide, rectangular, not tapered) and the teeth are curved in parallel with what looks like a 2-3" radius. They are the same on both sides. So, what is it? (sorry no camera)

[Don C Peterson]

Sounds like a float to me...

I saw one just like that at a Flea Market, but didn't buy it because I couldn't figure out how I'd sharpen the darn thing.

[Rob Luter]

It's a float, aka a smoothing file. I have two or three. Some are equipped with screw holes so they can be mounted on a frame like this: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=56530&cat=1,42524

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/Woodworking/SandingShaping/62w1415-av1.jpg

[James Davis]

It is a Vixen file. It was designed to cut metal and is used widely in the autobody industry. Here is a link to a site that shows one in use.
http://users.cablemo.net/~jjshultz/sonex/vixen.html

James Davis

[mike holden]

Don,
you would sharpen just like any file or rasp - acid dip
Mike